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"Nox Arcana is intelligent
horror. their versatility and willingness to explore all realms
of horror and the dark side is what will keep Nox Arcana enduring
for some time to come." |
Shadow of the Raven
First of all...EIGHT albums in four years??! Bravo!
I think one of the reasons I love
Nox Arcana so much is that their versatility for homage to the
dark side is as vast as my own. A true fan of the dark side places
reverence in many places...from Darth Vader to George Romero..
from Frank Frazetta to Edgar Allan Poe. Nox Arcana is intelligent
horror. They see the beauty of the dark side that I have seen
for so many years. Are most fans dorks like me that when they
listen to Nox Arcana's CD's they look up at all the posters on
their walls and fantasize what it might be like to actually attend
a dark carnival, reside in a haunted manor, be a member of the
Sith, or join an army of the walking dead, or to be seduced by
a mesmerizing vampyre? Sci-fi/horror/fantasy fans are the most
loyal, hold the highest standards and maintain the highest reverence
for those who have come before them.
Shadow of the Raven salutes
the king of true Gothic horror, Edgar Allan Poe. In all honesty,
I did sip on Amontillado to prepare myself for this CD, I wasn't
wearing motley, although I wish I had. I love how this band can
go from thundering swords and sorcery as in Blood of the Dragon
to the delicate harpsichords such as those featured on track
6 "Haunted Memories" of this album. I like to call
it the dichotomy of darkness. A prominent track to me was track
8 "Legacy of Sorrow;" the relentless melody allows
you to indeed waltz with sorrow personified. The hypnotic allure
of "Masque of Red Death," the beautiful string composition
of "The Raven," all pay homage to a dark side and seem
more melancholy than evil... a sadness in Poe's work captured
in these songs.
I DO know the difference between
sherry and Amontillado and like a fine cask, Vargo and Piotrowski
get better with age. I believe their versatility and willingness
to explore all realms of horror and the dark side is what will
keep Nox Arcana enduring for some time to come.
Alexandra Nakelski, Fangoria |
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"I have been finding
myself preferring to turn on a Nox Arcana CD and close my eyes
and paint a film in my head rather than paying the big dollar
for a "Hollywood" feature." |
Blood of the Dragon
I always like to enjoy the latest CD adventure from Nox Arcana
when I am about to embark on an adventure of my own. This time
I was touring the Cascade Mountains and into Vancouver for my
Blood of the Dragon adventure. I also celebrated by watching
Dragonslayer again. (And why Nox Arcana hasn't produced
a film of their own yet is beyond me!) However, after listening
to the first few tracks I realized all of their cds ARE films!
They create films in the listeners' mind and spark the imagination,
a quality sadly lacking in many films that are out there nowadays!
Having fortunately grown up loving Conan the Barbarian
and the Beastmaster, it was AMAZING to see that the spirit
of swords and sorcery hasn't died. It is alive and thrives in
Blood of the Dragon.
After reading the great intro about
the warriors who had the Dragon Blood running in their veins,
I came to notice a formula apparent in each Nox Arcana compilation.
Whether a conscious decision on their part or not, they have
created standards in each of their musical voyages that have
now come to play like a treasure hunt for me when they release
a new album. These elements you can anticipate to enjoy as any
fan of a specific genre would. These standards outline the formula.
For instance, when watching a James Bond film, you would expect
a climactic intro usually separate from the main plot, a great
credit sequence with naked female silhouettes with memorable
music, females specializing in fields of science that aid Bond...and
the list continues....
Some of the "treasures"
to behold in each Nox Arcana CD/insert are: Feasting your eyes
on the lush artwork of Joseph Vargo that give you glimpses into
each distinct fantasy world. They paint you enough picture to
get the feel for the music, but then allow you to leave the rest
to your imagination. Throughout the insert, little blurbs guide
you throughout the journey. Some I have read to be later pleased
that they were indeed lyrics to a surprise vocal piece such as
"Treasure of the Four Crowns" performed beautifully
by Jeff Endemann, whose voice transported me to the great hard
rock ballad singers of the '80s! The music always comes full
circle, complete with crescendo, climax and plot resolution.
The members of Nox Arcana are featured
in a final photo as players of the theme involved with the music.
They are creators and actors in the theater of Nox Arcana.
Lately, I have been finding myself preferring to turn on a Nox
Arcana CD and close my eyes and paint a film in my head rather
than paying the big dollar for a "Hollywood" feature
and being disappointed as usual, by the mainstream's lack of
quality. Being very nostalgic myself, I love anything that resonates
a thrilling adventure with such themes of swords and sorcery
prevalent in the '70s and '80s, and Nox Arcana does just that.
All I am left to wonder is... just what ARE the cryptic riddles
and answers required to face the evil that arises from the Stygian
Depths??!!
Alexandra Nakelski, Fangoria |
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"I could easily see
this as a soundtrack for many a sword & sorcery or barbarian
movie." |
Blood of the Dragon
With this release, Nox Arcana takes us on a journey to the time
and land of dragons and the mighty warriors who sought to destroy
them. While this CD doesn't have the usual 'horror' theme,
which is what we normally prefer, Blood of the Dragon
has enough darkness flowing through it to appease any horror
fan. What amazing me the most is the epic sound of this release.
Not to downplay their previous releases, but this one seems much
more on a grander scale, coming up with many different layers
of sound and music. I could easily see this as a soundtrack for
many a sword & sorcery or barbarian movie. The different
tracks bring to life various journeys and quests for the dragon,
filling the listener with visions of smoky caves, wide open,
barren lands, and even different cultures. While we still love
the horror themed ones, I feel that Blood of the Dragon
is their biggest and best sounding album yet. Just listen to
it and you can almost smell the burning smoke from the Dragon
itself.
Kitley's
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"Ringmasters Joseph
Vargo and William Piotrowski have yet again released an excellent
piece of work with Carnival Of Lost Souls, that grips you by
the throat and doesn't let you go again with nightmarish, diabolical,
sinister, chilling sounds and haunting melodies." |
Carnival of Lost Souls
Rated 10/10, Editor's #1 pick at Arising Realm
Be careful when the Circus Diabolique gives a guest performance
in your town. As nightfalls the once-festive midway exudes an
eerie sense of menace. Pale green lights eminate from somewhere
in the distance, and the murmor of voices mixed up with ghostly
music drifts over the site. As well as other more unsettling
sounds. Dark rumours of missing children and drifters have followed
the carnival from town to town and though they are well aware
of the dangers of trespassing there, they cannot resist the temptation
to explore the circus grounds after dark. Even with their new
work Carnival Of Lost Souls Nox Arcana know yet again
how to summon an other creepy concept. It's always a surprise
how they translate the topic into music. As they used gothic
choirs and vampiresque sounds on their previous release "Transylvania,"
they're now using midway melodies on "Carnival Of Lost Souls."
Barrel-organ, tambourine, chimes, piano, spinet but also diabolical
laughter or childish tittering mix to a dark, malicious, very
beautiful poem. On the whole the music captures you, your thoughts
drift to that old-time, creepy midway, with attractions like
the fortune-teller Madame Endora, the hall of mirrors, the haunted
carousel, the living dolls, the snake charmer, the freaks and
the more bizarre and odd things. Standout tracks are "Harlequin's
Lament," which enchanted me with very beautiful, melancholic,
dreamy piano, reminded me a bit of Dimmu Borgirs "Sorgens
Kammer" from the Stormblast album, "Madame Endora,"
my flesh began to creep 'coz of the evil voice, "Nightmare
Parade," the chimes, the organ and the fantastic choir mix
to a great atmosphere. But also "Cries In The Night,"
which is very tender but is atmospherically very fitting, "Soul
Stealer," which is exceedingly dramatic, "Lost In The
Darkness," where you can hear a spinet, but especially the
whispered choir I like a lot and "Circus Diabolique,"
which brings the concept of this work to the point.
Ringmasters Joseph Vargo and William
Piotrowski have yet again released an excellent piece of work
with Carnival Of Lost Souls, that grips you by the throat
and doesn't let you go again with nightmarish, diabolical, sinister,
chilling sounds and haunting melodies. Are you willing to overcome
your fear to go and pay a visit to the Circus Diabolique? (English
translation from original German text kindly provided by Pascal
Zuger).
Arising Realm (Austria),
Pascal Zuger |
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"Carnival of Lost Souls
is by far Nox Arcana's sexiest CD to date... a celebration of
that seduction that both the carnival and the dark side have.
Nox Arcana become more and more refined in that exploration of
the black element of our souls. " |
Carnival of Lost Souls
By the pricking of my thumbs...
Before I even put this CD in the player, I was fondly reminded
of one of my favorite horror films, Carnival of Souls
and the Ray Bradbury classic "Something Wicked This Way
Comes." I just recently had the awesome privilege of meeting
him and getting my copy signed. So I re-read it and went into
Nox Arcana's newest CD with the story still fresh in my head.
And I couldn't have found a more perfect accompaniment.
And so what does most of our society
think when a carnival or circus comes to mind? Cotton Candy?
Fresh popcorn, laughing children and semi-operating midway rides?
For those of us that grew up in
the 80s the venue started to take on a darker connotation. True,
it was a blast to win Guns n' Roses mirrors by breaking balloons
with a dart on the midway and ride the Gravitron to blaring heavy
metal tunesbut we will forever be scared by that clown you know
the one from Poltergeist. All I can remember from childhood was
clowns are evil. Not funny but scary. I mean, what can they really
do to you but pelt you with fake rubber noses or oversized shoes?
It doesn't matter; something behind that makeup is sinister.
Then in my teens I saw the classic exploitation film Freaks
and read Geek Love and that was it carnivals and circuses
are forever menacing to me. And yet there is that mystique of
drifters traveling from town to town arriving with a strange
seduction and a collection of secrets. A brethren of macabre.
From the midway carnies to the freak show performers.., where
did they come from? Who are they? And what ominous powers do
they hold over the people of the towns they visit? For a week
or two they cast a spell, enchant, seduce and then poof! They're
gone.
I cannot say enough how sexy Nox
Arcana is. It may seem that I am contradicting myself with all
this talk of evil dirty midways. But Carnival of Lost Souls
is by far Nox Arcana's sexiest CD to date. There are thousands
of us who are fascinated by the dark side. We aren't evil and
out committing crimes. We are enchanted mesmerized by the allure
of that undeniable part of ourselves we all have the dark side.
How many of you have yearned for a hauntingly handsome vampire
to tantalizingly bite your bare neck? How many of you swore that
if Darth Vader attempted to lure you to the dark side you would
put up no struggle? This CD is a celebration of that seduction
that both the carnival and the dark side have. Nox Arcana become
more and more refined in that exploration of the black element
of our souls.
Connoisseurs of SEXY. The unrelenting
drums of "Soul Stealer" puts into music form hidden
desires and unbridled passion. "Harlequin's Lament"
is hypnotically hot and just when I could take no more Nox Arcana
throws at me the exotic and provocative "Snake Charmer."
With "Haunted Carousel" I was reminded of that bewitching
scene from Legend where Lily is seduced in Darkness' grand ballroom.
Images of black lace and crimson velvet filled my ears. "Nightmare
Parade" captures the beauty of the dark side. Like in all
the horror films, you want to yell at the people "What are
you doing standing there watching?? Run!" You know the evil
is coming for you but you can't move, you are entranced to see
what happens next to see the evil in action. You want to march
with the shadows and be part of their ghostly entourage. "Spellbound"
is a little treat for any of you who love that crackling of old
records you played on an old Victrola and appreciate the flicker
of REAL film! And speaking of SPELLBOUND!! What a treat at the
end of the album to hear a REAL metal song for us Old Schoolers!
I admit, I did shed a tear. I think Nox Arcana should do this
at the end of all their albums, but I am just being very biased
to my decade of choice. During this CD I was sad at the end of
each song because I wanted it to go on longer, but the next one
started and was just as perfect as the last, from start to finish.
Let's talk about Vargo's art. We
all know what a genius he is. I was seriously considering getting
the image on the back cover as a tattoo. The green motif is superb
and I still pray at night that in my next life I will be the
lady riding the haunted carousel on the insert. I want MORE!
I think like Iron Maiden, each song should have a piece of art
to go along with it. But that is just me being selfish. I want
a full-animated feature, but if I had my way, Vargo would never
get any sleep. Speaking of which, be sure to check out his full
color book Born of the Night, a collection of his exquisite art
available at Monolith Graphics' website along with all of Nox
Arcana's CD's. And I'm looking forward to seeing what Vargo has
cooked up for his annual Halloween event this year. Like past
years, no doubt this one will be epic. This Christmas, I'm asking
to be a part of the Monolith Graphic's entourage!
Alexandra Nakelski, Fangoria |
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"great gothic atmosphere
that just seeps out from the speakers" |
Carnival of Lost Souls
Last time out, Nox Arcana took us on a journey through the Carpathian
mountains with their Transylvania cd. But with their latest
release, we don't have to go that far. Instead, we are taken
to a place that is as close as the next town, but often more
scary than any distant country. And that would be a carnival.
But don't just expect some simple
twisted circus music here. Yes, there are some creeping organ
and carousel music. But there is much more. As always, they give
us that great gothic atmosphere that just seeps out from the
speakers. It's almost like you're actually traveling with this
carnival throughout the country. Each musical piece gives us
images of this dark and brooding carnival, one that you wouldn't
want to be at alone at night. Whether you're caught in the Hall
of Mirrors, getting your fortune read by Madame Endora, avoiding
the Snake Charmer, or just trying to escape the Theatre of Sorrows,
you will soon realize you can't escape this nightmare.
Nox Arcana have once again created
a haunting musical score that had me thinking of Ray Bradbury's
"Something Wicked This Way Comes." And with this release,
something wicked is coming. And it's waiting for you to join
them. But as the warning states in the opening, "There's
no turning back."
Kitley's
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"the greatest show on
earth... absolutely enchanting..." |
Carnival of Lost Souls
The diabolical Ring Leader bids you come forward, you are welcomed
to immerse yourself within the dark carnival worlde of olde,
a phantom circus of wonders and horrors wherein patrons' curiosities
become overwhelming, to sometimes gain the better of them and
become part of the sideshow... Bewitching orchestrations accompany
the wayfairer, spellbinding the observer to enter the fetters
of ominous tents containing myriad spectacles of nightmarish
fane. Compelling oddities possess the mind further into the darkness
displayed before your eyes... Tricks and treats lay waiting 'round
every corner, collected the world over from timeless eras, echoing
ghostly whispers to present the greatest show on earth... An
absolutely enchanting opus; besides the brilliant orchestrations,
Carnival of Lost Souls manages to conjure the underlying
sensation of this Magical world to create a haunting frame which
enhances the experience ever more. One could almost perceive
the sights, scents and sounds therein---from
laughing phantom children to the crack of the lion-tamer's whip,
to the fortune teller's enthralling reading, and the breathing
calliope, played as if with a life of its own... Freaks! Jesters!
Exotic creatures from foreign lands... Pay the toll at the gate,
at the mere cost of your soul... this is The Devil's Carnivale,
The Circus Diabolique... you will never want to leave... (5/5
stars).
Draconis Blackthorne |
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"One of my top favorites
of 2006! " |
Carnival of Lost Souls
Nox Arcana is a band that can be best described as atmospheric
soundtrack horror music. Each of the previous albums takes on
a theme of the macabre such as gothic castles, winter wonderlands,
Bram Stoker's Dracula, and even HP Lovecraft's Cthulhu
mythos. So in 2006, Nox Arcana decided to go to the carnival,
and released Carnival of Lost Souls, their fifth album
since 2003. For those unaware, Nox Arcana is basically a duo
of Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski, both create hauntingly
beautiful gothic orchestral music that stays with you long after
the cd is over. Nox Arcana's music is really unlike anything
done today and can be put side by side with two similar artists
comparatively are Ghosts Of Pompeii and Karda Estra but closer
to the latter. This is my first exposure to Nox Arcana and I've
become an instant fan of their music. You'll find yourself, like
I did, wanting to explore the other worlds Nox Arcana has visited.
If my words aren't convincing enough, you can hear the musical
splendor of Nox Arcana on their page at MySpace.com and once
you do, you'll be in their clutches forever. In closing I feel
that most fans of progressive rock will need Carnival of Lost
Souls in their collection. I highly recommend Nox Arcana's
Carnival of Lost Souls to fans of dark orchestral music.
It's one of my top favorites of 2006!
Ron
Fuchs, Prognaut |
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"This is a fantastic
album, creating a nightmare world, which this reviewer didn't
want to leave. " |
Carnival of Lost Souls
For those familiar with atmospheric horror music, the name Joseph
Vargo might ring a bell, after all he was the mastermind behind
the Midnight Syndicate album Born Of The Night. For the
last few years, however, he has been working alongside William
Piotrowski as Nox Arcana, and creating beautiful soundscapes
to haunt your mind and home. They have released five albums over
the past three years, a feat lots of bands could never pull off,
and have truly created a niche for themselves with their brand
of conceptual horror soundtrack featuring everything from deep
orchestral pieces to hair-raising sound effects, effortlessly
blended together to draw the listener into whichever world they
wish, be it a haunted Victorian mansion, a Gothic Winter wonderland,
Bram Stoker's Dracula, or HP Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos.
This time around though we are given a ticket, paid in full,
that allows us entrance into the Carnival Of Lost Souls.
We begin or journey with the opening
track "Ghosts Of The Midway," which ushers us into
the scariest carnival this side of the afterlife, the Circus
Diabolique. All of the attractions are here, the "Haunted
Carousel," "Hall Of Mirrors," "Freaks,"
and even "Madame Endora" the fortune-teller. The album
deftly leads us through each part of the midway, offering glimpses
of what lies in store for you inside of each tent. Some contain
magic, "Spellbound," some contain terror, "Nightmare
Parade," but all of the songs are masterful arrangements
that drag you deeper into the mythology Nox Arcana has created.
You are so engulfed in your excursion through the Circus Diabolique
that time will fly by, leaving you no choice but to cash in your
ticket once more and begin your trip down the grounds of the
circus again.
This is a fantastic album, creating
a nightmare world, which this reviewer didn't want to leave.
I highly recommend all of Nox Arcana's aural horrors, and Carnival
Of Lost Souls is no exception. As fans of fright will quickly
see these ghouls know how to create unearthly terror deep in
the minds eye. So, what are you waiting for, enter the realm
of Circus Diabolique, that is if you dare!
Josh Haney, Hacker's
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"this is essential..." |
Carnival of Lost Souls
Another first rate collection of creepy symphonic music from
Nox Arcana as I suspect best exemplified by "Storm"
an 11:28 epic of nasty proportions. Most of the rest of the tracks
are under 3 minutes; ie perfect for incidental music in any soundtrack.
Good music like this makes you wonder if you have heard it before
somewhere and this release is no different.
The common theme throughout the
CD's 21 tracks is the Circus Diabolique, a carnival which only
returns once every century. Needless to say if you are already
a fan, this is essential. If you consider yourself a fan of symphonic
soundtrack music of the creepy kind, then this is a good place
to start with the band.
Marty Dodge, BlogCritics |
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"An Excellent and stunning
piece of musical ingenuity..." |
Transylvania
"Beware ye who dare to venture where angels fear to tread..."
And thus, my journey begins to the dark mountains that lie beyond
this barren land, long forgotten by human God. The desolate castle
that stands atop the hill, only a sign of the eternal suffering
that has swept this land through centuries past, invites me to
be a part of this ferocious tragedy, called Transylvania...
His hand, I see it, it guides me through this darkness, as I
cry out "be gone light!"
Nox Arcana invites you to embark
on a darkly erotic musical journey to a barren land, where the
children of the night never seize to quench their savage hunger
for human life. From the beginning 'til the very end, the dark
orchestrations and haunting melodies and rhythms will transport
you straight into the land of the undead, only to bear witness
to the massacre that takes place every unholy night. "Venture
forth...if you dare!"
This is an EXCELLENT and STUNNING
piece of musical ingenuity that pays homage to the dark mastermind
called Bram Stoker. It successfully manages to satisfy even the
most demanding of listeners. An album that stands as a landmark
in the gothic-horror instrumental genre.
Spyros Papadakis, Metal
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"a cornucopia of Gothic
Greatness." |
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Transylvania
As a lone traveler trekking across the eerie landscape of the
Carpathian Mountains, one might wonder as to the sounds that
might accompany this ethereal panorama. Nox Arcana's latest installation
of horror/Gothic themed concept albums, Transylvania is
the sound of legendary Romania. In this celebration of the creatures
of the night, creators Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski take
you to Nosferatu's inner sanctum. The listener is led from rickety
black velvet shrouded coaches to gypsy caravans, werewolf infested
woodland, to mistresses of darkness, to "sentinels of stone"
to the Lord of Darkness' Castle itself. Every track has a distinct
theme and one can guess what track it is without following along
on the CD insert. Nox Arcana's visualizations are manifested
into a cornucopia of Gothic Greatness. Why they haven't produced
a full-length feature film yet is beyond me.
Check out the other CD releases: Necronomicon, Darklore
Manor, Winter's Knight, and look for their up and coming
Carnival of Lost Souls.
Alexandra Nakelski, Fangoria
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"Vargo and Piotrowski
have a way of creating evocative environments that linger in
your psyche. I can honestly say they are without equal, and they
have fast become one of my favorite bands." |
Transylvania
Nox Arcana's Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski are at it again,
taking on the long dark history of vampiric lore with their release
Transylvania. The chilling soundscapes are mesmerizing,
creating wonderfully wicked movies in the mind for those who
dare listen with their eyes closed. It is no small undertaking
trying to create the atmosphere of darkest Carpathia through
music, but Nox Arcana executes it perfectly, allowing you to
envision every blood-soaked detail.
"Transylvanian Overture,"
a narrated piece performed by Joseph Vargo, starts us off, perfectly
capturing the eerie mood of the album. "The Voyage"
and "The Black Coach" lead us right into the heart
of darkness, the tension forever building as we await the inevitable
arrival at "Castle Dracula." For the duration of your
passage through the land of darkness gothic choirs sing wraithlike
in your ears, while an orchestra of the damned plays ceaselessly.
It is so easy to become lost here, time seeming to stand still
as each of the tracks lead us deeper into the realm of one of
the most beloved and feared creatures of literature. We are taken
everywhere in the castle, from the belfry to the crypt, all the
while the sounds of bats and wolves accompanying our every step.
One piece that adds to the ambience
of this release is the CD booklet, which includes some of Joseph
Vargo's amazing artwork alongside the lyrics for some of the
narrated portions of the album. These haunting images make it
that much easier to immerse yourself in Nox Arcana's Transylvania.
If this is your first trip
into the nether realms created by Nox Arcana, I can assure you
it will not be your last. Vargo and Piotrowski have a way of
creating evocative environments that linger in your psyche. I
can honestly say they are without equal, and they have fast become
one of my favorite bands.
So what are you waiting for? Take
a one-way trip to Transylvania, a world that will live
on in your nightmares.
Josh Haney, Hacker's
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"fully developed musical
works evoke a dark and dangerous atmosphere" |
Transylvania
Nox Arcana musically explores the ultimate gothic atmosphere
in Transylvania, the forth concept album that Joseph Vargo
and William Piotrowski have produced in less than three years.
Vargo re-examines one of his favourite subjects, a gothic myth
which he has approached from different angles in the past, Count
Dracula and his dark disciples. The descent into the Transylvanian
myths, the enchanting 'land beyond the forest,' begins with the
narration of the first poetical lyrics.
The concept, as with the
previous Nox Arcana projects (with the exception perhaps of Winter's
Knight, with more vocals included) is developed cinematographically,
which brings the album closer to the musical category of movie
soundtracks, with influences from classic horror film and cinema
fantastique composers, such as Wojcieck Kilar (Dracula),
Jerry Goldsmith (The Omen), John Carpenter, or even Vangelis
The many fully-developed musical works evoke a dark and dangerous
atmosphere, mystereous at times, with gypsy melodies of violin
and female chants, and at times epic, with crescendoes of a large
symphony orchestra, and further reinforced by the heavy Gregorian
chants: Vargo's own voice filtered through several layers, resulting
in an impressive quality sound.
Especially recommended for the
lovers of horror movie soundtracks, dark fairytales, as well
as to the vampire breed and fans of Stoker's legend.
Jonathan Bright, Strange Magazine (Greece)
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"setting the bar higher
and higher with each release..." |
Transylvania
The problem with this latest from Nox Arcana, is that they are
setting the bar higher and higher with each release. Each one
just gets better than the last one. It makes me wonder how long
they can keep doing this??? I guess we'll just have to keep waiting!
As much as we enjoyed being lead
into the dark crypts of Lovecraft's world with Necronomicon,
with Transylvania, they take us on a wonderfully dark
journey through the land of the Carpathian Mountains, filled
with bats, howling winds and wolves. Their musical storytelling,
with the spoken words, the chanting, and the wonderful organ
music, is something that all horror and gothic fans will enjoy.
Nox Arcana continues to deliver
great music for those Halloween nights, or any dark and gloomy
evenings, when you want to add a little bit more atmosphere to
your night. Or even to bring some of that darkness to you in
the blinding daylight hours as well.
Kitley's
Krypt |
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"I was delighted with
the sophisticated elegance of this enchanted realm. I have usually
in the past looked forward to summer, but now I look forward
to winter." |
Winters Knight
I decided to first listen to this CD on a cross-country train
ride, I thought it would be fitting. It was gently raining in
the Pacific Northwest and as prehistoric landscapes rolled by,
I felt I too was like a knight on a quest of lonely tranquility.
My favorite track is "Ebonshire."
This minstrel piece is a perfect accompaniment of medieval mystique
for a journey into the unknown. I love the sound of the harpsichord
and Nox Arcana did not skimp on the medieval instruments or the
length, with over 60 minutes of music, like their past CD's are
chock full of different emotions and sounds threaded together
with a Gothic motif.
I love how this album especially,
matches Vargo's famous blue hued illustrations. If the music
on Winters Knight had visual color, it would definitely be the
frost blue of an enigmatic winter in Eastern Europe.
The serene silence of winter is
continued in "Crystal Forest." This track sounded
like crystal and images of falling snow suspended in time.
I pictured an outdoor mysterious masquerade during "First
Snow," and I could just see the night sky lit up by the
"blue hued" snow. The chain of thoughts then led me
to think I was inside a glass ball with a contrived scene inside
that you shake and the snow flutters around. The
Knight motif is incorporated into all of the pieces, he is eerie
but not evil, and he protects the solace and beauty of this delicate
and fragile season. As I visited the frozen tundra engulfed in
fog on a mountain a mile high in Washington, this soundtrack
I heard on my train ride over raced though my mind. I was hoping
to encounter the Knight with raven wings to share his wisdom
of salvation.
I am somewhat biased towards "December
Winds," having been born in December I was bummed out growing
up having a winter birthday. But this melody made me proud because
there was a noble gallantry about it. As a child, I was always
mesmerized with suits of armor, from the Jun Hoard in The
Beastmaster to the walking armor at the finale of Bedknobs
and Broomsticks. I was delighted with the sophisticated elegance
of this enchanted realm. I have usually in the past looked forward
to summer, but now I look forward to winter.
The album then takes a turn to
celebrating the holiday season. Guest vocalist Jeff Endemann
brings a foreboding comfort to the lullaby "Coventry Carol."
Nox Arcana's rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
has been the most interesting I have ever heard to date. And
as with all of Nox Arcana dreamscape albums, they take you on
a journey and end full circle leaving you to want more. "Redemption"
and "Carol of the Bells" are the perfect finale. Ministry
made many of us wish "Everyday is Halloween" but I
personally wish after hearing Winter's Knight that everyday
is Christmas... or whatever winter holiday you observe. I am
eagerly looking forward to their next CD, Carnival of Lost
Souls.
Nox Arcana describes Winter's
Knight as a path to reflect and explore introspection. And
it does just that. With our present culture so infiltrated with
noise and distractions, it was wonderful to have this meditative
music to ponder the solemn beauty of isolation.
Alexandra Nakelski, Fangoria |
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"Talk about the nightmare
before Christmas!" |
Winter's Knight
Talk about the nightmare before Christmas! No, this is not Tim
Burton's ghoulish tale about the Pumpkin King; this is royalty
of an entirely different sort. Nox Arcana is Joseph Vargo and
William Piotrowski, musical masters of darkness. Their intensely
creative Winter's Knight takes listeners on a gothic fantasy
to the blackest parts of midnight. Although most pieces are instrumental,
there are several sinister vocals to chill the soul.
This ample album (over an hour
of music!) travels through 21 holiday numbers that are unlike
anything you have ever heard. The orchestration is elegantly
creepy and musically astute; these gentlemen know their stuff.
Most pieces are inspired originals, but more intriguing are the
ghostly and ghastly renditions of well-loved carols. Although
these holiday chestnuts once were harbingers of hope and grace,
Nox Arcana reworks them to cast the eeriest glow across the haunted
landscape, all the while retaining the coolest sort of inner
beauty.
Most definitely, Winter's Knight
is not for everybody. Nox Arcana throws dark shadows across the
brightest time of year, and unless you have a solid sense of
humor or, at the very least, an open mind and/or a fondness for
all things goth, this album will puzzle and perhaps even offend.
On the other hand, if you have heard five billion renditions
of "Deck the Halls" in your neighborhood mall, and
you long for something a bit more daring, Nox Arcana's Winter's
Knight may well be your cup of tea, so to speak.
As for me, great music attracts
me, and I have considerable admiration for talented musicians
who are willing to walk a different path. Winter's Knight
will take you down that bizarrely distinct trail for the holidays,
but Nox Arcana will make the journey well worth your while.
Carol
Swanson, ChristmasReviews.com |
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"Gothic symphonic goodness..." |
Winter's Knight
If you are one who finds Christmas music irritating by about
the second weekend in December this might be the perfect antidote.
It certainly works for me with its creepy symphonic ghostly tale
set in the middle of winter. I have previously reviewed this
band's material in the form of Necronomicon and I will be reviewing
the rest of the back catalogue in the coming weeks.
Nox Arcana produce music that sounds
like it should be off a soundtrack of some sort or other. This
is not surprising as Joseph Vargo has done a whole myriad of
sountracks of both TV and movies. It is not all instrumental,
as they toss in 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' for good measure.
This is perfect soundtrack when you are all tired out by the
Christmas hype and the annoyances of the season. Gothic symphonic
goodness...what is there not to like?
Marty
Dodge, BlogCritics |
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"another excellent job..." |
Winter's Knight
This latest release from Nox Arcana may not have the eerie, creepy
music from their previous two releases, but that's not to say
it's not haunting. With Winter's Knight, they went into
more of a gothic or ghostly sound for the winter holidays. This
is not a Christmas album by no means. But one that gives off
the feeling of quiet and moody nights in the woods, with a light
snow falling under the full moon.
If you're a fan of their previous
works, then this will fit nicely in your collection. They have
done another excellent job of giving us fans some great background
music to set the mood.
Kitley's
Krypt |
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"Nox Arcana leave no
stone unturned in their quest to bring the Great Old Ones to
life through their patented brand of morbid music." |
Necronomicon
I was so excited when this album appeared in my mailbox, I could
hardly contain myself! Since Nox Arcana are masters of building
soundtracks that transport you into other worlds, I knew exactly
how I had to listen to it. I put the CD on my surround sound
system, curled up with a copy of HP Lovecraft's The Dunwich
Horror and other stories, and was immediately immersed in
the mysteries of the Cthulhu Mythos.
As with all of their albums, Nox
Arcana leave no stone unturned in their quest to bring the Great
Old Ones to life through their patented brand of morbid music.
We are treated to Eldritch Rites, the Ritual Of Summoning, visions
of The Nameless City, and even Cthulhu Rising. Gods of the pantheon,
such as Azathoth, Yog-Sothoth, and Dagon are paid homage to with
beautiful orchestra pieces as well. Fans of Lovecraft take heed,
by simply playing these sounds from the stygian depths, you may
allow yourselves to become host to any number of lurkers in the
dark. Your sanity may even hang in the balance, as you desperately
reach for your CD player's power switch.
The liner booklet is filled with
images and incantations (courtesy of macabre art superstar/band-member
Joseph Vargo) that appear to be ripped from the very nightmares
of dear Mr. Lovecraft. It is this kind of attention to detail
that truly places Nox Arcana in a genre all their own, always
creating an entire work of art, not just an album.
Don't wait until the stars are
right to purchase Nox Arcana's Necronomicon, get your
copy and open a gateway to a time before time, where Elder Gods
roam a vast musical landscape, and madness is par for the course.
Josh Haney, Hacker's
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"Deliciously sexy and
seductive." |
Necronomicon
"Long before mankind existed, the Old Ones trod upon the
Earth"and so commences the Gothic musical journey of Nox
Arcana's newest cd, NECRONOMICON. Inspired by the "Mad Arab"
and H.P. Lovecraft, Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski wrote
this concept album based on the Cthulhu Mythos. For those not
well-versed in the Necronomicon, this is a great 45-minute
crash course on the prophecies of the Old Ones returning to the
Earthly realm to wreck havoc on mankind, complete with a booklet
containing follow-along text and illustrations. Learn about Yog-Sothoth,
the keeper of the gates between our world and that of the dead.
Discover mighty Cthulhu, high priest of the Old Ones, and await
his return when the stars are aligned just right. One can't help
but get excited with these sinister symphonies for when the gate
is opened once more.
Described as a mix of "Gothic
choirs, Egyptian/Middle Eastern melodies and ominous chants,"
this compilation is deliciously sexy and seductive. Vargo's original
artwork is captivating (and would make for some great tattoos).
Piotrowski's proficiency in musical arrangements is evident in
the flawless segues between pieces.
Fangoria ---
Alexandra Nakelski |
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"An excellent CD...
by far the best audio or visual piece inspired by Lovecraft's
work to emerge in a very long time." 5 stars ***** |
Necronomicon
An excellent CD... Nox Arcana do a fine line in creepy symphonic
gothic electronic metal. As you could guess from the name, [Necronomicon]
was inspired by the mythos of one Howard Phillips Lovecraft.
The brief spoken word bits on this CD are from the great man's
work. For once, a band, or in this case a duo, have fully realised
the creeping menace that is the Cthulhu mythos. Admirers of HPL's
work will recognise the names of the tracks including "Yog-Sothoth,"
"Nyarlathotep," "The Black Pharaoh" and "Cthulhu."
There are 21 tracks of symphonic eerieness on here. The right
balance is struck between tunefullness and the sense of dread.
One can truly say that the reading of Lovecraft and his successors
now have a soundtrack. Those of us who continue to add to the
mythos genre will have some audio inspiration should we need
it. This is by far the best audio or visual piece inspired by
Lovecraft's work to emerge in a very long time. 5 stars *
* * * *
Marty
Dodge, Temple
of Dagon |
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"Both CDs, while very
different from each other, do a great job at creating, and sustaining
an uneasy atmosphere of dread and uncertainty." |
Darklore Manor and Necronomicon (combined
review)
Here is something a little off the beaten path. Let me introduce
you to the dark duo known as Nox Arcana. The band is made up
of internationally acclaimed gothic fantasy artist Joseph Vargo
(ex-Midnight Syndicate), and William Piotrowski. The music is
sort of hard to classify, or to stick into a precise genre. Surely
those who dig it will mostly be from the Gothic crowd, but horror
movie fans that don't regularly purchase straight-up goth CDs
will also find this to their liking. On their two releases so
far, the band creates what one might call a dark soundtrack or
musical score based on a theme. I have taken to calling such
works "Horrorscapes." These works are mostly instrumental,
with just a few spoken word portions, or the odd low-key chant
thrown in for effect.
The first CD, Darklore
Manor, is based on the tales of a legendary haunted house
in Gloucester, Massachusetts, near the infamous town of Salem.
The music is sort of mellow and eerie, it ebbs and flows the
same way your heart rate would, as you explore the dark corridors
of a long abandoned Victorian mansion. The actual mansion has
a long history of death, with stories of ghosts, murder, a curse,
seances, and mysterious disappearances. Even though the house
mysteriously burned to the ground on Halloween night in 1971,
people still see things in the area that can't be explained.
The second chapter in the
Nox Arcana story is a sonic interpretation of the Cthulhu Mythos
and the Necronomicon (aka The Book Of The Dead / The Book
Of Dead Names), H.P. Lovecraft's forbidden tome of unspeakable
horror. This disk is more bombastic in nature, as instead of
creeping around a run down mansion, we are now dealing with the
Elder Gods and the Old Ones, and their struggle for supremacy
over this world. The band calls it a "dark symphony,"
and that's a pretty good description. One could also almost call
it a dark slice of Prog-Rock.
Both CDs, while very different
from each other, do a great job at creating, and sustaining an
uneasy atmosphere of dread and uncertainty. Much like the atmospheric
work of Frank Petruccelli of Petruccelli Productions or David
Bagsby. Darklore Manor will slowly build tension and creep
under your skin in an almost inconspicuous way. Necronomicon
on the other hand is more "in your face," and would
make a great soundtrack to the original Lovecraft-inspired computer
game Quake, or the newer creep-fest known as Doom III. Both however
are well worth your time.
Urotsukidoji's
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"Highly recommended...
the perfect horror mood music any time of year." |
Necronomicon
If you have a lover of horror and great spooky music on your
holiday buying list, then I have a great gift recommendation
for you. It's the latest CD from Nox Arcana called Necronomicon.
This CD is music inspired by and dedicated to legendary horror
writer H.P. Lovecraft. It's an album of orchestra style music
of the darkest variety---orchestrations,
gothic choirs, eerie voices and ominous chants. Beautiful and
haunting, this cd sets the mood perfectly for tales of mythic
creatures from beyond the plane of mortal existence. The Necronomicon
is the mythical book told of in Lovecraft stories that contains
the key to unlocking the portals that hold the ancient gods from
this mortal plane of existence. I highly recommend this disc.
It's the perfect horror mood music any time of year. And be sure
to check out their first release as well, Darklore Manor.
Both cds are perfect gifts for any horror lover on your list!
Dr. Gangrene, Chiller
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"Just be careful where
and when you listen to it, in case you conjure up some unwanted
guests." |
Necronomicon
With their 2nd release, Nox Arcana delve into the world of H.P.
Lovecraft. Just like their first release, they continue
to conjure up dark and eerie images through their music.
While this one still has the creepy atmosphere music like their
first one, to me it offered something a little different as well.
In keeping with the Lovecraft theme
of the CD, there were a few tracks that gave me the feeling of
tension. Tension, not like that of suspense, but of maybe knowing
what you've done and now what the consequences now are.
Images of someone reading long forgotten words in some dark and
drearier cellar, and then having something, or something, coming,
or rising, or breaking through into this world, seemed to pour
out from the music.
So if you're a fan of gothic and
atmospheric music, add Nox Arcana's latest release, Necronomicon
to your list. Just be careful where and when you listen
to it, in case you conjure up some unwanted guests.
Kitley's
Krypt |
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"Amazing... dark masterworks" |
Necronomicon
Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski, the duet that is behind
all the amazing music in Nox Arcana, delivers here 21 musical
passages full of beauty and darkness that are like a soundtrack
to a movie detailing Lovecraft's dreams. It is amazing to listen
to what these guys create with their instruments, making dark
chord progressions and creating incredibly obscure melodies over
them. I really like the use of vocal choruses in tracks like
"The Nameless City" because they add a lot to the haunting
atmosphere that this recording has. Nox Arcana transports the
listener to new dark places with their music making each of the
compositions here a unique experience. There is amazing musicianship
here that allows this duet to orchestrate each of the tracks
making them really dark masterworks. This is an ideal record
to listen to with the lights out, in complete darkness, or closing
your eyes and letting your mind fly. A must!
Federico Marongiu, Music
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"This album is the perfect
way to capture that elusive haunted house from your childhood,
and relive it anytime you wish." |
Darklore Manor
Every town has a house of legend, a place where inhabitants fear
to tread, and children speak of in whispers. Usually it's a great
Victorian mansion, abandoned for decades, and left to rot at
the end of some long lonely road. And if you're anything like
me you want, nay need, to roam it's dusty corridors and see for
yourself if the rumors are true. Well fiends, Nox Arcana maestros
William Piotrowski and Joseph Vargo have created just such place
with the release of their album Darklore Manor.
You begin by entering this old
isolated home, unaware of its legacy, by way of the "Threshold
Of The Dead." Throughout the album's twenty-one tracks,
you meander through all of the rooms, such as "The Grande
Hall," slowly uncovering the grim past and strange goings-on
that have occurred with these walls. You find clues to the history,
"Music Box" and "Nursery Rhyme" (featuring
eerie vocals by Christine Filipak), and even attend a "Séance."
All the while you are surrounded by entities trapped here, some
good some bad, as you try, in vain it seems, to escape Darklore
Manor.
This album is the perfect way to
capture that elusive haunted house from your childhood, and relive
it anytime you wish. All you need to do is close your eyes, and
you are there. That is the wonderful thing about Nox Arcana's
musical creations, everyone's mind's-eye plays a different version
of the same theme, allowing each individual his or her own separate
nightmare.
Enter the doors of Darklore
Manor, and prepare yourself for a journey to the very heart
of your deepest fears. Just remember that this invitation may
be your last!
Josh Haney, Hacker's
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"An instant classic...
Darklore Manor is destined to be the soundtrack for spook houses
from coast to coast." |
Darklore Manor
Former Midnight Syndicate mastermind Joseph Vargo is back with
a vengeance, this time with new musical partner, composer William
Piotrowski. Together the two have formed a new band known as
Nox Arcana, and their debut cd is an instant classic. This gothic
soundtrack includes the added bonus of a detailed booklet with
accompanying photos that provide a guided tour through a haunted
Victorian mansion known as Darklore Manor. The booklet also features
some of Mr. Vargo's delightfully creepy artwork, making it worth
the price of admission in itself --
as I must say that everything this man does in the name of art
is first rate.
Darklore Manor is a ghost
story, and every good ghost story deals with a tragedy of some
sort, therefore, there are some melancholy pieces such as the
hauntingly beautiful "Remnants," which will leave you
with a feeling of sorrow, at least until you turn the next spine-tingling
bend and face your darkest fear. Other standout cuts include
Christine Filipak's rendition of a ghostly little girl reciting
the sinister "Nursery Rhyme," which is sure to give
goosebumps to even the bravest soul, and "Seance,"
with its spooky whisperings that will surely scare the hell out
of soccer moms and little kiddies everywhere.
One thing quite unique about this
offering is the addition of ominous Latin chanting to some of
the tracks, which lends authenticity and an element of mystery
to the gothic mood of this cd. The bottom line is that Darklore
Manor is solid from start to finish, and a "must-have"
addition to every witch and warlock's collection. This eerie
music is perfect for occasions such as digging up graves in the
dead of night, or conjuring evil spirits, and it really is just
good clean fun for the entire family --
if you happen to be the Addams family. Darklore Manor
is destined to be the soundtrack for spook houses from coast
to coast, so move aside Midnight Syndicate, a new monster has
been born. Nox Arcana is its name, and it has now arisen to claim
the dark throne!
Randy Rosko "Goth God," Haunted
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"Darkly elegant..." 5
stars ***** |
Darklore Manor
Darklore Manor, the debut CD from Nox Arcana, takes listeners
on a musical journey, invoking images of dark spirits that haunt
the night and lurk within the cursed halls of a forsaken Victorian
mansion. This sinister soundscape from the duo of Joseph Vargo
and William Piotrowski will stir your darkest fantasies and put
you in the mindset of a classic tale by Poe or Lovecraft. The
predominantly instrumental music stands alone as a haunting and
moody soundtrack, but the disc is further enhanced by the addition
of unsettling artwork and a creepy story in the liner booklet
that is included with the CD.
The tracks are evenly balanced
between darkly elegant classical pieces, haunting instrumental
melodies and ghostly interludes from some of the mansion's undead
residents that serve as introductions to some of the songs. "Trespassers"
is a suspenseful and foreboding track that conjures the sense
of exploring the cobwebbed corridors of the forsaken manor. Sinister
church bells toll mournful melodies to serenade the ghosts that
haunt "The Grand Hall" and summon the restless spirits
of the dead in "Phantom Procession." A solemn harpsichord
melody echoes throughout "Remnants," while an ominous
Latin chorus chants to the sounds of a gothic pipe organ in "Sanctuary
of Shadows." "Nursery Rhyme" and "Music Box"
convey the story of a ghostly child, trapped between the realms
of the living and the dead. "No Rest for the Wicked,"
"Beyond Midnight" and "Resurrected" are terrific
pulse-pounding orchestrations. In "Incantation," a
thunderous heartbeat sets the pounding rhythm as forbidden, ancient
rites echo in the distance. And for those brave souls who would
dare, just try to listen to the eerie "Seance" while
alone in the dark.
Darklore Manor rises far
above the campy, low-budget Halloween soundtracks filled with
cheesy sound effects. This CD is an extremely high-quality production
in the same league as classic horror soundtracks like Bram
Stoker's Dracula, The Omen and Halloween.
Darklore Manor is music
from the shadows for creatures of the night. This is Gothic music
in the truest sense. Highly recommended. 5 stars * * * * *
Jordan Wright, Vampire's Crypt |
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"Music of the dead..." |
Darklore Manor
It's too bad they no longer make
those "read-along-with" 33 rpm records of decades past;
if they started being pressed again for adult fans, Joseph Vargo
of Nox Arcana would be the perfect choice to produce them. Case
in point: Nox Arcana's CD album DARKLORE MANOR, based on a legendary
spectral abode in Salem, MA.
DARKLORE MANOR is an occult-themed
concept CD inspired by the mysterious deaths, disappearances
and ghostly sightings involved in the museum's controversial
history. (An insert includes a mini-testimony by Damon Darklore
on why the tortured souls of his bloodline must meander in the
cursed place forever.) Vargo and William Piotrowski's musical
creations fuse eerie soundscapes with vocals in the form of ominous
incantations. The haunting melodies combine classical instruments
with modern synthesized orchestrations, and Vargo's cover art
is a real Victorian treat.
Vargo's creations have been in
the genre spotlight since 1993, with his renowned series of "Born
of the Night" art collections, his TALES FROM DARK TOWER
illustrated anthology and his "Gothic Tarot" cards
of the Major and Minor Arcana. All of the his work has a sophisticated
flair and homages classic horror.
Fangoria --- Alexandra
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"The ultimate gothic
expression." |
Darklore Manor
Nox Arcana is a new American duo set up by Joseph Vargo. You
maybe remember this guy from his involvement in Midnight Syndicate,
where he also walked on soundtrack fields. Darklore Manor
doesn't sound different, but is definitely more 'conceptual'
to me. The music is all about the story of a haunted manor. The
picture on the front perfectly illustrates the ideas about the
music. You see an impressive manor surrounded by a deep fog and
a kind of vampire character in front of an open iron fence, who
invite us to enter and visit the hidden secrets of the house
of horror. The music remains mainly instrumental and is full
of organ sounds, dark strings, orchestral arrangements and a
few baroque influences like harpsichord. The tracks create a
compact entity, which is pure soundtrack like. This is the ultimate
gothic expression, which will undoubtedly please to the most
traditional freaks of the genre.
Sideline Magazine |
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"Spectacular..." |
Darklore Manor
I have recently added this spectacular CD to my music collection.
In my opinion, Darklore Manor must be Joseph Vargo's most
remarkable musical endeavor to date. You all know him from Midnight
Syndicate's Born of the Night and Realm of Shadows
-- here he takes
his atmospheric story-telling to new heights. You do not simply
"hear" the music, you feel it and live it. Listen for
yourself, and once you do, I am positive you will have to own
it. I hope you are as excited and blown away as I was. Nox Arcana
is about to make its mark!
Jeff Hartz, Buzz-Works.com |
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"Darklore Manor continues
Vargo's legacy... Haunted organs, ghostly voices, and much much
more fill this release while maintaining strong musical compositions
instead of becoming overdone with sound-effects like most seasonal
releases." |
Darklore Manor
Joseph Vargo and his partner William Piotrowski for Nox Arcana
bring back the sounds that made Midnight Syndicate famous. Fans
of Midnight Syndicate may remember albums like Born of the
Night and Realm of Shadows, both of which feature
Joseph Vargo. Nox Arcana's debut is no less enthusiastic and
resurrects these dark orchestral sounds. Darklore Manor
continues Vargo's legacy initially begun, while Midnight Syndicate
has not carried on, to venture into other territory such as a
Dungeons & Dragons soundtrack. Nox Arcana, on the
other hand, give fans of Midnight Syndicate what they've been
craving most. Enter Darklore Manor, where creatures of the night
lurk in shadows and ghostly sounds echo through unhallowed halls.
Haunted organs, ghostly voices, and much much more fill this
release while maintaining strong musical compositions instead
of becoming overdone with sound-effects like most seasonal releases.
I say seasonal because as many of you know Midnight Syndicate
has become very popular in the Haunted Attraction industry at
Halloween and Nox Arcana should reside along with them by the
other releases Vargo helped create.
Joseph Vargo is not only a talented
and creative musician with a taste for dark music but also a
well established artist who has created quite a stir with his
own company. Monolith Graphics has been in business several years
producing postcards, posters, stickers, t-shirts, journals, calendars,
tarot decks, and their own magazine. Dark Realms
has also run several issues featuring reviews of all things dark
and wonderful in entertainment including books, games, movies,
music, and much more. Dark Realms is THE premiere magazine
for darkling entertainment. Also check out Monolith's Tales
from the Dark Tower, an original collection of 13 sinister
stories, lavishly illustrated by Joseph Vargo. Based upon characters
depicted in Vargo's classic gothic paintings, each story in this
unique anthology is woven together to create a new and compelling
saga of vampire lore.
Darklore Manor is a healthy
addition to the Monolith family of releases and an exciting one
this year for Halloween fans worldwide. Abandon hope all ye who
enter here... Look for the follow-up called Necronomicon,
a dark symphony based upon H.P. Lovecraft's forbidden tome of
unspeakable horrors. 5 stars * * * * *
TG Mondalf, ChainDLK |
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"Another masterpiece!" |
Darklore Manor
Where to begin... While already impressed with Joseph Vargo's
visual work, I had no idea what to expect with the audio. The
Nox Arcana CD is truly beautiful, inside and out! The CD design
is a work of art, and both my wife and I are already enjoying
the music. We are really picky when it comes to Goth-influenced
music, and this shows significant sophistication, good production/engineering,
and just plain excellent compositions. I'm blown away by Dark
Realms, The Gothic Tarot cards, and now this?! Everything
Monolith is associated with is truly magical. Congratulations
on another masterpiece!
Jer Olsen, CEO, MusicBootCamp.com |
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"Skillfully crafted..." |
Darklore Manor
Nox Arcana invites you to enter Darklore Manor, the once stately
Victorian mansion with a mysterious and troubling past. Your
journey begins with "Legend", an ominous piece that
sets the tone for your excursion into Darklore Manor -- an unearthly voice warns
those who would enter, "none but the dead dare trespass
here."
The tension begins to mount in the foreboding
arrangement "Trespassers". As the mansion doors slam
shut, the dire nature of your situation becomes apparent; there
is no turning back. In the distance, the faint strains of a pipe
organ begin to swell, filling this "Sanctuary of Shadows"
with sound, reaching a crescendo when joined by a sinister chorus
of Gregorian chants. It is then you realize this unholy shrine
to darkness is alive. As you walk through the halls, you encounter
the young girl of the house, "Belladonna". The haunting
melody within this song is striking, in that its simplicity effectively
creates a feeling of sorrow. This spirits gather for the "Séance"
and deliver their cautionary message. While the ghostly voices
warn you to "Leave this place" and "Turn back,"
the maniacal laugh at the end gives the impression that it may
already be too late. You begin to feel a real sense of impending
danger. The pulse pounding orchestration in the tension laced
"Beyond Midnight" lead you to the startling conclusion;
the evil has been set free, again. Your journey through Darklore
Manor comes to an unexpected ending with "Resurrected,"
a moody piece that builds to an abrupt conclusion through frenetic
orchestration and diabolical chanting.
Darklore Manor is the first creation
of Nox Arcana, the resulting work of Joseph Vargo and William
Piotrowski. While William is a relatively new to the genre, Joseph's
experience dates back to his work with Midnight Syndicate. Individually,
each of the 21 songs are strong enough to stand on their own,
but collectively they conspire to a higher purpose; each dark
composition is a chapter in the story, a piece in the puzzle,
skillfully crafted to guide your journey through the unhallowed
halls of Darklore Manor.
It is interesting to note that Darklore
Manor's appeal is likely to cross genres --
the dark and brooding orchestrations are just as likely to appeal
to the gothic crowd and gamers alike. By combining a well thought
concept with solid orchestration, Darklore Manor succeeds
where others in this genre have failed. Instead of a collection
of disjointed compositions assembled under the thin guise of
a concept, the result is a coherent story told through music.
Scot Howard, National
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"A Masterpiece of Darkness" |
Darklore Manor
Having read that Joseph Vargo used to be in Midnight Syndicate,
a band that I like a lot, I was really anxious to listen this
album. And I was not dissapointed. Yes, here there are the dark
atmospheres and concept that links all the tracks contained on
this album. Here is the imagination of Vargo and his partner
William Piotrowski at its full capacity. You can even imagine
the story behind, such as you can imagine an Edgar Allan Poe
story, like being where the action takes place. Everything is
dark orchestration, black harmonizations, sad melodies and haunting
arrangements. These guys manage to link closely the music with
the artwork, the interaction of which is really perfect. A masterpiece
of darkness. Favorite tracks: All the CD.
Federico Marongiu, Music
Extreme |
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"Classic goth appeal" |
Darklore Manor takes listeners on a journey
into the shadows as it weaves a musical tale of a ghost story
set in a haunted Victorian mansion. Midnight Syndicate producer
Joseph Vargo combines his dark vision and talents with fellow
composer/musician William Piotrowski to create 21 haunting melodies
comprised of pipe organs, violins, cellos, tolling bells, ominous
choirs and harpsichords. These pieces are further accentuated
by a gothic chorus of Latin chanting of forbidden rites. Ghostly
choirs add a somber and eerie accent to lonely piano melodies
such as "Belladonna" and "Veil of Darkness,"
while pounding rhythms echo throughout some of the more elaborate
orchestrations like "Resurrected" and "Beyond
Midnight." Vocal narratives lend unsettling interludes between
some of the tracks such as the child's poem that introduces the
eerie "Music Box." With its mixture of haunting, melancholy
melodies and ominous, symphonic orchestrations, Nox Arcana delivers
classic goth appeal. Explore the shadows of Darklore Manor.
Highly recommended.
Devon King, Dark
Realms Magazine |
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"Macabre... Haunted...
Darkly Poetic... Eerie..." |
Darklore Manor is a soundtrack inspired
by an actual haunted Victorian mansion, legends of which have
circulated throughout the Gloucester, Massachusetts region for
over a century. On the Nox Arcana website, one can peruse the
history and the hellish background of this place as a means to
whet the appetite for the music that follows.
Nox Arcana band member Joseph Vargo
has been a renowned macabre style artist for well over a decade,
with a wide array of dark works to his credit. In 1998, his inspirational
creation and stunning artwork thrust the band Midnight Syndicate
into notoriety with the release of Born of the Night.
After the release of Realm of Shadows in 1999, Midnight
Syndicate and Vargo parted ways so that he could focus his attentions
on other projects such as a book and deck of gothic tarot cards,
while his publishing company, Monolith Graphics, expanded to
include Dark Realms Magazine, as an outlet to help promote
other gothic writers, artists and musicians.
Throughout it all, Vargo has continued
to be haunted by the dark musical muse. Joining forces with William
Piotrowski, this duo known as Nox Arcana musically transports
the listener through the core essence of a hellish experience
within a haunted mansion.
Once inside this decadent place,
we are held captive within the many cavernous halls of this Victorian
domicile. Black masses replete with Latin chanting are re-enacted
under the music to create an almost subliminal fright experience.
We notice this tug on the fear level from the title track, "Darklore
Manor," which serves as a prelude of what is to come as
heard in "Beyond Midnight." "Threshold of the
Dead" might make some think of Dark Shadows, as it
has a similar airy, yet macabre intonation conducive for a midnight
stroll along the water's edge. "Veil of Darkness" utilizes
a piano in a malevolently bombastic way, that one may need to
look over their shoulder from time to time just as a reminder
that this is only music. "Remnants" is one track that
can actually be called darkly poetic and romantic in a somber
way. The harpsichord effect takes one back to a time where there
once was love, just before all hell broke loose. Christine Filipak
makes a wonderful appearance on the track "Nursery Rhyme,"
which although one of the shortest tracks, leaves an indelible
impression of long dead children from another space and time.
All in all, this 21-track CD has
everything one would seek from haunted music. We are privy to
bells tolling malevolently, whispered phantom voices, Latin chanting,
door slams, eerie harpsichords, thunderstorms and the like. Certainly,
this is the type of music to be played at the height of a thunderstorm
or during a Ouija board session with friends if one wanted to
elevate the evenings spook factor. Additionally, this CD contains
fabulous graphics along with a brief history of the mansion.
Nox Arcana tightly controlled the listening experience by crafting
sound with lyrics as an atmospheric setting for this ghost story,
somewhat like a haunted tour guide. If you seek a CD to scare
the neighborhood children as much as yourself, Darklore Manor
bids you welcome.
Mike Ventarola, Hidden Sanctuary / Albion
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"Genuinely quite spooky." |
Darklore Manor
Don't play this if you're at home by yourself after midnight
-- or, depending
on your taste for being creeped out, definitely do. Darklore
Manor plays like a suspense/horror soundtrack, taking place
in the classic setting of an abandoned mansion haunted by damned
souls. Ghosts awaken with heavy, chilling synths, slithery whispers,
mournful piano, and creaking doors; the scariest tracks by far
are the childlike "Nursery Rhyme" and "Music Box."
Pieces like "The Forgotten" and "Veil of Darkness"
feature quite lovely piano playing, and many stand alone as fine
dark-orchestral fragments... genuinely quite spooky.
Gothic Beauty Magazine |
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"Nox Arcana is to be
applauded...
Darklore Manor brings down the house. " |
Darklore Manor
Former Midnight Syndicate collaborator Joseph Vargo and multi-instrumentalist
William Piotrowski have combined their passions for darkness
and music. In the course of Darklore Manor's 21 tracks,
the duo explores horror-inspired soundscapes and creepy fantasy
coupled with an occasional ominous narrative.
The music comes off as accompaniment
to a ghost story, which is detailed in the liner notes and artwork.
The full experience entails both parts. Vargo and Piotrowski
know what they're seeking musically --
gothic moodiness and subtle tension inspired by classic horror-movie
scores along the lines of Carnival of Souls and Halloween...
Nox Arcana is to be applauded for its sense of vision... Darklore
Manor brings down the house.
Scene Magazine |
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"A landmark album of
gothic and eerie atmospheres..." |
Darklore Manor
Former Midnight Syndicate member Joseph Vargo has embarked in
his own haunted project, Nox Arcana, teaming up with William
Piotrowski to create a landmark album of gothic and eerie atmospheres
and classic orchestrations. If this debut album, Darklore
Manor, is anything to go by, rejoice your dark souls... Nox
Arcana will lead you through this haunted and grim manor house
impeccably, by means of a soundtrack that projects you instantly
into the dark fantastic realm it depicts and keeps you there
with bated breath throughout the over 50 minutes of the journey.
Darklore Manor is pure, classical goth, the main body
of which is made up of fast progressing melodic orchestrations,
with abundance of cello, piano, pipe organs, and the occasional
pounding sequence. Ghostly interludes punctuate the developing
story with treated vocals and atmospheric noises, while some
sparse vocal narrations are used to great effect, which increases
the evocative power of the music. Macabre and refined, Darklore
Manor is highly recommended to gothic audiences of all kinds,
and of course, to any fan of old-style horror movies. Candlelight
listening is obligatory.
Gianfranco, Darklife
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