| Revision as of 09:11, 3 November 2006 editDionyseus (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users5,105 editsm rv to last version by Skinny McGee. Please don't use misleading edit summaries.← Previous edit | Revision as of 14:47, 3 November 2006 edit undoOroboros 1 (talk | contribs)144 edits inserting references and facts about band dispute and correcting credits, chronology and historyNext edit → | ||
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| ==Formation== | ==Formation== | ||
| ]/] Edward Douglas founded Midnight Syndicate in 1996. In 1997, their self-titled debut was released. A majority of music on the album was written |
]/] Edward Douglas founded Midnight Syndicate in 1996. In 1997, their self-titled debut was released. A majority of music on the album was written and performed by Edward Douglas. Contributors included Scott Angus, Mark Rakocy, Dennis Carleton, Jamie Barbour, Ray Portler, the rap act Dark Side, Tony Demci, and Christopher Robichaud. The album was referred to as "a new progressive type of music called 'cine-fusion,'" which is described in the album liner notes as | ||
| :"a blending of ] and ]... a compilation of soundtracks to movies that do not exist. The goal of the music is to stimulate the imaginations of listeners so that they are able to transport themselves to worlds or movies of their own creation." | :"a blending of ] and ]... a compilation of soundtracks to movies that do not exist. The goal of the music is to stimulate the imaginations of listeners so that they are able to transport themselves to worlds or movies of their own creation." | ||
| The album contained an eclectic blend of musical styles which included |
The album contained an eclectic blend of musical styles which included ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Sound effects were also incorporated into most of the tracks. A multimedia show was produced to support the album. | ||
| ==Focus on Gothic themes== | |||
| In 1998, composer Gavin Goszka joined the group. Together he and Edward Douglas would write most of the music on the Midnight Syndicate discs to come. They also teamed up with gothic fantasy artist and publisher Joseph Vargo, who also filled the roles of ], ], lyricist, vocalist, and cover art designer for the new line up. Together they released the band's first critically acclaimed gothic horror soundtrack ''Born of the Night,'' followed in 2000 by ''Realm of Shadows.'' Both albums (as well as their future releases) were featured in Universal Studios' ] as well as being played in several other major theme parks during Halloween, such as ] Fright Nights event. The heavy metal band ] featured tracks from ''Born of the Night'' as opening music for their 2000 US tour. | |||
| Shortly after the self-titled album debuted, Edward Douglas teamed up with gothic fantasy artist and publisher Joseph Vargo, who filled the roles of ], ], lyricist, vocalist, writer, and cover artist for a new incarnation of Midnight Syndicate. Vargo's gothic influence provided a new direction for the band, focusing them exclusively on a darker sound. Gavin Goszka joined Douglas and Vargo in 1998, adding to the musical compositions and providing the engineering. The trio released the band's first critically acclaimed gothic horror soundtrack ''Born of the Night,'' followed in 2000 by ''Realm of Shadows.'' Both albums were featured as the "official soundtracks" for Universal Studios' ]. The famous warning "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here," narrated by Vargo, as well as his ominous original narration for the title track from ''Born of the Night'' has been used to welcome visitors into these theme parks each year during Halloween. The heavy metal band ] used tracks from ''Born of the Night'' as opening music for their 2000 US tour. The success and hightened media exposure of these albums during Halloween made Midnight Syndicate popular with the haunted attraction industry. Vargo eventually left the group to pursue other projects. | |||
| ==Focus on gaming industry== | |||
| In 2001, they released a third gothic horror soundtrack entitled ''Gates of Delirium''. This time Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka teamed up with two members who worked on the first Midnight Syndicate CD, Mark Rakocy and Christopher Robichaud. This particular album was a huge success on ], where it held six spots in their Top 20 positions during Halloween that year. Artist ] designed the packaging for Midnight Syndicate's fourth gothic soundtrack CD, ''Vampyre'', released in 2002. | |||
| ⚫ | In 2001, Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka released ''Gates of Delirium,'' which held six spots in the top-20 on MP3.com that year. Artist ] designed the packaging for ''Vampyre'' which followed in 2002. Their music began appearing in mainstream television programs like '']' 10 Most Fascinating People of 2002'' and ''].'' In 2003, Midnight Syndicate released an official soundtrack to the classic roleplaying game '']''. Some of the tracks were later used in computer games '']'' and '']''. In 2005, they released ''The 13th Hour,'' featuring vocal effects by Lily Lane of the horror-rock band Lazy Lane. Aside from the previous mention of Halloween Horror Nights, the music is also played in several other theme parks during Halloween, such as ] Fright Nights event. | ||
| ==Disputed issues== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| In 2003, the year that Midnight Syndicate was celebrating it's release of its album for ''Dungeons and Dragons'', Joseph Vargo formed a new band, Nox Arcana, and released a cd entitled "Darklore Manor." The album was described as "a musical journey throughout the haunted halls of a Victorian mansion with a dark and sinister history." In 2004, Midnight Syndicate announced that it too was releasing a cd and described it as "a Victorian mansion with a sinister history" and claimed it would "mark a return to their trademark horror stylings." This album, ''The 13th Hour,'' was released in 2005. Since that time, a dispute has been brewing between the parties. Vargo attests that Edward Douglas has been falsly claiming credit for work done by Vargo on the early ''Born of the Night'' and ''Realm of Shadows'' cds, or denying that Vargo ever did more than cover art. Edward Douglas, spokesman for Midnight Syndicate, claims Vargo had no input on the the two albums except for some art and voices. Early interviews (1998-2003) conducted with Midnight Syndicate and a few that included Vargo, when compared with more recent interviews, show a subtle yet different version of history. Vargo is credited with the entire concept of creating a Halloween-themed cd in a 1998 radio interview on Cleveland's WERE 1300, yet was discredited by Edward Douglas in a 2006 interview with ''Haunted Attraction Magazine'' in which he credits someone else for the concept. It has been remarked upon by Vargo that Midnight Syndicate is attempting to alter history in such a way as to lend credence to their denial of Vargo's work. So far, no word or retort has been made by Midnight Syndicate on the issue, except in private circles according to some emails prublished on Vargo's expose website, Legionofthenight.com, published in 2006. The site provides documents to back up their claims and provides a method of comparison of various album materials. In an interview published in The Perch, he claims that a lawsuit against Midnight Syndicate will be filed in the near future and that ongoing information will be published on the website. | |||
| Midnight Syndicate has had an impact in the hobby gaming industry. In 2006, Midnight Syndicate won the Origins Award for Best Gaming Accessory presented by the Academy of Adventure Game Art & Design. This marked the first time a roleplaying soundtrack or music CD won the award. | |||
| ==Continuing== | ==Continuing== | ||
| In 2006, Midnight Syndicate released ''Out of the Darkness - Retrospective: 1994-1999'' featuring remixed songs from ''Midnight Syndicate (1997),'' ''Born of the Night (1998),'' (sans any Vargo arrangements or narrations) ''Realm of Shadows (2000),'' and one previously unreleased song from Gavin Goszka. | |||
| Midnight Syndicate has teamed up with Warner Bros.-based Snap Kick Productions to score the upcoming horror film, '']''. Additionally they recently signed on to score ]’s film, '']''. In 2006, Edward Douglas will begin pre-production on the horror suspense film he will be directing, ''The Dead Matter''. | |||
| ==Discography== | ==Discography== | ||
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| * 2003: ''Dungeons & Dragons'' | * 2003: ''Dungeons & Dragons'' | ||
| * 2005: ''The 13th Hour'' | * 2005: ''The 13th Hour'' | ||
| * 2006: ''Out of the Darkness |
* 2006: ''Out of the Darkness'' | ||
| ==Midnight Syndicate music in film== | |||
| ==Film scores by Midnight Syndicate== | |||
| * ''The Dead Matter (1996) |
* ''The Dead Matter'' (1996) score | ||
| * ''Dead and Rotting'' (2002) main title theme and additional music | |||
| * ''Sin-Jin Smyth'' (filming) | |||
| * ''Demons at the Door'' (2004) main title and additional music | |||
| ⚫ | * ''The Rage'' (post-production) | ||
| * '' |
* ''Sin-Jin Smyth'' (filming) score | ||
| ⚫ | * ''The Rage'' (post-production) score | ||
| * ''The Dead Matter'' (a remake of the 1996 film, in pre-production) score and directing | |||
| ==Awards== | |||
| ⚫ | == |
||
| Origins Award for Best Gaming Accessory 2006 | |||
| ⚫ | * John Horton, ''"Scary music writers accomplish ghouls"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), October 17, 2006, Sec. Main, Pg. A1. | ||
| ⚫ | * Leonard Pickel, "Midnight Syndicate - Setting the Mood for an Industry", '']'' (Charlotte, NC), June 2006, Pg. 24-28, 38-41 |
||
| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| ⚫ | * Heather Adler, "Haunted Memories", '']'' (Toronto, ON), October 2005, Pg. 131 |
||
| ⚫ | * Jason Bracelin, ''"Scream Kings"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), May 25, 2005, Sec. Features, Pg. 10-13. | ||
| ⚫ | * Peter Iorillo, ''"Something Wicked This Way Comes"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), Issue 1, January 2001, Pg. 20-23. | ||
| * Julie E. Washington, ''"Haunting Tunes Are Goth Band's Specialty"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), October 30, 2000, Sec. arts, Pg. 1E. | * Julie E. Washington, ''"Haunting Tunes Are Goth Band's Specialty"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), October 30, 2000, Sec. arts, Pg. 1E. | ||
| * Jeff Niesel, "Soundbites", '']'' (Cleveland, OH), October 14, 1999. | |||
| ⚫ | * Peter Iorillo, ''"Something Wicked This Way Comes"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), Issue 1, January 2001, Pg. 20-23. | ||
| * Devon King, ''"Darklore Manor: America's Most Haunted House"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), issue 13, January 2004, Pg. 14-18. | |||
| ⚫ | * Jason Bracelin, ''"Scream Kings"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), May 25, 2005, Sec. Features, Pg. 10-13. | ||
| ⚫ | * Heather Adler, "Haunted Memories", '']'' (Toronto, ON), October 2005, Pg. 131 | ||
| ⚫ | * Leonard Pickel, "Midnight Syndicate - Setting the Mood for an Industry", '']'' (Charlotte, NC), June 2006, Pg. 24-28, 38-41 | ||
| ⚫ | * John Horton, ''"Scary music writers accomplish ghouls"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), October 17, 2006, Sec. Main, Pg. A1. | ||
| ==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| * | * | ||
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| * | * | ||
| * | |||
| ====Interviews==== | |||
| * | |||
| ⚫ | * | ||
| ⚫ | * | ||
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| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 14:47, 3 November 2006
Midnight Syndicate is a Cleveland-based musical group that has been working mainly in the genre of gothic horror music since 1998. (A 1997 self-titled release covered multiple mainstream genres.) Their music is commonly used to provide atmosphere in both Halloween haunted houses and the gaming industry.
Formation
Composer/filmmaker Edward Douglas founded Midnight Syndicate in 1996. In 1997, their self-titled debut was released. A majority of music on the album was written and performed by Edward Douglas. Contributors included Scott Angus, Mark Rakocy, Dennis Carleton, Jamie Barbour, Ray Portler, the rap act Dark Side, Tony Demci, and Christopher Robichaud. The album was referred to as "a new progressive type of music called 'cine-fusion,'" which is described in the album liner notes as
- "a blending of movie soundtrack music and pop music... a compilation of soundtracks to movies that do not exist. The goal of the music is to stimulate the imaginations of listeners so that they are able to transport themselves to worlds or movies of their own creation."
The album contained an eclectic blend of musical styles which included instrumental, rock-a-billy, rap, new age, swing, dark humor, and space. Sound effects were also incorporated into most of the tracks. A multimedia show was produced to support the album.
Focus on Gothic themes
Shortly after the self-titled album debuted, Edward Douglas teamed up with gothic fantasy artist and publisher Joseph Vargo, who filled the roles of executive producer, creative director, lyricist, vocalist, writer, and cover artist for a new incarnation of Midnight Syndicate. Vargo's gothic influence provided a new direction for the band, focusing them exclusively on a darker sound. Gavin Goszka joined Douglas and Vargo in 1998, adding to the musical compositions and providing the engineering. The trio released the band's first critically acclaimed gothic horror soundtrack Born of the Night, followed in 2000 by Realm of Shadows. Both albums were featured as the "official soundtracks" for Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights. The famous warning "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here," narrated by Vargo, as well as his ominous original narration for the title track from Born of the Night has been used to welcome visitors into these theme parks each year during Halloween. The heavy metal band King Diamond used tracks from Born of the Night as opening music for their 2000 US tour. The success and hightened media exposure of these albums during Halloween made Midnight Syndicate popular with the haunted attraction industry. Vargo eventually left the group to pursue other projects.
Focus on gaming industry
In 2001, Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka released Gates of Delirium, which held six spots in the top-20 on MP3.com that year. Artist Keith Parkinson designed the packaging for Vampyre which followed in 2002. Their music began appearing in mainstream television programs like Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People of 2002 and Monday Night Football. In 2003, Midnight Syndicate released an official soundtrack to the classic roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons. Some of the tracks were later used in computer games Shadowbane and Baldur's Gate II. In 2005, they released The 13th Hour, featuring vocal effects by Lily Lane of the horror-rock band Lazy Lane. Aside from the previous mention of Halloween Horror Nights, the music is also played in several other theme parks during Halloween, such as Thorpe Park's Fright Nights event.
Disputed issues
In 2003, the year that Midnight Syndicate was celebrating it's release of its album for Dungeons and Dragons, Joseph Vargo formed a new band, Nox Arcana, and released a cd entitled "Darklore Manor." The album was described as "a musical journey throughout the haunted halls of a Victorian mansion with a dark and sinister history." In 2004, Midnight Syndicate announced that it too was releasing a cd and described it as "a Victorian mansion with a sinister history" and claimed it would "mark a return to their trademark horror stylings." This album, The 13th Hour, was released in 2005. Since that time, a dispute has been brewing between the parties. Vargo attests that Edward Douglas has been falsly claiming credit for work done by Vargo on the early Born of the Night and Realm of Shadows cds, or denying that Vargo ever did more than cover art. Edward Douglas, spokesman for Midnight Syndicate, claims Vargo had no input on the the two albums except for some art and voices. Early interviews (1998-2003) conducted with Midnight Syndicate and a few that included Vargo, when compared with more recent interviews, show a subtle yet different version of history. Vargo is credited with the entire concept of creating a Halloween-themed cd in a 1998 radio interview on Cleveland's WERE 1300, yet was discredited by Edward Douglas in a 2006 interview with Haunted Attraction Magazine in which he credits someone else for the concept. It has been remarked upon by Vargo that Midnight Syndicate is attempting to alter history in such a way as to lend credence to their denial of Vargo's work. So far, no word or retort has been made by Midnight Syndicate on the issue, except in private circles according to some emails prublished on Vargo's expose website, Legionofthenight.com, published in 2006. The site provides documents to back up their claims and provides a method of comparison of various album materials. In an interview published in The Perch, he claims that a lawsuit against Midnight Syndicate will be filed in the near future and that ongoing information will be published on the website.
Continuing
In 2006, Midnight Syndicate released Out of the Darkness - Retrospective: 1994-1999 featuring remixed songs from Midnight Syndicate (1997), Born of the Night (1998), (sans any Vargo arrangements or narrations) Realm of Shadows (2000), and one previously unreleased song from Gavin Goszka.
Discography
Midnight Syndicate Discography:
- 1997: Midnight Syndicate
- 1998: Born of the Night
- 2000: Realm of Shadows
- 2001: Gates of Delirium
- 2002: Vampyre: Symphonies from the Crypt
- 2003: Dungeons & Dragons
- 2005: The 13th Hour
- 2006: Out of the Darkness
Midnight Syndicate music in film
- The Dead Matter (1996) score
- Dead and Rotting (2002) main title theme and additional music
- Demons at the Door (2004) main title and additional music
- Sin-Jin Smyth (filming) score
- The Rage (post-production) score
- The Dead Matter (a remake of the 1996 film, in pre-production) score and directing
Awards
Origins Award for Best Gaming Accessory 2006
References
- Julie E. Washington, "Haunting Tunes Are Goth Band's Specialty", The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH), October 30, 2000, Sec. arts, Pg. 1E.
- Jeff Niesel, "Soundbites", Scene (Cleveland, OH), October 14, 1999.
- Peter Iorillo, "Something Wicked This Way Comes", Dark Realms (Cleveland, OH), Issue 1, January 2001, Pg. 20-23.
- Devon King, "Darklore Manor: America's Most Haunted House", Dark Realms (Cleveland, OH), issue 13, January 2004, Pg. 14-18.
- Jason Bracelin, "Scream Kings", Scene (Cleveland, OH), May 25, 2005, Sec. Features, Pg. 10-13.
- Heather Adler, "Haunted Memories", Rue Morgue (Toronto, ON), October 2005, Pg. 131
- Leonard Pickel, "Midnight Syndicate - Setting the Mood for an Industry", Haunted Attraction (Charlotte, NC), June 2006, Pg. 24-28, 38-41
- John Horton, "Scary music writers accomplish ghouls", The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH), October 17, 2006, Sec. Main, Pg. A1.
External Links
- Midnight Syndicate band website
- WERE Radio Interview with Douglas, Goszka and Vargo (1998)
- Dark Realms Magazine (2001)
- Scene Magazine (2005)
- Horror Channel (2005)
- Flames Rising (2006)
- Haunted Attraction Magazine (2006)
- The Perch
- The Origins Awards
- Legion of the Night