Richard, Out of the Darkness may repeat a lot of the tracks that you've just picked up - but I have many of the albums as well, and I've enjoyed both versions.
I've listened to Nox Arcana tracks online, but I've never followed up with them as I prefer instrumental music, and my sense was there is a lot more deep-bass narration, which doesn't appeal to me. Joseph Vargo originally worked with the Midnight Syndicate before developing Nox A, which is very much the same kind of thing as Midnight S.
I'm listening to the Gothic album on Spotify right now, and so far there's only been one big patch of narration, and just some subtle choral melodies, so not sure if I've been wrong about them all these years....
Richard, Out of the Past may repeat a lot of the tracks that you've just picked up - but I have many of the albums as well, and I've enjoyed both versions.
I'm don't care if there's some duplication. I want it all. I see that Gates of Delirium had different cover art originally and I'll probably buy it again just for that.
I've listened to Nox Arcana tracks online, but I've never followed up with them as I prefer instrumental music, and my sense was there is a lot more deep-bass narration, which doesn't appeal to me. Joseph Vargo originally worked with the Midnight Syndicate before developing Nox A, which is very much the same kind of thing as Midnight S.
I'm listening to the Gothic album on Spotify right now, and so far there's only been one big patch of narration, and just some subtle choral melodies, so not sure if I've been wrong about them all these years....
Your caution about deep-bass narration understood and noted. I'll probably give NOX ARCANA a hearing after I've gathered all of MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE.
For the purposes of this creative endeavor I prefer instrumental music. Don't mind if there's some choral contribution as in Gates of Delirium and The 13th Hour. They've had two or three collaborations with Destini Beard. I haven't previewed those yet. If she sings lyrics it may spoil the mood I'm trying to sustain. Not interested in hearing a vocalist sing songs.
Do you remember HORROR HOTEL (1960) ? Also known as THE CITY OF THE DEAD. Coming out in the U.K. fully restored on Arrow blu-ray soon (avoid the USA blu-ray it's cropped and defective). I've always been impressed by the Gregorian chants in that film. Very scary. A pity there is no soundtrack LP / CD. I was thinking about exploring Gregorian chants but my online previews have not unearthed anything quite like in the film.
If you hear any other mood music like MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE be sure to let me know.
Richard, I don't know Horror Hotel - I'll seek that out. I did listen to the main titles on youtube, and that is an intriguing combination of Gregorian style chant with modern orchestral music (almost jazz). Reminded me of Rosenman's Mass for the Bomb in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, and also of Don Davis' TV score to House of Frankenstein a bit. (As well as of course Goldsmith's Omen music, but still a distinctive style). In Classical music, what comes closest to my ears is Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms - but only a little close.
As to other spooky artists, my other favorite, again from the 90's-2000's is a fellow who calls himself Shinjuku Thief. He did three albums - The Witch Hammer, The Witch Hunter, and The Witch Haven, that are a mix of indsutrial ambience with occasional striking melody. Some of the darkest music I own - really have to be in the right mood for these mood pictures. Witch Hammer is available digitally, and I'm finding the album on Amazon - the others look hard to track down now. I would say the first one is the best anyway.
Shinjuku Thief - Waltz of the Midwives / The Witch Hammer
And the more I listen to Nox Arcana, the more I'm enjoying it - at least the Gothic album has only a couple of talking tracks so far. So much like Midnight Syndicate I don't think I'd know which was which in a blind comparison.
I've been trying to find a link to the correct THE CITY OF THE DEAD (aka HORROR HOTEL, 1960). There are many cheap public domain copies in poor quality which are heavily cut. VCI released the only restored and uncut edition in the proper aspect ratio in 2001, but links to it have went wrong. I believe this might be it, with the reverse cover art:
More recently, VCI released a blu-ray that's all screwed up. Avoid it. There is every indication that the U.K. blu-ray from Arrow is properly mastered. Arrow takes cult and genre films seriously and does right by them. It comes out April 24:
Okay. I'm listening to The 13th Hour under head phones right now and yeah it's terrific.
I plan to pick up Zombies next payday.
Have you heard Halloween Music Collection, Carnival Arcane and Monsters of Legend? What do you think of those?
I have loads syndicate cd's, Monsters of legend & Halloween collection are good pick up's, Rage is a good score, Axe Giant, Dungeons & Dragons, the list goes on all consistent music.
