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| ]/] 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 | ]/] 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 everything from |
The album contained an eclectic blend of musical styles which included everything from instrumental music to ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Movie-style sound effects were featured in most of the tracks. A multimedia show was produced to support the album. | ||
| In 1998, Douglas 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. Composer Gavin Goszka also joined the group. Together, Douglas and Goszka would write |
In 1998, Douglas 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. Composer Gavin Goszka also joined the group. Together, Douglas and Goszka would write most of the music on the Midnight Syndicate discs to come, with a few exceptions: engineer Tim Blue wrote ''Among the Ruins'' on the ''Realm of Shadows'' album; Joseph Vargo co-wrote several songs on ''Born of the Night''. Vargo also wrote and recited the opening narration on ''Realm of Shadows''. Vargo wrote and performed all of the narrations for both albums, as well as all of the themes and storylines. ''Born of the Night'' was the band's first critically acclaimed gothic horror soundtrack, and it provided the mold for the rest of the albums to come and indeed set the bar for other Halloween music. It was followed in 2000 by ''Realm of Shadows.'' Both albums were featured as "official soundtracks" for 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. | ||
| In 2001, |
In 2001, Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka released a third gothic horror soundtrack entitled ''Gates of Delirium''. This time they teamed up with two members who worked on the first Midnight Syndicate cd, Mark Rakocy and Christopher Robichaud. This particular album was successful 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. | ||
| Over the course of time |
Over the course of time, Midnight Syndicate became 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 2003, the band released 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 and featured tracks from the albums, ''Midnight Syndicate,'' ''Born of the Night'' and ''Realm of Shadows'' as well as four previously unreleased tracks. | ||
| 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 |
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== | ||
Revision as of 21:27, 4 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 instrumental music to techno, 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, Douglas 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. Composer Gavin Goszka also joined the group. Together, Douglas and Goszka would write most of the music on the Midnight Syndicate discs to come, with a few exceptions: engineer Tim Blue wrote Among the Ruins on the Realm of Shadows album; Joseph Vargo co-wrote several songs on Born of the Night. Vargo also wrote and recited the opening narration on Realm of Shadows. Vargo wrote and performed all of the narrations for both albums, as well as all of the themes and storylines. Born of the Night was the band's first critically acclaimed gothic horror soundtrack, and it provided the mold for the rest of the albums to come and indeed set the bar for other Halloween music. It was followed in 2000 by Realm of Shadows. Both albums were featured as "official soundtracks" for 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, Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka released a third gothic horror soundtrack entitled Gates of Delirium. This time they teamed up with two members who worked on the first Midnight Syndicate cd, Mark Rakocy and Christopher Robichaud. This particular album was successful 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, Midnight Syndicate became 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 2003, the band released 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 and featured tracks from the albums, Midnight Syndicate, Born of the Night and Realm of Shadows as well as four previously unreleased tracks.
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