Theater of Illusion

Last updated

Theater of Illusion
Theater of Illusion.jpg
Studio album by
Nox Arcana
ReleasedJuly 15, 2010
Genre Gothic, Dark cabaret, Dark ambient, Neoclassical dark wave, New-age
Label Monolith Graphics
Nox Arcana chronology
Winter's Eve
(2009)		Theater of Illusion
(2010)		 House of Nightmares
(2010)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Fangoria Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [1]
Metal MavenStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [2]
Metal SoundStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]

Theater of Illusion is the fourteenth album by musical duo Nox Arcana's. Its theme is that of an old theater haunted by a masked magician. The album is a popular source of music for professional illusionists. [4] Generally, the music is described as intricate with a dark sense of mystery. A few tracks have female choirs amidst dramatic arrangements, another is described as energetic and powerful with Eastern elements. [5]

Contents

Story

The world-famous and mysterious masked magician named Doctor Arcana captured global attention with his astounding illusions and spectacular, death-defying escapes. However, at the peak of his career, the magician vanished without a trace under mysterious circumstances. Several rumors began circulating, concerning his whereabouts and fate, but the truth remains a mystery to the present day.

A Gothic mansion at a secluded country estate once served as Doctor Arcana's home, thus christening it as Arcana Manor. Since the magician's disappearance, there have been reports of strange sounds and shadows from within the sprawling mansion, but no living soul has been able to gain entry to investigate the matter, and Arcana Manor has stood abandoned and undisturbed for more than two decades. Unknown to many, a hidden theater lies within the dark manor. This venue, hidden from the outside world, is where master magicians gather to display their talents every Halloween night.

Video game & soundtrack inspiration

Being a lifelong fan of magic, Joseph Vargo set out to create something specifically for professional illusionists. [6] Vargo later expanded this storyline with the release of The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana video game and soundtrack in 2018, followed in 2024 by the game sequel and soundtrack Doctor Arcana and The Secret of Shadowspire. [7]

Track listing

  1. "Abracadabra" — 1:40
  2. "Cobwebs" — 2:40
  3. "Nostalgia" — 2:24
  4. "Forgotten Dreams" — 4:17
  5. "Edge of Darkness" — 3:09
  6. "Phantom Theater" — 3:03
  7. "Hypnos" — 1:05
  8. "The Curtain Rises" — 0:56
  9. "The Crimson Hourglass" — 3:03
  10. "Sinister Cabaret" — 2:57
  11. "Necromancer" — 3:46
  12. "The Mask of Arcana" — 3:41
  13. "Shadow Play" — 3:54
  14. "Voodoo" — 3:52
  15. "Mysterium" — 4:01
  16. "Swords of Kali" — 3:57
  17. "Smoke and Mirrors" — 3:19
  18. "The Prestige" — 2:52
  19. "Black Fire" — 3:04
  20. "Dark Destiny" — 3:16
  21. "Lord of Illusions" — 6:51

References

  1. ↑ "Fangoria Musick reviews". Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Metal Maven review/". Archived from the original on October 28, 2012.
  3. ↑ Marko Miranović (March 7, 2010). "Metal Sound review". Metal Sound Magazine (Serbia). Archived from the original on October 5, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Hauntcast". Archived from the original on December 25, 2010.
  5. ↑ Gary Hill (2010). "Review and synopsis of Theater of Illusion". Music Street Journal.
  6. ↑ "Theater of Illusion webpage" . Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Doctor Arcana website" . Retrieved December 23, 2024.


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