Carnival Arcane is the 14th album by neoclassical dark wave band Midnight Syndicate, released in 2011.Carnival Arcane – Midnight Syndicate (2011, CD) on Discogs Featuring the blend of dark, orchestral, instrumental music and horror-inspired soundscape the band had become known for, the "dark carnival" theme of the album centers on a fictional, early-20th century traveling circus called The Lancaster Rigby Carnival.Carnival Arcane CD Review Jeremy Webster, Fangoria, August 12, 2011FEARnet "Carnival Arcane" Gregory Burkart, August 15, 2011
Background and album information Carnival Arcane was inspired by research into carnivals of the early 20th century and Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. In a 2011 interview with FEARnet, composer, Edward Douglas said: We've definitely put together something different for us (Midnight Syndicate), but we still maintain our identity. More than ever, we really focused on using sound effects and design to pull you into the world of the disc. The music is still the focus, absolutely, but there are many times that it feels like an 'imaginary film' more than anything we've done to this point."Midnight Syndicate reveal Carnival Arcane details Gregory Burkart, Fearnet, July 15, 2011 The album featured voice acting performances by actors, Jason Carter, Dennis Carter, Jr., and Brian Van Camp, all who had appeared in the band's previous project, The Dead Matter (2010) horror film.Midnight Syndicate Taps The Origins of the Amusement Industry with Carnival Arcane Erik Yates, August 14, 2011
Reception Fangoria, Dread Central, FEARnet, and Outburn Magazine all praised the band's execution of their "cinema of the mind" concept through the use of instrumental music and sound design.CD Review: Carnival Arcane Mr. Dark, June 4, 2012CD Review – Carnival Arcane Gregory Burkart, August 19, 2011George Pacheco, "Music Review: Carnival Arcane", Outburn, (Thousand Oaks, CA), Issue 61, Pg. 68 Mike Beardsall of Rue Morgue complimented the album's "immersive" qualities, adding that "coulrophobics, however, should probably skip this ride."Mike Beardsall "Audio Drone: Carnival Arcane" Rue Morgue Magazine (Toronto, ON), Issue 116, Pg. 120 In 2012, the album won the Best Horror CD category in the 10th annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.Winners of the 10th annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards Announced Scott Hallam, Dread Central, April 4, 2012 The album was also nominated for Best RPG Related Product in the 2012 ENnie Awards in the role-playing game industry.2012 ENnie Nominees
Track listing
Personnel Edward Douglas – composer Gavin Goszka – composer Jason Carter – voice actor – Ringmaster, Montgomery Lancaster Dennis Carter, Jr. – voice actor – Laughing Denny Amber Foth – vocals on Kiddieland Brian Van Camp – voice actor Todd Malkus – voice actor Keith Martin – voice actor Mary Kate Douglas – voice actor Sarah Douglas – voice actor
Production Producers – Edward Douglas, Gavin Goszka Mastering – Gavin Goszka Cover art and Design – Brainstorm Design Group Band Photography – Anthony Gray Additional Photography – Wisconsin Historical Society, Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts (DAFE)
References
External links Midnight Syndicate band website