Carnival Arcane

Carnival Arcane is the 14th album by dark ambient band Midnight Syndicate, released in 2011.[1] Featuring the blend of dark, orchestral, instrumental music and horror-inspired soundscape the band had become known for, the "dark carnival" theme of the album centers on a fictional, early-20th century traveling circus called The Lancaster Rigby Carnival.[2][3]

Carnival Arcane
Studio album by
Midnight Syndicate
ReleasedAugust 2, 2011
GenreGothic, Dark Ambient, Neoclassical Dark Wave, Darkwave
LabelEntity Productions
ProducerEdward Douglas, Gavin Goszka
Midnight Syndicate chronology
Halloween Music Collection
(2010)		 Carnival Arcane
(2011)		 A Time Forgotten with Destini Beard
(2012)

Background and album information

Carnival Arcane was inspired by research into carnivals of the early 20th century and Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. In a 2011 interview with FEARnet, composer, Edward Douglas said:

We've definitely put together something different for us (Midnight Syndicate), but we still maintain our identity. More than ever, we really focused on using sound effects and design to pull you into the world of the disc. The music is still the focus, absolutely, but there are many times that it feels like an 'imaginary film' more than anything we've done to this point."[4]

The album featured voice acting performances by actors, Jason Carter, Dennis Carter, Jr., and Brian Van Camp, all who had appeared in the band's previous project, The Dead Matter (2010) horror film.[5]

Reception

Fangoria, Dread Central, FEARnet, and Outburn Magazine all praised the band's execution of their "cinema of the mind" concept through the use of instrumental music and sound design.[2][6][7][8] Mike Beardsall of Rue Morgue complimented the album's "immersive" qualities, adding that "coulrophobics, however, should probably skip this ride."[9] In 2012, the album won the Best Horror CD category in the 10th annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.[10] The album was also nominated for Best RPG Related Product in the 2012 ENnie Awards in the role-playing game industry[11]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Mesonoxian Visitors"Edward Douglas3:27
2."Midway"Edward Douglas1:03
3."Welcome to the Carnival"Gavin Goszka3:32
4."Canvas Wonderland"Gavin Goszka3:12
5."Midway Reprise"Edward Douglas0:24
6."A Strange Menagerie"Gavin Goszka2:45
7."Madame Zora"Edward Douglas0:37
8."Agent of Fortune"Edward Douglas3:10
9."Dr. Atmore's Elixirs of Good Humour and Fortification"Gavin Goszka3:09
10."Alura the Snake Lady"Edward Douglas3:16
11."Arcane Wonders"Gavin Goszka2:39
12."Under the Big Top"Gavin Goszka4:34
13."Freakshow"Edward Douglas4:56
14."Pulling the Strings"Gavin Goszka3:17
15."Carousel Ride"Edward Douglas1:50
16."Revelation"Edward Douglas1:19
17."Goons and Greasepaint"Edward Douglas3:03
18."Kiddieland"Edward Douglas1:51
19."Krellsig's Kastle of Fun"Edward Douglas1:19
20."Diversions in the Dark"Edward Douglas1:44
21."Twisted Labyrinth"Gavin Goszka1:20
22."Cheval Glass"Gavin Goszka1:19
23."Sea of Laughter"Edward Douglas1:25
24."Lights Out"Gavin Goszka2:42
25."Epilogue"Gavin Goszka1:30
26."Crum Car" (Bonus track - performed by International Novelty Orchestra with effects and overdubs by Midnight Syndicate)M. Earl1:21

Personnel

Production
  • Producers – Edward Douglas, Gavin Goszka
  • Mastering – Gavin Goszka
  • Cover art and Design - Brainstorm Design Group
  • Band Photography - Anthony Gray
  • Additional Photography - Wisconsin Historical Society, Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts (DAFE)[1]

References
  1. Carnival Arcane - Midnight Syndicate (2011, CD) on Discogs
  2. Carnival Arcane CD Review Jeremy Webster, Fangoria, August 12, 2011
  3. FEARnet "Carnival Arcane" Gregory Burkart, August 15, 2011
  4. Midnight Syndicate reveal Carnival Arcane details Gregory Burkart, Fearnet, July 15, 2011
  5. Midnight Syndicate Taps The Origins of the Amusement Industry with Carnival Arcane Erik Yates, August 14, 2011
  6. CD Review: Carnival Arcane Mr. Dark, June 4, 2012
  7. CD Review - Carnival Arcane Gregory Burkart, August 19, 2011
  8. George Pacheco, "Music Review: Carnival Arcane", Outburn, (Thousand Oaks, CA), Issue 61, Pg. 68
  9. Mike Beardsall "Audio Drone: Carnival Arcane" Rue Morgue Magazine (Toronto, ON), Issue 116, Pg. 120
  10. Winners of the 10th annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards Announced Scott Hallam, Dread Central, April 4, 2012
  11. 2012 ENnie Nominees
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