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Out of the Darkness (Retrospective: 1994–1999)

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Out of the Darkness
Compilation album by
ReleasedJuly 4, 2006
Recorded2006
GenreGothic, dark ambient, neoclassical dark wave, darkwave
Length66:57
LabelEntity Productions
Midnight Syndicate chronology
The 13th Hour
(2005)
Out of the Darkness
(2006)
The Rage: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
(2008)

Out of the Darkness is a retrospective album by Midnight Syndicate, released July 4, 2006, by Entity Productions. The album features re-recorded and re-mastered tracks from the band's early years (1994-1999). The 24 tracks on the album include 4 previously unreleased songs.[1][2][3]

Album information and release

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In a 2006 interview, composer, Edward Douglas referred to the album's material "what we consider our best horror-genre material from the early years." Composer, Gavin Goszka added:

We looked at this (album) as an opportunity to breathe new life into the material. We attempted to maintain as much of the sound and character of the original versions while still making minor changes to the arrangements and performances to bring them closer to what we originally envisioned.[4]

The majority of the songs are from the band's Midnight Syndicate, Born of the Night, and Realm of Shadows albums with additional tracks from Edward Douglas' early film scores and a previously unreleased track by Gavin entitled, Prisoner of Time.[5] The album artwork was created by fantasy artist, Rob Alexander.

The album was released through Entity Productions and self-distributed through Halloween retailers like Spirit Halloween, counterculture retailers like Hot Topic and Spencer Gifts, costume shops, and hobby shops.[6][7]

Post-release

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In 2013, the track Into The Abyss was featured as an outtro on the Misfits live album, Dead Alive!. According to Douglas, the inclusion of the song on the album came as a result of Misfits using Midnight Syndicate music as atmosphere after shows as they met with guests.[8][9] In 2015, Rue Morgue Magazine included Out of the Darkness in its list of 50 Essential Horror Albums - Discs That Created, Evolved, or Defined Genre Music Through the Decades citing the band's influence in the haunted attraction industry and "entrenchment" in the celebration of the Halloween season as reasons for its inclusion.[10]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Original albumLength
1."Realm of Shadows"Edward DouglasRealm of Shadows2:54
2."Darkness Descends"Edward DouglasBorn of the Night2:06
3."Born of the Night"Edward DouglasBorn of the Night3:07
4."Return of the Apparition"Gavin GoszkaPreviously unreleased1:06
5."Legions of the Night"Edward DouglasRealm of Shadows2:45
6."Eye of the Storm"Edward DouglasRealm of Shadows2:40
7."Solemn Reflections"Gavin GoszkaBorn of the Night2:51
8."Nightstalker"Edward DouglasBorn of the Night2:40
9."Noctem Aeternus"Edward DouglasRealm of Shadows2:33
10."Haunted Nursery"Edward DouglasMidnight Syndicate1:31
11."Sanctuary"Gavin GoszkaRealm of Shadows2:33
12."Into the Abyss"Gavin GoszkaRealm of Shadows4:50
13."The Night Beckons"Edward DouglasRealm of Shadows2:25
14."Masque of Sorrow"Gavin GoszkaBorn of the Night2:05
15."Forbidden Crypts"Edward DouglasBorn of the Night2:13
16."Theme to The Dead Matter (1996) (Vampire's Kiss)"Edward DouglasMidnight Syndicate2:17
17."Darkfolk (Shadows)"Edward DouglasMidnight Syndicate3:06
18."Soliloquy"Edward DouglasRealm of Shadows3:04
19."Beyond the Gates"Edward DouglasRealm of Shadows2:14
20."Eclipse"Edward DouglasRealm of Shadows3:25
21."Scenes from The Dead Matter (1996)"Edward DouglasPreviously unreleased1:57
22."Prisoner of Time"Gavin GoszkaPreviously unreleased4:43
23."Theme to Journey Into Dementia (1994)"Edward DouglasPreviously unreleased2:36
24."Druids"Scott Angus, Edward DouglasMidnight Syndicate5:16

Personnel

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Production

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  • Producers – Edward Douglas, Gavin Goszka
  • Mixing and engineering – Greg Zydyk
  • Photography – Mark Rakocy
  • Cover art – Rob Alexander
  • Design – Brainstorm Studios[2]

References

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  1. ^ Benard Van Isacker, "Reviews: Out of the Darkness, Side-Line Music Magazine (Bruxelles, Belgium), Issue 56, Pg. 57
  2. ^ a b Out of the Darkness (2006, CD) on Discogs
  3. ^ Carolee "Music Review: Out of the Darkness", Gothic Beauty, (Portland, OR) Issue 23, Pg. 66
  4. ^ Jennifer McKevitt, "Art of Darkness", The News Herald (Ohio) (Mentor, OH), October 29, 2006, Pg. E1-2
  5. ^ Leonard Pickel, "Setting the Mood for an Industry", Haunted Attraction Magazine (Charlotte, NC), Pg. 24-28,38-41
  6. ^ Scream Kings Jason Bracelin, Cleveland Scene Magazine (Cleveland, OH), May 25, 2005, Pg. 10-13.
  7. ^ Carl E. Feather, "A little night music", Star Beacon (Ashtabula, OH), October 30, 2006, Sec. B, Pg. B1.
  8. ^ Midnight Syndicate Blog - January 2013 January 15, 2013
  9. ^ DEA.D Alive on Discogs
  10. ^ "50 Essential Horror Albums - Discs That Created, Evolved, or Defined Genre Music Through the Decades", Rue Morgue Magazine, Issue 160, Pg. 28-36