Monsters of Legend

Last updated
Monsters of Legend
Monsters-of-legend-album-cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 19, 2013
Genre Gothic, dark ambient, neoclassical dark wave
Label Entity Productions
Producer Edward Douglas, Gavin Goszka
Midnight Syndicate chronology
Carnival Arcane
(2011)
Monsters of Legend
(2013)
Axe Giant: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
(2013)

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. [1] The album featured the blend of dark orchestral music, sound effects, and audio storytelling that the band had become known for. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Background and album information

In a 2013, interview with Scary Monsters Magazine, composer, Edward Douglas said this about the album:

Monsters of Legend is Midnight Syndicate's tribute to the classic horror films (especially those of Universal and Hammer) that shaped horror cinema. When you listen to the album, we want you to feel like you are a character in one of those classic horror films exploring a place where mysterious townsfolk, a foreboding castle up the cliffs, and any one of the iconic monsters could be lurking right around the corner. The music (which has a very Hammeresque and Herrmannesque feel to it) is blended with sound effects to make you feel like you are right there... especially with headphones (on) or in a quiet room. [5]

In addition to the sixteen new tracks on the album, were five previously released tracks that were given new arrangements and additional material by Edward Douglas. The most notable additions to the old tracks were voice actor, Dick Terhune performing on a new arrangement of the song, Requiem and vocalist Amber Foth (also featured on Carnival Arcane) performing on a new version of Twilight. [4] [6]

Reception

Monsters of Legend received favorable reviews from many horror film bloggers like Theofantastique and Mr. Frights, [7] [8] role-playing game-related publications like Black Gate and Games Gazette, [9] [10] and amusement park sites like, Behind the Thrills. [11] Mr. Dark of the horror website, Dread Central , wrote that: "This is what Midnight Syndicate does best: dark, goth instrumental orchestrations that fit a general theme and provide an excellent mental backdrop to all things horror." [2] Aaron Von Lupton of Rue Morgue Magazine it "mood music for horror fans." [12] Music reviewer, Elise Din, of Side-Line Music Magazine and Halloween and home haunt YouTuber Dave Dankanyin called it the band's best work yet. [13] [14] FEARnet included the album in its Best of 2013: Top 13 Horror-Friendly albums of 2013. [15]

In May 2014, Monsters of Legend won the Best Horror CD category in the 12th annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards. [16] The album was nominated for Best RPG Related Product in the 2014 ENnie Awards in the role-playing game industry. [17]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Return to Arcacia"Edward Douglas3:31
2."Into the Valley of Shadows"Gavin Goszka3:30
3."A Watchful Gathering"Edward Douglas2:19
4."Inn of the Weeping Sparrow"Edward Douglas3:52
5."Unwanted Visitor"Gavin Goszka2:54
6."Requiem" (new arrangement and material by Edward Douglas)Gavin Goszka3:52
7."Witching Hour" (new arrangement and material by Edward Douglas)Edward Douglas2:57
8."Unexpected Cargo"Edward Douglas2:01
9."Black Woods" (new arrangement and material by Edward Douglas)Gavin Goszka3:00
10."Twilight" (new arrangement and material by Edward Douglas)Gavin Goszka2:48
11."Carriage Ride"Edward Douglas3:30
12."Stone Guardians"Edward Douglas3:47
13."Ancient Portal"Edward Douglas0:25
14."Dark Tower" (New Arrangement and Material by Edward Douglas)Edward Douglas4:04
15."Building the Monster"Gavin Goszka4:38
16."Lord of the Realm"Edward Douglas3:19
17."Forgotten Alcoves"Edward Douglas0:45
18."A Terror Unleashed"Gavin Goszka4:16
19."Cloistered Cemetery"Edward Douglas2:41
20."It Lives!"Gavin Goszka1:55
21."Beyond the Veil of Time"Edward Douglas4:20

Personnel

Production

Release history

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>Rue Morgue</i> (magazine) Horror fiction magazine

Rue Morgue is a multinational magazine devoted to coverage of horror fiction. Its content comprises news, reviews, commentary, interviews, and event coverage. Its journalistic span encompasses films, books, comic books, video games, and other media in the horror genre. Rue Morgue was founded in 1997 by Rodrigo Gudiño, and is headquartered in Toronto, with regional offices in various countries throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The magazine has expanded over time to encompass a radio station, book publishing company, and horror convention. The magazine's namesake is Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" (1841).

<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.

<i>The Dark Masquerade</i> 2010 remix album by Midnight Syndicate with Destini Beard

The Dark Masquerade is a collaborative remix EP by vocalist, Destini Beard and Midnight Syndicate. The EP blends Destini's original lyrics and vocals with previously released songs from Midnight Syndicate's albums. A previously unreleased gothic rock remix of Troubled Times was used in the title track, Dark Masquerade.

<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>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>A Time Forgotten</i> 2012 studio album by Destini Beard with Midnight Syndicate

A Time Forgotten is the second collaborative remix album by vocalist Destini Beard and Midnight Syndicate, the first being the 2010 EP, The Dark Masquerade. The album blends Destini's original lyrics and vocals with previously released songs from Midnight Syndicate's albums. The theme of A Time Forgotten centers around a once-thriving Victorian-era hotel that has suffered a fire and is now haunted by its past residents. The album also included an original song written and performed by Destini entitled, My Last Goodbye, and an electro dance remix of Farewell Forever from The Dark Masquerade EP by Pat Berdysz of Encoder.

<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>Live Shadows</i> 2021 live album by Midnight Syndicate

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.

<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. Music Review: Monsters of Legend Side-Line Magazine, October 2013
  2. 1 2 CD Review: Monsters of Legend Justin Dark, Dread Central , August 18, 2013
  3. Monsters of Legend CD review, FEARnet , August 19, 2013
  4. 1 2 3 Monsters of Legend - Midnight Syndicate (2013, CD) on Discogs
  5. Dr. Gangrene, "The Doctor Is In-Sane - with Ed Douglas of Midnight Syndicate", Scary Monsters Magazine, (Highwood, IL), Issue 89, Pg. 51-53
  6. Gates of Delirium - Midnight Syndicate (2011, CD) on Discogs
  7. Mr. Frights - Monsters of Legend, Mr. Frights, July 30, 2013
  8. "Midnight Syndicate's Latest, Monsters of Legend, John W. Morehead Theofantastique, July 19, 2013
  9. "Music From Where It All Began", Sue Granquist, Black Gate, August 8, 2013
  10. "Special: Monsters of Legend by Midnight Syndicate", Chris Bayliss, Games Gazette (Essex, UK) August 18, 2013
  11. "Midnight Syndicate's Monsters of Legend brings the classics back to life" Erik Yates, Behind the Thrills, July 22, 2013
  12. Aaron Von Lupton, "Listen To My Nightmare featuring Midnight Syndicate", Rue Morgue Magazine , (Toronto, ON), Issue 136, August 2013, Pg. 61
  13. "Midnight Syndicate - Monsters of Legend Elise Din, Side-Line Music Magazine, (Bruxelles, Belgium), October 30, 2013
  14. "DEAD with Dave - Midnight Syndicate review" Dave Danyankin, DEAD with Dave, Episode 34, September 2, 2013
  15. FEARnet's Top 13 Horror Friendly Albums of 2013, FEARnet, December 19, 2013
  16. 2014 Rondo Award Winners, David Colton, May 13, 2014
  17. 2014 ENnie Award Winners
  18. Monsters of Legend - Midnight Syndicate (2013, LP) on Discogs