Live Shadows

Last updated
Live Shadows
Live Shadows Midnight Syndicate CD Cover.jpg
Live album by
ReleasedJune 11, 2021
RecordedOctober 2014 – October 2019
VenueCedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
Genre Gothic, classical crossover, dark ambient, neoclassical dark wave, darkwave
Length33:22
Label Entity Productions
Producer Edward Douglas
Gavin Goszka
Midnight Syndicate chronology
Music of Halloween Horror Nights
(2020)
Live Shadows
(2021)
Bloodlines
(2021)

Live Shadows is the first live album by Midnight Syndicate. Released on June 11, 2021, it features performances from the band's multimedia Midnight Syndicate Live! shows recorded from 2014 through 2019 at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio during their annual HalloWeekends event. [1]

Contents

Background and album information

In September 2014, seventeen years into their career, [2] Midnight Syndicate began producing their first live concerts. These first shows were performed at Cedar Point's HalloWeekends event under the moniker, Midnight Syndicate Live! and featured a mix of film, special effects using fog and lasers, [3] and live renditions of music from Midnight Syndicate's albums. [2] [4] [3] At the time, Craig Webb of the Akron Beacon Journal described it as "Part concert, part movie, part theater, part just plain creepy," going on to call it "top-notch and ambitious." [5] The band would return to Cedar Point's HalloWeekends with new productions of their Midnight Syndicate Live! show in 2017, [6] 2018, [7] and 2019. [8]

In a May 2021 interview with Rue Morgue Magazine, the band said that the idea for Live Shadows, came from a desire to share their live performance experience with fans who could not attend the shows in person. They added that the timing of the release had a lot to do with the coronavirus pandemic cancelling of their live show plans for 2020 and the fact that many people were currently unable to experience live music in person. [9]

The songs on the album come from recordings of Midnight Syndicate Live! shows from 2014 through 2019. [10] Many of the selections are new arrangements of songs from Midnight Syndicate albums although some of the selections are new, previously unreleased songs that were written specifically for particular Midnight Syndicate Live! shows. [9] [11]

Release

On June 11, 2021, Live Shadows was digitally released on CD with an accompanying limited-edition purple vinyl. The band produced four music videos in support of the album: Creatures of Darkness, Alchemist's Chamber, Nightstalker, and Into the Valley of Shadows. Each music video represents one of the four shows featured on the album. [12] [13]

Reception

William J. Wright of Rue Morgue Magazine called the album an "aural onslaught of their concert performances with surprises for even the most dedicated fans." [9] While calling the album's content "compelling", Games Gazette writer Chris Baylis lamented the fact that the music video offerings did not feature a complete Midnight Syndicate concert. [14] Writer Lino Endorphino commented that the lack of audience noise in between every track made it different from a typical rock music live album. He asked the band if it was intentional in an interview with them for the German-based horror magazine, Virus. Album co-producer Edward Douglas replied that they "wanted the same loss of reality to occur while listening (to Live Shadows) that happens (while listening to) their studio albums." [15]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)VocalsLength
1."The Stage is Set"Edward Douglas 1:00
2."Alchemist's Chamber (Live)"Edward Douglas 2:52
3."Sigil (Live)"Gavin Goszka 0:59
4."Twilight (Live)"Gavin GoszkaJanina Bradshaw2:08
5."Creatures of Darkness (Live)"Gavin GoszkaAmber Foth4:00
6."Noctem Aeternus (Live)"Edward DouglasEmily Viancourt2:34
7."Haunted Nursery (Live)"Edward DouglasJanina Bradshaw1:19
8."Gatekeeper"Edward Douglas 1:25
9."Into the Valley of Shadows (Live)"Gavin Goszka 2:37
10."Kiddieland (Live)"Edward DouglasDaniel Prillaman2:26
11."Nightstalker (Live)"Edward DouglasJanina Bradshaw3:01
12."Grisly Reminder (Live)"Gavin Goszka 1:56
13."Twisted Labyrinth (Live)"Gavin Goszka 1:01
14."Haverghast Asylum (Live)"Edward DouglasAshley Watkins3:01
15."Conspiracy of Shadows (Live)"Edward Douglas 2:03

Personnel

Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midnight Syndicate</span> American musical duo

Midnight Syndicate is an American musical duo that has been working primarily in the genre of neoclassical dark ambient music since 1997 and is based in Chardon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.

<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i> (album) 2003 soundtrack album by Midnight Syndicate

Dungeons & Dragons is a studio album by the American musical group Midnight Syndicate, released August 12, 2003, by Entity Productions. The album is designed as a soundtrack to the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and was produced by Midnight Syndicate at the request of Wizards of the Coast, the company that owns the rights to the Dungeons & Dragons franchise. Midnight Syndicate was approached by game designers at a gaming convention where they had set up stall, and they agreed to produce the album.

<i>The 13th Hour</i> 2005 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

The 13th Hour is the sixth studio album by Midnight Syndicate, released June 7, 2005, by Entity Productions. The album took listeners on a journey through a haunted Victorian mansion through the blend of symphonic gothic horror instrumental music and horror-inspired soundscape the band had become known for. Since its release, it has become one of the band's most popular titles, winning awards in the gaming industry and inspiring the prequel-themed album, Bloodlines, in 2021.

<i>Out of the Darkness (Retrospective: 1994–1999)</i> 2006 compilation album by Midnight Syndicate

Out of the Darkness is a retrospective album by Midnight Syndicate, released July 4, 2006, by Entity Productions. The album features re-recorded and re-mastered tracks from the band's early years (1994-1999). The 24 tracks on the album include 4 previously unreleased songs.

<i>Vampyre</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

Vampyre: Symphonies from the Crypt is the fifth studio album by Midnight Syndicate, released August 13, 2002 by Entity Productions. Centering on themes surrounding vampire lore, gothic literature, and classic horror films, the album featured the band's "symphonic horror" blend of dark, synth-created orchestral music and soundscape. The album features cover art by fantasy artist, Keith Parkinson.

<i>Realm of Shadows</i> 2000 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

Realm of Shadows is the third studio album by American band Midnight Syndicate, released March 6, 2000 by Entity Productions. Musically keeping with the band's blend of dark instrumental music and horror-influenced soundscape, the theme of the album centers around a cursed and abandoned village.

<i>The Rage: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack</i> 2008 soundtrack album by Midnight Syndicate

The Rage: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was both the ninth album and first movie soundtrack by the band Midnight Syndicate, released February 26, 2008. The album features the score to the 2007 horror film, The Rage, composed by Edward Douglas.

<i>The Dead Matter: Cemetery Gates</i> 2008 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

The Dead Matter: Cemetery Gates is the tenth album of the band Midnight Syndicate, released in 2008. The album consists of original music in band's orchestral, gothic, horror soundtrack-style inspired by the themes in the horror film, The Dead Matter.

<i>Halloween Music Collection</i> 2010 compilation album by Midnight Syndicate

Halloween Music Collection is a best of album by the gothic, horror instrumental band, Midnight Syndicate, released on July 30, 2010. Featuring a selection of tracks made popular through the music's exposure in the Halloween, haunted attraction, horror music, and role-playing game industries.

<i>Gates of Delirium</i> 2001 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

Gates of Delirium is the fourth studio album by Midnight Syndicate, released March 3, 2001, by Entity Productions. The album is set in the fictitious haunted Haverghast Asylum and features the blend of horror-inspired symphonic music and sound design the band had become known for.

<i>The Dead Matter: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack</i> 2010 soundtrack album by Midnight Syndicate

The Dead Matter: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was both the twelfth album, and second movie soundtrack by the band, Midnight Syndicate, released July 30, 2010. The album features the original score to the supernatural horror film, The Dead Matter (2010), composed by Edward Douglas, as well as other gothic rock and heavy metal songs from the film. The album also contained several remixes of previously released Midnight Syndicate material including one performed by related act, Destini Beard.

The Strange Familiar is an American pop rock band from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The group was originally formed in 2006 by the husband and wife singer-songwriter team Jeff Andrea and Kira Leyden, former members of the popular Akron, OH band Jaded Era. Their first single, "Courage Is...", gained them significant attention after it was heavily promoted on ABC Family to launch a brand new series. In 2012, the band was featured on mtvU, Season 3 of the hit series The Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars. Other members include fellow Ohio natives Frank Freeman (bass) and Nicholas Sainato (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nim Vind</span> Canadian musician and songwriter

Nim Vind is a Canadian solo musician/artist and songwriter, who has also played in Mr. Underhill and The Vincent Black Shadow. He describes his sound as "Music for Outsiders". His music has no specific genre but is sometimes referred to as horror punk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HalloWeekends</span> Annual amusement park promotion in Ohio

HalloWeekends is an annual Halloween event at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. It was introduced in 1997, and takes place during the Halloween season, usually from the second Friday after Labor Day until the Sunday before Halloween, or sometimes into early November. The event is open on Thursday Nights, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It is included free with park admission. As of 2021, HalloWeekends features 11 haunted houses and nighttime scare zones, and there are several children's attractions. It is advised that children under 13 years old be accompanied by an adult. HalloWeekend's yearly slogan is "All You Fear is Here!". Other Six Flags parks including Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Valley Fair, and Worlds of Fun all have formerly used the HalloWeekends name. The name has changed to Halloween Haunt at all 3 parks. Cedar Point is the only Six Flags park that still uses the HalloWeekends name.

<i>Carnival Arcane</i> 2011 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

Carnival Arcane is the 14th album by dark ambient band Midnight Syndicate, released in 2011. Featuring the blend of dark, orchestral, instrumental music and horror-inspired soundscape the band had become known for, the "dark carnival" theme of the album centers on a fictional, early-20th century traveling circus called The Lancaster Rigby Carnival.

<i>Monsters of Legend</i> 2013 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

Monsters of Legend is the sixteenth studio album by the gothic horror instrumental band, Midnight Syndicate. Advertised as a tribute to the Golden Age of Horror, the packaging featured images from Universal Classic Monster films Bride of Frankenstein, Werewolf of London, and Dracula. The album featured the blend of dark orchestral music, sound effects, and audio storytelling that the band had become known for.

<i>Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan</i> (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2013 soundtrack album by Midnight Syndicate

Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan is both the seventeenth album and third movie soundtrack by the gothic horror instrumental band, Midnight Syndicate. The album features Edward Douglas' score to the 2013 horror film Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan and the song The Ballad of Paul Bunyan, performed by Hick'ry Hawkins.

<i>Christmas: A Ghostly Gathering</i> 2015 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

Christmas: A Ghostly Gathering is the eighteenth album by the gothic horror instrumental band, Midnight Syndicate. The album features a mix of re-imagined Christmas carols and original compositions in a style similar to the band's other gothic, paranormal, and Halloween-themed releases. Midnight Syndicate founder and composer, Edward Douglas, said it's one of his favorite albums they've ever created.

<i>Bloodlines</i> (Midnight Syndicate album) 2021 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

Bloodlines is the fourteenth studio album by Midnight Syndicate, released August 20, 2021. It is a prequel to Midnight Syndicate's popular 2005 haunted mansion-themed album, The 13th Hour providing an additional backstory to the cursed Haverghast family and the occurrences that happen before The 13th Hour's narrative begins. Bloodlines is a "cinema of the mind" or "faux soundtrack" album similar to its predecessor, where the track list is a scene guide to a movie that must be imagined while listening.

<i>The Brimstone Club</i> 2023 studio album by Midnight Syndicate

The Brimstone Club is the fifteenth studio album by Midnight Syndicate, released August 18, 2023. With a "shadowy theatre" theme inspired by the Parisian Cabaret de L'Enfer, the album blends orchestral music and sound effects to create a "soundtrack to an imaginary film" in a style similar to the band's other releases.

References

  1. Midnight Syndicate releases album of music from Cedar Point HalloWeekends shows Akron Beacon Journal, Craig Webb, June 18, 2021
  2. 1 2 Midnight Syndicate Brings New Fear to Cedar Point WKYC, Ryan Haidet, October 3, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Review: Midnight Syndicate Live! Legacy of Shadows, at Cedar Point Theme Park Insider, James Koehl, October 20, 2014
  4. Catch Midnight Syndicate Live at Cedar Point's Halloweekends Bloody Disgusting, Jonathan Barkan, March 17, 2014
  5. Midnight Syndicate Transforms the Goodtime Theater into the Ghoultime Theater Akron Beacon Journal, Craig Webb, Sept 25, 2014
  6. Midnight Syndicate Returns to Rock Halloween Live Dread Central, Steve Barton, March 15, 2017
  7. Midnight Syndicate Once Again Puts on an Amazing Show WBLZ Media, Daniel James, September 28, 2018
  8. Midnight Syndicate Returning to Cedar Point With All New Show for 2019 HalloWeekends Coaster Nation, Dan Hower, March 28, 2019
  9. 1 2 3 William J. Wright, "Shadows Come to Life", Rue Morgue Magazine (Toronto, ON), Issue #200, June 2021, Pg. 59.
  10. Highlights: Midnight Syndicate The Daily Dead, Jonathan James, June 15, 2021
  11. So Much Going On It's Scary News Herald, Mark Meszoros, September 19, 2021, Pg. D6-D7
  12. Midnight Syndicate Releases First-Ever Live Album Cleveland Scene, Jeff Niesel, June 14, 2021
  13. Midnight Syndicate returns to HalloWeekends with plenty of new music in store The Plain Dealer, Anne Nickoloff, September 28, 2021
  14. Midnight Syndicate's Live Shadows Games Gazette, United Kingdom, Chris Baylis
  15. Lino Endorphino, "America's Most Successful Mental Cinema Soundtrack Band is Back!", Virus Magazin (Frankfurt, Germany), Issue #104, Pg.46-47.
  16. - Live Shadows (2021, CD) on Discogs