Nox Arcana - The Shadows & Mysteries of the Night
The music of Nox Arcana takes on a dark haunted Gothic style with moody evocations of horror and enchantment. The music has dark, sinister overtones and resembles a combination of New Age music, Gothic music, and orchestral Chamber music, with Elizabethan music occasionally tossed into the mix to create visions of magic and other worldly realms while keeping the haunting atmosphere of the music. This is classic dark Gothic at it's best and the perfect music to play at Halloween parties, séances, or to play for the Trick or Treaters of your neighborhood..... to give them pause.
The Creators of Shadows & Mystery
All images are copyrighted by Nox Arcana
The Talent Behind the Musicical Lore
The band's name Nox Arcana is derived from two Latin words, which roughly translate to "mysteries of the night." It is a fantastic study in ancient lore, Gothic literature and classic horror that unites these two composers, Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski, in their never ending quest into the shadowy, dark and dangerous realms.
The symphony music is melodic, focusing on a dominant melody line typically of the Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor or Diminished scale. There are marked influences of John Carpenter's piano themes from Halloween and the Fog.
William Piotrowski's main influences are from "soundtrack composers Hans Zimmer, Wojciech Kilar, and Jerry Goldsmith. For our recent release Winter's Knight
we were also influenced by the music of artists like, Blackmore's Night, Lorena McKennit and Enya," states Piotrowski in an interview
Nox Arcana was formed in 2003 by Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski, after Vargo had parted ways with Midnight Syndicate
They create and record all of their own ambient sound effects and they have an extensive library of howls, cackles, wind, rain, thunder, dripping water, rattling chains, crackling fire, creaking doors, etc., as well as animals like wolves, ravens, bats and cats that are peppered throughout the music to add to the already dark spirit of the music.
As masters of the macabre, Nox Arcana
cites Gothic fiction and classic horror literature as their primary resources of inspiration for their albums. They pay tribute to many of their favorite authors.
"Their darkly seductive Transylvania
ventures into the land of vampires ala Bram Stoker's Dracula. The sinister Necronomicon
is put to sound in Nox Arcana's homage to H.P. Lovecraft. Their morbid and melancholy Shadow of the Raven
pays tribute to the great Edgar Allan Poe, and their darkly enchanting music CD called Grimm Tales
pays homage to the centuries-old nightmares penned by the Brothers Grimm, bringing the childhood nightmares to back to life. Some of their albums have medieval themes and references to ancient mythology, while their tenth album entitled Phantoms of the High Seas
tells the tale of a terrifying ghost ship with its crew of undead pirates that haunt the seas. The Pirates Of The Caribbean
may have gotten their idea of the Black Pearl from this macabre album.
"Nox Arcana's haunting Gothic soundtracks are often used in independent films, in theme parks during Halloween, and for role-playing games. They have created 10 albums of original music in less than five years and their debut album, Darklore Manor
, was featured as the musical score for a televised special of the 1922 silent film classic, Nosferatu
. This gave birth to a book of original horror stories, The Legend of Darklore Manor and Other Tales of Terror
.
The symphony music is melodic, focusing on a dominant melody line typically of the Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor or Diminished scale. There are marked influences of John Carpenter's piano themes from Halloween and the Fog.
William Piotrowski's main influences are from "soundtrack composers Hans Zimmer, Wojciech Kilar, and Jerry Goldsmith. For our recent release Winter's Knight
we were also influenced by the music of artists like, Blackmore's Night, Lorena McKennit and Enya," states Piotrowski in an interview
Nox Arcana was formed in 2003 by Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski, after Vargo had parted ways with Midnight Syndicate
They create and record all of their own ambient sound effects and they have an extensive library of howls, cackles, wind, rain, thunder, dripping water, rattling chains, crackling fire, creaking doors, etc., as well as animals like wolves, ravens, bats and cats that are peppered throughout the music to add to the already dark spirit of the music.
As masters of the macabre, Nox Arcana
cites Gothic fiction and classic horror literature as their primary resources of inspiration for their albums. They pay tribute to many of their favorite authors."Their darkly seductive Transylvania
ventures into the land of vampires ala Bram Stoker's Dracula. The sinister Necronomicon is put to sound in Nox Arcana's homage to H.P. Lovecraft. Their morbid and melancholy Shadow of the Raven pays tribute to the great Edgar Allan Poe, and their darkly enchanting music CD called Grimm Tales pays homage to the centuries-old nightmares penned by the Brothers Grimm, bringing the childhood nightmares to back to life. Some of their albums have medieval themes and references to ancient mythology, while their tenth album entitled Phantoms of the High Seas tells the tale of a terrifying ghost ship with its crew of undead pirates that haunt the seas. The Pirates Of The Caribbean may have gotten their idea of the Black Pearl from this macabre album."Nox Arcana's haunting Gothic soundtracks are often used in independent films, in theme parks during Halloween, and for role-playing games. They have created 10 albums of original music in less than five years and their debut album, Darklore Manor
, was featured as the musical score for a televised special of the 1922 silent film classic, Nosferatu. This gave birth to a book of original horror stories, The Legend of Darklore Manor and Other Tales of Terror. Joseph Vargo
Joseph Vargo, composer, founder and producer of Nox Arcana, is also an internationally acclaimed Gothic-fantasy artist and writer, who started his dark passion as a young boy in Ohio.Vargo has created hundreds of distinctive works of fantasy and imagination. His website, showcases many of his classic gothic paintings, as well as some rare works that have never been seen anywhere else. Enter his world of forbidden crypts, restless spirits, seductive vampires and haunted mansions and towers full of mystery and terror... enter the unforgettable world of this modern master of Gothic fantasy and haunted lore.
In the early 1990s Vargo began his creations of his darkly hypnotic images that accumulated into a vast portfolio of fantasy art work
that includes album covers, books, posters, t-shirts, calendars
, music CDs, tarot cards and other products that are distributed through his publishing company Monolith Graphics. Vargo's chilling, mist-shrouded world of ghostly figures, vampires of the dark, and living gargoyles, among his other creatures of the night, has earned him a loyal following of students of the macabre; and Gothic and classical music aficionados, immense and loyal following.Before forming Nox Arcana in 2003, Joseph Vargo produced two albums for Midnight Syndicate but left the band in 2000 to co-write Tales From The Dark Tower
, a book that follows the exploits of a vampire during the First Crusade. Steven King makes reference to this book in his own Dark Tower series
.He later published Dark Realms magazine, released a best-selling tarot card deck, The Gothic Tarot
and published the The Gothic Tarot Compendium
, an essential key to understanding the Gothic Tarot. The book is an asset to the Gothic Tarot deck as it gives Vargo's personal insights concerning the mythological and occult symbolism hidden within his artwork. He translates their symbolic meanings and illustrates a detailed explanation of their personal significance. William Piotrowski
William Piotrowski, composer and engineer for Nox Arcana, began his professional music career at the early age of 15 when he created the musical score for an independent production entitled "Ghosts of Ohio," a video documentary about a medium who inspired the CBS television show, the "Ghost Whisperer", which is now a popular TV series on CBS.
Piotrowski plays several instruments including piano, guitar, violin, mandolin and keyboards. He is also well versed in also well-versed in midi and sampler technology. Piotrowski's interests in the realm of the supernatural are reflected in his dark, symphonic compositions and his expertise as a studio engineer enables him to bring Nox Arcana's artistic visions to life. Piotrowski is currently attending Kent State University where he is studying art and music.
Joseph Vargo has known William Piotrowski since he was a little boy as Vargo and Piotrowski's father where friends. Vargo watched the growing talent of young William, and when he asked William if he was interested in teaming up for Nox Arcana, William was only 15 years old.
Listings of Albums and Art Work of Nox Arcana
Darklore Manor - Discography
The Darklore Manor is a fictional story based on a true story. Who knows where reality ends and fiction begins.
Nox Arcana discography
curated content from YouTube
Darklord Manor
Nox Arcana invites you to embark on a musical journey throughout a legendary haunted mansion with a dark and sinister history... Darklore Manor, a place where creatures of the night lurk in shadows and ghostly sounds echo through its unhallowed halls.
The concept of the album, which is based on the tales of a real haunted Victorian mansion near Salem, Massacusetts, centers around the mysterious deaths of its original owners, the Darklore family, the curse that yet lingers there among the ruins, and the later disappearance of three teenagers who set out to hold a seance in the house on Halloween night several years ago. The story itself is somewhere between Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" and H.P. Lovecraft's "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward," with an atmosphere like Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House."
This real-life ghost story, along with the ominous music, has all the elements of a classic horror film: an old mansion with a dark history, a cursed bloodline, tales of black magic, murder, and vengeful ghosts.
The concept of the album, which is based on the tales of a real haunted Victorian mansion near Salem, Massacusetts, centers around the mysterious deaths of its original owners, the Darklore family, the curse that yet lingers there among the ruins, and the later disappearance of three teenagers who set out to hold a seance in the house on Halloween night several years ago. The story itself is somewhere between Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" and H.P. Lovecraft's "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward," with an atmosphere like Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House."
This real-life ghost story, along with the ominous music, has all the elements of a classic horror film: an old mansion with a dark history, a cursed bloodline, tales of black magic, murder, and vengeful ghosts.
Darklore Manor
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
SoundTrack Listing of Darklore Manor
Hear ye hear ye, all ye fans of Gothic horror soundscapes. Pay heed and rejoice. Verily have we great cause for much gladness. After two lamentable years of being the mastermind, major support and the unsung hero of Midnight Syndicate, Gothic artist, musician, writer and storyteller extraordinaire Joseph Vargo steps from the shadows...to cast a much bigger shadow of his own. Together with tremendously gifted fellow artist and weaver of tales, William Piotrowski, Vargo endeavors to take us upon yet more haunting, terrifying and intriguingly beautiful journeys into the unknown, daring us to travel into our imagination's own darkest recesses. Take these journeys if you dare, with Nox Arcana as your guide. Welcome to darkness' domicile. Welcome... to "Darklore Manor"
1. Legend- Thus does our tale begin. Buffeted by the howl of a frigid wind do we stand upon the pathway to terror. A sinister melody comprised seemingly of low-pitched macabre keyboard work or strings is soon joined by the voice of Joseph Vargo. It brings to mind a summer camp counselor, preparing to tell us a grand old-time ghost story. With the following narration does it commence: "Along a dark forsaken road, there stands a stark and grim abode. An old manor house looms black and tall, to cast a grave and deathly pall. Beyond the ancient wrought iron gate, a thousand nightmares lie in wait. For dark things dwell in this house of fear... and none but the dead dare trespass here."
2. Darklore Manor- This title track bears an air of chilling, dark majesty. Keyboards and pipe organ combine to bring us what sounds in my mind like a macabre twist on a stately and regal procession... as we are led further along the path towards an ancient home of shadow and sorrow. Gripping Latin chants performed my blended male and female choir mate with a tolling vesper to complete this darkly beautiful piece.
3. Threshold Of The Dead - A mournful keyboard melody is a our guide past the ancient doorway of the mansion. It fills one with a sense of melancholy and wonder both at once. Some of the keyboard work bears a choral sound, and a tolling vesper closes the piece with somber dignity.
4- Trespassers - In pacing, this tune is almost march-like, but a tad slower. It is wonderfully comprised of brooding yet beautiful strings, percussion, keyboard work, and tolling bells. Now has the door closed upon us with a forceful sense of... finality. We're 'inside' the manor... treated to dark and enticing visions of an ancient grandeur, but there's a feeling of dread still, as if... though we are here, we do not belong and are out of place.
5. Veil Of Darkness - Tenderly drifting piano begins this part of our journey It is soon joined ethereal keyboard work that magnifies the piece's brooding and sinister feel. Through it all, there is a sense of awe and wonder, as if we are invited, yes... even dared to step beyond the veil, to pierce night's deepest, darkest secrets.
6. Sanctuary Of Shadows- This is among my favorite pieces on this CD. In fact, I WILL call it my favorite. It is an utterly intoxicating blend of keyboards, pipe organ, compelling Latin chanting and tolling bells. What this piece depicts to me is... majesty and grandeur, as if we are in the presence of ancient royalty whose line has, through avarice and tragedy, fallen forever into darkness.
7. The Grande Hall - We are treated here to another dose of the majestic. Keyboard wizardry does the honors. Tolling bells dance with it, as does the softest and most beautiful hint of choral melody. There is a sense of elegance here, and regality, expertly blended with a dose of the tragic.
8. Remnants- Here, the beginning of a beautiful yet heartbreaking opus is woven with the harpsichord, imparting unto us a sense of antiquity. Exquisite stately keyboard work mates with it, bequeathing a sense of beauteous heartbreak. The beautiful, and the terribly woeful, blended expertly yet again.
9. Phantom Procession- This piece is largely comprised of tolling vespers. Keyboard magic that bears the hint of a choral sound waltzes with it. I cannot say why, but I am put here in the frame of mind to visualize a grand gathering of specters, summoned to assemble as the dinner hour has struck, as if called unto a pale shadow of a grand banquet held in an age long past.
10. Belladonna- Here, once again, we are treated to an opus of... beautiful sorrow. Heart-tuggging and very soft keyboards blend with the "star" of the piece, a lovely and somber piano tune. This.... is in my mind a tender ode to Belladonna, daughter of Damon Darklore and his bride... It is a lament, mourning the loss of innocence... A hymn to the memory of a beloved daughter, lost to shadow
1. Legend- Thus does our tale begin. Buffeted by the howl of a frigid wind do we stand upon the pathway to terror. A sinister melody comprised seemingly of low-pitched macabre keyboard work or strings is soon joined by the voice of Joseph Vargo. It brings to mind a summer camp counselor, preparing to tell us a grand old-time ghost story. With the following narration does it commence: "Along a dark forsaken road, there stands a stark and grim abode. An old manor house looms black and tall, to cast a grave and deathly pall. Beyond the ancient wrought iron gate, a thousand nightmares lie in wait. For dark things dwell in this house of fear... and none but the dead dare trespass here."
2. Darklore Manor- This title track bears an air of chilling, dark majesty. Keyboards and pipe organ combine to bring us what sounds in my mind like a macabre twist on a stately and regal procession... as we are led further along the path towards an ancient home of shadow and sorrow. Gripping Latin chants performed my blended male and female choir mate with a tolling vesper to complete this darkly beautiful piece.
3. Threshold Of The Dead - A mournful keyboard melody is a our guide past the ancient doorway of the mansion. It fills one with a sense of melancholy and wonder both at once. Some of the keyboard work bears a choral sound, and a tolling vesper closes the piece with somber dignity.
4- Trespassers - In pacing, this tune is almost march-like, but a tad slower. It is wonderfully comprised of brooding yet beautiful strings, percussion, keyboard work, and tolling bells. Now has the door closed upon us with a forceful sense of... finality. We're 'inside' the manor... treated to dark and enticing visions of an ancient grandeur, but there's a feeling of dread still, as if... though we are here, we do not belong and are out of place.
5. Veil Of Darkness - Tenderly drifting piano begins this part of our journey It is soon joined ethereal keyboard work that magnifies the piece's brooding and sinister feel. Through it all, there is a sense of awe and wonder, as if we are invited, yes... even dared to step beyond the veil, to pierce night's deepest, darkest secrets.
6. Sanctuary Of Shadows- This is among my favorite pieces on this CD. In fact, I WILL call it my favorite. It is an utterly intoxicating blend of keyboards, pipe organ, compelling Latin chanting and tolling bells. What this piece depicts to me is... majesty and grandeur, as if we are in the presence of ancient royalty whose line has, through avarice and tragedy, fallen forever into darkness.
7. The Grande Hall - We are treated here to another dose of the majestic. Keyboard wizardry does the honors. Tolling bells dance with it, as does the softest and most beautiful hint of choral melody. There is a sense of elegance here, and regality, expertly blended with a dose of the tragic.
8. Remnants- Here, the beginning of a beautiful yet heartbreaking opus is woven with the harpsichord, imparting unto us a sense of antiquity. Exquisite stately keyboard work mates with it, bequeathing a sense of beauteous heartbreak. The beautiful, and the terribly woeful, blended expertly yet again.
9. Phantom Procession- This piece is largely comprised of tolling vespers. Keyboard magic that bears the hint of a choral sound waltzes with it. I cannot say why, but I am put here in the frame of mind to visualize a grand gathering of specters, summoned to assemble as the dinner hour has struck, as if called unto a pale shadow of a grand banquet held in an age long past.
10. Belladonna- Here, once again, we are treated to an opus of... beautiful sorrow. Heart-tuggging and very soft keyboards blend with the "star" of the piece, a lovely and somber piano tune. This.... is in my mind a tender ode to Belladonna, daughter of Damon Darklore and his bride... It is a lament, mourning the loss of innocence... A hymn to the memory of a beloved daughter, lost to shadow
11. Nursery Rhyme - This piece is.... just plain eerie, and creepy. I say that not to demean it though. It is a great piece and quite effective. Bereft of music, it still manages to chill the heart, as the voice of Christine Filipak, altered to sound childlike, combined with a slight echo, and "blended" with her adult voice, delivers the following narration: "Sandman come to me tonight. Comfort me till morning light. As darkness falls and shadows loom, I bid you welcome to my room. Rest your bones beside my bed. Lay your hands upon my head. Cast your spell of slumber deep, and stay beside me as I sleep. If I should die before I wake, I grant to you my soul to take."
12. Music Box - I see this as a "companion piece" to Nursery Rhyme, and perhaps even Belladonna in a way. Beautiful bell-like tones depict the title's namesake. It is combined with child-like singing, and a little girl's playful giggles. It brings to mind images of a beautiful innocent little child at play, without a care in the world, despite having a darker and a very sad edge.
13. The Forgotten - A very pretty and mournful wistful piano tune is expertly blended with pipe organ to give us this composition. Tolling bells and soft strings drift through the piece on occasion. To me this is a tender, tragic ode to the former glory of the Darklore clan, forever lost when that ancient line began to walk a path of darkness.
14. Nightmare - In the case of this piece, Nox Arcana ably proves once again that sometimes the most effective path is simple. Here, we are gifted with that truth. An exquisite 'waltz of keyboards, tolling bells, strings and the faintest choral hints impart the feeling that we are spinning ever further down, deep into a vortex, deeper and deeper into insanity and utter terror.
15. No Rest For the Wicked- Keyboards appear to be the 'star' of this one. It is blended beautifully with mournful strings and sinister chanting performed in Latin. For me, what this feels like is... not 'drudgery' but rather an expert depiction of the eternal weight of sorrow that blankets Darklore Manor's denizens.
16. Omen - Once again, here the simple is proven effective. A very soft keyboard undercurrent creates a 'bed'... upon which lies a drifting ghostly voice. Provided by co-composer Joseph Vargo, the chilling voice intones the following: "Ghostly whispers fill the air, chanting omens to beware. Shadows stir in candlelight, then rise to prowl the dead of night. Spirits lurk within these walls, and wander these unhallowed halls. Cursed to haunt this dark domain, where mortal woe and sorrow reign."
17 Seance - This piece, upon first hearing, actually SCARED me, as no Gothic music had done before. Very nice keyboard work provides an undercurrent to carry the following echoed ghostly whispers: "We are among you..." "Beware the darkness..." "Lift this curse..." "End our suffering..." "Release us..." "Leave this place..." "Turn back..." The piece is ended with Joseph Vargo imparting a chilling and sinister laugh.
18 Beyond Midnight - This piece to me feels... invigorating. It is a... blood-stirring mix of strings, percussion, pipe organ and Latin chanting that feels adventurous and almost... martial It brings to mind once again a stately procession, mixed with a journey through the grounds of a place replete with ancient grandeur and heart-pounding terror as the spirits of the Darklore bloodline surround you to prevent escape.
19 Darkness Immortal- This is a beautiful dance between lovely swirling pipe organ, sinister strings, and beautiful choral work. Percussion provides faint and compelling accents for it. Tolling bells gift us with their presence, adding to the macabre yet somehow stately feel. To me this conjures images of standing trapped upon the dark and mist-shrouded Manor grounds as a regal Lady clad all in ebon robes beckons irresistibly for you to come, almost in the manner of a paramour... to follow her forever into the shadow to learn of and partake in its secrets.
20. Incantation- Here is another blood-chilling musical opus. This time beautifully mournful strings are underscored by somber and booming percussion that to me depicts a heartbeat. Drifting softly over this is the voice of co-composer Joseph Vargo imparting the following narration:
"Ab Aeterno,
Ad limina Mortem et extra,
Abyssus Abyssum invocat
E tenebris,
Veteris vestigia flammae ardere denuo
Iure Sanguinis,
Mors tua, vita mea aeternum
Terra es, terram ibis
Ecce quomodo Moritur,
Hoc sustinate Damnosa hereditas."
Translated from Latin, this says:
"From the beginning of Time,
To the threshold of Death, and beyond,
Hell calls upon Hell
Out of the darkness,
Remnants of an ancient flame burn anew
By the rite of Blood,
You must die, so that I may live eternally
You are dust, you shall return to dust
Behold the way of Death,
And endure the inheritance of the Damned."
21. Resurrected - This is the closer of the CD, and it is a darkly invigorating masterpiece. Mournful keyboards dance with percussion, pipe organ, energetic swirling strings and Latin chanting. It paints a portrait of an ancient evil raised from slumber to live for evermore. After a minute or so of silence, the musical homage to Belladonna Darklore is reprised on harpsichord, before Joseph Vargo gifts us with another chilling laugh. After another brief silence, the final section of this piece is provided by keyboards and pipe organ, joined once again by the voice Joseph Vargo, speaking to us "as" Damon Darklore, relating the tragic fate of both his ancestors and himself:
"Woe befalls all who dwell withing Darklore Manor. For those who have met their fate within this blighted place are cursed to forever wander its unhallowed halls. Within this sanctuary of shadows, the restless dead can find no surcease from their eternal suffering. I have brought this curse upon myself, as did my ancestors before me. I hereby confess my guilt, for I have conspired in blasphemous acts, and have committed grievous and ghastly deeds. And though I be the last of the Darklore bloodline, this curse shall not end with my death... For we have awakened a great darkness, and it's hungers... cannot be quenched."
In closing, this is a brilliant piece of work. Joseph Vargo with this work proves himself a master of weaving deliciously dark and hauntingly beautiful and tragic tales. Together with musical partner William Piotrowski, he has crafted a splendid ghost story for the modern age, replete with every bit of the grandeur of the best of ancient and classic horror tales... and then some. Behold! Nox Arcana is born, and has quickly risen to leave its indelible mark.
Courtesy of John Rossi
12. Music Box - I see this as a "companion piece" to Nursery Rhyme, and perhaps even Belladonna in a way. Beautiful bell-like tones depict the title's namesake. It is combined with child-like singing, and a little girl's playful giggles. It brings to mind images of a beautiful innocent little child at play, without a care in the world, despite having a darker and a very sad edge.
13. The Forgotten - A very pretty and mournful wistful piano tune is expertly blended with pipe organ to give us this composition. Tolling bells and soft strings drift through the piece on occasion. To me this is a tender, tragic ode to the former glory of the Darklore clan, forever lost when that ancient line began to walk a path of darkness.
14. Nightmare - In the case of this piece, Nox Arcana ably proves once again that sometimes the most effective path is simple. Here, we are gifted with that truth. An exquisite 'waltz of keyboards, tolling bells, strings and the faintest choral hints impart the feeling that we are spinning ever further down, deep into a vortex, deeper and deeper into insanity and utter terror.
15. No Rest For the Wicked- Keyboards appear to be the 'star' of this one. It is blended beautifully with mournful strings and sinister chanting performed in Latin. For me, what this feels like is... not 'drudgery' but rather an expert depiction of the eternal weight of sorrow that blankets Darklore Manor's denizens.
16. Omen - Once again, here the simple is proven effective. A very soft keyboard undercurrent creates a 'bed'... upon which lies a drifting ghostly voice. Provided by co-composer Joseph Vargo, the chilling voice intones the following: "Ghostly whispers fill the air, chanting omens to beware. Shadows stir in candlelight, then rise to prowl the dead of night. Spirits lurk within these walls, and wander these unhallowed halls. Cursed to haunt this dark domain, where mortal woe and sorrow reign."
17 Seance - This piece, upon first hearing, actually SCARED me, as no Gothic music had done before. Very nice keyboard work provides an undercurrent to carry the following echoed ghostly whispers: "We are among you..." "Beware the darkness..." "Lift this curse..." "End our suffering..." "Release us..." "Leave this place..." "Turn back..." The piece is ended with Joseph Vargo imparting a chilling and sinister laugh.
18 Beyond Midnight - This piece to me feels... invigorating. It is a... blood-stirring mix of strings, percussion, pipe organ and Latin chanting that feels adventurous and almost... martial It brings to mind once again a stately procession, mixed with a journey through the grounds of a place replete with ancient grandeur and heart-pounding terror as the spirits of the Darklore bloodline surround you to prevent escape.
19 Darkness Immortal- This is a beautiful dance between lovely swirling pipe organ, sinister strings, and beautiful choral work. Percussion provides faint and compelling accents for it. Tolling bells gift us with their presence, adding to the macabre yet somehow stately feel. To me this conjures images of standing trapped upon the dark and mist-shrouded Manor grounds as a regal Lady clad all in ebon robes beckons irresistibly for you to come, almost in the manner of a paramour... to follow her forever into the shadow to learn of and partake in its secrets.
20. Incantation- Here is another blood-chilling musical opus. This time beautifully mournful strings are underscored by somber and booming percussion that to me depicts a heartbeat. Drifting softly over this is the voice of co-composer Joseph Vargo imparting the following narration:
"Ab Aeterno,
Ad limina Mortem et extra,
Abyssus Abyssum invocat
E tenebris,
Veteris vestigia flammae ardere denuo
Iure Sanguinis,
Mors tua, vita mea aeternum
Terra es, terram ibis
Ecce quomodo Moritur,
Hoc sustinate Damnosa hereditas."
Translated from Latin, this says:
"From the beginning of Time,
To the threshold of Death, and beyond,
Hell calls upon Hell
Out of the darkness,
Remnants of an ancient flame burn anew
By the rite of Blood,
You must die, so that I may live eternally
You are dust, you shall return to dust
Behold the way of Death,
And endure the inheritance of the Damned."
21. Resurrected - This is the closer of the CD, and it is a darkly invigorating masterpiece. Mournful keyboards dance with percussion, pipe organ, energetic swirling strings and Latin chanting. It paints a portrait of an ancient evil raised from slumber to live for evermore. After a minute or so of silence, the musical homage to Belladonna Darklore is reprised on harpsichord, before Joseph Vargo gifts us with another chilling laugh. After another brief silence, the final section of this piece is provided by keyboards and pipe organ, joined once again by the voice Joseph Vargo, speaking to us "as" Damon Darklore, relating the tragic fate of both his ancestors and himself:
"Woe befalls all who dwell withing Darklore Manor. For those who have met their fate within this blighted place are cursed to forever wander its unhallowed halls. Within this sanctuary of shadows, the restless dead can find no surcease from their eternal suffering. I have brought this curse upon myself, as did my ancestors before me. I hereby confess my guilt, for I have conspired in blasphemous acts, and have committed grievous and ghastly deeds. And though I be the last of the Darklore bloodline, this curse shall not end with my death... For we have awakened a great darkness, and it's hungers... cannot be quenched."
In closing, this is a brilliant piece of work. Joseph Vargo with this work proves himself a master of weaving deliciously dark and hauntingly beautiful and tragic tales. Together with musical partner William Piotrowski, he has crafted a splendid ghost story for the modern age, replete with every bit of the grandeur of the best of ancient and classic horror tales... and then some. Behold! Nox Arcana is born, and has quickly risen to leave its indelible mark.
Courtesy of John Rossi
NECRONOMICON
Necronomicon
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
The Necronomicon is said to contain the lost knowledge of the Elder Gods, the ancient lords of darkness that held dominion over the Earth aeons ago. Believed to hold the key to opening forgotten gateways between worlds, the text prophesies the return of the Great Old Ones and contains forbidden rituals of summoning that will bring about their resurrection.
Now, for the first time ever, the Necronomicon is set to music with this dark symphony by Nox Arcana. This epic concept album based on H.P. Lovecraft's legendary book of shadows features a mixture of exotic, dark fantasy themes with 21 tracks of ominous orchestrations, Gothic choirs, Egyptian and Middle-Eastern melodies, eerie voices and otherworldly chants. This musical grimoire is a spellbinding tribute to the Cthulhu Mythos-a powerful and sinister soundtrack to evoke your darkest nightmare.
This cd is dedicated to the memory of Howard Phillips Lovecraft, with special thanks to August Derleth and Arkham House for keeping the mythos alive.
Discovery of the Necromonicon
From the Journal of Simon Barrington ~ Sham Expedition 1939
Sealed within an unmarked tomb deep within the sand-engulfed ruins of an ancient and forgotten city near Damascus, we discovered a small sarcophagus of black stone engraved with strange sigils and unknown hieroglyphics. The mysterious coffer held only a single treasure,....Read about the Discovery of the Necromonicon here.
Sound Track Listing of Necromonicon
Nox Arcana
Not long ere this time, we were taken on a journey through the haunted halls of a ruined Victorian mansion, home of the notorious Darklore family. Now we are invited to once again pay heed to the call of Nox Arcana... masterful and peerless minstrels of the macabre, as they invite us to walk with them once more. This time our journey is into a horrifying yet captivating musical opus depicting the pages of the mythos long ago scrawled by H.P. Lovecraft. Before you now lies, related to us in music, the ancient tome of the Necronomicon. Do you dare to open its pages and gaze upon them?
1. Mythos - Here we stand, at the beginning of a new journey, into both terror and wonder. It is begun with the sound of a howling wind. That frigid gale seems to have a keening quality to it, a moaning sound if you like, and a touch of faint "rumbling". It is soon joined by mournful yet melodious male chorus. Over this floats another voice, that of co-composer Joseph Vargo. He assumes the role of 'storyteller' for us once more, relating for us the following preamble:
"Long before mankind existed, the Old Ones trod upon the Earth. They worshiped the elder gods and served them as slaves, but in time, the Old Ones gained the knowledge of dark magic, and dared to use their sinister powers against their masters. The wrath of the elder gods was merciless and terrible, and those who rebelled against them were banished to distant dimensions, and imprisoned within the darkest recesses of the Earth. In deathless sleep the Old Ones dream and lie in wait for the time when they shall rise again. For when the stars come right, they shall awaken from their eon-old slumber. Then shall they return to hold dominion over our world once more, bringing woe and destruction unto mankind."
2. The Nameless City - This piece to me is beautiful. It depicts for me a wondrous journey to an unknown place, both dark and splendid. The piece is begun with a melding of what sounds like flutes combined with keyboard work whose tone is strongly choral in nature. It conveys a feeling of dread and awe together. Soon, percussion and strings join in with beautiful choir to complete the piece. The pacing is not quite a march-like one, but slightly quicker... depicting travel. In my mind I visualize traversing a desert amidst a raging sandstorm, and then crossing a turbulent waterway to behold an ancient city alive with dark and brooding majesty.
3. Alhazred's Vision - This piece has a very adventurous feeling to it. It seems to be a companion piece to track two but that's a good thing. Brooding strings and purcussion are joined by the tambourine to give it a more exotic flavor. Majestic choir returns to the piece in a way that gives it a very nice completion and fleshing out.
4. Necronomicon- Here, it seems, we are given a thematic piece. Haunting keyboards and sinister choral work pay us a visit to reprise and expand on the tune from the first track, making it the "star" of this piece rather than an undercurrent to narration. This is a good thing. It depicts in music the Necronomicon itself and is a more than fitting theme for a tome whose ancient pages are replete with dark wonders and ghastly secrets.
5. Ancient Shadows - Percussion, keyboards and strings do another dance for us. Choral accents here are very strong and powerful. As I close my eyes here, I can conceive in my mind an image of a barren land with a flame-red sky, slowly being swallowed by gathering storm clouds. It's a very strong piece and a great mood-setter for the terror to come.
6. Azathoth - This piece is a description of one of what Lovecraft's mythos refers to as the Great Old Ones. We are treated to a macabre choral melody over which Joseph Vargo's own voice gently drifts telling us of this creature : "From his black throne at the center of ultimate chaos, Azathoth, lord of madness and the abyss, rules supreme over all time and space... for he is the master of all that dwells in the darkness."
7. The Black Throne - Darker and darker it seems do we get. Ominous chorals and percussion mate with keyboards and tolling bells. To me, this piece blends terror and majesty in a manner that I might only call completely flawless.
8. Nyarlahotep- Here is another descriptive piece. Once again beautiful keyboard work with choral accents joins Joseph Vargo's hypnotic narration as we hear him say: "To Nyarlahotep must all things be told, for he is the traveller between the spheres, and the messenger between the realms of the living and the dead. He shall summon forth the ancient ones, and wake them from their deathless slumber. Then shall the Elder Signs be shattered, and the lords of darkness be released."
9. Temple Of The Black Pharoah - If I had to use one word to describe this piece, that word would be exotic. It is a beautiful piece, comprised of soft keyboard wizardry and chorals, mated with Egyptian style percussion and mysterious chanting. Part of it for a while sounds like pan pipes were used, at the beginning perhaps. Again I visualize crossing a river in a rustic canoe and coming to an ancient temple, a site to inspire both terror and awe being rooted deep within the heart of any who see it.
10. Eldritch Rites - Here, we are given a dose of the ominous and the sinister. This is a "simple" piece but I say that in a good way. It is a genuinely frightening vignette, given to us in a simple manner...proving that sometimes less is indeed more. A chilling sound, a resonant gong... is joined by brooding male chorals. They are overlaid by the voice of Joseph Vargo performing what appears to be an incantation of sorts... one that seems to summon the Great Old Ones by name, to bring them back from their deathless sleep.
11. The Haunter Of The Dark - This piece to me is scary but beautiful. A tolling bell is coupled with ominous choral melody and darkly majestic keyboard work and strings. Pipe organ compliments and fits into the piece wonderfully. The impression is one of being watched and stalked by a relentless and unstoppable force. The thunderclap at the end is an awesome touch and welcome indeed. Beautiful work.
1. Mythos - Here we stand, at the beginning of a new journey, into both terror and wonder. It is begun with the sound of a howling wind. That frigid gale seems to have a keening quality to it, a moaning sound if you like, and a touch of faint "rumbling". It is soon joined by mournful yet melodious male chorus. Over this floats another voice, that of co-composer Joseph Vargo. He assumes the role of 'storyteller' for us once more, relating for us the following preamble:
"Long before mankind existed, the Old Ones trod upon the Earth. They worshiped the elder gods and served them as slaves, but in time, the Old Ones gained the knowledge of dark magic, and dared to use their sinister powers against their masters. The wrath of the elder gods was merciless and terrible, and those who rebelled against them were banished to distant dimensions, and imprisoned within the darkest recesses of the Earth. In deathless sleep the Old Ones dream and lie in wait for the time when they shall rise again. For when the stars come right, they shall awaken from their eon-old slumber. Then shall they return to hold dominion over our world once more, bringing woe and destruction unto mankind."
2. The Nameless City - This piece to me is beautiful. It depicts for me a wondrous journey to an unknown place, both dark and splendid. The piece is begun with a melding of what sounds like flutes combined with keyboard work whose tone is strongly choral in nature. It conveys a feeling of dread and awe together. Soon, percussion and strings join in with beautiful choir to complete the piece. The pacing is not quite a march-like one, but slightly quicker... depicting travel. In my mind I visualize traversing a desert amidst a raging sandstorm, and then crossing a turbulent waterway to behold an ancient city alive with dark and brooding majesty.
3. Alhazred's Vision - This piece has a very adventurous feeling to it. It seems to be a companion piece to track two but that's a good thing. Brooding strings and purcussion are joined by the tambourine to give it a more exotic flavor. Majestic choir returns to the piece in a way that gives it a very nice completion and fleshing out.
4. Necronomicon- Here, it seems, we are given a thematic piece. Haunting keyboards and sinister choral work pay us a visit to reprise and expand on the tune from the first track, making it the "star" of this piece rather than an undercurrent to narration. This is a good thing. It depicts in music the Necronomicon itself and is a more than fitting theme for a tome whose ancient pages are replete with dark wonders and ghastly secrets.
5. Ancient Shadows - Percussion, keyboards and strings do another dance for us. Choral accents here are very strong and powerful. As I close my eyes here, I can conceive in my mind an image of a barren land with a flame-red sky, slowly being swallowed by gathering storm clouds. It's a very strong piece and a great mood-setter for the terror to come.
6. Azathoth - This piece is a description of one of what Lovecraft's mythos refers to as the Great Old Ones. We are treated to a macabre choral melody over which Joseph Vargo's own voice gently drifts telling us of this creature : "From his black throne at the center of ultimate chaos, Azathoth, lord of madness and the abyss, rules supreme over all time and space... for he is the master of all that dwells in the darkness."
7. The Black Throne - Darker and darker it seems do we get. Ominous chorals and percussion mate with keyboards and tolling bells. To me, this piece blends terror and majesty in a manner that I might only call completely flawless.
8. Nyarlahotep- Here is another descriptive piece. Once again beautiful keyboard work with choral accents joins Joseph Vargo's hypnotic narration as we hear him say: "To Nyarlahotep must all things be told, for he is the traveller between the spheres, and the messenger between the realms of the living and the dead. He shall summon forth the ancient ones, and wake them from their deathless slumber. Then shall the Elder Signs be shattered, and the lords of darkness be released."
9. Temple Of The Black Pharoah - If I had to use one word to describe this piece, that word would be exotic. It is a beautiful piece, comprised of soft keyboard wizardry and chorals, mated with Egyptian style percussion and mysterious chanting. Part of it for a while sounds like pan pipes were used, at the beginning perhaps. Again I visualize crossing a river in a rustic canoe and coming to an ancient temple, a site to inspire both terror and awe being rooted deep within the heart of any who see it.
10. Eldritch Rites - Here, we are given a dose of the ominous and the sinister. This is a "simple" piece but I say that in a good way. It is a genuinely frightening vignette, given to us in a simple manner...proving that sometimes less is indeed more. A chilling sound, a resonant gong... is joined by brooding male chorals. They are overlaid by the voice of Joseph Vargo performing what appears to be an incantation of sorts... one that seems to summon the Great Old Ones by name, to bring them back from their deathless sleep.
11. The Haunter Of The Dark - This piece to me is scary but beautiful. A tolling bell is coupled with ominous choral melody and darkly majestic keyboard work and strings. Pipe organ compliments and fits into the piece wonderfully. The impression is one of being watched and stalked by a relentless and unstoppable force. The thunderclap at the end is an awesome touch and welcome indeed. Beautiful work.
12. The Awakening - "That is not dead which can eternal lie... and with strange eons even death may die." With this famous line from Lovecraft does the hypnotic narrating voice of Joseph Vargo introduce us to this piece. Heartbeat-like percussion soon drifts in, coupled with the steady, swirling sound of strings. Compelling choir soon makes its presence known to us. I would name this one "invigorating". It's pace is march-like, and it carries a quite epic feel.
13. Yog Sothoth- Another homage to one of the Great Old Ones. Stately percussion and a soft but deep and resonant gong are the backdrop. Joseph Vargo's narrative voice joins us once more, as if telling a chilling tale of imminent catastrophe that merely awaits the right moment to fall upon us. "From across the black seas of infinity and beyond the mists of time, Yog Sothoth watches and waits. For he is the guardian of the gateway between worlds, and he alone holds the key to unlock the gate. For when the ancient rites have been spoken, and the lords of darkness have been awakened and summoned forth, then shall the gateway between the stars open once more. Past, present, future... All are one in Yog Sothoth."
14. Guardian Of The Gate - Here, keyboards and strings begin a new waltz for us. The strings swirl about us, as if driving us closer to the heart of a violent tempest. Darkly regal choir joins in. The tempo of these choral parts in particular, provide "spikes" of tension, as if the bolts on a great portal are being ever so slowly but surely and inevitably drawn back... it is only a matter of time before our worst nightmares come to pass.
15. Lords Of Darkness- This one is comprised of steadily paced strings, percussion and tolling bells. Choral majesty gifts us with its presence also. This brings to mind a macabre twist on a kingly procession. It further lets us know that, all too soon... our nightmares will be real.
16. Dagon - Yet another description is given to us here... a piece of heraldry. Subtle keyboard wizardry combines with a choral moan of sorts. Joseph Vargo's voice chimes in once more: "Behold mighty Dagon... the great leviathan, risen from the black depths of the eternal sea. For he is the avatar of Cthulhu, who lies dreaming in deathless slumber... in his ancient temple in Ryleh."
17. The Stars Allign - Once again do ominous percussion and strings return to us here. Keyboards come in as well, feeling almost like horns heralding a great catastrophe. Snare drums make an effective appearance as well. This is yet another sign that our time is running out, even faster than it appeared to be doing so beforehand.
18. Cthulhu- Yet another gripping piece of descriptive homage. Choral work reminiscent of monastic chanting is joined by Joseph Vargo narrating for us very effectively. "Hail mighty Cthulhu, High Priest of the Great Old Ones. For when the stars come right, he shall rise from his ancient tomb to signal their return. Then shall the ancient ones long ago banished to the outer spheres break free from their prisons and plunge from the stars to claim the Earth once more. For those who lurk at the threshold of our world are ever vigilant for the time of their return."
19. Rite Of Summoning- This piece is just what the title suggests. Again, it is simple, yet it is also quite chillingly effective. Joseph Vargo returns yet again. This time he assumes the role of one who summons the great Cthulhu from his deathless slumber. His vocal performance is augmented really quite nicely by keyboard work that essentially gives us a dread inducing series of choral moans or a "howling wind" effect.
20. Cthulhu Rising - Keyboards, percussion and strings combine here with choral work to comprise a sinister yet stately and regal march. At long last does Chtulu awaken. The twilight of man is come. Alas and woe, the last hour is struck. All that remains is the fading of the last vesper toll into the midnight sky... and our time will cease upon this world.
21. The Great Old Ones- This piece, the CD's closer, could be called a companion piece to track 20. Again, it is martial in nature, expertly blending percussion, chorals, keyboards and strings. To me, it is a culmination... an expert depiction as Earth is swarmed and overtaken by a relentless tide of "invaders"... members of an ancient species of dark and malevolent beings. The first section of the piece is ended by what sounds like screeching bats or some other similar type of creature. There is then a fairly long period of silence until Joseph Vargo narrates for us once again: "From the wells of night to the gulfs of space let it be known: The Old Ones were, the Old Ones are, and the Old Ones shall be. Azathoth, Shug Ngurrub, Zath Ogwah, Nyarlahotep, Yog Sothoth, Dagon, Cthulhu... Man rules now where they ruled once. They wait patient and potent... for here shall they reign again..." There is another short narration at the very end of this track Honestly, if I could change anything about this piece, it would be the length of time that stands between then end of the musical section of the track and the first of the two narrations. It does not take away from the quality of the piece, but it is noticeable and I wish it had been shortened a bit.
In closing, this is yet another brilliant piece of work by Nox Arcana. A truly terrifying tale of the imminent twilight and fall of the human race. Any fan of the writings of H.P. Lovecraft should love this, but you do not need to be a fan of Lovecraft's writing in order to enjoy it immensely. I love this work as much as all others by Nox Arcana. They are true masters of the art of musical storytelling... weavers of majestically epic horror tales, and truly gifted minstrels for the modern age.
Courtesy of John Rossi
13. Yog Sothoth- Another homage to one of the Great Old Ones. Stately percussion and a soft but deep and resonant gong are the backdrop. Joseph Vargo's narrative voice joins us once more, as if telling a chilling tale of imminent catastrophe that merely awaits the right moment to fall upon us. "From across the black seas of infinity and beyond the mists of time, Yog Sothoth watches and waits. For he is the guardian of the gateway between worlds, and he alone holds the key to unlock the gate. For when the ancient rites have been spoken, and the lords of darkness have been awakened and summoned forth, then shall the gateway between the stars open once more. Past, present, future... All are one in Yog Sothoth."
14. Guardian Of The Gate - Here, keyboards and strings begin a new waltz for us. The strings swirl about us, as if driving us closer to the heart of a violent tempest. Darkly regal choir joins in. The tempo of these choral parts in particular, provide "spikes" of tension, as if the bolts on a great portal are being ever so slowly but surely and inevitably drawn back... it is only a matter of time before our worst nightmares come to pass.
15. Lords Of Darkness- This one is comprised of steadily paced strings, percussion and tolling bells. Choral majesty gifts us with its presence also. This brings to mind a macabre twist on a kingly procession. It further lets us know that, all too soon... our nightmares will be real.
16. Dagon - Yet another description is given to us here... a piece of heraldry. Subtle keyboard wizardry combines with a choral moan of sorts. Joseph Vargo's voice chimes in once more: "Behold mighty Dagon... the great leviathan, risen from the black depths of the eternal sea. For he is the avatar of Cthulhu, who lies dreaming in deathless slumber... in his ancient temple in Ryleh."
17. The Stars Allign - Once again do ominous percussion and strings return to us here. Keyboards come in as well, feeling almost like horns heralding a great catastrophe. Snare drums make an effective appearance as well. This is yet another sign that our time is running out, even faster than it appeared to be doing so beforehand.
18. Cthulhu- Yet another gripping piece of descriptive homage. Choral work reminiscent of monastic chanting is joined by Joseph Vargo narrating for us very effectively. "Hail mighty Cthulhu, High Priest of the Great Old Ones. For when the stars come right, he shall rise from his ancient tomb to signal their return. Then shall the ancient ones long ago banished to the outer spheres break free from their prisons and plunge from the stars to claim the Earth once more. For those who lurk at the threshold of our world are ever vigilant for the time of their return."
19. Rite Of Summoning- This piece is just what the title suggests. Again, it is simple, yet it is also quite chillingly effective. Joseph Vargo returns yet again. This time he assumes the role of one who summons the great Cthulhu from his deathless slumber. His vocal performance is augmented really quite nicely by keyboard work that essentially gives us a dread inducing series of choral moans or a "howling wind" effect.
20. Cthulhu Rising - Keyboards, percussion and strings combine here with choral work to comprise a sinister yet stately and regal march. At long last does Chtulu awaken. The twilight of man is come. Alas and woe, the last hour is struck. All that remains is the fading of the last vesper toll into the midnight sky... and our time will cease upon this world.
21. The Great Old Ones- This piece, the CD's closer, could be called a companion piece to track 20. Again, it is martial in nature, expertly blending percussion, chorals, keyboards and strings. To me, it is a culmination... an expert depiction as Earth is swarmed and overtaken by a relentless tide of "invaders"... members of an ancient species of dark and malevolent beings. The first section of the piece is ended by what sounds like screeching bats or some other similar type of creature. There is then a fairly long period of silence until Joseph Vargo narrates for us once again: "From the wells of night to the gulfs of space let it be known: The Old Ones were, the Old Ones are, and the Old Ones shall be. Azathoth, Shug Ngurrub, Zath Ogwah, Nyarlahotep, Yog Sothoth, Dagon, Cthulhu... Man rules now where they ruled once. They wait patient and potent... for here shall they reign again..." There is another short narration at the very end of this track Honestly, if I could change anything about this piece, it would be the length of time that stands between then end of the musical section of the track and the first of the two narrations. It does not take away from the quality of the piece, but it is noticeable and I wish it had been shortened a bit.
In closing, this is yet another brilliant piece of work by Nox Arcana. A truly terrifying tale of the imminent twilight and fall of the human race. Any fan of the writings of H.P. Lovecraft should love this, but you do not need to be a fan of Lovecraft's writing in order to enjoy it immensely. I love this work as much as all others by Nox Arcana. They are true masters of the art of musical storytelling... weavers of majestically epic horror tales, and truly gifted minstrels for the modern age.
Courtesy of John Rossi
WINTER'S KNIGHT
Winter's Knight
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
Nox Arcana weaves a musical ghost story with this haunting collection of original melodies, symphonic orchestrations, and Gothic renditions of traditional carols. Winter's Knight is a medieval soundtrack with over 60 minutes of darkly enchanting music, celebrating Old World traditions and the spirit of the season.
Read The Tale of The Winter's Knight
Winter's Knight
Unto darkest regal domicile christened "Darklore Manor" has thou been led. Not long after that wast thou given guidance into the very pages of the tome of shadow known as the "Necronomicon". Hearken ye now, oh most valorous listeners. Pay ye now rapt heed once again unto the gentle yet compelling call of the night's most masterful minstrels. Close thine eyes.... make open thine hearts, and allow thine senses to be enveloped in the tragic yet beautiful tale of "Winter's Knight", woven in a tapestry of melody unlike any which thou hast ever heard before.....
Sound Tract Listing of Winter's Night
1. Vigil- Thus do we begin our tale, with the gentle blowing of softest frigid breeze of eventime. Into the mournful sound of wind is soon mixed the somber tolling of a solitary vesper, mated with an utterly beautiful and wistful choral melody. The star of this part of the tale is the voice of co-composer Joseph Vargo. Here, he waxes poetic with a tone of voice that is quite soothing, and carries a tone that is akin to reverence as the tale is begun with the following narration:
"Alone at tranquil twilight, a distant church bell tolls. The wind forms a ghostly choir to summon lost and wayward souls. Snow drifts down from the heavens like ghosts lost in the night, and ice crystals cling to trees to set the woods aglow with light. Along a forgotten forest path, there stands an arch of ancient stone, and amidst the hallowed ruins, a solemn figure stands alone. Snow comes to rest on raven's wings, covering black quills in ivory white, and peace settles upon the earth beneath the ebon shroud of Winter's Knight."
2. Ghosts Of Christmas Past- Here we are treated to a very poignant tune. The feeling imparted is one of being transported through a veil of mist, into the realm of your own memory Somber, yet beautiful, the honors are done with a lovely melody comprised of tolling bells, very nice piano work, and a touch of choral mastery floating at times underneath it (in the case of the lower pitched male chorals) and at times above it(as with the higher pitched female vocal harmonies. The blending of the two to complete this tune turns the song into a somber but a sublime experience.
3. Ebonshire- This is by far my favorite tune on this disc.Upon first hearing, it literally made me cry in awe at it's sheer beauty. It is begun by a gentle and lovely classical guitar melody that swirls into your mind and heart, as if inviting you to walk into a dream. The guitar riff is combined with some of the most enthralling harpsichord/keyboard work I have ever listened to in my life. It is augmented by a rapturous melodic line comprised of tenderly drifting keyboards and absolutely ethereal choral work. The dream it invites you to is one in which you are guided to a comforting and captivating haven. Ebonshire... a place so compelling, that only in the most beatiful of dreams could you visit it.
4. Solitude- Here, once again, we are treated to a tune of somber reflection. Piano and splendid chorals are the main contributors, along with lovely keyboards and strings.The melody is beautiful, and tugs insistently upon the heart. To me, it is akin to standing alone amongst gently falling snow.... to witnessing the awesome God-wrought beauty of a winter's eve, but being melancholy in your heart, because you have no one to share the wondrous vistas with. Beautiful... and poignant.
5. Crystal Forest- This time, we are gifted with a somewhat gentler opus. It is comprised of a very beautiful undercurrent provided by the harp. That is overlaid with soft xylophone-like bell tones.... tenderly floating chorals and a layer of entrancing harpsichord. The feeling I get is one of pure loveliness... of traversing through a realm so beautiful it leaves you bereft of breath.
6. First Snow - This is commenced with a tender and majestic blend of keyboards, strings and very soft choir. The harpischord very soon begins to flutter ever so gently over it. Tolling bells make a nice appearance and add a somber yet, to me, a fitting and comforting touch, to make the tune "whole" if you like.It is a whole, and a compelling picture. This is a beautiful musical "portrait" of the visual image suggested by the title. It is the first glorious snowfall of the winter season. Close your eyes, and listen. Open your heart, and your mind, you will be able both to feel it, and to see it.
7. Evening Star- Gentle piano is once again our introduction to this piece. Beautiful strings, tolling bells, and regal, majestic chorals overlay it. To me, this is a musical painting of the journey of the shepherds, as they are visited of angels and told to go and see the just-born Christ child. The entire piece is extremely lovely, but in particular, the utter majesty of the choir completes the piece wonderfully.
8. Reflections Of Long Ago- To me, this is the 'softest' piece on the disc, up to this point, and maybe overall. It is much more... tender than most, which is not to say the others are lacking in any way. All are beuatiful, and so is this . Gentle bell-like tones are every so-softly mated with wistful, celestial floating choral melodies. This is a tune of pure awe, leaving you awash in the sheer beauty that God has wrought with every winter's evening. "Reflections Of Long Ago" is just that, a nostalgic reflection of childhood innocence, conveyed by a melody that warms the heart.
9. December Winds - Here, we dance once again with the harpsichord. A low and somber keyboard melody carries its tones, as beautiful chorals drift over the top. The tune, though lovely, is a touch bittersweet and... to me, it conveys perfectly through music the feeling of being relentlessly buffetted by the title's namesake, the frigid winds of a glacial December eve. It is an ethereal tune, that leaves you longing for warmth and fine company.
10. Phantom Toccata- I love this tune. A beautiful, majestic soaring tempestuous pipe organ melody dances through our ears. Reminiscent of Bach's Toccata And Fugue in D Minor, yet to me it is more... compelling. It is a 'dark' tune but does not cross the line into "scary" in the sense of being "monster" music. It expertly walks the line between darkness and light to weave a short but captivating musical tapestry that I can best describe as darkly "royal" and noble.
11. Hallowed Ruins - With this piece, as with all others they write, Nox Arcana proves their facility and skill at painting musical 'pictures' Somber, and yet VERY pretty, this tune mates pipe organ, lovely choral passages and tolling bells to take you through the ruins of a haunted cathedral as no other artists could convey that image. Well done, gentlemen. Well done indeed.
"Alone at tranquil twilight, a distant church bell tolls. The wind forms a ghostly choir to summon lost and wayward souls. Snow drifts down from the heavens like ghosts lost in the night, and ice crystals cling to trees to set the woods aglow with light. Along a forgotten forest path, there stands an arch of ancient stone, and amidst the hallowed ruins, a solemn figure stands alone. Snow comes to rest on raven's wings, covering black quills in ivory white, and peace settles upon the earth beneath the ebon shroud of Winter's Knight."
2. Ghosts Of Christmas Past- Here we are treated to a very poignant tune. The feeling imparted is one of being transported through a veil of mist, into the realm of your own memory Somber, yet beautiful, the honors are done with a lovely melody comprised of tolling bells, very nice piano work, and a touch of choral mastery floating at times underneath it (in the case of the lower pitched male chorals) and at times above it(as with the higher pitched female vocal harmonies. The blending of the two to complete this tune turns the song into a somber but a sublime experience.
3. Ebonshire- This is by far my favorite tune on this disc.Upon first hearing, it literally made me cry in awe at it's sheer beauty. It is begun by a gentle and lovely classical guitar melody that swirls into your mind and heart, as if inviting you to walk into a dream. The guitar riff is combined with some of the most enthralling harpsichord/keyboard work I have ever listened to in my life. It is augmented by a rapturous melodic line comprised of tenderly drifting keyboards and absolutely ethereal choral work. The dream it invites you to is one in which you are guided to a comforting and captivating haven. Ebonshire... a place so compelling, that only in the most beatiful of dreams could you visit it.
4. Solitude- Here, once again, we are treated to a tune of somber reflection. Piano and splendid chorals are the main contributors, along with lovely keyboards and strings.The melody is beautiful, and tugs insistently upon the heart. To me, it is akin to standing alone amongst gently falling snow.... to witnessing the awesome God-wrought beauty of a winter's eve, but being melancholy in your heart, because you have no one to share the wondrous vistas with. Beautiful... and poignant.
5. Crystal Forest- This time, we are gifted with a somewhat gentler opus. It is comprised of a very beautiful undercurrent provided by the harp. That is overlaid with soft xylophone-like bell tones.... tenderly floating chorals and a layer of entrancing harpsichord. The feeling I get is one of pure loveliness... of traversing through a realm so beautiful it leaves you bereft of breath.
6. First Snow - This is commenced with a tender and majestic blend of keyboards, strings and very soft choir. The harpischord very soon begins to flutter ever so gently over it. Tolling bells make a nice appearance and add a somber yet, to me, a fitting and comforting touch, to make the tune "whole" if you like.It is a whole, and a compelling picture. This is a beautiful musical "portrait" of the visual image suggested by the title. It is the first glorious snowfall of the winter season. Close your eyes, and listen. Open your heart, and your mind, you will be able both to feel it, and to see it.
7. Evening Star- Gentle piano is once again our introduction to this piece. Beautiful strings, tolling bells, and regal, majestic chorals overlay it. To me, this is a musical painting of the journey of the shepherds, as they are visited of angels and told to go and see the just-born Christ child. The entire piece is extremely lovely, but in particular, the utter majesty of the choir completes the piece wonderfully.
8. Reflections Of Long Ago- To me, this is the 'softest' piece on the disc, up to this point, and maybe overall. It is much more... tender than most, which is not to say the others are lacking in any way. All are beuatiful, and so is this . Gentle bell-like tones are every so-softly mated with wistful, celestial floating choral melodies. This is a tune of pure awe, leaving you awash in the sheer beauty that God has wrought with every winter's evening. "Reflections Of Long Ago" is just that, a nostalgic reflection of childhood innocence, conveyed by a melody that warms the heart.
9. December Winds - Here, we dance once again with the harpsichord. A low and somber keyboard melody carries its tones, as beautiful chorals drift over the top. The tune, though lovely, is a touch bittersweet and... to me, it conveys perfectly through music the feeling of being relentlessly buffetted by the title's namesake, the frigid winds of a glacial December eve. It is an ethereal tune, that leaves you longing for warmth and fine company.
10. Phantom Toccata- I love this tune. A beautiful, majestic soaring tempestuous pipe organ melody dances through our ears. Reminiscent of Bach's Toccata And Fugue in D Minor, yet to me it is more... compelling. It is a 'dark' tune but does not cross the line into "scary" in the sense of being "monster" music. It expertly walks the line between darkness and light to weave a short but captivating musical tapestry that I can best describe as darkly "royal" and noble.
11. Hallowed Ruins - With this piece, as with all others they write, Nox Arcana proves their facility and skill at painting musical 'pictures' Somber, and yet VERY pretty, this tune mates pipe organ, lovely choral passages and tolling bells to take you through the ruins of a haunted cathedral as no other artists could convey that image. Well done, gentlemen. Well done indeed.
12. Requiem - Here, we are treated to a lovely and yet somber eulogy. Beautiful male choir and tolling vespers are the stars. It brings to mind a fond and loving yet bittersweet farewell being said to a beloved king in times of yore.
13. Spirit Of The Season - Here, once again, Nox Arcana does a perfect balancing act. Their expertise and combining beauty and heart-wrenching melancholy poignancy is truly unparalleled. Wistful piano and lovely choral melodies once again are here instructed to do a beautiful dance, and they dance divinely together.
14. Coventry Carol - This is my first exposure to this song, and what a beautiful song it is. Nox Arcana here weaves a lovely tapestry of gentle guitar, keyboards, harpsichord, strings, tolling bells and pipe organ. Over it all, the poignant vocals of guest singer Jeff Endemann gift us with a heartbreaking ballad in memory of the Israelite children massacred by the order of King Herod. This tune is heartbreaking, yet one of the most beautiful songs that I have ever heard.
15. Lullabye - Once again in the case of this piece, Nox Arcana treats us very gently. Bell-like tones are mated with very tender, ethereally floating choral work. The mental image I get from this is that of a parent kneeling or sitting at the bedside of their little child... perhaps singing a song to them or saying their prayers with them before bedtime. A fire crackles warmly in the hearth as a gentle winter's evening gifts the world with a pristine soft ivory blanket of snow.
16. Winter's Knight - With this, the title track, we are returned once again unto the somber. Mournful piano brings to mind a gentle falling snow, in which a solitary figure stands, silently weeping tears of eternal regret, lamenting the death of all his hopes and dreams. The choral melody that combines with it makes this piece a heartbreaking one, but it is still majestically beautiful.
17. Past Time With Good Company- Here, we are gifted with a STUNNINGLY beautiful rendition of a carol originally composed by England's King Henry VIII. It is often done as a "festive" and frollicking number. Here, Nox Arcana slow it down and turn it into a warm and elegant anthem. A lovely dance of guitar and harpsichord provide a graceful backdrop. The real star of the piece is the purely angelic operatic voice of guest vocalist Michelle Belanger. Backed up perfectly by the warm and gentle singing of poet Eric Gustafson, she truly is given a moment to shine... and verily, shine she does. This brings to mind time spent in the company and warmth of good food and even better friends. It's pure and utter bliss.
18. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- A much beloved carol...this anthem of the arrival of Jesus on Earth is given a distinct and beautiful treatment by Nox Arcana here. Pipe organ, tolling bells, percussion and stellar choral work do a beautiful job of commemorating God's gift to the world of Himself, as both God and man, come to bring salvation, comfort and joy, to lift and comfort dejected hearts and spirits. Bravo, gentlemen. Bravo.
19. Veni Veni Emmanuel - Here, Nox Arcana proves that sometimes the greatest beauty is to be found amidst simplicity. Another rendition of a much loved Christmas carol, this tune sparkles with somber yet regal reverence for its subject. Comprised of heartbeat-like percussion, beautiful male and female choral work, tolling bells and pipe organ... this piece is awash in majesty. It is sure to tug at the strings of your heart, if you will but listen.
20. Redemption- Gentle choral work mates here with harpsichord, keyboards, and strings. The feeling conveyed to me is that of getting close to the end of a journey of hope. A dream long sought after is about to be realized. Despite the somber quality of the piece's beginning, it is transformed into an opus of regal joy. Redemption has been found.
21. Carol Of The Bells- This stellar CD is closed with this tune. It is a beautiful re-working of yet a fourth much-beloved Christmas carol. Tolling bells, swirling strings, and majestic choir do the honors. Hints of percussion make a nice appearance as well. In the end, we are encouraged by the following, gentle narration, underscored by the whispering sound of a winter breeze, mated with the tones of the xylophone, reminiscent of bells. In an almost tender whisper, we are told: "Come with us. Dream now. Rembember... Come back.... Redeem us... Save us... Repent... Have faith... Believe...."
In closing, this CD makes me love Nox Arcana even more than I already do. Why? One word: Versatility. It shows their skill at painting diverse musical portraits of various moods and emotions that are beautiful to explore They prove their ability to gracefully and perfectly dance between the haunting and the horrific... the ghastly, and the gorgeous... Heartbreaking sorrow and rapturous ecstasy. It's all here... and it makes Nox Arcana's "Winter's Knight" one of the most beloved CDs I own. You owe it to yourself to pick it up if you are fan of Nox Arcana. If you are not a fan yet, one listen to this, and you just may become a fan right quickly.
Courtesy of John Rossi
13. Spirit Of The Season - Here, once again, Nox Arcana does a perfect balancing act. Their expertise and combining beauty and heart-wrenching melancholy poignancy is truly unparalleled. Wistful piano and lovely choral melodies once again are here instructed to do a beautiful dance, and they dance divinely together.
14. Coventry Carol - This is my first exposure to this song, and what a beautiful song it is. Nox Arcana here weaves a lovely tapestry of gentle guitar, keyboards, harpsichord, strings, tolling bells and pipe organ. Over it all, the poignant vocals of guest singer Jeff Endemann gift us with a heartbreaking ballad in memory of the Israelite children massacred by the order of King Herod. This tune is heartbreaking, yet one of the most beautiful songs that I have ever heard.
15. Lullabye - Once again in the case of this piece, Nox Arcana treats us very gently. Bell-like tones are mated with very tender, ethereally floating choral work. The mental image I get from this is that of a parent kneeling or sitting at the bedside of their little child... perhaps singing a song to them or saying their prayers with them before bedtime. A fire crackles warmly in the hearth as a gentle winter's evening gifts the world with a pristine soft ivory blanket of snow.
16. Winter's Knight - With this, the title track, we are returned once again unto the somber. Mournful piano brings to mind a gentle falling snow, in which a solitary figure stands, silently weeping tears of eternal regret, lamenting the death of all his hopes and dreams. The choral melody that combines with it makes this piece a heartbreaking one, but it is still majestically beautiful.
17. Past Time With Good Company- Here, we are gifted with a STUNNINGLY beautiful rendition of a carol originally composed by England's King Henry VIII. It is often done as a "festive" and frollicking number. Here, Nox Arcana slow it down and turn it into a warm and elegant anthem. A lovely dance of guitar and harpsichord provide a graceful backdrop. The real star of the piece is the purely angelic operatic voice of guest vocalist Michelle Belanger. Backed up perfectly by the warm and gentle singing of poet Eric Gustafson, she truly is given a moment to shine... and verily, shine she does. This brings to mind time spent in the company and warmth of good food and even better friends. It's pure and utter bliss.
18. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- A much beloved carol...this anthem of the arrival of Jesus on Earth is given a distinct and beautiful treatment by Nox Arcana here. Pipe organ, tolling bells, percussion and stellar choral work do a beautiful job of commemorating God's gift to the world of Himself, as both God and man, come to bring salvation, comfort and joy, to lift and comfort dejected hearts and spirits. Bravo, gentlemen. Bravo.
19. Veni Veni Emmanuel - Here, Nox Arcana proves that sometimes the greatest beauty is to be found amidst simplicity. Another rendition of a much loved Christmas carol, this tune sparkles with somber yet regal reverence for its subject. Comprised of heartbeat-like percussion, beautiful male and female choral work, tolling bells and pipe organ... this piece is awash in majesty. It is sure to tug at the strings of your heart, if you will but listen.
20. Redemption- Gentle choral work mates here with harpsichord, keyboards, and strings. The feeling conveyed to me is that of getting close to the end of a journey of hope. A dream long sought after is about to be realized. Despite the somber quality of the piece's beginning, it is transformed into an opus of regal joy. Redemption has been found.
21. Carol Of The Bells- This stellar CD is closed with this tune. It is a beautiful re-working of yet a fourth much-beloved Christmas carol. Tolling bells, swirling strings, and majestic choir do the honors. Hints of percussion make a nice appearance as well. In the end, we are encouraged by the following, gentle narration, underscored by the whispering sound of a winter breeze, mated with the tones of the xylophone, reminiscent of bells. In an almost tender whisper, we are told: "Come with us. Dream now. Rembember... Come back.... Redeem us... Save us... Repent... Have faith... Believe...."
In closing, this CD makes me love Nox Arcana even more than I already do. Why? One word: Versatility. It shows their skill at painting diverse musical portraits of various moods and emotions that are beautiful to explore They prove their ability to gracefully and perfectly dance between the haunting and the horrific... the ghastly, and the gorgeous... Heartbreaking sorrow and rapturous ecstasy. It's all here... and it makes Nox Arcana's "Winter's Knight" one of the most beloved CDs I own. You owe it to yourself to pick it up if you are fan of Nox Arcana. If you are not a fan yet, one listen to this, and you just may become a fan right quickly.
Courtesy of John Rossi
TRANSYVANIA
Transylvania
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
In the blackest heart of Romania, deep in the Carpathian Mountains, there looms a place where shadows dwell, and no living soul dares to venture, out beyond dusk for fear of......
Read the Transylvania Journals Here
Sound Tract Listing of Transylvania
1. Transylvania Overture - Soft choral tones begin this. Soon, a gently flowing melody with keyboards carries the following narration:
"Darkness descends upon the land to wrap the world in night's black embrace. The restless dead stir within their ancient tombs, and creatures born of shadow rise to quench their savage hungers. Whispers echo from the crypt, beckoning with the promise of dark desire, and those who heed their call are forever lost in the night". After that , a pipe organ and soft strings, along with darkly regal choir, segue into what I call in my own mind "Dracula's theme". It is somber, yet poignant and beautiful. It is brilliant.
2- The Voyage - A swirling harp melody combines with majestic strings, drums, choir and pipe organ to tell the story of our journey through the countryside of Vlad Dracula's beautiful rugged land. The tune is grand, adventurous and epic.
3- Gossamer Mist- This piece is primarily piano driven with the sound of wind and soft choral vocal effects underneath it.
4. The Black Coach-This tune is beautiful, ominous and heavy. It begins with pounding strings and drums which in pacing resemble a heartbeat. The string melody later turns sweeping and darkly regal, combining with numerous 'hits' on piano, powerful choral notes, and the sound of thunder. It expertly conveys the dread of making the journey towards Dracula's castle
5. Sentinels Of Stone- This is a 'narrative' track. After a brief sound of stone scraping, we hear a deep gravelly voice say "We are the sentinels of stone. We are the guardians at the gateway of shadows. We are the watchers in the night. None shall tresspass here."
6. Into The Shadows- I see this as a companion piece to The Black Coach. It uses quick strings, choir, and hints of percussion to take us the rest of the way to 'meet' Count Dracula at his castle...seguing perfectly into:
7. Castle Dracula- This is my favorite piece on the disc. It is, in essence a reprise of part of tune in Transylvania Overture. I do NOT mean that in a bad way though. This is, in a sense, what I call "Dracula's Theme" I LOVE the way the slow and stately pipe organ creates a bed to carry a beatuful current of majestic choir, tolling bells and exquisite wordless female voice. To me, this respresents most perfectly the chilling yet noble and terrifying grandeur of Dracula's ancient fortress home.
8. Visitors In The Night- This is primarily a vocal track. There is the sound of soft vocal moans and whispered female voice, culminating with a line from Stoker's novel. "You are first and we shall follow"... Then as if to the listener, the female vampires intone. "Surrender.... you belong to us. This goes right into:
9. Brides To Darkness- A musical homage to Dracula's three vampire brides, this piece uses exquisite femal vocal harmony, combined with keys and harpsichord to convey the ethereal deadly beauty and melancholy lonely existence of the trio of vampiric vixens.
10. Grande Masquerade- Harpsichord, keys, choir, strings, drums and tolling bells appear here, in a tune that seems to be JUST about right for a stately waltz to be danced with king of night's creatures... if you dare to dance with the Count or with his lovely brides at all, that is.
11. Momento Mori - This uses what seems to be either a xylophone or chimes, combined with tolling bells and softest currents of a choir. The feeling is one of pure beauty, but laden heavily with melancholy, isolation, and loneliness. Still it is a lovly piece.
"Darkness descends upon the land to wrap the world in night's black embrace. The restless dead stir within their ancient tombs, and creatures born of shadow rise to quench their savage hungers. Whispers echo from the crypt, beckoning with the promise of dark desire, and those who heed their call are forever lost in the night". After that , a pipe organ and soft strings, along with darkly regal choir, segue into what I call in my own mind "Dracula's theme". It is somber, yet poignant and beautiful. It is brilliant.
2- The Voyage - A swirling harp melody combines with majestic strings, drums, choir and pipe organ to tell the story of our journey through the countryside of Vlad Dracula's beautiful rugged land. The tune is grand, adventurous and epic.
3- Gossamer Mist- This piece is primarily piano driven with the sound of wind and soft choral vocal effects underneath it.
4. The Black Coach-This tune is beautiful, ominous and heavy. It begins with pounding strings and drums which in pacing resemble a heartbeat. The string melody later turns sweeping and darkly regal, combining with numerous 'hits' on piano, powerful choral notes, and the sound of thunder. It expertly conveys the dread of making the journey towards Dracula's castle
5. Sentinels Of Stone- This is a 'narrative' track. After a brief sound of stone scraping, we hear a deep gravelly voice say "We are the sentinels of stone. We are the guardians at the gateway of shadows. We are the watchers in the night. None shall tresspass here."
6. Into The Shadows- I see this as a companion piece to The Black Coach. It uses quick strings, choir, and hints of percussion to take us the rest of the way to 'meet' Count Dracula at his castle...seguing perfectly into:
7. Castle Dracula- This is my favorite piece on the disc. It is, in essence a reprise of part of tune in Transylvania Overture. I do NOT mean that in a bad way though. This is, in a sense, what I call "Dracula's Theme" I LOVE the way the slow and stately pipe organ creates a bed to carry a beatuful current of majestic choir, tolling bells and exquisite wordless female voice. To me, this respresents most perfectly the chilling yet noble and terrifying grandeur of Dracula's ancient fortress home.
8. Visitors In The Night- This is primarily a vocal track. There is the sound of soft vocal moans and whispered female voice, culminating with a line from Stoker's novel. "You are first and we shall follow"... Then as if to the listener, the female vampires intone. "Surrender.... you belong to us. This goes right into:
9. Brides To Darkness- A musical homage to Dracula's three vampire brides, this piece uses exquisite femal vocal harmony, combined with keys and harpsichord to convey the ethereal deadly beauty and melancholy lonely existence of the trio of vampiric vixens.
10. Grande Masquerade- Harpsichord, keys, choir, strings, drums and tolling bells appear here, in a tune that seems to be JUST about right for a stately waltz to be danced with king of night's creatures... if you dare to dance with the Count or with his lovely brides at all, that is.
11. Momento Mori - This uses what seems to be either a xylophone or chimes, combined with tolling bells and softest currents of a choir. The feeling is one of pure beauty, but laden heavily with melancholy, isolation, and loneliness. Still it is a lovly piece.
12. The Howling- This uses ominous choral moaning to carry the sounds of the growls and howling of werewolves. It features Count Dracula's famous line "Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make."
13. Nocturne- Piano, strings, and choir do the honors here, telling through a beautiful but somber tune of the falling of night. Tolling bells put in a nice appearance.
14. Bats In The Belfry- This one is just what you might thing. Tolling bells mate with the sounds of bats screeching softly as the flutter into flight. This segues directly into:
15. Gothic Sanctum- Tolling bells return, mixing with choir to form a melody that hints at a sanctuary for night's creatures, where denizens of the night might gather to pay homage to the king of vampires.
16. Gypsy Caravan- This tune is surprisingly pretty, and speaks of exoticism and adventure. Middle-Eastern style percussion dances with keyboards and tamborines to hint at the exotic realm in which Dracula lives, and the others that inhabit it with him.
17. From Dusk Till Dawn - What sounds for a moment like wind and soft choral 'moaning' carries this narration in a sort of a witch-like voice: "From dusk till dawn beware night's call. For nightmares rise as shadows fall. Wolves howl and wail neath moonlit skies, and grim things hearken to their cries. The restless dead and souls forsaken, from their deathly sleep awaken. And things that shun the light of day, prowl the night in search of prey."
18 Night Of The Wolf- Heavy and ominous. It features brooding but grand strings, pounding percussion and chilling choral chant and song.
19. Echoes From The Crypt- Swirling strings, tolling bells and soft choir mate with piano and percussion to give a feel of wandering into the resting place of one of Dracula's minions.
20. Shadow Hunters- The strings, percussion and choir, mixing again with tolling bells, give this tune a martial sound, hinting either at you hunting Dracula and his minions, or perhaps at Dracula and his minions hunting you... Which is right is up to you to determine.
21- Lair Of The Vampire: At last we visit darkness' heart. Beware, ye who dare to venture where angels fear to tread. After a welcome from female vampires, pounding percussion and keys mix with choir and quick toccata pipe organ passages to depict the final battle between Dracula and humankind.... but... in the end.... is it really over? Latin incantations and chanting , combined with percussion and wordless choral melody indicate that...maybe... just maybe... it isn't over after all. *laughs eerily with a deep bass voice.*
To close, Nox Arcana are, to me, the undisputed champions of Gothic horror musical soundscapes. This musical tribute to Dracula is first rate. If you love Gothic horror music you simply cannot go wrong with this CD. Pick it up. Happy listening.
Courtesy of John Rossi
13. Nocturne- Piano, strings, and choir do the honors here, telling through a beautiful but somber tune of the falling of night. Tolling bells put in a nice appearance.
14. Bats In The Belfry- This one is just what you might thing. Tolling bells mate with the sounds of bats screeching softly as the flutter into flight. This segues directly into:
15. Gothic Sanctum- Tolling bells return, mixing with choir to form a melody that hints at a sanctuary for night's creatures, where denizens of the night might gather to pay homage to the king of vampires.
16. Gypsy Caravan- This tune is surprisingly pretty, and speaks of exoticism and adventure. Middle-Eastern style percussion dances with keyboards and tamborines to hint at the exotic realm in which Dracula lives, and the others that inhabit it with him.
17. From Dusk Till Dawn - What sounds for a moment like wind and soft choral 'moaning' carries this narration in a sort of a witch-like voice: "From dusk till dawn beware night's call. For nightmares rise as shadows fall. Wolves howl and wail neath moonlit skies, and grim things hearken to their cries. The restless dead and souls forsaken, from their deathly sleep awaken. And things that shun the light of day, prowl the night in search of prey."
18 Night Of The Wolf- Heavy and ominous. It features brooding but grand strings, pounding percussion and chilling choral chant and song.
19. Echoes From The Crypt- Swirling strings, tolling bells and soft choir mate with piano and percussion to give a feel of wandering into the resting place of one of Dracula's minions.
20. Shadow Hunters- The strings, percussion and choir, mixing again with tolling bells, give this tune a martial sound, hinting either at you hunting Dracula and his minions, or perhaps at Dracula and his minions hunting you... Which is right is up to you to determine.
21- Lair Of The Vampire: At last we visit darkness' heart. Beware, ye who dare to venture where angels fear to tread. After a welcome from female vampires, pounding percussion and keys mix with choir and quick toccata pipe organ passages to depict the final battle between Dracula and humankind.... but... in the end.... is it really over? Latin incantations and chanting , combined with percussion and wordless choral melody indicate that...maybe... just maybe... it isn't over after all. *laughs eerily with a deep bass voice.*
To close, Nox Arcana are, to me, the undisputed champions of Gothic horror musical soundscapes. This musical tribute to Dracula is first rate. If you love Gothic horror music you simply cannot go wrong with this CD. Pick it up. Happy listening.
Courtesy of John Rossi
CARNIVAL OF LOST SOULS
Carnival Of Lost Souls
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
Travel anew if you dare, with Nox Arcana... masterful minstrels of the macabre as an all new musical nightmare is set to unfold. Step this way,ladies and gentlemen... and bring your tickets.... as you are about to cross onto the fairgrounds of the Circus Diabolique. Welcome, one and all... to the Carnival Of Lost Souls....
Carnival of Lost Souls
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the circus of the strange, the sideshow of the sinister and the theater of the bizarre... Cast your eyes upon cruel oddities of nature and behold monstrous creatures from the depths of the abyss. Hear the dark wisdom of gypsy soothsayers as they unveil things yet to come, and marvel with awe and dismay at unbelievable death-defying acts that teeter on the very brink of doom. Leave the mundane world behind, for those who visit this festival of phantasms are never the same again.
Nox Arcana invites you to immerse yourself in an eerie sound scape that offers 21 tracks of dark orchestrations, haunting melodies, and chilling voices and sound effects... Step this way... there is no turning back!
Once every century The Circus Diabolique rises from the shadows...
Nox Arcana invites you to immerse yourself in an eerie sound scape that offers 21 tracks of dark orchestrations, haunting melodies, and chilling voices and sound effects... Step this way... there is no turning back!
Once every century The Circus Diabolique rises from the shadows...
Calliope
From Carnival of Lost Souls
Nox Arcana Calliope (clowns are evil- slide)
curated content from YouTube
Spellbound
From Carnival of Lost Souls
"The witching hour's drawing near, And my tragic fate is clear- I'll take your secret to my grave, For evermore, I'll be your slave- Because I'm spellbound- " Album: Carnival of Lost Souls
Spellbound - Nox Arcana
curated content from YouTube
Soul Stealer
Nox Arcana - Soul Stealer
curated content from YouTube
Sound Tract Listing of Carnival of Lost Souls
Nox Arcana
1. Ghosts Of The Midway- Oh, how festively do we begin our journey into theunknown. A soft undercurrent of choral "moaning" carries a blend of children's and grownups laughter and revelry, along with the sounds of what may be tricycle horns. Soon we are greeted by the Ringmaster, runner of these fiendishly fun attractions. A swirling and eerily playful keyboard melody buoys a deep, charming, yet slightly sinister voice as we are invited to explore our wickedest dreams and most diabolical nightmares. The fun is just getting started...
2. After Hours- We get more somber here. Though this is a very pretty tune, more tension is building. Ringing bell-like tones... almost like a xylophone but not quite, resemble a heartbeat in their pacing, as they combine with soft moans, children's laughter, beautifully sad and mysterious choral passages, and tolling vespers to tell of the imminent falling of night. A whispered voice dares us onward to explore further the festive yet fearful fairgrounds, saying..."Follow me..... This way..." Do you dare to move on?
3. Harlequin's Lament- Mournful piano and choral tones tell the story here, mixing with tolling bells.. `Tis the tale of one of the performers, a heart-stirring tale of one sentenced to forever entertain the patrons of a circus of fiends
4. Calliope- A festive, playful musical opus, this, or so it seems uses a mix of keyboard, flute, very nice tolling bells, xylophone and choral notes. It depicts the innocence of children, enjoying a ride that might be more captivating, and dangerous than it appears. The sound of children laughing on occasion really adds to this effect.
5. Madame Endora- The dropping of money tells of a daring soul indeed.. A beautiful swirling harp tune blends with choir and pipe organ, as we are told by the soothsayer in a grating, witch-like voice, of bleak horizons and a path before us filled with darkness. Beware the coming storm. Tense, ominous, heavily atmospheric, and beautiful.
6. Nightmare Parade- This is a heavily martial piece, rousing and adventurous. Pounding percussion, invigorating strings and choir do the honors. The snap of a cracking whip and the growls of animals make an appearance, along with tolling bells, xylophone-like sounds , pipe organ and great choral passages.
7. Shadow's Fall- Percussion and somber piano are the stars here. They are accompanied by melancholy but beautiful strings. This speaks of more dangers and horrors that lie on the path ahead. Beware!
8. Hall Of Mirrors- This is a "fun" piece, but still creepy. The lead players in this part of the drama are keyboards and sinister laughter in varying pitches. It pays homage to the frightening yet fun mirror houses we all remember from our own visits to the circus as children.
9. Spellbound- This is a piece of pure and lovely nostalgia. The sound of an old phonograph gives way to a sad but very pretty violin tune over which the following is sung "The witching hour's drawing near. And my tragic fate is clear. I'll take your secret to my grave. For evermore I'll be you slave. Because I'm spellbound." The record whooshes to a stop, and the track ends with a choral moan of a sort.
10. Cries In The Night-Oh, how to choose words that do this justice. These cries are not screams of terror. Nay, they are heartstring-tugging choral passages,. hinting at a deep and lonely sorrow and a heart-wrenching loveliness. Xylophone-like notes make a brief guest appearance alongside some of the most emotion-stirring choral voice work I have ever had the pleasure to listen to.
11. Soul Stealer- Choir, heavy percussion, pipe organ, and quick violin runs tell this tale. It is an invigorating `chase' as you are hounded through the fairgrounds by dark forces that seek to overtake you. Run for your life. Your very soul may depend on it
2. After Hours- We get more somber here. Though this is a very pretty tune, more tension is building. Ringing bell-like tones... almost like a xylophone but not quite, resemble a heartbeat in their pacing, as they combine with soft moans, children's laughter, beautifully sad and mysterious choral passages, and tolling vespers to tell of the imminent falling of night. A whispered voice dares us onward to explore further the festive yet fearful fairgrounds, saying..."Follow me..... This way..." Do you dare to move on?
3. Harlequin's Lament- Mournful piano and choral tones tell the story here, mixing with tolling bells.. `Tis the tale of one of the performers, a heart-stirring tale of one sentenced to forever entertain the patrons of a circus of fiends
4. Calliope- A festive, playful musical opus, this, or so it seems uses a mix of keyboard, flute, very nice tolling bells, xylophone and choral notes. It depicts the innocence of children, enjoying a ride that might be more captivating, and dangerous than it appears. The sound of children laughing on occasion really adds to this effect.
5. Madame Endora- The dropping of money tells of a daring soul indeed.. A beautiful swirling harp tune blends with choir and pipe organ, as we are told by the soothsayer in a grating, witch-like voice, of bleak horizons and a path before us filled with darkness. Beware the coming storm. Tense, ominous, heavily atmospheric, and beautiful.
6. Nightmare Parade- This is a heavily martial piece, rousing and adventurous. Pounding percussion, invigorating strings and choir do the honors. The snap of a cracking whip and the growls of animals make an appearance, along with tolling bells, xylophone-like sounds , pipe organ and great choral passages.
7. Shadow's Fall- Percussion and somber piano are the stars here. They are accompanied by melancholy but beautiful strings. This speaks of more dangers and horrors that lie on the path ahead. Beware!
8. Hall Of Mirrors- This is a "fun" piece, but still creepy. The lead players in this part of the drama are keyboards and sinister laughter in varying pitches. It pays homage to the frightening yet fun mirror houses we all remember from our own visits to the circus as children.
9. Spellbound- This is a piece of pure and lovely nostalgia. The sound of an old phonograph gives way to a sad but very pretty violin tune over which the following is sung "The witching hour's drawing near. And my tragic fate is clear. I'll take your secret to my grave. For evermore I'll be you slave. Because I'm spellbound." The record whooshes to a stop, and the track ends with a choral moan of a sort.
10. Cries In The Night-Oh, how to choose words that do this justice. These cries are not screams of terror. Nay, they are heartstring-tugging choral passages,. hinting at a deep and lonely sorrow and a heart-wrenching loveliness. Xylophone-like notes make a brief guest appearance alongside some of the most emotion-stirring choral voice work I have ever had the pleasure to listen to.
11. Soul Stealer- Choir, heavy percussion, pipe organ, and quick violin runs tell this tale. It is an invigorating `chase' as you are hounded through the fairgrounds by dark forces that seek to overtake you. Run for your life. Your very soul may depend on it
12. - Haunted Carousel- I see this as a "companion piece" to Calliope, but that is not to disparage this piece. It is a beautiful mix of keys, pipe organ, tolling bells and choir that depict a turn upon a ride we all remember fondly. It is a tune almost of seduction... promising fun if you indulge in partaking in a ride upon an amusement which, in this case you
shouldn't touch, but the music is so alluring. Won't you give in, just this once, and if you do, will you be able to resist doing it again?
13. Theater Of Sorrows - Piano, choir, violin and tolling bells are the stars of this show once more. This is a great and very beautiful piece, somber yet thrilling in a way that is all its own.
14. Living Dolls - This begins with the sound of wind-up toys being cranked up. Bell-like tones blend with soft and alluring choir, lovely string work, and the laughter of a child to depict our favorite toys.
15. Lost In The Darkness- This may be among the most beautiful pieces of music I've heard. It uses noble, somber piano and pipe organ, blended with the soul stirring power of majestic strings, and some of the most beautiful choral passages my ears have even ingested. Despite it's dark, bleak nature, depicting a lost and wandering soul, the piece seems to carry a current of hope... that maybe, just maybe the wanderer will find a way home. We root for them, whoever they are, even though we know they will find no escape. Truly an awe-inspring loveliness is to be found here.
16. Snake Charmer- This is one of my favorite "attractions" in this show. Exotic percussion mixes with beautiful flute, enchanting Middle Eastern instrumentation and alluring choral passages to take us on an awesome journey to a land far away, to a place only reachable in our dreams, as we watch one of great skill do musical `battle' to charm a deadly serpent.
17. Freaks - This piece is heavily atmospheric It seems to use a `drone' effect made of deep wordless male choir, mixing it with deep laughter, the growls of mythical beasts, and the rattling of chains. The feel of one is pure and inescapable tension.
18. Circus Diabolique- Here we have a great martial musical opus, utilizing brooding but melodic strings, militaristic percussion and snare drums, horns, pipe organ and choir. It is a thrilling piece of music, with a steady mid-range tempo. We are invited by our kind Ringmaster to draw our attention to center stage, where we are told we will each "bear witness to terrifying sights that will haunt you till the day you die. " Behold the Circus Diabolique, and let the nightmare begin!!!
19. Pandora's Music Box- This is a lovely tune filled, to me, with wonder and mystery, and tension It utilizes beautiful bells, choir, strings, and pipe organ to suggest the temptation and allure of having within our reach something that can promise great power and show us wondrous things we've not
seen before, but warns us that they will be a price to pay if we give in to that temptation.
20. The Devil's Daggers - This is the most INTENSE attraction of the show. The sinister swirling string melodies and thundering percussion are relentless, and they carry a current of beautiful yet foreboding choir atop themselves. The chase is on, and you MUST run for your life if you wish to keep it.
21. Storm - Steady, brooding strings and choir do the honors here, dancing with inexorable percussion and briefly with sinister pipe organ It conveys the unstoppable power of nature's fury. The thunderclaps that appear within this piece of music are the most awesome thunderclaps that I have ever heard utilized in any recording that I know of.
One thing you must be aware of. Even as the last mighty thunderclap on "Storm" fades away, do not hit "Stop" on your CD player. There are some excellent bonus tracks to which you will be treated, including a harp-tinged reading from the ghostly Madame Endora, a beautiful music-box number, and an AWESOME rock/metal version of Spellbound that is led into brilliantly by a purely lovely violin melody on an old phonograph that 'skips' a few times before launching into blistering and brilliant heavy metal guitar riffs.
Here's the simple truth of the matter to me. Nox Arcana have outdone themselves with this CD. It is their best work to date. If you are a fan, you owe it to yourself to get this CD. If you are not a fan... one listen to this could make you a fan. Pick it up if you get the chance, and happy listening. :)
Thank you for coming, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you've enjoyed your time among us here at the Circus Diabolique. Don't worry if one show isn't enough. You're welcome back at any time. We'll always be here... waiting to entertain you again. Do come back please, if you dare!
Courtesy of John Rossi
shouldn't touch, but the music is so alluring. Won't you give in, just this once, and if you do, will you be able to resist doing it again?
13. Theater Of Sorrows - Piano, choir, violin and tolling bells are the stars of this show once more. This is a great and very beautiful piece, somber yet thrilling in a way that is all its own.
14. Living Dolls - This begins with the sound of wind-up toys being cranked up. Bell-like tones blend with soft and alluring choir, lovely string work, and the laughter of a child to depict our favorite toys.
15. Lost In The Darkness- This may be among the most beautiful pieces of music I've heard. It uses noble, somber piano and pipe organ, blended with the soul stirring power of majestic strings, and some of the most beautiful choral passages my ears have even ingested. Despite it's dark, bleak nature, depicting a lost and wandering soul, the piece seems to carry a current of hope... that maybe, just maybe the wanderer will find a way home. We root for them, whoever they are, even though we know they will find no escape. Truly an awe-inspring loveliness is to be found here.
16. Snake Charmer- This is one of my favorite "attractions" in this show. Exotic percussion mixes with beautiful flute, enchanting Middle Eastern instrumentation and alluring choral passages to take us on an awesome journey to a land far away, to a place only reachable in our dreams, as we watch one of great skill do musical `battle' to charm a deadly serpent.
17. Freaks - This piece is heavily atmospheric It seems to use a `drone' effect made of deep wordless male choir, mixing it with deep laughter, the growls of mythical beasts, and the rattling of chains. The feel of one is pure and inescapable tension.
18. Circus Diabolique- Here we have a great martial musical opus, utilizing brooding but melodic strings, militaristic percussion and snare drums, horns, pipe organ and choir. It is a thrilling piece of music, with a steady mid-range tempo. We are invited by our kind Ringmaster to draw our attention to center stage, where we are told we will each "bear witness to terrifying sights that will haunt you till the day you die. " Behold the Circus Diabolique, and let the nightmare begin!!!
19. Pandora's Music Box- This is a lovely tune filled, to me, with wonder and mystery, and tension It utilizes beautiful bells, choir, strings, and pipe organ to suggest the temptation and allure of having within our reach something that can promise great power and show us wondrous things we've not
seen before, but warns us that they will be a price to pay if we give in to that temptation.
20. The Devil's Daggers - This is the most INTENSE attraction of the show. The sinister swirling string melodies and thundering percussion are relentless, and they carry a current of beautiful yet foreboding choir atop themselves. The chase is on, and you MUST run for your life if you wish to keep it.
21. Storm - Steady, brooding strings and choir do the honors here, dancing with inexorable percussion and briefly with sinister pipe organ It conveys the unstoppable power of nature's fury. The thunderclaps that appear within this piece of music are the most awesome thunderclaps that I have ever heard utilized in any recording that I know of.
One thing you must be aware of. Even as the last mighty thunderclap on "Storm" fades away, do not hit "Stop" on your CD player. There are some excellent bonus tracks to which you will be treated, including a harp-tinged reading from the ghostly Madame Endora, a beautiful music-box number, and an AWESOME rock/metal version of Spellbound that is led into brilliantly by a purely lovely violin melody on an old phonograph that 'skips' a few times before launching into blistering and brilliant heavy metal guitar riffs.
Here's the simple truth of the matter to me. Nox Arcana have outdone themselves with this CD. It is their best work to date. If you are a fan, you owe it to yourself to get this CD. If you are not a fan... one listen to this could make you a fan. Pick it up if you get the chance, and happy listening. :)
Thank you for coming, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you've enjoyed your time among us here at the Circus Diabolique. Don't worry if one show isn't enough. You're welcome back at any time. We'll always be here... waiting to entertain you again. Do come back please, if you dare!
Courtesy of John Rossi
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BLOOD OF ANGELS
Blood of Angels
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 01/07/2010)
The haunting and versatile soprano voice of Michelle Belanger creates a wicked alchemy with the brooding and atmospheric orchestrations that have made Nox Arcana renowned in the realm of Gothic music. Timeless lyrics weave through rich layers of melody, telling stories of lost love and forbidden passion, drawing upon the ancient myth of Watcher Angels who abandoned Heaven for a taste of mortal love.
Blood of the Angels
The music for Blood of Angels was written and performed by Nox Arcana. The lyrics and vocals were written and performed by Michelle Bellanger.
Blood of Angels - Nox Arcana
By: Nox Arcana Lyrics: Michelle Belanger Album: Blood of Angels We are the twilight and we are the dawn. We are the silence when all else is gone. We are the ancient ones, we are the flames. Once you would pray to us, call us by name. Ours is the power and ours is the might. Ours are the shadows that swallow the light. Worship us mortals, bow down to our reign! The blood of the angels, it beats in our veins. Azazel, Sariel, Koshbiel, Shamsiel, Ananel, Sethiel, Raziel, Zaquiel. (x2) Gibborim, Annakim, heroes of old. In words of the prophets our fate is foretold. Once we were scattered, in hiding, alone, Now we have marshalled to reclaim our throne. We are the twilight and we are the dawn. We are the silence when all else is gone. We are the ancient ones, we are the flames. Once you would pray to us, call us by name. Azazel, Sariel, Koshbiel, Shamsiel, Ananel, Sethiel, Raziel, Zaquiel. (x2) Disclaimer: I do NOT own any song or the pictures used in my videos. Everything belongs to Joseph Vargo, William Piotrowski and Monolith Graphics.
curated content from YouTube
Sound Tract Listing of Blood of Angels
Nox Arcana
If ever there was a unique and tantalizing marriage of melody and voice in the realm of Gothic music, this is it. Silken-voiced siren Michelle Belanger, guest vocalist on Nox Arcana's Winter's Knight CD, returns. This time her task is to tell a passionate and tragic tale drawn from the mythology of the Watcher angels. According to legend, these were celestial beings who abandoned Heaven for a taste of mortal love and passion with terrible consequence. Joining her in this endeavor are the night's most mesmerizing minstrels, Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski, collectively known as Nox Arcana. The tale they weave together is a beautiful tragedy for the ages that will be remembered by all who hear it, long after the CD is over.
1. Ligeia's Lament- Thus does our tale commence, with a sonic bed of tolling vespers and deep wordless male choral work, over which the soaring soprano voice of Michelle Belanger effortlessly floats, mating with somber but entrancing piano, pipe organ and percussion. The blending of all these instruments creates a heartwrenching experience. The lyrics tell of one who finds love, only to lose it on his weddiing night, drawn to sleep beside his love beyond the mortal world.
2. Children Of Heaven - Here we get a taste of yearning with an epic feel. Horns, percussion, and strings are the stars of this part of the drama, along with beautiful choral passages, tolling bells and a touch of pipe organ. Here, Belanger sings of the plight of Sephiriel, a beautiful guardian angel and warrior of Heaven who falls 'victim' to the lure of mortal passion and abandons her station in order to grasp it. Any who has ever yearned for love of this type should relate to the irresistible pull felt by this song's title character.
3. Bitter Ashes- Here, we are treated to a gentler musical movement. Its main players aside from Belanger's bewitching soprano voice are the harpsichord, the piano and splendid choral backing melody. Particularly enchanting is the violin that enters after the first verse and the way it dances with the piano. I also love the wordless melody that Belanger entones after verse two. The lyrics speak most poignantly of lost dreams, shattered faith and emotional crises in the face of catasrophe. They seem to carry an air of crestfallen emotional desolation. It is beautiful, and heartbreaking.
4. Ella Sheena- This song, to me, has a distinctly Middle Eastern feel. Its instrumentation certainly conveys it well. A mandolin and exotic percussion start us off, blending with other even more exotic instrumentation. Belanger's voice sings hypnotic wordless melodies over it all for a little while before the lyrical passages do begin. The lyrics are fabricated in an arresting, though fictitious language, calling to mind the Elven song often heard in the Lord Of The Rings films. It is absolutely lovely to hear.
5. Angels Are Weeping- Here we are transported again. This time, plucked strings and a plaintive flute combine with what sounds to me to be the bodhran (goatskin drum) to impart a distinctly Celtic feel to this piece, which I absolutely love. This feeling is helped along considerably by the driving fiddle work in the middle of the composition, mated terrifically with tambourines and other percussion. Belanger's angelic voice dances over the top of it all, singing of angels who go from being seductresses to being prisoners of their own passions' consequence, outcast from Heaven by their own choice. Lyrically tragic and melodically beautiful, this composition is compelling indeed.
6. Widow's Walk - This one is pure melancholy. Begun by a crying violin, mated with somber harpsichord and the sound of thunder, the song seems to tell the tale of many lost in a shipwreck long ago. It concerns the faithful love of a woman toward's the vessel's captain, for whose return she died waiting with unquenchable yearning. Tolling bells put in a most effective appearance with mournful strings and choral passages to complete the work.
7. Forlorn - This one is a personal favorite of mine. It reminds me of, or rather calls to mind an infinitely deep and painful loneliness. It could almost be a vampire's lament of yearning. The backing melodies are provided by a flawless blending of piano, choir, tolling vespers, and pipe organ. Belanger's vocal delievery is wrenchingly poingnant here, and in particular, the way the pipe organ passages blend with her voice and the choral backing rips and tugs masterfully at my heartstrings. I've been moved to tears by this one.
8. Blood Of Angels - This one... is downright SCARY. It is a most effective martial opus. A blend of driving strings and thunderously rumbling percussion are the main players, along with powerful choral melody and... of course, the lyrics. They tell of an army of outcast angels lauding the grandeur of their race and calling for acknowledgement and subjection by our own. A chant between verses recites the names of several of the outcast angels, adding an even more chilling touch to an arresting piece.
9. Children Of Heaven (Club Mix) - This turned out to be a real surprise. I say that in a good way. It is a gem. Opening with a galloping, and yet subdued techno dance beat, it grabbed my attention very quickly and kept it throughout the piece. The change from epic orchestral ballad to entrancing techno dance tune actually works wonderfully. What I like most about it is that the techno elements of the song, while powerful and obviously there, are tasteful and are "kept back" enough that they do not overpower the melodies provided by the piano, the choir, the pipe organ, and Michelle Belanger's absolutely exquisite soprano singing. They serve as an effective backdrop instead of forcing their way to the front, allowing the melodic power of the song to shine through. It is a beautiful song, and a great closer to the CD.
This is Michelle Belanger's first turn in the spotlight and she proves most worthy of it. Nox Arcana's music compliments her vocal talents beautifully. Together they weave an enchanting tale of tragedy and terror. I sincerely hope that these three reunite again in the future. If they do, we are sure to be treated to yet another unique and beautiful experience. If you are a fan of Nox Arcana, you owe it to yourself to get this CD. If not, one listen could make you a fan. If you do pick it up, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, or perhaps even more.
Courtesy of John Rossi
1. Ligeia's Lament- Thus does our tale commence, with a sonic bed of tolling vespers and deep wordless male choral work, over which the soaring soprano voice of Michelle Belanger effortlessly floats, mating with somber but entrancing piano, pipe organ and percussion. The blending of all these instruments creates a heartwrenching experience. The lyrics tell of one who finds love, only to lose it on his weddiing night, drawn to sleep beside his love beyond the mortal world.
2. Children Of Heaven - Here we get a taste of yearning with an epic feel. Horns, percussion, and strings are the stars of this part of the drama, along with beautiful choral passages, tolling bells and a touch of pipe organ. Here, Belanger sings of the plight of Sephiriel, a beautiful guardian angel and warrior of Heaven who falls 'victim' to the lure of mortal passion and abandons her station in order to grasp it. Any who has ever yearned for love of this type should relate to the irresistible pull felt by this song's title character.
3. Bitter Ashes- Here, we are treated to a gentler musical movement. Its main players aside from Belanger's bewitching soprano voice are the harpsichord, the piano and splendid choral backing melody. Particularly enchanting is the violin that enters after the first verse and the way it dances with the piano. I also love the wordless melody that Belanger entones after verse two. The lyrics speak most poignantly of lost dreams, shattered faith and emotional crises in the face of catasrophe. They seem to carry an air of crestfallen emotional desolation. It is beautiful, and heartbreaking.
4. Ella Sheena- This song, to me, has a distinctly Middle Eastern feel. Its instrumentation certainly conveys it well. A mandolin and exotic percussion start us off, blending with other even more exotic instrumentation. Belanger's voice sings hypnotic wordless melodies over it all for a little while before the lyrical passages do begin. The lyrics are fabricated in an arresting, though fictitious language, calling to mind the Elven song often heard in the Lord Of The Rings films. It is absolutely lovely to hear.
5. Angels Are Weeping- Here we are transported again. This time, plucked strings and a plaintive flute combine with what sounds to me to be the bodhran (goatskin drum) to impart a distinctly Celtic feel to this piece, which I absolutely love. This feeling is helped along considerably by the driving fiddle work in the middle of the composition, mated terrifically with tambourines and other percussion. Belanger's angelic voice dances over the top of it all, singing of angels who go from being seductresses to being prisoners of their own passions' consequence, outcast from Heaven by their own choice. Lyrically tragic and melodically beautiful, this composition is compelling indeed.
6. Widow's Walk - This one is pure melancholy. Begun by a crying violin, mated with somber harpsichord and the sound of thunder, the song seems to tell the tale of many lost in a shipwreck long ago. It concerns the faithful love of a woman toward's the vessel's captain, for whose return she died waiting with unquenchable yearning. Tolling bells put in a most effective appearance with mournful strings and choral passages to complete the work.
7. Forlorn - This one is a personal favorite of mine. It reminds me of, or rather calls to mind an infinitely deep and painful loneliness. It could almost be a vampire's lament of yearning. The backing melodies are provided by a flawless blending of piano, choir, tolling vespers, and pipe organ. Belanger's vocal delievery is wrenchingly poingnant here, and in particular, the way the pipe organ passages blend with her voice and the choral backing rips and tugs masterfully at my heartstrings. I've been moved to tears by this one.
8. Blood Of Angels - This one... is downright SCARY. It is a most effective martial opus. A blend of driving strings and thunderously rumbling percussion are the main players, along with powerful choral melody and... of course, the lyrics. They tell of an army of outcast angels lauding the grandeur of their race and calling for acknowledgement and subjection by our own. A chant between verses recites the names of several of the outcast angels, adding an even more chilling touch to an arresting piece.
9. Children Of Heaven (Club Mix) - This turned out to be a real surprise. I say that in a good way. It is a gem. Opening with a galloping, and yet subdued techno dance beat, it grabbed my attention very quickly and kept it throughout the piece. The change from epic orchestral ballad to entrancing techno dance tune actually works wonderfully. What I like most about it is that the techno elements of the song, while powerful and obviously there, are tasteful and are "kept back" enough that they do not overpower the melodies provided by the piano, the choir, the pipe organ, and Michelle Belanger's absolutely exquisite soprano singing. They serve as an effective backdrop instead of forcing their way to the front, allowing the melodic power of the song to shine through. It is a beautiful song, and a great closer to the CD.
This is Michelle Belanger's first turn in the spotlight and she proves most worthy of it. Nox Arcana's music compliments her vocal talents beautifully. Together they weave an enchanting tale of tragedy and terror. I sincerely hope that these three reunite again in the future. If they do, we are sure to be treated to yet another unique and beautiful experience. If you are a fan of Nox Arcana, you owe it to yourself to get this CD. If not, one listen could make you a fan. If you do pick it up, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, or perhaps even more.
Courtesy of John Rossi
SHADOW OF THE RAVEN
Shadow of the Raven
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
Delve into the haunted realms of Edgar Allan Poe, as Nox Arcana pays tribute to the classic tales of the literary master of the macabre with a lush musical tapestry of Victorian elegance and Gothic nightmares. This dark soundscape of ghostly melodies, mournful dirges, eerie sound effects and ominous orchestrations is accompanied by Joseph Vargo's lavish artwork depicting Poe's classic horror tales, and even offers fans a hidden "gold bug" riddle.
Shadow of the Raven
Ye who read these words, rejoice. Verily there be glad tidings brought unto thee, for a new musical tapestry has been most skillfully woven by night's most masterful minstrels. From the haunted halls of Victorian mansion, into the pages of Lovecraft's legendary tome of shadows... From Ebonshire and the surrounding forest, through the foreboding realm of Dracula's domain. Into all these via melodious nocturnal canticles have we walked. Yea, further have we trod, unto diabolical circus of lost souls, and even unto fantastic ancient Draconia, wherein's dragon's blood doth through every warrior's veins most mightily flow. Unto all these have we journeyed, via masterful music wrought by Nox Arcana. Now are they once again our guide, this time through the literary world of a true master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. Yea, behold, for o'er us now doth fall the:
Shadow of the Raven
Shadow of the Raven
The Raven
From Shadow of the Raven - Nox Arcana
The Raven - Edgar Allan Poe and Nox Arcana
curated content from YouTube
Masque of the Red Death
Masque of the Red Death - Nox Arcana
curated content from YouTube
Madeline's Lament
From Shadow of the Raven - Nox Arcana
[Pt. II] Nox Arcana - Madeline's Lament
This is the part two of the Journey through hell, as you know the artwork belongs to Gustave Dorè and the Music Belongs to Nox Arcana, this the Gate of Hell and the first circle of Hell, Limbo. the gate of hell is the entrance to hell with the inscription "Abandon all hope ye who enter here." the first circle, Limbo is where ancients are,they did not sin, but did not worship god, most of the people here are thinkers of ancient cities like Greece, and Rome, here are also the pagans. some thinkers are Homer, Socrates, Virgil...
curated content from YouTube
A Dream Within a Dream
From Shadow of the Raven - Nox Arcana
A Dream Within a Dream - Nox Arcana
curated content from YouTube
The Pit and the Pendulum
From Shadow of the Raven - Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana - The Pit and the Pendulum
curated content from YouTube
Sound Tract Listing of Shadow of the Raven
Nox Arcana
1. Darkest Hour - Thus doth our fateful journey commence, with moans of softest choral lamentations borne upon frigid nocturnal winds, mated with a raven's urgent and foreboding call. Somber tolling vespers and deeper male chorus join in as well, with the following narrated preamble, provided by the voice of composer Joseph Vargo, in a wonderfully solemn recitation, touched with the subtlest of English accents in places.
"Ye who read these words are still among the living, but I who write shall have long since gone my way into the region of shadows. Plagued by ghosts from the past, my soul can find no release from its eternal sorrow. Lost loves, spirits of the dead... madmen and devils have each in turn visited me here in the solitude of my chamber, to haunt and torment me. I implore you to heed my tale, as I relate the grim and ghastly things that befell me in my darkest hour... once upon a midnight dreary..."
Throughout this grand preamble, a wondrous blend is utilized of male and female choral voice with tolling vespers. The female vocalization soaring as it floats underneath Vargo's grim and melancholy narration is particularly gripping. It is easy for me to see a grand but cozy domicile beneath silver moonlight, as a raven's shadow falls over the moon... and to see a grief-stricken writer scrawling a forlorn message of farewell that he prays someone will lay sympathetic eyes upon one day, as the hearth fire burns ever lower. A raven's call and more ghostly moans close out the piece.
2. Melancholia - The stars at the beginning of this are a lovely piano tune mated with beautiful blended choir. Violin is quick to appear, gliding with grace over the top for a moment. Coming to mind here is a stately chapel, somewhere within an ancient castle, wherein a solitary mourner kneels in memory to his fallen paramour. Despite it's austere look, the place is "homey" to me, though cold, strewn with beautiful flowers. The choral work and pipe organ here are an exquisite touch.
3. Descent Into Madness- Here, the opening piano comes to mimic a tension-plagued heartbeat. I love the way it blends with chilling pipe organ, choral touches, tolling vespers, and splendidly urgent violin work in places. The percussion adds well to this effect. It's easy for me to see a poor unfortunate soul trapped somewhere, perhaps enmeshed in a straitjacket, rocking and trembling with head held in both hands,casting a forlorn glance of grief outward, as if begging for release that he knows will not come to him. The close, with it's relentless percussion and taut violin hits, is particularly effective.
4. The House of Usher - Here we get more than a little "desperate", that desperation waltzing musically with an urgent beauty. A two-beat piano "hit" or pule is rapidly joined by frantically swirling violins, tolling vespers and beautiful choral work. I love the blend, and the "dance" the piano does with the percussion and bells beginning at the 29 second mark and going onward. When the violins and chorals come back, I am really gripped. I can easily envision a once grand domicile falling to ruin in the wake of calamity, with lightning flashing, thunder booming and roaring, with a great earthquake claiming the place. The tolling vesper at the end leaves us with nothing to do but mourn the passing of the house of Usher.
5. Madeline's Lament- This is a "simpler" but beautiful track. The gentle rush of wind is mated with somber strings and a stately but a `crying' piano melody. Tolling vespers reappear, with a mournful female voice "weeping" into the night. It's easy for me to see a fair maid in times of yore, seated in her homey study, looking over love letters written by her adored, tears on her face matching the rain outside, as she knows in her heart he will not return.
6. Haunted Memories - The harpsichord that opens this piece grounds it in a wonderful feeling of antiquity. The female choral passages are beautiful, as are the violins that drift through the piece. I am easily able to conjure in my head the image of one seated at the harpsichord, playing an ode to one they love, then moving into a mist-clad graveyard, where they encounter the spirit of their beloved, but instead of finding comfort in their presence, they are tormented by the fact that they are so near, and yet they cannot touch them.
7. Annabel Lee - The `star' of this piece is an enchanting but grievous music box melody. Choral "moans" upon the wind add a somber touch to a tune that to me seems to bemoan lost childhood memories. I don't know why, but I am put into the frame of mind to see a young noble girl, either a child or a young adult dressed fancily, looking out to sea, awaiting perhaps the return of family that will not make that return. To me the music box is all they have, with which to remember the lost.
8. Legacy of Sorrow - Piano and violin dance for us once again. Pipe organ is their partner in the dance on occasion, as is lovely blended choral work. Again, I see an author in mourning in his library or his ornate study. He is not however, mourning the loss of love, but rather that none were privy to his heart's core, none were allowed in, there all that he has to give the world are volumes of beautiful poetry and stories, pouring out the lamentations of a broken heart that no one would share with him.
9. The Black Cat - This once is flat out disturbing. It's a mood-setter, with a chilling keyboard effect mating with dripping water and the yowls of a macabre ebony feline. Easily can I see being trapped in a desolate alleyway, cornered by a monstrous feline creature, eyes burning as golden/green flames in the dark.
10. The Cask of Amontillado- I LOVE the tense harp and strings that open this. Beautiful chorals and urgent swirling violin join in quickly. A tenser `vibrating' violin adds more tension, as deep percussion, more chorals and pipe organ dance for us. Easily depicted is an uncertain desperate journey through torchlit catacombs, leading the way to be trapped while seeking a fabled cask that was never there for the taking.
11. Mysteries of the Night- The most beautiful piece of music by Nox Arcana to date, it had me weeping in moments. Begun as a lovely classically flavored piano sonata, it is soon joined by crying violin and tolling vespers. I love the `dance' done by the violin and piano starting at 2:17 and going to 2:44. The tolling vespers add poignancy. The best part for me is at 2:45 though. There, the piano and violin are joined by soft yet pounding percussion and beautifully soaring choir. To me this is the most poignant use of a choral melody Nox Arcana has utilized to now. I LOVE the dance done by choir, drums, piano and strings in this. I just LOVE it. I don't know why but in my mind I see weary wayfarer met on the roadway by the figure of a white-clad lady, near a manor overlooking the sea, and implored by her to let her end his own loneliness, and to share all of the night's deepest secrets.
"Ye who read these words are still among the living, but I who write shall have long since gone my way into the region of shadows. Plagued by ghosts from the past, my soul can find no release from its eternal sorrow. Lost loves, spirits of the dead... madmen and devils have each in turn visited me here in the solitude of my chamber, to haunt and torment me. I implore you to heed my tale, as I relate the grim and ghastly things that befell me in my darkest hour... once upon a midnight dreary..."
Throughout this grand preamble, a wondrous blend is utilized of male and female choral voice with tolling vespers. The female vocalization soaring as it floats underneath Vargo's grim and melancholy narration is particularly gripping. It is easy for me to see a grand but cozy domicile beneath silver moonlight, as a raven's shadow falls over the moon... and to see a grief-stricken writer scrawling a forlorn message of farewell that he prays someone will lay sympathetic eyes upon one day, as the hearth fire burns ever lower. A raven's call and more ghostly moans close out the piece.
2. Melancholia - The stars at the beginning of this are a lovely piano tune mated with beautiful blended choir. Violin is quick to appear, gliding with grace over the top for a moment. Coming to mind here is a stately chapel, somewhere within an ancient castle, wherein a solitary mourner kneels in memory to his fallen paramour. Despite it's austere look, the place is "homey" to me, though cold, strewn with beautiful flowers. The choral work and pipe organ here are an exquisite touch.
3. Descent Into Madness- Here, the opening piano comes to mimic a tension-plagued heartbeat. I love the way it blends with chilling pipe organ, choral touches, tolling vespers, and splendidly urgent violin work in places. The percussion adds well to this effect. It's easy for me to see a poor unfortunate soul trapped somewhere, perhaps enmeshed in a straitjacket, rocking and trembling with head held in both hands,casting a forlorn glance of grief outward, as if begging for release that he knows will not come to him. The close, with it's relentless percussion and taut violin hits, is particularly effective.
4. The House of Usher - Here we get more than a little "desperate", that desperation waltzing musically with an urgent beauty. A two-beat piano "hit" or pule is rapidly joined by frantically swirling violins, tolling vespers and beautiful choral work. I love the blend, and the "dance" the piano does with the percussion and bells beginning at the 29 second mark and going onward. When the violins and chorals come back, I am really gripped. I can easily envision a once grand domicile falling to ruin in the wake of calamity, with lightning flashing, thunder booming and roaring, with a great earthquake claiming the place. The tolling vesper at the end leaves us with nothing to do but mourn the passing of the house of Usher.
5. Madeline's Lament- This is a "simpler" but beautiful track. The gentle rush of wind is mated with somber strings and a stately but a `crying' piano melody. Tolling vespers reappear, with a mournful female voice "weeping" into the night. It's easy for me to see a fair maid in times of yore, seated in her homey study, looking over love letters written by her adored, tears on her face matching the rain outside, as she knows in her heart he will not return.
6. Haunted Memories - The harpsichord that opens this piece grounds it in a wonderful feeling of antiquity. The female choral passages are beautiful, as are the violins that drift through the piece. I am easily able to conjure in my head the image of one seated at the harpsichord, playing an ode to one they love, then moving into a mist-clad graveyard, where they encounter the spirit of their beloved, but instead of finding comfort in their presence, they are tormented by the fact that they are so near, and yet they cannot touch them.
7. Annabel Lee - The `star' of this piece is an enchanting but grievous music box melody. Choral "moans" upon the wind add a somber touch to a tune that to me seems to bemoan lost childhood memories. I don't know why, but I am put into the frame of mind to see a young noble girl, either a child or a young adult dressed fancily, looking out to sea, awaiting perhaps the return of family that will not make that return. To me the music box is all they have, with which to remember the lost.
8. Legacy of Sorrow - Piano and violin dance for us once again. Pipe organ is their partner in the dance on occasion, as is lovely blended choral work. Again, I see an author in mourning in his library or his ornate study. He is not however, mourning the loss of love, but rather that none were privy to his heart's core, none were allowed in, there all that he has to give the world are volumes of beautiful poetry and stories, pouring out the lamentations of a broken heart that no one would share with him.
9. The Black Cat - This once is flat out disturbing. It's a mood-setter, with a chilling keyboard effect mating with dripping water and the yowls of a macabre ebony feline. Easily can I see being trapped in a desolate alleyway, cornered by a monstrous feline creature, eyes burning as golden/green flames in the dark.
10. The Cask of Amontillado- I LOVE the tense harp and strings that open this. Beautiful chorals and urgent swirling violin join in quickly. A tenser `vibrating' violin adds more tension, as deep percussion, more chorals and pipe organ dance for us. Easily depicted is an uncertain desperate journey through torchlit catacombs, leading the way to be trapped while seeking a fabled cask that was never there for the taking.
11. Mysteries of the Night- The most beautiful piece of music by Nox Arcana to date, it had me weeping in moments. Begun as a lovely classically flavored piano sonata, it is soon joined by crying violin and tolling vespers. I love the `dance' done by the violin and piano starting at 2:17 and going to 2:44. The tolling vespers add poignancy. The best part for me is at 2:45 though. There, the piano and violin are joined by soft yet pounding percussion and beautifully soaring choir. To me this is the most poignant use of a choral melody Nox Arcana has utilized to now. I LOVE the dance done by choir, drums, piano and strings in this. I just LOVE it. I don't know why but in my mind I see weary wayfarer met on the roadway by the figure of a white-clad lady, near a manor overlooking the sea, and implored by her to let her end his own loneliness, and to share all of the night's deepest secrets.
12. Midnight Dreary - This is another mood setter. The ticking of a clock is mated with a brief choral moaning effect upon the wind. Ghostly cries of "Nevermore" are blended amidst the solemn vesper striking the midnight hour. Once again does a raven's cry drift upon the night, until its wings are heard, as it lands to take up residence and resting, crying one more time as if to lay claim to its new home. This is a perfect segue into:
13. The Raven - This piece is just... SAD. Bring the Kleenex. Easily can I once again see someone, living in cozy splendor but taking no comfort in it, as his ebon-feathered tormentor comes to stand forever at his side, torturing him with an ever-present memory of a love long since lost. Mournful but gracefully flowing piano combines with weeping violin, tolling vespers, pipe organ and melancholy choir to produce one of the most tear-jerking but BEAUTIFUL melodies that Nox Arcana has ever written. Not since hearing John Williams' heart-breaking theme to Schindler's List have I heard violins used this beautifully.
14. Morbid Reminiscence - This is a fitting title, given what I feel when I hear it. It's not so much the mourning of a lost love, but a musical depiction of recalling the tragic way in which they passed away. Somehow I see in my mind someone standing upon the shore, as survivors of a shipwreck are pulled free. Efforts to care for the beloved one come to naught, as they are later taken by illness, and now all that remains is memory. This is achieved wonderfully by brooding piano and keyboards, mournful soaring choir,and grieving violin. The elegance of the harpsichord dances for us through the middle in a lovely touch. I love the effect of the solitary female voice blending on occasion with tolling vespers.
15. Lenore - To me this is a graceful waltz, depicting the beauty and poise of a grand Lady, living in an age long past. I can almost see her, dark brown of hair and elegantly clad, dancing with her love through a stately domicile. Candle light is plentiful, and though the place is again ornate it still feels like home. I feel as though the "lord" of the manor is nightly reliving the last dance with his beloved lady that took place long ago. The melody and pacing of the regal, flowing piano, strings, pipe organ and tolling vespers expertly depict this last loving waltz. Extra poignancy is given to the piece by the female voice drifting over and matching the graceful tune of the strings.
16. A Dream Within A Dream- Harpsichord and tolling vespers dance for us with brooding keyboards. Blended chorals add a beautifully emotional current, as does the female voice and urgently tragic violin. Once again I envision opulence, a white canopied bed whose draperies are tossed by glacial evening breezes, upon which someone lies, visited in dreams by a love long since gone, and tormented by the knowledge that they will not return, lying night after night in wonder and hope if they will find release from the saddest of dreams, the relived memory of a treasure forever lost.
17. The Tell Tale Heart- Another mood piece. Deep percussion depicts a musical heartbeat, backed by brooding strings and keys, mated with what sounds like the occasional creaking of a wooden door or a dread-filled step upon a wooden staircase. I can easily see a dungeon, in which the titular heart beats ever on, waiting for trepidation-filled mortal eyes to behold it.
18. Murders In The Rue Morgue - More than anything, what this piece does to me is convey a sense of dread, mystery and urgency. We're not only scared of what might be waiting around a corner, we're trying to figure out just what happened and why... traversing an ancient asylum for clue, trying to determine just what went on and how. Urgent strings, percussion, pipe organ and what sounds at times like it might be a brooding tuba blending with deep male chorals to the honors wonderfully.
19. The Pit And The Pendulum - This one is just plain gripping. A chilling "whoosh" and the turning of wooden gears start us off, and then repeat throughout the peace at regular intervals. A brooding, relentless triplet figure on piano blends with urgent chorals and pipe organ, percussion and an occasional pounding two-beat ostinato executed on tolling vespers. In it's own way, it invokes in me a twin to the dread felt upon hearing the main theme for the shark in Steven Spielberg's Jaws, but it's a much more sinister piece. I can easily envision some poor soul trapped in an ancient dungeon, just waiting helplessly for the blade of the giant pendulum to strike its mark. The tension in the strings and choir at the end combine with the final "whoosh" of the pendulum to leave us with a lump in the throat at the end of this.
20. The Masque of the Red Death - If I had to pick three words to describe this, they would be: Elegant, morbid, and stately. An urgent `run' on pipe organ and percussion joined by gripping Latin chorals soon turns into a "waltz" of organ, chorals and slower strings. I am easily able to picture myself amidst the guests of a party long ago, taking a dread-filled tour of multicolored rooms within a grand but frightening residence. It's almost a graceful but morbid promenade in music, with the urgent strings, chorals and percussion near the climax depicting our meeting with a grisly terror beyond the comprehension of human imagination.
21. Nevermore - Here we stand, upon the conclusion of our present journey. An elegantly flowing mating of piano, strings, and beautiful chorals depict our descent into perhaps our loss or rational sanity. More than that though, I am again transported back, into an opulent cozy study. Despite it though there is not comfort to be had, for I am more than anything tormented by the weight of eternal sorrow..... for there before me still sits the raven ever perched, a stark reminder that from the torment of bitter memories I will likely be free, as quoth the raven... "Nevermore"
There's one more thing I have to mention. Do not hit the "stop" button on your CD player when "Nevermore" first falls silent. The bonus tracks here are excellently done, providing an exemplary closure for the disc. Part of a recitation of one of Poe's most famous works is followed by something that gave me more than a bit of a chill, and enveloped me in a sense of utter humanitarian pity for the speaker of what I heard.
In closing I will not try to be fancy. I will only say this. Nox Arcana's tribute to the writings of Edgar Allan Poe is, in every sense of the word, a masterpiece. It is not only Nox Arcana's best work to date, but it is, in my own humble opinion, the best example of Gothic horror music recorded by any artists working in the genre today. Romance, tragedy, beauty and terror. It's all here, and given to us better than anyone has ever done it, and likely will not ever be matched. It is a beautiful cd that you owe it to yourself to get if you are a Nox Arcana fan. If you are not a fan of Nox Arcana, then "Shadow of the Raven" may very well convert you into a fan of Nox Arcana upon your very first listen. Get it, and take a beautiful journey, one of the most beautiful musical journeys that you will ever take.
Courtesy of John Rossi
13. The Raven - This piece is just... SAD. Bring the Kleenex. Easily can I once again see someone, living in cozy splendor but taking no comfort in it, as his ebon-feathered tormentor comes to stand forever at his side, torturing him with an ever-present memory of a love long since lost. Mournful but gracefully flowing piano combines with weeping violin, tolling vespers, pipe organ and melancholy choir to produce one of the most tear-jerking but BEAUTIFUL melodies that Nox Arcana has ever written. Not since hearing John Williams' heart-breaking theme to Schindler's List have I heard violins used this beautifully.
14. Morbid Reminiscence - This is a fitting title, given what I feel when I hear it. It's not so much the mourning of a lost love, but a musical depiction of recalling the tragic way in which they passed away. Somehow I see in my mind someone standing upon the shore, as survivors of a shipwreck are pulled free. Efforts to care for the beloved one come to naught, as they are later taken by illness, and now all that remains is memory. This is achieved wonderfully by brooding piano and keyboards, mournful soaring choir,and grieving violin. The elegance of the harpsichord dances for us through the middle in a lovely touch. I love the effect of the solitary female voice blending on occasion with tolling vespers.
15. Lenore - To me this is a graceful waltz, depicting the beauty and poise of a grand Lady, living in an age long past. I can almost see her, dark brown of hair and elegantly clad, dancing with her love through a stately domicile. Candle light is plentiful, and though the place is again ornate it still feels like home. I feel as though the "lord" of the manor is nightly reliving the last dance with his beloved lady that took place long ago. The melody and pacing of the regal, flowing piano, strings, pipe organ and tolling vespers expertly depict this last loving waltz. Extra poignancy is given to the piece by the female voice drifting over and matching the graceful tune of the strings.
16. A Dream Within A Dream- Harpsichord and tolling vespers dance for us with brooding keyboards. Blended chorals add a beautifully emotional current, as does the female voice and urgently tragic violin. Once again I envision opulence, a white canopied bed whose draperies are tossed by glacial evening breezes, upon which someone lies, visited in dreams by a love long since gone, and tormented by the knowledge that they will not return, lying night after night in wonder and hope if they will find release from the saddest of dreams, the relived memory of a treasure forever lost.
17. The Tell Tale Heart- Another mood piece. Deep percussion depicts a musical heartbeat, backed by brooding strings and keys, mated with what sounds like the occasional creaking of a wooden door or a dread-filled step upon a wooden staircase. I can easily see a dungeon, in which the titular heart beats ever on, waiting for trepidation-filled mortal eyes to behold it.
18. Murders In The Rue Morgue - More than anything, what this piece does to me is convey a sense of dread, mystery and urgency. We're not only scared of what might be waiting around a corner, we're trying to figure out just what happened and why... traversing an ancient asylum for clue, trying to determine just what went on and how. Urgent strings, percussion, pipe organ and what sounds at times like it might be a brooding tuba blending with deep male chorals to the honors wonderfully.
19. The Pit And The Pendulum - This one is just plain gripping. A chilling "whoosh" and the turning of wooden gears start us off, and then repeat throughout the peace at regular intervals. A brooding, relentless triplet figure on piano blends with urgent chorals and pipe organ, percussion and an occasional pounding two-beat ostinato executed on tolling vespers. In it's own way, it invokes in me a twin to the dread felt upon hearing the main theme for the shark in Steven Spielberg's Jaws, but it's a much more sinister piece. I can easily envision some poor soul trapped in an ancient dungeon, just waiting helplessly for the blade of the giant pendulum to strike its mark. The tension in the strings and choir at the end combine with the final "whoosh" of the pendulum to leave us with a lump in the throat at the end of this.
20. The Masque of the Red Death - If I had to pick three words to describe this, they would be: Elegant, morbid, and stately. An urgent `run' on pipe organ and percussion joined by gripping Latin chorals soon turns into a "waltz" of organ, chorals and slower strings. I am easily able to picture myself amidst the guests of a party long ago, taking a dread-filled tour of multicolored rooms within a grand but frightening residence. It's almost a graceful but morbid promenade in music, with the urgent strings, chorals and percussion near the climax depicting our meeting with a grisly terror beyond the comprehension of human imagination.
21. Nevermore - Here we stand, upon the conclusion of our present journey. An elegantly flowing mating of piano, strings, and beautiful chorals depict our descent into perhaps our loss or rational sanity. More than that though, I am again transported back, into an opulent cozy study. Despite it though there is not comfort to be had, for I am more than anything tormented by the weight of eternal sorrow..... for there before me still sits the raven ever perched, a stark reminder that from the torment of bitter memories I will likely be free, as quoth the raven... "Nevermore"
There's one more thing I have to mention. Do not hit the "stop" button on your CD player when "Nevermore" first falls silent. The bonus tracks here are excellently done, providing an exemplary closure for the disc. Part of a recitation of one of Poe's most famous works is followed by something that gave me more than a bit of a chill, and enveloped me in a sense of utter humanitarian pity for the speaker of what I heard.
In closing I will not try to be fancy. I will only say this. Nox Arcana's tribute to the writings of Edgar Allan Poe is, in every sense of the word, a masterpiece. It is not only Nox Arcana's best work to date, but it is, in my own humble opinion, the best example of Gothic horror music recorded by any artists working in the genre today. Romance, tragedy, beauty and terror. It's all here, and given to us better than anyone has ever done it, and likely will not ever be matched. It is a beautiful cd that you owe it to yourself to get if you are a Nox Arcana fan. If you are not a fan of Nox Arcana, then "Shadow of the Raven" may very well convert you into a fan of Nox Arcana upon your very first listen. Get it, and take a beautiful journey, one of the most beautiful musical journeys that you will ever take.
Courtesy of John Rossi
GRIMM TALES
Grimm Tales
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
Enter the Realm of Fable, where goblins, elves and sylvan spirits dwell in the deepest shadows of the forest beneath the wicked Witch Queen's spell of eternal darkness. Nox Arcana invites you to immerse yourself in a haunting soundscape of bewitching melodies, eerie sound effects and pulse-pounding orchestrations as you explore an enchanted land of dark fairy tales and childhood nightmares.
Grimm Tales
Nox Arcana
Through many places dark and eerie have Nox Arcana been our guide. From odes to Lovecraft, Poe, and Stoker, to tales of Darklore's abode, and the Knight of Ebonshire. From diabolical carnivals, to tales of fallen angels, and epic tales of legendary quests in times of yore where dragons ruled the skies in the time of the ancient gods. Within the dark and the macabre there always rests a touch of beauty, and the wondrous melodies of Nox Arcana are never silent for long. Now, they bring us their ninth gem in just four short years. Aye, in truth a wondrous new musical story is crafted, and in the spirit of the works of the Brothers Jacob and Wilhelm, Nox Arcana gifts us with:
GRIMM TALES
GRIMM TALES
Labyrinth of Dreams
From Grimm Tales - Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana - Labyrinth of Dreams
curated content from YouTube
Darkly Everafter
From Grimms Tales - Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana - Darkly Everafter
curated content from YouTube
Sound Tract Listing of Grimm Tales
by Nox Arcana
1- Fable - A gentle and lovely music box melody sets us on our journey's path. It bespeaks wonder and beautiful innocence. All too soon, however, it is joined by ominous deep male soaring female choir to grant an air of brooding menace and fear. Overlaid soon after is the voice of co-composer and storyteller extraordinaire Joseph Vargo himself, suitably sounding like a wise old crone bidding welcome to a captive and wonder-filled audience with the following:
Welcome children, gather round
To heed grim tales of whispered lore
As twilight falls, dark shadows rise
To haunt the night for evermore
For ghastly things lurk in the dim
Beneath the shadows of your bed
Waiting till you drift asleep
To fill your dreams with mortal dread
The piece is closed out with a couple touches of moaning winds mixed with a raven's cry, a sinister laugh, and more music box melodies and choirs. In my mind I can easily see a wizened old hag sitting at the bedside of a child in a homey cottage by candlelight, reading a scary story from an old leatherbound volume.
2- Twilight - Here, the starting players are a pretty but somewhat sad and brooding piano melody that manages to give a sense of the coming of night, and of exploring an unknown realm. Xylophones and beautifully soaring melancholy strings join in with touches of choir to convey the coming of evening, painting in the mind a picture of a moonlit but starless sky, as darkness settles over meadows bereft of greenery.
3- Once Upon A Nightmare- The 'swirling' nature of the opening xylophone melody that begins this does seem to hint at 'spinning' helplessly into troubled sleep. This is aided by beautiful strings turning into an urgent march, painting a picture of a terrified heartbeat, blending with tolling bells, deep timpani drums and ominous choral work and chanting. I can see 'inside the mind' of someone falling asleep, images of a mist-shrouded glade with gnarled tress, and a distant castle upon a cliff, guarded by churning stormy waters.
4- Shadow Forest - Again, I see an arboreal realm, more grey and deep ebony than green. Shrouded in thick gloom and mist. It is conveyed beautifully by low-voiced choral 'chanting' and delicate harp mated with tolling bells, darkly tense strings and pretty children's choirs. Again, a music box does appear nicely, and the pipe organ provides a tense undercurrent. Moaning winds and more music box tones close out the piece.
5- Eyes In The Dark - The sense of being watched by something you might or might not see is more than ably conveyed here. The honors are done by somber strings, tolling bells and pipe organ. Percussion and moaning winds also chime in. The pace is steady, almost heartbeat-like but more brooding than urgent. I can eyes in my mind here, almost like looking through lightning flashes for repeated but brief glimpses of creatures just waiting for there time to strike.
6- The Hollow- This piece is a very tense ambient mood setter evocative of a dark and hidden glade. The hollow rush of a chill wind is mated with sounds of owls, bird calls, sinister laughter, animal growls and a baby's cry. I thought I picked up wolven howls as well. Despite being a non musical piece, the tension is undeniable here.
7- Sylvan Spirits- Dancing xylophones mate with tolling bells as well as beautiful choir and strings. The 'swirling' nature of the melody more than ably suggests the elegant and graceful nature of the forest fae as they flit to and fro through a glowing but misty emerald locale. The piece isn't all about beauty though. There's a sense of something not quite right in it, as if the sylvan spirits have power that could be deadly to any visitors to their realm.
8- Wicked Heart- Here, the stars are brooding strings, drums, tolling bells and both chanting and soaring choirs. The tempo is distinctively march-like but does also depict the heart that is the title's namesake. Getting closer and closer to the heart of the Witch Queen's realm, aren't we? Do be brave children, if you can. :)
9 - Conjuration- One of the scariest pieces Nox Arcana has done to date. Moaning winds and raven's calls blend with owl hoots, deep low choir and eerie bubbling sounds. The vocal performance of Joseph Vargo in this piece is first rate indeed, as he, portraying once again a wicked old crone, intones:
Cauldron blazing in the fire
Lapping flames grow ever higher
Tongue of toad, and wing of bat
Mixed within this bubbling vat
Raven's claw and serpent's scale
Dragon's blood, and scorpion's tail
A plague of nightmare's I invoke
To rise up from the ash and smoke
Spider's web and eye of newt
Viper's venom and mandrake root
Hearken ye to my commands
Come forth to haunt these withered lands
Unleashed from depths of blackest night
Slither crawl and take to flight
And in the darkest midnight hour
All gather round the witch's tower
To be able to see aforementioned old hag working a spell here is, for me, very easy. It is as if someone else is doing the bidding of the dark Witch Queen, that she herself thought was beneath her dignity even to do.
10 - Night Wraiths - A companion piece to track nine to me. Tempestuous strings and percussion blend with rising choirs both chanting and singing wordless melodies, and dancing pipe organ passages. The urgency of the piece draws me in and the thundering timpani are a beautiful touch. Now the sky is black as ever it could be as denizens of the night blot out the blood red sky and moon, as they make haste to do the bidding of their cruel matriarch
11- Deep In The Woods - I love the mournful piano and occasional string hits in this, mating with tenser flowing and vibrating strings in places. The sound effects of birds and a baby's cry are a great touch, but what really conveys the sense of being lost for me is the sad and almost crying children's choir work
Welcome children, gather round
To heed grim tales of whispered lore
As twilight falls, dark shadows rise
To haunt the night for evermore
For ghastly things lurk in the dim
Beneath the shadows of your bed
Waiting till you drift asleep
To fill your dreams with mortal dread
The piece is closed out with a couple touches of moaning winds mixed with a raven's cry, a sinister laugh, and more music box melodies and choirs. In my mind I can easily see a wizened old hag sitting at the bedside of a child in a homey cottage by candlelight, reading a scary story from an old leatherbound volume.
2- Twilight - Here, the starting players are a pretty but somewhat sad and brooding piano melody that manages to give a sense of the coming of night, and of exploring an unknown realm. Xylophones and beautifully soaring melancholy strings join in with touches of choir to convey the coming of evening, painting in the mind a picture of a moonlit but starless sky, as darkness settles over meadows bereft of greenery.
3- Once Upon A Nightmare- The 'swirling' nature of the opening xylophone melody that begins this does seem to hint at 'spinning' helplessly into troubled sleep. This is aided by beautiful strings turning into an urgent march, painting a picture of a terrified heartbeat, blending with tolling bells, deep timpani drums and ominous choral work and chanting. I can see 'inside the mind' of someone falling asleep, images of a mist-shrouded glade with gnarled tress, and a distant castle upon a cliff, guarded by churning stormy waters.
4- Shadow Forest - Again, I see an arboreal realm, more grey and deep ebony than green. Shrouded in thick gloom and mist. It is conveyed beautifully by low-voiced choral 'chanting' and delicate harp mated with tolling bells, darkly tense strings and pretty children's choirs. Again, a music box does appear nicely, and the pipe organ provides a tense undercurrent. Moaning winds and more music box tones close out the piece.
5- Eyes In The Dark - The sense of being watched by something you might or might not see is more than ably conveyed here. The honors are done by somber strings, tolling bells and pipe organ. Percussion and moaning winds also chime in. The pace is steady, almost heartbeat-like but more brooding than urgent. I can eyes in my mind here, almost like looking through lightning flashes for repeated but brief glimpses of creatures just waiting for there time to strike.
6- The Hollow- This piece is a very tense ambient mood setter evocative of a dark and hidden glade. The hollow rush of a chill wind is mated with sounds of owls, bird calls, sinister laughter, animal growls and a baby's cry. I thought I picked up wolven howls as well. Despite being a non musical piece, the tension is undeniable here.
7- Sylvan Spirits- Dancing xylophones mate with tolling bells as well as beautiful choir and strings. The 'swirling' nature of the melody more than ably suggests the elegant and graceful nature of the forest fae as they flit to and fro through a glowing but misty emerald locale. The piece isn't all about beauty though. There's a sense of something not quite right in it, as if the sylvan spirits have power that could be deadly to any visitors to their realm.
8- Wicked Heart- Here, the stars are brooding strings, drums, tolling bells and both chanting and soaring choirs. The tempo is distinctively march-like but does also depict the heart that is the title's namesake. Getting closer and closer to the heart of the Witch Queen's realm, aren't we? Do be brave children, if you can. :)
9 - Conjuration- One of the scariest pieces Nox Arcana has done to date. Moaning winds and raven's calls blend with owl hoots, deep low choir and eerie bubbling sounds. The vocal performance of Joseph Vargo in this piece is first rate indeed, as he, portraying once again a wicked old crone, intones:
Cauldron blazing in the fire
Lapping flames grow ever higher
Tongue of toad, and wing of bat
Mixed within this bubbling vat
Raven's claw and serpent's scale
Dragon's blood, and scorpion's tail
A plague of nightmare's I invoke
To rise up from the ash and smoke
Spider's web and eye of newt
Viper's venom and mandrake root
Hearken ye to my commands
Come forth to haunt these withered lands
Unleashed from depths of blackest night
Slither crawl and take to flight
And in the darkest midnight hour
All gather round the witch's tower
To be able to see aforementioned old hag working a spell here is, for me, very easy. It is as if someone else is doing the bidding of the dark Witch Queen, that she herself thought was beneath her dignity even to do.
10 - Night Wraiths - A companion piece to track nine to me. Tempestuous strings and percussion blend with rising choirs both chanting and singing wordless melodies, and dancing pipe organ passages. The urgency of the piece draws me in and the thundering timpani are a beautiful touch. Now the sky is black as ever it could be as denizens of the night blot out the blood red sky and moon, as they make haste to do the bidding of their cruel matriarch
11- Deep In The Woods - I love the mournful piano and occasional string hits in this, mating with tenser flowing and vibrating strings in places. The sound effects of birds and a baby's cry are a great touch, but what really conveys the sense of being lost for me is the sad and almost crying children's choir work
12 - The Forgotten Path- Here we get a sense of exoticism, mysticism, beauty and dread all together. Great guitar work and strings mix with beautiful flute , tolling bells and tambourines and choral work to take us through a forested realm both teeming with ethereal beauty and seething with the tension of the unknown.
13 - Fairy Tale- Here, a music box like tune comes back to the forefront. Lovely soaring childrens choir does a beautiful dance with it. This seems in a way a gentler respite for us, filled to the brim with loveliness and wonder, but I picked up a bit of sadness too. It's like your hearing a great story, that you want to turn out okay, but aren't sure it will.
14 - Crone's Caverns - Brooding strings, mournful piano and pipe organ are back. Flowing chorals and moaning winds mate with them, along with tense and dreadful string vibrato. Percussion depicts a heartbeat to me once again here. Subterranean realms filled with mist and mystery are easily painted within my mind's eye.
15 - Rise To Destiny - This piece to me is almost bellicose. Again, we get a theme that is march-like and almost militaristic. The honors are done with steady pulsing strings, drums and blended male and female choirs. Somehow I see armies converging on a distant regal domicile back lit by a crimson sky and dim silver moonlight.Are they the armies of the Witch Queen? Yes, but maybe they amass to stop those who would dare get too close to her, or those who would be a threat to her reign.
16- Labyrinth of Dreams- The namesake of this title, a beautiful maze, is in my mind expertly depicted by the lovely xylophone and childrens choral work. The stunner for me though is the mournful and tense string passages that weave as if they are crying through the piece. It is as if whatever might be sought in this maze, whatever ray of hope exists, it might remain for ever out of reach. Perhaps the realm of Fable itself is weeping, for it remains under the rule of a wicked matriarch.
17- Castle of Nightmares- Tense violin and cello blend with deep timpani, moaning winds and soaring blended chorals. Pipe organ and thundering drums soon join, blending with choral chanting and vibrating string runs. Easily painted is the grand but bleak domicile of the Witch Queen which we must not approach. Ancient and powerful, standing in arrogant pride, ebony stone with jagged spire, back lit by crimson blood and dimmest gold. To reach the light, the shadow must be faced, and ever closer to that shadow we are coming. There is power and regality in this piece that stirs the heart, but there is tension that cannot be ignored or mistaken.
18, Hall of the Witch Queen- An awesome thunderclap and rainfall open this piece. Soon we are accosted by the Witch Queen herself (voiced very nicely by Christine Filipak) as she demands to know "Who dares to intrude upon my dark domain?"
Drums, choirs, and strings soon fill our ears. They dance beautifully together with male female choir in what sounds to me almost like a macabre promenade. In a strange but elegant and fitting way, they paint for us a picture of the royalty and beauty of the Queen, a beauty that is present despite her darkened heart.
19. Ave Sinistra- This is my favorite piece on the disk. The beginning is tense and powerful, comprised of a steady- tripartite beat performed by timpani and strings, and ended with a solid piano "hit". Overlaid upon that, is a gracefully flowing three note violin melody that expands to alternate between seven, five and four.
My favorite part is when the four-note strings are joined by the steady timpani and choral undercurrent, going slightly faster as another current of faster and more urgent strings swirls along underneath it all. The dance of strings drums, horns, blended choirs and chanting near the climax has great power. The piece is closed out nicely with male choir and piano, painting the image of countless denizens paying homage to the Queen whose dark beauty and power are told by the piece's character.
20 - Black Spires - The first word that comes to mind here is either desperate or urgent. Strings and drums blend with choir to depict what seems to me a struggle to accomplish a heroic deed before it it is too late to take the chance. It is as if someone is running helter-skelter through the castle of the Witch Queen looking for the way to do what they must, or maybe just frantically seeking the way out, if there is one to be found at all.
21 - Darkly Everafter- Three words for this one? Ominous, tense and beautiful. Xylophones, strings, percussion, and moaning wind effects blend with piano and tolling bells to do the honors. My favorite parts are the vibrating string hits that float behind the music box tones before the timpani hits come in. The melodies woven by all are most engaging, gripping, and powerful Can the Witch Queen be stopped, or does she indeed reign "darkly everater" as the title seems to suggest?
There's one thing I must say to advise you. Do not hit stop when the music at first goes quiet. The bonus track is very well done and fitting. Featuring great vocal interplay between Christine Filipak and Joseph Vargo, coupled with a lovely melody and ended in a way that seems to suggest a sinister "wink" to the listening audience, it is not to be missed. It definitely made me smile to hear it.
All in all, I must call this yet another brilliant piece of work by Nox Arcana. Taking a bold and grand step, they have composed a wondrous and engaging dark fairytale for the modern age that perfectly captures the spirit and tradition of the best of the Grimm brothers' written works. It is, in its own way, very much a captivating tale that just might have you shivering under your blankets at night, and yet wondering, maybe wanting to go to the realm of Fable yourself. Beware though, for Queen Sinistra would doubtless be waiting, perhaps, to see you.... Pleasant dreams.
Courtesy of John Rossi
13 - Fairy Tale- Here, a music box like tune comes back to the forefront. Lovely soaring childrens choir does a beautiful dance with it. This seems in a way a gentler respite for us, filled to the brim with loveliness and wonder, but I picked up a bit of sadness too. It's like your hearing a great story, that you want to turn out okay, but aren't sure it will.
14 - Crone's Caverns - Brooding strings, mournful piano and pipe organ are back. Flowing chorals and moaning winds mate with them, along with tense and dreadful string vibrato. Percussion depicts a heartbeat to me once again here. Subterranean realms filled with mist and mystery are easily painted within my mind's eye.
15 - Rise To Destiny - This piece to me is almost bellicose. Again, we get a theme that is march-like and almost militaristic. The honors are done with steady pulsing strings, drums and blended male and female choirs. Somehow I see armies converging on a distant regal domicile back lit by a crimson sky and dim silver moonlight.Are they the armies of the Witch Queen? Yes, but maybe they amass to stop those who would dare get too close to her, or those who would be a threat to her reign.
16- Labyrinth of Dreams- The namesake of this title, a beautiful maze, is in my mind expertly depicted by the lovely xylophone and childrens choral work. The stunner for me though is the mournful and tense string passages that weave as if they are crying through the piece. It is as if whatever might be sought in this maze, whatever ray of hope exists, it might remain for ever out of reach. Perhaps the realm of Fable itself is weeping, for it remains under the rule of a wicked matriarch.
17- Castle of Nightmares- Tense violin and cello blend with deep timpani, moaning winds and soaring blended chorals. Pipe organ and thundering drums soon join, blending with choral chanting and vibrating string runs. Easily painted is the grand but bleak domicile of the Witch Queen which we must not approach. Ancient and powerful, standing in arrogant pride, ebony stone with jagged spire, back lit by crimson blood and dimmest gold. To reach the light, the shadow must be faced, and ever closer to that shadow we are coming. There is power and regality in this piece that stirs the heart, but there is tension that cannot be ignored or mistaken.
18, Hall of the Witch Queen- An awesome thunderclap and rainfall open this piece. Soon we are accosted by the Witch Queen herself (voiced very nicely by Christine Filipak) as she demands to know "Who dares to intrude upon my dark domain?"
Drums, choirs, and strings soon fill our ears. They dance beautifully together with male female choir in what sounds to me almost like a macabre promenade. In a strange but elegant and fitting way, they paint for us a picture of the royalty and beauty of the Queen, a beauty that is present despite her darkened heart.
19. Ave Sinistra- This is my favorite piece on the disk. The beginning is tense and powerful, comprised of a steady- tripartite beat performed by timpani and strings, and ended with a solid piano "hit". Overlaid upon that, is a gracefully flowing three note violin melody that expands to alternate between seven, five and four.
My favorite part is when the four-note strings are joined by the steady timpani and choral undercurrent, going slightly faster as another current of faster and more urgent strings swirls along underneath it all. The dance of strings drums, horns, blended choirs and chanting near the climax has great power. The piece is closed out nicely with male choir and piano, painting the image of countless denizens paying homage to the Queen whose dark beauty and power are told by the piece's character.
20 - Black Spires - The first word that comes to mind here is either desperate or urgent. Strings and drums blend with choir to depict what seems to me a struggle to accomplish a heroic deed before it it is too late to take the chance. It is as if someone is running helter-skelter through the castle of the Witch Queen looking for the way to do what they must, or maybe just frantically seeking the way out, if there is one to be found at all.
21 - Darkly Everafter- Three words for this one? Ominous, tense and beautiful. Xylophones, strings, percussion, and moaning wind effects blend with piano and tolling bells to do the honors. My favorite parts are the vibrating string hits that float behind the music box tones before the timpani hits come in. The melodies woven by all are most engaging, gripping, and powerful Can the Witch Queen be stopped, or does she indeed reign "darkly everater" as the title seems to suggest?
There's one thing I must say to advise you. Do not hit stop when the music at first goes quiet. The bonus track is very well done and fitting. Featuring great vocal interplay between Christine Filipak and Joseph Vargo, coupled with a lovely melody and ended in a way that seems to suggest a sinister "wink" to the listening audience, it is not to be missed. It definitely made me smile to hear it.
All in all, I must call this yet another brilliant piece of work by Nox Arcana. Taking a bold and grand step, they have composed a wondrous and engaging dark fairytale for the modern age that perfectly captures the spirit and tradition of the best of the Grimm brothers' written works. It is, in its own way, very much a captivating tale that just might have you shivering under your blankets at night, and yet wondering, maybe wanting to go to the realm of Fable yourself. Beware though, for Queen Sinistra would doubtless be waiting, perhaps, to see you.... Pleasant dreams.
Courtesy of John Rossi
Phantoms of the High Seas
Phantoms of the High Seas
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 01/08/2010)
List Price: $13.99
Avast, me hearties. Lend me your ears, and I shall tell ye of a tale... a tale woven in exquisite melodious poetry. Through many dark and macabre lands of lore have Nox Arcana taken us. Now, if ye dare, prepare to set sail across the dark and misty waters of the unknown. Aye, after many o'erland travels, we're invited to embark on a new journey over the wide vast oceans. Prepare ye, one and all, to come face to face with the:
Phantoms of the High Seas - Nox Arcana
Phantoms of the High Seas
Author's Note:
Don't hit stop when the music goes quiet. There's a very fitting and well done bonus track to be found, a moving tale of memory and caution to be told, that closes the disc brilliantly. Nox Arcana has crafted an epic and haunting tale of the sea worthy to stand alongside the works of Coleridge, Hemingway, Melville, and all others who have gifted us with such tales. It's the tenth jewel in the crown of the undisputed kings of the Gothic fantasy and Gothic horror sound scape. Do yourself a favor. Don't miss it.
~ John Rossi
~ John Rossi
Dead Men Tell No Tales
From Phantoms of the High Seas - Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana - Dead Men tell no Tales (with lyrics)
curated content from YouTube
The High Seas
From Phantoms of the High Seas - Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana - The High Seas -
curated content from YouTube
Widow's Harbor
From Phantom of the High Seas - Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana - Widow's Harbor
curated content from YouTube
Sound Track Listing of Phantoms of the High Seas
by Nox Arcana
1. Dead Men Tale No Tales - Drifting to our ears and hearts comes the grimly fitting and stirring chant of "Yo ho..." given by male choirs. Blended with a six-beat cello passage, deep horns and strings, along with soft timpani drums, solemn tolling vespers and snare drums, it forms a bed of melody upon which rests a gruff but blood-stirring narration by Joseph Vargo, portraying a weathered sea captain as he relates:
"Avast ye pirates and black hearted sea dogs! Many a man has been summoned by the lure of the deep. And many a man has met his death beneath the dark waters of the endless abyss. For the sea is a cruel mistress, and what she claims, she holds onto forever. Mariners tell tale of phantom ships, whose ghostly captain and crew have been cursed to wander the mist-shrouded waves for all eternity. Other tales tell of sea monsters and sirens. Sunken cities and ancient maps that lead to uncharted islands, where treasure beyond most mens' wildest dreams lay buried. But these are merely stories, and the truth may never be told. For such secrets are known only to the phantoms of the high seas... and dead men tell no tales..."
Easily painted here in my mind is the image of a grisly, gruff sea captain below decks, studying his charts, legends and maps in a dark and musty cabin below decks, calling his crew to him to relate of the things which they seek, and what they may face along the way The female chorals near the end are a beautiful touch.
2. The High Seas - Now, the adventure begins in earnest, started with a violin or fiddle that feels Celtic at its heart. It is both poignant, tear-jerking and beautiful, dancing nimbly at the beginning with a seven-beat cello passage. That is joined soon by soft heart stirring drums as the strings break into a more adventurous tune. Joined by regal horns, swirling keyboards, and invigorating stately chorals, they paint a lovely picture upon my mind's canvas. It "feels" like the maiden voyage of a new and proud vessel, bearing within herself a noble King to take him upon the seas, but what I see is the crew,after much preparation, about to take their first seafaring journey of their lives, heady with the excitement of it all.
3. Edge of the World - Again, kingly timpani thunder is joined with cello doing an eight-step dance. Yearning higher pitched violin glides through it, full of longing and spirited joy at the same time. Snare drums add a touch of spirited questing and adventure, as do slightly more brooding yet still stirring horns, and very nice blended male and female choir. Now I see the crew awash in the wonder and awe of discovering new vistas, as they come to the edge of all they know, and dare to venture beyond it all.
4. Pirates: A four-note violin passage that later expands to six is joined with a cello and horn undercurrent, and regal timpani drums. I love the quicker violin "runs" in the beginning, and the drums are like a joyous, lusty heartbeat. There's a real vigor to this one that makes it a favorite. The main melody played by the horns and later by the strings, is very happy and vigorous. Adventure at its finest. The descending string runs at the first "bridge" are great. and I love the blending of the beautiful female choirs into it at the end of the first "stanza" if you like the word. What I "see" here, is unadulterated zeal. and the ecstasy of discovery. It's like the young pirate crew, under the guidance of their experienced captain, has just "struck it rich" and they are revelling in the joy of their find.
5. The Gallows Jig- This is, to me, a companion piece to track four. The pirate voices yelling "Hey!" is blended with an Irish bodhran undercurrent that soon dances with wonderful fiddle work and "plucked" guitar or lute strings. The snare drums add a very nice touch. Now I see everyone below decks with the food and grog freely flowing in joy, getting up from the table to do a spirited dance of joy.
6. Crossfire- Snare drums and tolling vespers are mated here with deep heart-pounding cannon fire, and blended chorals. My favorite part of this is the beautiful string passages, but they blend wonderfully with the swirling keyboard movements, and the lovely choirs. The cannon fire at the end, made me smile with its power. Alas, most joy does not last forever, and now the crew, giddy with the joy of treasure, must face the haunting threat of a fateful battle on the open sea, with numerous foes gunning for them as they valiantly fight back.
7. Oblivion- A classical sounding organ toccata is blended with ominous horns and blended male and female choirs, and tolling bells make an appearance through it. Horns join in, sounding almost "desperate" at times. In my mind I see pitch black skies, lightning flashing, rain pounding down, huge waves pounding the ship, and even the sea on fire... as the desperate crew fights to escape the title's namesake, but many...don't make it....evidenced by the last tolling bell at the end of the piece.
8. Racing the Wind- Pure energy resides here. Furious cello runs blend with noble strings and horns. The timpani coursing through it adds a real blood-pumping energy to an already great piece. I love the high pitched violin vibratos blended with wonderful chorals. Pipe organ appears nicely in the back. I just love this one. It feels...determined and heroic. The crew has managed to make repairs, and are now determined to out-race a rival to the next great treasure trove to be found.
9. Siren's Call- Deep low drums like a slow, dread filled heartbeat are joined with a hauntingly beautiful and lovely solitary female voice, and what sounds like either a soft reverberating "gong" or softly blowing winds, with an undercurrent of somber horns and very soft piano hits on occasion. A ghostly voice beckons the crew through dark and misty waters, daring them to find their next big strike, if they have but one thing... the courage to go get it.
10. Trove Island- Deep and brooding horns dance with invigorating tribal drums, strings, pipe organs and mixed male and female choirs. Well, now the crew have got the treasure, but it appears to me that they've been set upon by an isle full of cannibalistic and undead headhunters. Better leave all that booty behind if they want to escape with their lives. Run, me mateys. Run!!!
11. Against the Storm - Fast paced strings, horns, drums and choirs are the stars of this opus. Snare drums are here in force, and noble higher pitched violin passages dance with cello through the piece, with some really nice vibrattoes. Once again the skies are dark, and Mother Nature shows her fury with lightning, rain and thunder tossing the waves, but the captain is having none of it, and neither is the crew. This is a battle of wills, man against nature, to get safely home, and the crew wins it... this time.
"Avast ye pirates and black hearted sea dogs! Many a man has been summoned by the lure of the deep. And many a man has met his death beneath the dark waters of the endless abyss. For the sea is a cruel mistress, and what she claims, she holds onto forever. Mariners tell tale of phantom ships, whose ghostly captain and crew have been cursed to wander the mist-shrouded waves for all eternity. Other tales tell of sea monsters and sirens. Sunken cities and ancient maps that lead to uncharted islands, where treasure beyond most mens' wildest dreams lay buried. But these are merely stories, and the truth may never be told. For such secrets are known only to the phantoms of the high seas... and dead men tell no tales..."
Easily painted here in my mind is the image of a grisly, gruff sea captain below decks, studying his charts, legends and maps in a dark and musty cabin below decks, calling his crew to him to relate of the things which they seek, and what they may face along the way The female chorals near the end are a beautiful touch.
2. The High Seas - Now, the adventure begins in earnest, started with a violin or fiddle that feels Celtic at its heart. It is both poignant, tear-jerking and beautiful, dancing nimbly at the beginning with a seven-beat cello passage. That is joined soon by soft heart stirring drums as the strings break into a more adventurous tune. Joined by regal horns, swirling keyboards, and invigorating stately chorals, they paint a lovely picture upon my mind's canvas. It "feels" like the maiden voyage of a new and proud vessel, bearing within herself a noble King to take him upon the seas, but what I see is the crew,after much preparation, about to take their first seafaring journey of their lives, heady with the excitement of it all.
3. Edge of the World - Again, kingly timpani thunder is joined with cello doing an eight-step dance. Yearning higher pitched violin glides through it, full of longing and spirited joy at the same time. Snare drums add a touch of spirited questing and adventure, as do slightly more brooding yet still stirring horns, and very nice blended male and female choir. Now I see the crew awash in the wonder and awe of discovering new vistas, as they come to the edge of all they know, and dare to venture beyond it all.
4. Pirates: A four-note violin passage that later expands to six is joined with a cello and horn undercurrent, and regal timpani drums. I love the quicker violin "runs" in the beginning, and the drums are like a joyous, lusty heartbeat. There's a real vigor to this one that makes it a favorite. The main melody played by the horns and later by the strings, is very happy and vigorous. Adventure at its finest. The descending string runs at the first "bridge" are great. and I love the blending of the beautiful female choirs into it at the end of the first "stanza" if you like the word. What I "see" here, is unadulterated zeal. and the ecstasy of discovery. It's like the young pirate crew, under the guidance of their experienced captain, has just "struck it rich" and they are revelling in the joy of their find.
5. The Gallows Jig- This is, to me, a companion piece to track four. The pirate voices yelling "Hey!" is blended with an Irish bodhran undercurrent that soon dances with wonderful fiddle work and "plucked" guitar or lute strings. The snare drums add a very nice touch. Now I see everyone below decks with the food and grog freely flowing in joy, getting up from the table to do a spirited dance of joy.
6. Crossfire- Snare drums and tolling vespers are mated here with deep heart-pounding cannon fire, and blended chorals. My favorite part of this is the beautiful string passages, but they blend wonderfully with the swirling keyboard movements, and the lovely choirs. The cannon fire at the end, made me smile with its power. Alas, most joy does not last forever, and now the crew, giddy with the joy of treasure, must face the haunting threat of a fateful battle on the open sea, with numerous foes gunning for them as they valiantly fight back.
7. Oblivion- A classical sounding organ toccata is blended with ominous horns and blended male and female choirs, and tolling bells make an appearance through it. Horns join in, sounding almost "desperate" at times. In my mind I see pitch black skies, lightning flashing, rain pounding down, huge waves pounding the ship, and even the sea on fire... as the desperate crew fights to escape the title's namesake, but many...don't make it....evidenced by the last tolling bell at the end of the piece.
8. Racing the Wind- Pure energy resides here. Furious cello runs blend with noble strings and horns. The timpani coursing through it adds a real blood-pumping energy to an already great piece. I love the high pitched violin vibratos blended with wonderful chorals. Pipe organ appears nicely in the back. I just love this one. It feels...determined and heroic. The crew has managed to make repairs, and are now determined to out-race a rival to the next great treasure trove to be found.
9. Siren's Call- Deep low drums like a slow, dread filled heartbeat are joined with a hauntingly beautiful and lovely solitary female voice, and what sounds like either a soft reverberating "gong" or softly blowing winds, with an undercurrent of somber horns and very soft piano hits on occasion. A ghostly voice beckons the crew through dark and misty waters, daring them to find their next big strike, if they have but one thing... the courage to go get it.
10. Trove Island- Deep and brooding horns dance with invigorating tribal drums, strings, pipe organs and mixed male and female choirs. Well, now the crew have got the treasure, but it appears to me that they've been set upon by an isle full of cannibalistic and undead headhunters. Better leave all that booty behind if they want to escape with their lives. Run, me mateys. Run!!!
11. Against the Storm - Fast paced strings, horns, drums and choirs are the stars of this opus. Snare drums are here in force, and noble higher pitched violin passages dance with cello through the piece, with some really nice vibrattoes. Once again the skies are dark, and Mother Nature shows her fury with lightning, rain and thunder tossing the waves, but the captain is having none of it, and neither is the crew. This is a battle of wills, man against nature, to get safely home, and the crew wins it... this time.
12. Lords of the Deep- Snare drums, horns and strings dance for us again. With big finds under their belts the crew has begun to feel as if they are masters of all they survey upon the waters, and with such wealth in their holds, who can argue with them? The whole piece has a darkly millitaristic feel, appropriate to the "rulers" of the sea.
13. Maelstrom - This is a "mood-setter", a powerful, musicless "scene-painting" piece. Mighty booming thunder and lightning blend with blowing winds and creaking ropes as waves pound all they touch. I don't see the crew here though. I see the ship at rest before attempting it's next big haul...and while the crew is safe and warm on land for the moment, outside, the sea is swearing her inevitable vengeance.
14. Out of the Mist - I love organ pieces, and we get a great one here. I must be honest. The first thirty seconds of this piece had me crying with a beautiful blend of organ with haunting female voice. The organ is later partnered with yearning and powerful strings and drums and mixed choir. I see the crew back out on the seas again, proud vessel glidin through the misty waters in defiance of nature's former fury, after their coastal haven was devastated by a monster storm. They may have been "down", but they're not out... yet.
15. Still Waters- Deep male choir plends with tolling bells, moaning winds, and a forlorn piano melody. The waves are calm, but there is no joy to be had for it. It seems more then one town was impacted by the dreadful gales, and now all the crew can do is look back upon the devastation and mourn it.
16. Black Sails - Beautiful harp passages blend with ominous horns and strings. Timpani drums and a driving guitar melody join in, along with beautiful female choral melodies in a great melodious picture. We get our first glimpse here of the dreaded "Tempest" a haunted ship of many ages of lore, both written and spoken. Raven canvasses snappin in the windm it seeks both treasure, and mortal souls. The crew and their own ship must flee if they wish to live, and flee they do.... just in time, for now.
17. Fate of the Tempest - A beautiful guitar melody blends with a forlorn whistling. Soft male choir and drums and tamborines mix into it. To me this is the best ballad that Nox Arcana has done to date, and Ty Cook, as guest vocalist does a great job with it, sounding like an old-time sailor, relating the tale of the downfall of the famed ghost ship christened the "Tempest" with poignancy, and maybe a touch of regret. It is as if the singer was a young but world-weary mariner , as if he knew of the vessel and were lamenting its passage. It is both a sad eulogy for the ship, and a cautionary tale that drips with earnestness.
18. The Fog Rolls In - This is anothr "scene painting" piece. Blowing winds mate with gentle waves, and deep horns like a foghorn. Also present are chilling ghostly whispers swearing vengeance on the guilty and other dreaded vows, creaks of wood and the "ringing" of a buoy. This is a shiver inducing scene if I've ever heard one. It saddens me a little, and I feel the intended cold, but it works beautifully.
19. Widow's Harbor - Mournful female choir and piano are the stars of this piece. Starring with them is a current of deep male choir, crying horns, and relentless cello and drums. All of it combines to paint a picture of the weight of relentless grief, as the families left behind by the crew of the Tempest lament the passing long ago of all those that they loved.
20. Ghost Ship - Pounding timpani drums and driving strings dance with swirling pipe organ, male choir, and snare drums. Tolling bells, moaning winds and female chorals appear effectively as well. The Tempest is back with a fury. Vengeance is claimed upon another ship that dared attempt to elude them....but for any that dare cross the haunted seas, from that dread vessel, there can be no escape.
21. Skull And Crossbones- A five beat cello passage blends with pounding drums, darkly noble horns, and higher pitched, faster cello and violin runs. Mixed male and female choir passages are the icing on the cake, along with snare drum runs that dance through the piece. My favorite things in this are the string melodies and occasional violin vibrattoes, but everything together makes it a jewel. At last, the Tempest has had it's revenge, and the other crew is now part of its own, sailing forever and being counted among the number... of the phantoms of the high seas.
Courtesy of John Rossi
13. Maelstrom - This is a "mood-setter", a powerful, musicless "scene-painting" piece. Mighty booming thunder and lightning blend with blowing winds and creaking ropes as waves pound all they touch. I don't see the crew here though. I see the ship at rest before attempting it's next big haul...and while the crew is safe and warm on land for the moment, outside, the sea is swearing her inevitable vengeance.
14. Out of the Mist - I love organ pieces, and we get a great one here. I must be honest. The first thirty seconds of this piece had me crying with a beautiful blend of organ with haunting female voice. The organ is later partnered with yearning and powerful strings and drums and mixed choir. I see the crew back out on the seas again, proud vessel glidin through the misty waters in defiance of nature's former fury, after their coastal haven was devastated by a monster storm. They may have been "down", but they're not out... yet.
15. Still Waters- Deep male choir plends with tolling bells, moaning winds, and a forlorn piano melody. The waves are calm, but there is no joy to be had for it. It seems more then one town was impacted by the dreadful gales, and now all the crew can do is look back upon the devastation and mourn it.
16. Black Sails - Beautiful harp passages blend with ominous horns and strings. Timpani drums and a driving guitar melody join in, along with beautiful female choral melodies in a great melodious picture. We get our first glimpse here of the dreaded "Tempest" a haunted ship of many ages of lore, both written and spoken. Raven canvasses snappin in the windm it seeks both treasure, and mortal souls. The crew and their own ship must flee if they wish to live, and flee they do.... just in time, for now.
17. Fate of the Tempest - A beautiful guitar melody blends with a forlorn whistling. Soft male choir and drums and tamborines mix into it. To me this is the best ballad that Nox Arcana has done to date, and Ty Cook, as guest vocalist does a great job with it, sounding like an old-time sailor, relating the tale of the downfall of the famed ghost ship christened the "Tempest" with poignancy, and maybe a touch of regret. It is as if the singer was a young but world-weary mariner , as if he knew of the vessel and were lamenting its passage. It is both a sad eulogy for the ship, and a cautionary tale that drips with earnestness.
18. The Fog Rolls In - This is anothr "scene painting" piece. Blowing winds mate with gentle waves, and deep horns like a foghorn. Also present are chilling ghostly whispers swearing vengeance on the guilty and other dreaded vows, creaks of wood and the "ringing" of a buoy. This is a shiver inducing scene if I've ever heard one. It saddens me a little, and I feel the intended cold, but it works beautifully.
19. Widow's Harbor - Mournful female choir and piano are the stars of this piece. Starring with them is a current of deep male choir, crying horns, and relentless cello and drums. All of it combines to paint a picture of the weight of relentless grief, as the families left behind by the crew of the Tempest lament the passing long ago of all those that they loved.
20. Ghost Ship - Pounding timpani drums and driving strings dance with swirling pipe organ, male choir, and snare drums. Tolling bells, moaning winds and female chorals appear effectively as well. The Tempest is back with a fury. Vengeance is claimed upon another ship that dared attempt to elude them....but for any that dare cross the haunted seas, from that dread vessel, there can be no escape.
21. Skull And Crossbones- A five beat cello passage blends with pounding drums, darkly noble horns, and higher pitched, faster cello and violin runs. Mixed male and female choir passages are the icing on the cake, along with snare drum runs that dance through the piece. My favorite things in this are the string melodies and occasional violin vibrattoes, but everything together makes it a jewel. At last, the Tempest has had it's revenge, and the other crew is now part of its own, sailing forever and being counted among the number... of the phantoms of the high seas.
Courtesy of John Rossi
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- ArtByLinda ArtByLinda Oct 8, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
- Very scary stuff, just in time for Halloween, very informative lens!
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- MikeMoore MikeMoore Apr 17, 2009 @ 12:07 am
- Just thought I'd add that I'm going to post the link to this in the 'lenses we like' section of SquidU. It's too good not to shed some light on it. :)
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- MikeMoore MikeMoore Apr 17, 2009 @ 12:05 am
- Holy Moly! I had no idea what I was getting myself into here. The lens looks great, but what a long read. Thankfully it was extremely interesting. I really like the clown video. The clown looks pretty freaky. Oh, and the first YouTube video doesn't seem to be working. Just thought I'd let you know. 5* lens for sure. Keep em' coming!
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- WritingforYourWealth WritingforYourWealth Nov 11, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
- Cool--I have a couple tunes by these guys but didn't know they had so many albums. I'll have to check out more. :)
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