"Monsters of Legend" wins BEST CD in 12th annual Rondo Awards

Midnight Syndicate's Monsters of Legend CD has won the category for BEST CD in the 12th annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.   The Rondo Awards are a great honor in the horror industry and we appreciate everyone who voted!  "Our goal with Monsters of Legend was to transport the listener into the world of classic horror," said Edward Douglas. "So to be recognized both by horror fans and an organization like the Rondos which is heavily rooted in classic horror movies, means a lot."  "We really enjoyed being able to draw upon the classic horror scores, themes, and characters to create something uniquely our own," added Gavin Goszka. This award marks the second win for Midnight Syndicate.   The first came in 2011 when they won the BEST CD category for Carnival Arcane.

Vote for Midnight Syndicate in the Rondo Awards!

Monsters of Legend has been nominated for BEST CD in this year's Rondo Awards and we need your support! To vote for the CD, simply follow this link. You do NOT have to vote in every category. The Rondo Awards are a great honor in the horror community and we appreciate your taking time to support Midnight Syndicate!

VOTING ENDS THIS SUNDAY, MAY 4 at 12 MIDNIGHT E.S.T.

Vote for Midnight Syndicate in the Rondo Awards!

Monsters of Legend has been nominated for BEST CD in this year's Rondo Awards and we need your support! To vote for the CD, simply follow this link. You do NOT have to vote in every category. The Rondo Awards are a great honor in the horror community and we appreciate your taking time to support Midnight Syndicate! VOTING ENDS THIS SUNDAY, MAY 5 at 12 MIDNIGHT E.S.T.

"Monsters of Legend" makes FEARnet's Top 13 Horror CDs of 2013

Monsters of Legend has made FEARnet's Top 13 Horror CDs of 2013.   From the article: “The Halloween music masters topped themselves this year with Monsters of Legend, a gorgeous tribute to monsters of the silver screen... One of the best lights-out listening experiences of the year."  Other artists mentioned include Midnight Syndicate influences Black Sabbath, Nine Inch Nails, and Rob Zombie.  Read the full article here.   Listen to Monsters of Legend here!

Join Midnight Syndicate on YouTube

The Halloween season is upon us!   We've uploaded new video montages for Stone Guardians, Carriage Ride, and Twilight from Monsters of Legend to help get you in the mood!   Be sure to stop by Midnight Syndicate on YouTube and check them out.  If you enjoy what you see and here, be sure to subscribe to us there!   Big announcement coming next week!

"Monsters of Legend" receives more high praise. Critics calling it a landmark release.

 

Monsters of Legend is earning high praise from both fans and critics alike.  Many are calling it the band's best, most impressive work to date.  The fiends at Dread Central lead off this second group of reviews.  Click on the links to see what reviewers are hearing and saying about the new album.   Subscribe to Midnight Syndicate's YouTube Channel to receive updates on more preview tracks in the coming weeks!

Dread Central - “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. As evidenced by their recent forays into film scores, their compositions have thickened dramatically since the ‘Born of the Night ‘ days, giving ‘Monsters of Legend‘ an epic feel that fits the monsters.

‘Monsters of Legend’ represents the pinnacle of this kind of music. They pretty much invented it and refuse to give up the crown to any newcomers. Much like these titans of cinema, Midnight Syndicate are proving to be timeless and unshakable, continuing to provide amazing music for all of our nightmares.”

Rue Morgue (Canada) - “Extremely cinematic in scope and feel, ‘Monsters of Legend’ is an album tailored for grown-up monster kids. It will appeal to horror fans of every shade.”

Dr. Zombie's Horror Blog - “To say that the duo of Gavin Goszka and Edward Douglas have outdone themselves is an understatement of negligent proportions. ‘Monsters of Legend’ is a masterpiece and the single best album of their dozen plus to date. The level of musical sophistication on ‘Monsters of Legends’ is far and above anything Midnight Syndicate have done previously. It is simultaneously evocative and chilling.”

Black Veil Gothic (UK) – “I’ve listened to a lot of filmscore music and this has to be the best album for any horror film since Silva Screen produced their Hammer/Vampire compilations in the early 90′s. Midnight Syndicate’s scariest symphonic monsterpiece yet!” 

Ramblings from the Black Lagoon - “Syndicate's best album since ‘The 13th Hour’...and that's saying something since I thought their previous offering, 2012's ‘Carnival Arcane,‘ was a damned masterpiece! When compared against the two original albums, which this album references, you cannot help but be struck by how much this duo has evolved not only as composers, but as musicians.”

Games Gazette (UK) - “...majestical masterpieces that one can envisage being heard in concert at the Royal Albery Hall or the Festival Hall (Southbank) performed by a Philharmonic Orchestra of renown... a powerful CD with a definitive theme.”

Louisville Halloween - "richer and more symphonic than anything they’ve released before, represents these two artists at the absolute peak of their talent. Perhaps the theme of classic monster cinema has connected with Douglas and Goszka’s best childhood Halloween memories and inspired their best work to date." 

Black Gate – “Midnight Syndicate has really outdone themselves this time.”

Forgotten Flix - “a dark and beautiful journey through the Theater of the Mind from the biggest, and best, name in the Halloween music genre....It will leave you longing for the movies and cinematic horrors it celebrates.”

Shawn "Knightmist" Micallef Blog & Reviews – “it’s the perfect soundtrack for the mind. The creatures of old will certainly come to life in your imagination as you enjoy this great album.”

Midnight Spookhouse - “5 out of 5 - a beautiful set of truly thought-provoking melodies but it runs far deeper and darker than that. You will literally feel the intentions of each track of the disc.”

Haunt Review Crew - “a legendary piece of music!”

Plus, check out a new interview with Edward Douglas by Count Gore DeVol on Creature Feature.

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.  

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.

It Lives! First preview track from "Monsters of Legend" CD released.

 

Midnight Syndicate revealed a glimpse at their upcoming Monsters of Legend CD today when they posted the track, It Lives! on their YouTube Channel.  The video features some of the images that inspired the track along with a short montage at the end which will give fans a quick taste of what is to come.  Pre-orders for the Monsters of Legend CD and limited-edition 12" vinyl version will begin next week.   The full CD will be unleashed July 19th.   More preview tracks and new Midnight Syndicate merchandise will also be coming soon.

New interview with Edward Douglas on City Blood

A new interview with Midnight Syndicate's Edward Douglas has just been posted on the haunted house website, City Blood.  In the interview they discuss the origins and history of the band as well as the upcoming Monsters of Legend release and more.

Midnight Syndicate's new "Monsters of Legend" CD to be unleashed July 19th

 

On July 19, Midnight Syndicate will release it's sixteenth studio album, Monsters of Legend.  This "tribute to the golden age of horror" will feature sweeping symphonic horror instrumental music and sound effects in the signature style the band pioneered. "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 the iconic characters from the Universal Horror and Hammer Films could be right around the corner," said composer Edward Douglas.

 

The CD artwork features original images from classic Universal Studios horror movies including Frankenstein, Werewolf of London, and Dracula.  "Listeners will hear the influence of the Universal Monster, Hammer, and Euro Horror films from the 30s through the 70s, not only in the music but in the images the songs conjure," added Gavin Goszka.  Although the band promises the new disc will deliver the dark atmosphere haunted attractions, roleplaying gamers, and Halloween enthusiasts expect from them, they feel they've crafted a disc that transcends their favorite time of the year.   "As we did on Carnival Arcane, we're always trying to take things up a notch both musically and with the sound design.  There is a lot going on in this one.   Plenty to pull you in, spark your imagination, and keep hold of you anytime you're looking to visit that mysterious place in your mind's eye."

 

The CD will be available for pre-order the first week in July.  In addition to other new merchandise, Entity Productions Halloween Music will be releasing a special edition 12" vinyl version of the Monsters of Legend album, hand-numbered and limited to 250 copies.

Midnight Syndicate's "Monsters of Legend" CD update

Edward Douglas shared some more information on what fans can expect from Midnight Syndicate's upcoming Monsters of Legend CD (mid-July) on Facebook today. 

"Our approach on this upcoming album is to transport you 'into' the world of classic horror films by Universal, Hammer Films, and others. We want you to feel like you've been dropped right into one of those films - a mysterious world where any creature could be lurking in a shadowy forest or passing by your window at night.... As we did in The 13th Hour and Carnival Arcane we try to achieve this through music and sound design. This will be another great disc to listen to with headphones in a darkened room.

So, as oppposed to creating a song for each classic Universal Monsters film and making it more of a compilation, our plan is to put you in a world where the monsters are very real and allow you to explore it. And although we've saved some creatures for the next album, there will be plenty to keep you up at night.... We are in the final mixing stage now and are really excited about this disc!

The image above is from the Mario Bava classic Black Sunday (1960), one of the many films that inspired the album.

New "Monsters of Legend" CD coming Summer 2013

Midnight Syndicate's classic horror music-themed "Monsters of Legend" CD will be released Summer of 2013.  Pictured: Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka - Halloween Music 

Midnight Syndicate's Monsters of Legend CD, a tribute to the classic films of Universal Studios and Hammer Films that shaped horror cinema will be released in the summer of 2013.   Join us on Facebook or Twitter as each week, the band shares its thoughts on the films that inspired the album and the other bands that have influenced Midnight Syndicate over the years.

New details on upcoming Midnight Syndicate CD

Production on the new Midnight Syndicate disc is steaming ahead with a summer release date expected.   The title of the CD, will be Monsters of Legend.  It's Midnight Syndicate's tribute to the classic black and white horror films of Universal and the Hammer Films of the 60s and 70s.   Over a year in the works, the music and sound design of this new disc promises to transport listeners back to the world of shadowy castles, mysterious villages, and fog-drenched countrysides overrun by creatures of the night.  For the artwork, the band has teamed up with Universal Studios' Universal Monsters, the Karloff, and Lugosi estates.  If you love classic horror - this disc is for you!