Could "Monsters of Legend" be the best Midnight Syndicate CD yet? First set of reviews posted.

The first round of reviews for Monsters of Legend CD are out and all early reports seem to indicate that Midnight Syndicate has indeed created a monster!

Gregory Burkart from FEARnet has this to say.

FEARnet -  "...their most elaborate and entertaining creation to date... MONSTERS OF LEGEND takes that storytelling aspect to the next level, creating a full-scale sense of cinema and casting you, the listener, as the protagonist in a classic horror film... The nostalgic fun-factor alone is enough for me to rank this record among my all-time favorite Midnight Syndicate creations, but it also satisfies the horror soundtrack fiend in me... "



Mr. Frights shares a cool story about his first experience listening to the album on a dark and foggy drive through the mountains and writes:

Mr. Frights - "...a CD that I want to play over and over again... as masterful as any of the previous albums. But this one is special....helped create one of the BEST spooky experiences ever!   The terror this CD induced compels me to give this CD four (out of four) full screams!"


Tim Gross of Gross Movie Reviews writes:

Gross Movie Reviews - "...their best work to date.  I cannot stress how much this CD touched the old school monster nerve inside of me. Midnight Syndicate has upped their game to unbelievable heights. Plain and simple if you don’t own a copy of this great Universal Monster inspired CD then I just don’t know how you can call yourself a horror fan....a very memorable CD for horror fans to enjoy for years to come....4 out of 4 stars.

City Blood - "MONSTERS OF LEGEND is one of Midnight Syndicate's best albums to date and features great stories told through the art of music. The icons of horror are brought to the forefront and have been unleashed upon the listeners of this horrifying CD. Highly recommended.

In addition to the written review on City Blood, you can also listen to an audio version of the review featuring several preview tracks and check out City Blood's interview with Edward Douglas.

Theofantastique - "this album hits the right notes, and in this reviewer’s estimation, is one of the best Midnight Syndicate has produced."

Designing the Fear - "The tracks echo the classic monsters but it tosses in Midnight Syndicate’s classic traits that will make your ear drums bleed in excitement....full of Easter Eggs for the classic monster fans...I loved every second.... it is up there with my all time favorite Midnight Syndicate albums. I highly recommend it."

Visit Justine's Halloween Blog as she walks you through the disc and shares her interpretations of the different songs through descriptions and classic imagery.  



Behind the Thrills - "The legends are there, but in an all new light.  You can almost hear Bernard Herrmann humming along in approval....a 'classic' Midnight Syndicate release."

Music's Underworld -  "
the album really brings to the table what it promises:  an atmospheric journey back in time where Lugosi's Count Dracula or Karloff's Frankenstein's monster could be lurking just around the corner..."

 You can purchase the Monsters of Legend album (CD or 12" vinyl versions available) at the Midnight Syndicate Store, iTunes, CDBaby, or your local Halloween retailer.   Click here to hear the preview tracks: It Lives!, Lord of the Realm, and Carriage Ride.  More reviews and updates coming soon.

"Monsters of Legend" album is unleashed!

 

Monsters of Legend has arrived!  This “tribute to the golden age of horror” is inspired by horror films from the silent era, Universal Studios’ horror classics, Hammer Films, and other European horror films of the 60s and 70s. It features sweeping symphonic horror instrumental music and sound effects in the signature style the band helped pioneer. "We want to make you feel like you are a character in one of those classic horror films - that you've entered a world where any one of those iconic Universal monsters could be right around the corner," said composer Edward Douglas. The CD artwork features original images from classic Universal Studios horror movies including Bride of Frankenstein, Werewolf of London, and Dracula. 

“Those classic horror films are at the core of what we do in Midnight Syndicate, so to do an entire disc based on them was a lot fun,” added Douglas. “Musically it required us to use more traditional orchestral instruments, and use them in more ways than we have in the past. The result is a fuller orchestral sound with a heavy classical music influence. There are plenty of nods to James Bernard, Bernard Herrmann, and other early film composers.” Although the band promises the new disc will deliver the dark atmosphere haunted house designers, roleplaying gamers, and Halloween music enthusiasts expect from them, they feel they've crafted a disc that transcends their favorite time of the year. “Like Carnival Arcane, we feel we’ve taken things up a notch both musically and with the sound design on this release,” said Gavin Goszka. “There’s a lot there to listen to and lose yourself in.”

In addition to over 50 minutes of new music, the band went back into its archives and recreated several tracks from Born of the Night and Realm of Shadows, bringing the total runtime of the disc to over 65 minutes. “Both the new CD and those older releases are set in and around the mysterious hamlet of Arcacia.  We felt it would be a great opportunity to breathe new life into a few hidden gems from those albums to help tell this story," said Douglas.   For additional atmosphere the band called on voiceover artist Dick Terhune. “Dick’s known throughout the haunted house industry as the “Voice from Hell,” needless to say he was the perfect match for this disc,” added Goskza.

The CD and a COLLECTOR'S EDITION 12" VINYL VERSION are available here.   The album is also available through iTunes, Amazon.com, and will be available in select Halloween retailers beginning in August.  

Midnight Syndicate CD "Monsters of Legend" release party tonight!

 

 

Grab your favorite classic horror-themed costume and celebrate with Midnight Syndicate's Gavin Goszka and Edward Douglas as they debut the new, Monsters of Legend CD at The Boneyard (5900 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Heights, OH). The party is free, all ages, and open to the public.

COSTUME CONTEST - Everyone who arrives to the party in costume can have their photo taken by haunt photographer, Rex B. Hamilton. Photos will be posted here and Facebook. Additionally, the best costume (as chosen by a secret panel of judges) will receive a great prize package including a weapon prop, slip mask, bottle of latex, and a Sins of Skin tutorial DVD from Screamline Studios, a RARE Midnight Syndicate self-titled CD, Haunting Makeup Vol. 1 and 2 from Shutter Productions, and other Midnight Syndicate merchandise.

We will also be holding a drawing to win a one-of-a-kind hand-made prop from Red Reign FX.  Click here to check it out!

Doors open at 7:30pm. At 8pm, Gavin and Ed will introduce the CD and talk a bit about the creation process. Afterwards, both will be on hand to meet with guests and sign copies of the new CD (which will be available for purchase along with other great NEW merchandise). There will also be giveaways throughout the night. The Boneyard is just 2 minutes from the I-271 Mayfield Road exit and has an excellent restaurant and a large videogame arcade which will be open before, during, and after the party.

New "Monsters of Legend" preview track, "Lord of the Realm" unleashed exclusively on Bloody Disgusting!

 

Bloody Disgusting has just released Lord of the Realm, and exclusive new track from the upcoming Monsters of Legend CD!   Check it out here!

New "Monsters of Legend" preview track,"Carriage Ride," posted on FEARnet!

 

 

Your carriage awaits you.... Carriage Ride, the second preview track from the upcoming Monsters of Legend CD, is now available to listen to exclusively at FEARnet online.   Dim the lights and enjoy....

Pre-orders for "Monsters of Legend" CD and limited edition 12" Vinyl version now being taken

 

 

Pre-orders for  Midnight Syndicate's upcoming Monsters of Legend CD are now being taken at the Midnight Syndicate Store.

 

In addition to the CD version of the album, we are also offering a very special collector's edition 12" vinyl version. These are part of a one-time, limited run of 250 and will be available on a first come first serve basis while supplies last. Each vinyl album comes hand-numbered, expertly packed, and can be autographed by Gavin Goszka and Edward Douglas per your specifications. Every vinyl purchase also comes with the CD version of the album.

 

 

While you are at the Midnight Syndicate Store be sure to check out the Midnight Syndicate T-Shirt Section.  We've added a new Midnight Syndicate Glow-In-The-Dark t-shirt as well as reprinted several of our most popular designs (available in sizes SMALL through XXXL).

Celebrate with Midnight Syndicate at the "Monsters of Legend" CD Release Party, July 18th at The Boneyard in Mayfield Hts OH

 

Grab your favorite classic horror-themed costume and celebrate with Midnight Syndicate's Gavin Goszka and Edward Douglas as they debut the new, Monsters of Legend CD at The Boneyard (5900 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Heights, OH). The party is free, all ages, and open to the public.

COSTUME CONTEST - Everyone who arrives to the party in costume can have their photo taken by haunt photographer, Rex B. Hamilton. Photos will be posted here and Facebook. Additionally, the best costume (as chosen by a secret panel of judges) will receive a great prize package including props from Screamline Studios, a one-of-a-kind hand-made prop from Red Reign FX a RARE Midnight Syndicate self-titled CD, and other Midnight Syndicate merchandise.

Doors open at 7:30pm. At 8pm, Gavin and Ed will introduce the CD and talk a bit about the creation process. Afterwards, both will be on hand to meet with guests and sign copies of the new CD (which will be available for purchase along with other great NEW merchandise). There will also be giveaways throughout the night. The Boneyard is just 2 minutes from the I-271 Mayfield Road exit and has an excellent restaurant and a large videogame arcade which will be open before, during, and after the party.