| Revision as of 15:41, 3 November 2006 editOroboros 1 (talk | contribs)144 edits This is factual, historical, notable and verifiable. It is NOT rediculous. Please respond on Talk Page if you want to discuss a compromise. I am willing, but you do not give an inch.← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:45, 3 November 2006 edit undoSkinny McGee (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,608 edits Reverting again to previously agreed upon version. I think we should stick with this until we get feedback on the RFC from outsiders.Next 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 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 | ]/] Edward Douglas founded Midnight Syndicate in 1996. In 1997, their self-titled debut was released. A majority of music on the album was written, arranged, 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 everything from dark instrumental music similar to their later releases, to ], ], ], ], ], humor-pop, and ]. Movie-style sound effects were featured in most of the tracks. A multimedia show was produced to support the album. | ||
| 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. | |||
| ==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 ], ], 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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| ==Focus on gaming industry== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Over the course of time the success of these CDs made Midnight Syndicate the standard for the Halloween and haunted attraction industries. The music started appearing in mainstream television programs like '']' 10 Most Fascinating People of 2002'' and '']''. In 2001, the band was approached by ] to design the first official soundtrack to the classic roleplaying game '']''. Some of the tracks were later featured in computer games '']'' and '']''. In 2005, Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka released their seventh CD, ''The 13th Hour.'' It featured vocal effects by Lily Lane of the horror-rock band, Lazy Lane. ''Out of the Darkness - Retrospective: 1994-1999'' was released in 2006. | ||
| ==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== | ||
| 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''. | |||
| 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== | ==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 (Retrospective: 1994-1999)'' | ||
| ==Film scores by Midnight Syndicate== | |||
| ==Midnight Syndicate music in film== | |||
| * ''The Dead Matter |
* ''The Dead Matter (1996)'' | ||
| * ''Sin-Jin Smyth'' (filming) | |||
| * ''Dead and Rotting'' (2002) main title theme and additional music | |||
| ⚫ | * ''The Rage'' (post-production) | ||
| * ''Demons at the Door'' (2004) main title and additional music | |||
| * '' |
* ''The Dead Matter'' (pre-production) | ||
| ⚫ | * ''The Rage'' (post-production) |
||
| * ''The Dead Matter'' (a remake of the 1996 film, in pre-production) score and directing | |||
| ⚫ | ==Print References== | ||
| ==Awards== | |||
| Origins Award for Best Gaming Accessory 2006 | |||
| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| ⚫ | * Julie E. Washington, ''"Haunting Tunes Are Goth Band's Specialty"'', '']'' (Cleveland, OH), October 30, 2000, Sec. arts, Pg. 1E. | ||
| ⚫ | * |
||
| ⚫ | * 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. | * 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 | ||
| ⚫ | * 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. | ||
| ==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
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| * | |||
| ====Interviews==== | |||
| * | |||
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| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 16:45, 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, arranged, 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 everything from dark instrumental music similar to their later releases, to industrial, horrorbilly, rap, new age, swing, humor-pop, and space. Movie-style sound effects were featured in most of the tracks. A multimedia show was produced to support the album.
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 executive producer, creative director, 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' Halloween Horror Nights as well as being played in several other major theme parks during Halloween, such as Thorpe Park's Fright Nights event. The heavy metal band King Diamond featured tracks from Born of the Night as opening music for their 2000 US tour.
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 MP3.com, where it held six spots in their Top 20 positions during Halloween that year. Artist Keith Parkinson designed the packaging for Midnight Syndicate's fourth gothic soundtrack CD, Vampyre, released in 2002.
Over the course of time the success of these CDs made Midnight Syndicate the standard for the Halloween and haunted attraction industries. The music started appearing in mainstream television programs like Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People of 2002 and Monday Night Football. In 2001, the band was approached by Wizards of the Coast to design the first official soundtrack to the classic roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons. Some of the tracks were later featured in computer games Shadowbane and Baldur's Gate II. In 2005, Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka released their seventh CD, The 13th Hour. It featured vocal effects by Lily Lane of the horror-rock band, Lazy Lane. Out of the Darkness - Retrospective: 1994-1999 was released in 2006.
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
Midnight Syndicate has teamed up with Warner Bros.-based Snap Kick Productions to score the upcoming horror film, Sin-Jin Smyth. Additionally they recently signed on to score Robert Kurtzman’s film, The Rage. In 2006, Edward Douglas will begin pre-production on the horror suspense film he will be directing, The Dead Matter.
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 (Retrospective: 1994-1999)
Film scores by Midnight Syndicate
- The Dead Matter (1996)
- Sin-Jin Smyth (filming)
- The Rage (post-production)
- The Dead Matter (pre-production)
Print References
- John Horton, "Scary music writers accomplish ghouls", The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH), October 17, 2006, Sec. Main, Pg. A1.
- Leonard Pickel, "Midnight Syndicate - Setting the Mood for an Industry", Haunted Attraction Magazine (Charlotte, NC), June 2006, Pg. 24-28, 38-41
- Heather Adler, "Haunted Memories", Rue Morgue (Toronto, ON), October 2005, Pg. 131
- Jason Bracelin, "Scream Kings", Scene (Cleveland, OH), May 25, 2005, Sec. Features, Pg. 10-13.
- Peter Iorillo, "Something Wicked This Way Comes", Dark Realms (Cleveland, OH), Issue 1, January 2001, Pg. 20-23.
- Julie E. Washington, "Haunting Tunes Are Goth Band's Specialty", The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH), October 30, 2000, Sec. arts, Pg. 1E.
External Links
Interviews
- Midnight Syndicate website
- Interview in Haunted Attraction Magazine
- Interview on Horror Channel
- Interview at Flames Rising
- Scene Magazine Interview
- Legends Magazine Interview
- Dark Realms Magazine Interview with Midnight Syndicate