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Midnight Syndicate 
Realm Of Shadows 
~reviewed by Matthew 

I have been bitching quite a bit lately due to the fact that there seems to be a serious drought of bands that actually come across as sinister and even remotely dark. There seems, however, to be a surplus in bouncy dancey things, and though I am all for a good synth pop, Industrial or Black Metal album once in awhile, the truly miserable Goths out there are being neglected.   We have no where to turn save for the same old Death In June, Current 93, or Sopor Aeternus albums.  Well, thankfully, there is at least one new CD in my collection that causes me to smile in pride when the chills run up my spine and despite the blazing damnable sun of May, I feel as though winter was not too far behind. 

So here is this wonderful orchestral outfit by the name of Midnight Syndicate, who’s song titles ring bells that chime “D & D” or what have you, but they are actually one of the most effective ambient/soundtrack type bands around today.  They set a stark atmosphere with the use of desolate Lisztian piano, peeling funeral bells, ghostly choirs, dense string passages, and miscellaneous wind effects, whispers, and occasional spoken word.  The cool thing is, none of it comes across as cheesy; instead it retains a quality not unlike the score of an avant garde psychological horror film.  It has its occasional mischievous classical marches and such, but overall, this is a great CD for background meditation, and the perfect music for sleeping to if of course you wish to colour your dreams with surreal, mediaeval torment images.   Which is always a good thing. 

I highly recommend this.  Don’t make the mistake of assuming that its just boring and repetitive because its ‘orchestral’ or whatever, its actually very engrossing and one of the most listenable records I have heard in quite awhile.  In fact, this is a conceptual album that explores the mystery of an abandoned city that fell prey to an ancient daemonic force that blanketed the city in darkness and unnerving silence.  Quite Lovecraftian in scope, with a healty dose of medieval legend to balance it out.   The inspiration to create strong and memorable music is easily heard within Midnight Syndicates shadowy masterpiece very impressive and sincerely effective. 

 Track List: 
 1.) Prophecy 
 2.) Into The Abyss 
 3.) Noctem Aeternus 
 4.) Tempest 
 5.) Eye Of The Storm 
 6.) Sanctuary 
 7.) Among The Ruins 
 8.) Realm Of Shadows 
 9.) Raven’s Hollow 
 10.) Beyond The Gates 
 11.) The Summoning 
 12.) Spectral Mist 
 13.) Soliloquy 
 14.) Twilight 
 15.) Serpent’s Lair 
 16.) Black Woods 
 17.) The Night Beckons 
 18.) Legions Of The Dead 
 19.) Witching Hour 
 20.) Harbored Souls 
 21.) Eclipse 

 Midnight Syndicate Is: 
 Gavin Goska 
 Edward Douglas 

 Midnight Syndicate 
 10035 Woodview Drive 
 Chardon, OH 44024 
 http://www.midnightsyndicate.com/