Out of the Darkness (Retrospective: 1994–1999)

Out of the Darkness
Out of the Darkness
Compilation album by Midnight Syndicate
Released	July 4, 2006
Recorded	2006
Genre	Gothic, dark ambient, neoclassical dark wave, darkwave
Length	66:57
Label	Entity Productions
Midnight Syndicate chronology

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

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

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

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Original album	Length
1.	"Realm of Shadows"	Edward Douglas	Realm of Shadows	2:54
2.	"Darkness Descends"	Edward Douglas	Born of the Night	2:06
3.	"Born of the Night"	Edward Douglas	Born of the Night	3:07
4.	"Return of the Apparition"	Gavin Goszka	Previously unreleased	1:06
5.	"Legions of the Night"	Edward Douglas	Realm of Shadows	2:45
6.	"Eye of the Storm"	Edward Douglas	Realm of Shadows	2:40
7.	"Solemn Reflections"	Gavin Goszka	Born of the Night	2:51
8.	"Nightstalker"	Edward Douglas	Born of the Night	2:40
9.	"Noctem Aeternus"	Edward Douglas	Realm of Shadows	2:33
10.	"Haunted Nursery"	Edward Douglas	Midnight Syndicate	1:31
11.	"Sanctuary"	Gavin Goszka	Realm of Shadows	2:33
12.	"Into the Abyss"	Gavin Goszka	Realm of Shadows	4:50
13.	"The Night Beckons"	Edward Douglas	Realm of Shadows	2:25
14.	"Masque of Sorrow"	Gavin Goszka	Born of the Night	2:05
15.	"Forbidden Crypts"	Edward Douglas	Born of the Night	2:13
16.	"Theme to The Dead Matter (1996) (Vampire's Kiss)"	Edward Douglas	Midnight Syndicate	2:17
17.	"Darkfolk (Shadows)"	Edward Douglas	Midnight Syndicate	3:06
18.	"Soliloquy"	Edward Douglas	Realm of Shadows	3:04
19.	"Beyond the Gates"	Edward Douglas	Realm of Shadows	2:14
20.	"Eclipse"	Edward Douglas	Realm of Shadows	3:25
21.	"Scenes from The Dead Matter (1996)"	Edward Douglas	Previously unreleased	1:57
22.	"Prisoner of Time"	Gavin Goszka	Previously unreleased	4:43
23.	"Theme to Journey Into Dementia (1994)"	Edward Douglas	Previously unreleased	2:36
24.	"Druids"	Scott Angus, Edward Douglas	Midnight Syndicate	5:16

Personnel

Edward Douglas – composer
Gavin Goszka – composer
Scott Angus – composer, drums, keyboards on Druids
Christopher Robichaud – voice actor on Druids
Jami Douglas – voice actor on Druids

Production

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

References

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

[1] Benard Van Isacker, "Reviews: Out of the Darkness, Side-Line Music Magazine (Bruxelles, Belgium), Issue 56, Pg. 57

[discogs-2] 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

[Scene05-6] 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

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