Scary Music and Gothic Horror Music (Midnight Syndicate)

Updated for
 Halloween 2007

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Midnight Syndicate
Dungeons & Dragons
Release Year: 2003

About the Artist:
For the past eight years, Midnight Syndicate has been creating classic gothic/horror soundscapes for the imagination. Featuring their unique blending of haunting orchestral music and carefully crafted sound effects, the band has become one of the premiere artists in their field and one of the largest producers of Halloween music and scary music in the world.

Description:
Midnight Syndicate brings you the first-ever officially licensed soundtrack to the role-playing classic that started it all. Ancient underground temples, dark knights, mysterious labyrinths, sorcerers, forgotten tombs, enchanted forests, and creatures await you on this new release containing over an hour of scary orchestral music from the masters of gothic horror music.

Reviews:
My husband attended the CD release party and brought home this CD. I had no idea what to expect and was a little bit nervous about the idea of a Dungeons & Dragons CD -- especially since I don't play. I enjoyed all of the tracks and thought that they could really spark someone's imagination. Then I learned more about Midnight Syndicate and found out that this concept was the inspiration for their scary music. My husband says he wish he had something like this in high school for when they played Dungeons & Dragons. So I honestly feel that this CD fits it's purpose and can also be enjoyed by people not playing the game.
-Music Fan, Amazon.com Reviewer

First off, let me say that this review is the viewpoint of a RPG GM. I have been role-playing for a large number of years and have always been disappointed with the lack of properly suitable background music for gaming. Then I stumbled across Midnight Syndicate. I was blown away by the very first track I heard. I rushed out immediately and snatched up everything I could by them. Their work previous to this album is all very dark, Call of Cthulu, Chill, Ravenloftish, possibly even VtM themed scary music. That took care of my favourite type of campaign, horror-based.
Then, reading through Dragon Magazine, I found out they were releasing a CD specifically tailored to gaming. I nearly jumped for joy. It's about time! I pre-ordered it and have never regretted it's purchase. The Fens of Sargath is a particularly prominent piece in my campaign right now, but pieces like Heroes' Valor and Ride to Destiny get the group worked up to accomplish whatever goals are set before them. If you're into fantasy-based background scary music or a GM who needs a bit more mood enhancement. This CD and all their others are perfect for the discerning ear. I cannot understand why any person who has an actual interest in this type of music wouldn't love practically every track.

Category:

• Scary Music

• Gothic Music

• Horror Music

• Halloween Music

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at Amazon.com

Midnight Syndicate
Symphonies from the Crypt
Release Date: 2002

Description:
Unleash your darkest nightmares as you enter the world of the Vampyre. Echoing from ancient crypts, these haunting symphonies call forth the horror, mystery, and passion of the night that awaits you...another CD of good old-fashioned scary music from Midnight Syndicate. This CD also makes great Halloween music.

Reviews:
Composers Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka have spent the last few years composing scary music and spooky soundscapes dominated by muffled cellos, shrieking violins, a prancing piano, and a creepy pipe organ. After many Halloween nights, it seemed natural for Midnight Syndicate to drift their sound into the unholy world of vampires. Unfortunately, with so many images of Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, and Gary Oldman being stamped into America's pop culture, 2002's "Vampyre" doesn't stand out very well. In fact, the "scary music" is quite stale when compared to "Realm of Shadows" and "Gates of Delirium." Although a few of "Vampyre's" sepulchral melodies beautifully express themselves, the rest of the track list is dull and predictable; basically, most of this album is one long dirge.
I will try to describe the imaginative action in some of the better tunes. "Crypt of the Forsaken" will escort listeners down a stone staircase and into the darkness of an empty grave. When hearing "Winged Fury," one can envision a malicious cloud of bats silhouetted against a full moon. The bittersweet harpsichord of "Blackest Rose" introduces us to an aristocratic vampire in all his jewels and finery. The emotionally tense piano of "Ravages of Time" is trapped in a dizzying cyclone of the passing years; during this track, the vampire's skin rots away as his hunger for blood takes hold. The maddening violin strings of "Unseen Eyes" repeatedly sway forward and jerk back, like a muscular spasm. "Undead Hunters" is definitely a chase scene; here, many bloodsuckers (in their coven) levitate above the trees and silently glide to their prey like owls. Finally, the waltzing "Spectral Masquerade" involves ghosts that fade in and out like whispers. In this song, the scary music melody flickers like playful highlights on a silver candelabrum. If you are still interested in purchasing the dreary scores of Midnight Syndicate, I humbly recommend 2000's "Realm of Shadows," and 2001's "Gates of Delirium."
-Pamela Scarangello, Amazon.com Reviewer

It is no surprise that the vampire theme holds a great appeal for many people, particularly due to the metaphoric nature that can depict man and addiction or man as an outsider from the norm. Vampyre adds a bit more than just your garden-variety spooky cliche. There are clearly demarcations of bittersweet memories, dark seductiveness and forlorn emotions interwoven with some of the creepy elements and scary music. It is though we get a sense of the "life" of our undead travelers that flitter by in a subconscious way. Without any authored prose or spoken dialogue to set the scenes, as in previous releases, the macabre elements and scary music are given a three-dimensional aspect of the vampyric characters, deftly created via the utilization of scary sound alone. From the dark tones of the opening track "Awakening," through the funereal style "Unhallowed Ground," right through the last track "Vampyre," we are provided with a first hand voyeuristic perspective of the entire transformation and damnation of the vampire. The magic behind the scary music is to create "soundtracks for the mind as well as the movie that has never been made." However, all of Midnight Syndicate's work is simply prime material waiting to be tapped for future film scores. Recently, the astute horror maestro and film director, Danny Draven, featured their earlier work in his film score of Witchhouse 3. (Available for rental at Blockbuster or for sale at Amazon...Hearing this scary music coupled with the marvel of cinema is a natural progression and transition that hopefully, more in the filmmaking industry will come to realize as well.
-mavjb, Amazon.com Reviewer

Category:

• Scary Music

• Gothic Music

• Horror Music

• Halloween Music

Preview/Buy CD
at Amazon.com

Midnight Syndicate
Gates of Delirium
Release Date: 2001

Description:
They have taken you deep into the crypts of a forbidden castle and to the edge of the sea among the ruins of a cursed village...Now the masters of gothic and horror music invite you to take a musical journey into the macabre world of Haverghast Asylum. Your horse and carriage await you...This is exceptionally scary music, also used as Halloween music.

Reviews:
Of the Midnight Syndicate discs I own, this is one of my favorites. There's a lot of musical variety and some really creepy soundscape moments. The setting for this masterpiece is a haunted turn-of-the-century asylum. As is with all the Midnight Syndicate discs, the atmosphere is created through a blending of orchestral, instrumental, movie-soundtrack type scary music and occasional sound effects.

Although predominantly very dark and tenebrous, there are some tracks that have more of a reflective, haunting feel to them rather than blatantly scary music. Tracks like the title track, "Unrest in the East Wing," "Halls of Insurrection," "Welcome," and my favorite, "Alternative Therapy" are the up-tempo, sometimes frantic, on-the-edge tracks that most would associate with an operating house of madness. However, pieces like "Haverghast Asylum," "Residents Past" (also a favorite), "Ebony Shroud," and "Cage of Solitude" are slower, sometimes sinister, more haunting pieces that hint at the supernatural element of the establishment and show a different angle of the residents.

As opposed to "Born of the Night," "Vampyre," and "Realm of Shadows" where the setting and consequently the sound effects and scary music are more ghostly and otherworldly, the sound elements on this disc are more present/real-worldly. For example, you will hear actual inmates yelling, or talking, at several point on the disc in addition to an occasional ghostly murmur, howl, etc. In the tradition of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Legend of Hell House," and the asylum in "Disturbing Behavior," these soundscape elements create some especially creepy, scary music moments (especially in headphones) - on tracks like "Sleep Tight," "Dead of Night," and the cool intro piece "Arrival."

If the occasional (and it is only occasional) "human-element" to your horror discs doesn't bother you, this disc is perfect to set the mood for any dark and stormy night. A disc chock full of memorable melodies and some of my favorite Midnight Syndicate tracks and scary music to date. Excellent for Call of Cthulu roleplaying game sessions. Second only to "Born of the Night" in being the best Midnight Syndicate disc to blast out of your house during Halloween night. Close your eyes and enjoy the journey.
-Miles Denton, Amazon.com Reviewer

A lone scream pierces the night...dark shadows envelop unwilling guests of a wretched stronghold that harbors an unspeakable terror...Welcome to Haverghast Asylum." If you are searching for scary music to compliment your Satanic rituals & ceremonies, this is a marvelous addition to your sinister collection. Also magnificently useful for your Halloween festivities. It will send Trick or Treaters screaming in terror! XXI Hellish tunes that will send chills up the spines of any ghoul. These are eerie instrumental soundscapes of nightmares & dreams which shall bestow a sense of Power & bliss in the Satanist. Compliment your own haunted abode with these tracks year 'round to set that ambiance for a myriad of diabolical purposes.
- Draconis Blackthorne, Amazon.com Reviewer

I have collected 4 albums by Midnight Syndicate. In my opinion, this 2001 recording is the best of the four, for it musically expands from where the duo's last album left off. With a slightly higher production value, composers Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka have created a much more expressive and spastic score for the horror/scary music genre. While 2000's "Realm of Shadows" conjures an imaginative adventure endured by one hero, "Gates of Delirium" is seen through the eyes of many characters at once. Dominated by agitated violins, a grim piano, and a few cellos, this album is a one-way trip through a Victorian hell. The intended fright film is set within the claustrophobic walls of London's Haverghast Asylum, where the mentally ill are subjected to cruel and inhumane treatments. Babbling and ranting lunatics are bound in straitjackets, imprisoned against their will, and injected regular doses of poison.
This CD has quite a few sonic highlights. "Haverghast Asylum" will waltz listeners into the dank darkness of the institution, preventing anyone from ever seeing the sun. "Halls of Insurrection," with its groaning bass strings, is a twisted dance that spirals in and out of a crazed mind. In "Cage of Solitude," the harsh moonlight stares down upon a catatonic patient, who stands on his knees and gazes at the freezing floor. The sweeping "Residents Past" focuses on the doctors and surgeons who anxiously scribble in their medical journals; in an Age of Science, these educated individuals are awarded the privelege to examine and diagnose the potentially psychotic. During "Phantom Sentinels," a severe piano marches and twirls simultaneously. As for the track's scenario, it appears as if several inmates are planning an escape, arming themselves with tools and weapons. "Gates of Delirium's" militaristic drums and feverish organ take listeners through a dingy sewer pipe; a narrow passageway a person has to crawl through with great care. In "Procession of the Damned," the drums hammer the nails on a coffin, while a spider harpsichord spins a symphonic web of charnel house fear. "Dark Discovery" injects a rush of adrenaline as the unseen characters try to flee from the laboratory, losing a sense of direction in a terrifying maze of twisting hallways. The notes of "Morbid Fascination" cartwheel off the walls and ceiling with astounding ease. The whisking, almost metallic violin strings of "Alternative Therapy" slice through the scalpel of an unlucky victim; he or she has become the tragic victim of unorthodox brain surgery. "Unrest in the East Wing" is a violent altercation between a raving madman and several staff members; as the doctors try to subdue the lunatic, he bites and claws with the cunning of a wild animal. I happily recommend this album for anyone craving the bizarre, the mysterious, and the macabre. Purchase this one as well as 2001's "Realm of Shadows." Very scary music.
-Pamela Scarangello, Amazon.com Reviewer

I am the chief psychiatrist at a local mental health institution (asylum). I have found that playing this scary music, especially at night, over the piped in loudspeakers has outstanding theraputical effects on the patients. While some of them are normally hyper-violent when not medicated, I have found that this scary music seems to fit their psyche and place them in a world they find very comforting, and "normal" in a sense. The only thing that frightens me is that over the last few months I have met more and more patients who insist that they have heard the scary music before - in the days previous to arriving at the institute. While I am certain this is impossible - simply a reflection of their mental instability, the fact that the night watchman (actually in charge of playing the scary music through the night), has recently had a breakdown and sadly been admitted to the ward himself. A disturbing thought. The previous not withstanding, this is an excellent album. I do hope you enjoy it.  See you soon!
-A Music Fan, Amazon.com Reviewer

I run one of the top haunts in the country and when it comes to looking for scary music to play for the guests while they wait, there is no better soundtrack than Gates of Delirium. Not only does it give a chilling feeling, along with cool sounds, it allows my actors to blend to the scary music.
- Mike Walczak, Amazon.com Reviewer

Category:

• Scary Music

• Gothic Music

• Horror Music

• Halloween Music

Preview/Buy CD
at Amazon.com

Midnight Syndicate
Realm of Shadows
Release Date: 2000

Description:
Following the tremendous success of "Born of the Night," Midnight Syndicate presents "Realm of Shadows," their third CD featuring the unique blend of haunting orchestration and sound effects that has made them a rising force in gothic horror music today. This CD is chock full of scary music, and yes, it is also great as Halloween music.

Editorial Review:
Midnight Syndicates third release, Realm of Shadows, manages to tweak every subtle dark sound and electronic nuance in this as well as their other recordings that makes listening almost addictive. The cover art is once again created by the fine dark gothic artist, Joseph Vargo, who also has a part to play in the recording with his narration of "Prophecy." While other bands are looking for ways to make dark scary music repetitively bump and grind for the dance floor crowds, Midnight Syndicate creates gloomy scary music to make you think you are hearing bumps and groans in the night. These rich tonal textures are best appreciated after dark when you are alone and is absolutely essential listening for all the creatures of the night. The entire body of work conveys such a panorama of mental imagery, that one cannot help but feel darkly creative while it is playing. This particular disc seems a bit more solidified with a story line which graces the inside cover. The premise is that we have wandered upon a desolate village known as Ravens Hollow where on the eve of a great storm all the townsfolk were swept away. No one knows what ever happened to these folks, however, "travelers returning from the area brought with them strange tales of a solitary light that shone like a beacon from amidst the distant ruins" of the deserted castle within this desolate village. Midnight Syndicate encapsulates a good haunting sound that puts them miles ahead of what many are trying to create. These tracks are intended for continuous playing from start to finish and will most likely appeal to audiences who are avid readers who also have an astute imagination. "Realm of Shadows" ranks with the epitome of the best in instrumental gothic scary music and is not only a steal for the minor purchase price but also a priceless edition to ones dark music collection. If y! our humble abode is decorated with all fine things dark and morbid, then the final accompaniment and lasting touch is playing this music in the background. If orchestrated scary, haunting soundtrack style music is your speed, then you cannot go wrong with this disc.
-Gothic Topic Magazine, Amazon.com Editorial

Reviews:
"Realm of Shadows" is a tremendous follow-up to "Born of the Night." Set in an abandoned village by the sea, the disc incorporates some outdoor-ish atmosphere with their classic gothic scary music symphonies. "Soliloquy", the beautiful piano piece is my personal favorite along with "Legions of the Dead" and the album-closer, "Eclipse." This is a particularly good MidSyn disc for those of you who like to listen to scary music while drawing, writing, or reading. Sets a great atmosphere. They are the masters of what they do and this disc is no exception. Excellent!
-Miles Denton, Amazon.com Reviewer

This CD is a work of art. So few albums lay the framework and let your mind create its own story, but Midnight Syndicate provides this and more. Don't be put off by ridiculous reviews saying things like, "The dark side has lent its full power to this CD," as if this CD is evil and out to engulf your soul or something that dramatic. This is just great music and a great story, whether you are into Gothic music or not. In fact, this album will remind you of the film scores of Danny Elfman, and it turns out he is a strong influence. Each Midnight Syndicate CD has a theme, and weaves songs around that theme. They give you a scenario, and your mind creates the story from the scary music and spooky sound effects. "Realm of Shadows" takes place in Raven's Hollow, a town where everyone has disappeared. The scary songs are supposed to give you an idea of what happened there, using mostly scary music and a few sound effects; there are very few lyrics. This CD runs the gamut of emotions, from ominous and urgent violins to songs so beautiful and light I kept going back to them again and again. An excellent instrumental CD for any collection. In a world of television, it's nice to find entertainment that encourages you to imagine. Highly recommended.
- A Music Fan, Amazon.com Reviewer

Venture to The Realm of Shadows where restless spirits arise from unknown depths to wander the shores of night." - Booklet Literation. More intrumentations from the minstrels of the Macabre. XXI songs array this manifestation, which incorporates scary music and sound effects such as gongs, sqwaking crows, howling wind, violins, growling hounds, church bells, & nefarious narrations. With titles such as "Into The Abyss", "Realm of Shadows", "Serpent's Lair", "Black Woods", "The Night Beckons", & "Witching Hour" {not the Venom song}, there is no doubt to the darkened quality of this opus.
-Draconis Blackmore, Amazon.com Reviewer

Category:

• Scary Music

• Gothic Music

• Horror Music

• Halloween Music