"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.