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CARNIVAL ARCANE REVIEW BY DRIVE-IN OF THE DEAD

Last Saturday I opened my mailbox only to find a strange package waiting for me inside. Eagerly tearing open the oversized envelope, I was surprised to find a review copy of Midnight Syndicate's latest effort, the dark carnival themed: CARNIVAL ARCANE.

Just to be clear - I'm not your typical music reviewer who can listen to an album once and immediately comment upon it. I wanted to give this album the proper attention it deserved and not rush right into an overly enthusiastic review simply because I'm a fan of the band. Well, after listening to the album at every opportunity for the past three days, I'm happy to report that Gavin Goszka and Edward Douglas have done it again. This is a terrific 'soundtrack to an imaginary film' that is loaded with realistic turn-of-the-century sound effects and seriously sinister atmosphere.

To be honest, when I first heard that Midnight Syndicate was going to do a themed album centered around a traveling circus, I had my doubts. I figured it was one thing to conceive a concept album around a haunted house like they did with THE 13TH HOUR, but how would the 'creepiness factor' translate to a circus? Wouldn't that subject matter be too narrow? Wouldn't they be catering to those haunts and a fraction of their fan-base that have (or are planning to have) Evil Circus type haunts? Once again my doubts proved to be unjustified. After all - this IS Midnight Syndicate we're talking about. Who else could take a theme like a circus and completely turn it on its head?

What we have here with CARNIVAL ARCANE is a richly layered album that, yes, has a distinctly circus-like theme; but also is so much more than that. While many of the tracks can only be interpreted one way (such as the terrific second track 'Midway' featuring some great vocal work by MS alumni, Jason Carter (my 4-year-old son listened to that track, heard the clown that rides by, and said: "That's the creepy-clown, right Daddy?"), or the track 'Carousel Ride' for example) others songs on the album vary between a mirthful but macabre sound to strangely magical - reminiscent of the music found in the Harry Potter movies. In fact, the only track I didn't like was #23, 'Sea of Laughter' which went on a little too long for my tastes, and indeed, there is perhaps more dialogue on this album than on any other by Midnight Syndicate - but it works. Yet woven in between these numbers are those classic sounding Midnight Syndicate tracks that we've come to know and love (like the bombastic 'Welcome To The Carnival' and 'Pulling The Strings') much of which will make for superb background music for any home haunt or Halloween party, no matter the theme.

When the final 'Epilogue' had run its course (and the hidden 26th track had played out as the twisted troupe rode off into that weird gloom just before sunrise), I found that Midnight Syndicate's CARNIVAL ARCANE had exceeded my expectations and proven that even a concept album based around a narrow subject like a demented circus can provide sufficiently creepy atmosphere and real shivers. I have no doubt that there will be a huge number of Evil Circus haunts popping up this year all across the nation come October! Another solid effort from those maestros of the macabre in Ohio, this album is definitely worth owning if you're a fan of the band, a lover of insane clowns, evil carnivals, or simply want to bolt the door, lock the windows, and stay up late.

Hey - did that clown just wink at me?


Buy it here: www.midnightsyndicate.com

Ladies & Gents...

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages...welcome to the show! The uncanny Midnight Syndicate's latest audio feast, CARNIVAL ARCANE, is now available to purchase from their website! Visit www.midnightsyndicate.com today to order your copy!

P.S. Sorry about the sporadic posts lately - Blogger hasn't been wanting to work. Anyone else having problems logging in?

Arcane Talk

A great read about Midnight Syndicate's latest album: CARNIVAL ARCANE! Check it out - and then check out the album itself tomorrow when it's officially released on their website!

NEWS – Midnight Syndicate Talk Exclusively About Their New Album

Sneak Preview

Ladies and gentleman of all ages! Step right up for a sneak preview from the legendary musical duo: Midnight Syndicate! Straight from their upcoming album: CARNIVAL ARCANE...here is an exclusive selection for your listening pleasure entitled: 'Freakshow!'

Edward Douglas had this to say: "We had a difficult time picking a Carnival Arcane "preview" track as it's hard to single out any one track as being indicative of the CD. There's a lot of things going on in this one. The song we chose is Freakshow as we think it bridges some familiar elements with a taste of some of what's in store... Inspired by research, this track incorporates some of the more tragic elements of carnie life and the original freak shows as well as the macabre. We hope people enjoy it."

The newest album from Midnight Syndicate will be available for purchase on August 2nd! Pre-order your copy from their official website today!

www.midnightsyndicate.com

It's Coming...

Midnight Syndicate to release new Carnival Arcane CD August 2nd.

July 14, 2011 (Cleveland, OH) Gothic horror soundtrack musicians MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE will be releasing their fourteenth studio album, entitled CARNIVAL ARCANE, on August 2nd. "The theme of the new disc surrounds the Lancaster-Rigby Carnival, a shadowy, turn-of-the-century traveling circus with more than a few skeletons in its closet," said Edward Douglas. "The Victorian and Edwardian eras are a big source of inspiration for us. They also marked the beginning of the heyday for traveling carnivals, so that's the time period we chose to set the disc in. We spent a lot of time researching early-20th century circuses and carnivals to ensure that the sounds and music work together to really immerse you in this world and the time period. There's also a big tip of the top hat to Mr. Bradbury whose work inspired many of the more horrific elements that appear in the latter half of the disc." CARNIVAL ARCANE also features the vocal talents of Jason Carter (LORD OF THE RINGS: BATTLE FOR MIDDLE EARTH, BABYLON 5, THE DEAD MATTER) and fellow THE DEAD MATTER cast members Brian Van Camp, and Dennis Carter, Jr.

The CD will be available through the Midnight Syndicate website, Amazon, iTunes, as well as at Halloween retailers nationwide. It will also be available at select Hot Topic stores starting August 8th. Preview tracks will be made available on the band's Facebook page and website shortly.

From the CD insert:The train smoke drifting through the pale moon light signals the arrival of the Lancaster-Rigby Carnival. In a forest clearing, these mesonoxian visitors await your arrival. Stroll along the midway and behold wonders both fantastic and macabre from every corner of the globe. And be sure to ride their one of a kind carousel for an experience you'll never, ever forget.

Visit www.MidnightSyndicate.com or
Midnight Syndicate on Facebook - www.Facebook.com/MidnightSyndicate

Destined For Greatness

What an honor it was for me to sit down with the magnificent vocalist, Destini Beard, for an exclusive one on one interview. Charming, vivacious, and truly talented - Mrs. Beard is definitely a 'rising star' that you'll be hearing a lot more from here at the Drive-In and elsewhere.

Speaking of which, I have it on good authority (quoted from Ed Douglas of Midnight Syndicate no less!) that it is indeed true that Destini is working with the gothic duo on a full length follow-up CD to her amazing debut EP: 'The Dark Masquerade.' That's right, folks - you heard it here first! How wonderful that Mrs. Beard is living her dream and sharing in the dark magic of Midnight Syndicate! We look forward to hearing this new music, and we'll be sure to update you with any new news of Destini Beard and Midnight Syndicate as we hear it! Stay tuned...

http://www.destinibeard.com
http://www.midnightsyndicate.com

Carnival Arcane

New Midnight Syndicate studio album Carnival Arcane to be released August 2011.

February 8, 2011 (Cleveland, OH) Gothic, Halloween, Fantasy, Horror music composers, Midnight Syndicate have announced plans to release a new album entitled, Carnival Arcane this August. The band's fourteenth album in as many years, Carnival Arcane takes listeners on a journey through an early-20th century traveling carnival with a mysterious and sinister past. "The 'dark carnival' is a classic horror theme. We're really excited to put our own spin on it," said Gavin Goszka. "The heyday of the traveling carnival was the late-19th and early-20th century, which is the time period that really appeals to us in all our work with Midnight Syndicate," added Edward Douglas. Carnival Arcane comes on the heels of a busy year for Midnight Syndicate that marked the release of their first motion picture, The Dead Matter, the soundtrack to that film, a collaboration with vocalist Destini Beard entitled The Dark Masquerade, a "best of" collection, and the band's first two music videos. For more information, visit Midnight Syndicate online at www.MidnightSyndicate.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MidnightSyndicate.

"Pay no attention to the rumors, the Lancaster-Rigby Carnival is alive and well and awaits you just beyond the outskirts of town. Bring your wives and children for an unforgettable night of entertainment from the four corners of the globe and be sure to enjoy a ride on our Grand Carousel. But hurry ~ as this once in a lifetime opportunity is only here for a limited time!"

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Midnight Syndicate Gothic Horror Fantasy Soundtracks - www.MidnightSyndicate.com
Midnight Syndicate on Facebook - www.facebook.com/MidnightSyndicate
The Dead Matter movie - www.TheDeadMatter.com

About Midnight Syndicate:
Midnight Syndicate has been creating instrumental Halloween music and gothic horror fantasy soundtrack CDs for the past fourteen years. The group’s music has become a staple of the Halloween season worldwide as well as a favorite in the haunted house, amusement park, role-playing game, and gothic music industries. From Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights and Hugh Hefner’s Halloween parties to Monday Night Football, X-Box games, the classic Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, and Barbara Walters specials, their CDs are designed to take listeners on a journey into the darkest corners of their imagination.