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| SHADOW OF THE RAVEN |
"Timeless... romantically gorgeous...
undeniably majestic... wonderfully chilling!!!"
The
Perch
"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."
Alexandra Nakelski,
Fangoria
"I can't recommend this enough."
Prognaut
"Shadow of the Raven continues in [Nox Arcana's]
vein of greatness... [they] delve so deeply into what it truly
must have been like to be Poe, it makes you wonder if Vargo and
Piotrowski aren't actually vampires that at one time shared an
evening with the man, cavorting on the rundown streets of Baltimore."
Horror-Punks.com
"One of my favorite releases from Nox Arcana."
Kitley's Krypt
"A superb unleashing by the minstrels of the macabre,
dedicated to master of the macabre."
Draconis
Blackthorne also at Fangoria
Musick |
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| BLOOD OF THE DRAGON |
"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."
Alexandra
Nakelski, Fangoria
"I perfectly imagine this music as soundtrack of movies
like Conan and the great Lord of the Rings-trilogy.
I personally prefer Nox Arcana's work for being a bit more diversified...
amazing talent!"
Side-Line
Magazine
"Nox Arcana, does as a duo what some film composers do with
an entire orchestra. They're truly a force to be reckoned with...
Simply enchanting. Upon listening to Blood of the Dragon,
I'm reminded of the soundtrack scores of great sword and sorcery
movies like Conan, The 13th Warrior and The Lord of
the Rings."
Prognaut
Reviews
"Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski constantly surpass
themselves in creating amazing melodies and arrangements. The
majestic feeling of the music here will surely take you to ancient
lands, the ones imagined by this virtuoso duo."
Music
Extreme
"These epic stories seem to be in their blood and
flow like sweet wine from their fingers to their instruments.
Nox Arcana holds the great treasure of atmospheric perfection.
I believe this is one of the best Dungeons and Dragons style
soundtracks I've ever heard. This even trumps the Midnight Syndicate
official soundtrack."
Black
Angel
"I could easily see this as a soundtrack for many a sword
& sorcery or barbarian movies. The different tracks bring
to life various journeys and quests for the dragon, filling the
listener with visions of smoky caves, wide open and 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."
Kitley's
Krypt |
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| BLOOD OF ANGELS |
"an ageless, timeless feel to the
plight of the Watcher Angels"
Flames
Rising
"This is a remarkable debut!"
Side-Line
Magazine
"Dead Can Dance, Loreena McKennitt, Kari Rueslatten come
to mind showing that Michelle is an extremely talented singer.
One of the most climatic albums of the year."
Music
Extreme
"A spinetingling thrillride that opens the doors of the
darkest desires of man and angels... extravagent vocals, a fabulous
storyline and incredible musicianship."
Black
Angel |
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| CARNIVAL OF LOST SOULS |
"Deeply mesmerizing, very entertaining,
and technically brilliant. Nox Arcana knows how to make the Dark
Side fun."
JEFarrow, Parallel
Perspectives
"The perfect soundtrack to weave your life into an endless
spook show... a new work of devilishly dark atmosphere."
Black
Angel
"As always Nox Arcana delivers the best."
Music
Extreme (Argentina)
"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."
Arising Realm (Austria)
"Send in the clowns...or else. Carnival of Lost Souls
evokes a place of wickedness and danger. Perfect for haunted
houses or Halloween parties."
Big
Ole Face Full of Monster
"Nox Arcana 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..."
Kitley's
Krypt
"A quality soundtrack that no one with any love of Halloween
or dark fantasy whatsoever should be without. I can imagine wandering
through an amusement park maze, a carnival after hours, or haunted
house... Think Tim Burton meets Jim Henson, with a touch of Dario
Argento. I think it's rather challenging to create a theme album
and not sound cheesy but somehow these two professional music
composers, Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski, managed it."
Morbid
Outlook
"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."
Fangoria
"In every Nox Arcana release we're taken to a new place
and another dark world. In Carnival of Lost Souls we visit
a spooky, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" style fairgrounds..."
Legends
Magazine
"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... you will never want to leave... (5/5 stars).
Draconis
Blackthorne
"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
"Another first rate collection of creepy symphonic music
from Nox Arcana."
Marty Dodge,
BlogCritics
"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."
Josh Haney,
Hacker's Source
"Carnival of Lost Souls is one of the boldest moves
Nox Arcana has made to date. Overall, this CD shows off Nox Arcana's
skill and musicianship with a large breadth of composition set
within a very, challenging setting. This isn't a CD about scary
clowns with bad makeup and evil flamethrowers; this is music
that tells the story of the frightened child within all of us,
swept away by the Carnival of Lost Souls."
Flames
Rising |
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| TRANSYLVANIA |
"The concept 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 and epic... an impressive quality sound."
Strange
Magazine
"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.
Vargo and Piotrowski have a way of creating evocative environments
that linger in your psyche. I can honestly say they are without
equal..."
Hacker's
Source
"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..."
Metal
Invader (Greece)
"Transylvania is darkly atmospheric with its shadowy grace...
The production work is brilliant. Overall, the whole album is
awesome, the musicianship excellent---melodic
beauty mixed with chilling doom-laden darkness." [5 stars
******]
ChainDLK
"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."
Fangoria
"Nox Arcana are known to take their subject matter seriously
and apply a level of professionalism that is unmatched since
Bram Stoker created his neverending tale over a century ago...
Nox Arcana's take on the subject in Transylvania stays
truthful and infuses the atmosphere with the perfect backing
to any Victorian gothic horror. Nox Arcana's treatment is deep,
meaningful, frightening yet beautiful."
Legends
Magazine
"As a magician/escape artist, I look to music as a form
of inspiration and creativity, and Nox Arcana contributes magically
on all levels. Their music pierces the veil of darkness and has
actually helped me to create magic effects based on many of their
alluring themes. Rarely can one sit back and actually visualize
music, but in this instance Nox Arcana echoes from the crypt."
KarL Achilles, professional magician
"Setting the bar higher and higher with each
release... 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..."
Kitley's
Krypt |
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| WINTER'S KNIGHT |
"Beautifully dark Christmas hymns
with a gothic touch. A classic masterpiece of timelessness. Certainly
appropriate for the holiday season! Be prepared to go back in
time to a kingdom far far away."
Nocturna,
Livid Looking Glass
"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. "
Fangoria
"This music is wonderful... All the enchantment and beauty
of traditional classical Christmas music from the dark side.
Very evocative of holiness as well as spine chillingly mysterious."
Morbid
Outlook
"If you like your holidays with a little imagination and
mystery, this is the album for you."
Amy
H. Sturgis, popthought.com
"Gothic symphonic goodness..."
Marty Dodge,
BlogCritics
"As the wind and bone wrenching cold envelops you this Christmas
season, my suggestion is to let the latest brilliant dirge by
Nox Arcana increase the effect with their Christmas effort, Winter's
Knight. The duo of Joseph Vargo and William Piotroswki subdues
the cold outside and replaces it with a deeper one from inside,
but somehow interweave warmth into the otherwise bleak dirges
they produce, a subtlety that is not missed on this reviewer."
Legends
Magazine
"Many artists claim that their music is haunting, but no
one delivers the goods like Nox Arcana. Everything about this
enchanting concept album is a true work of genius."
Amazon
Reviews
"Talk about the nightmare before Christmas! Winter's
Knight takes listeners on a gothic fantasy to the blackest
parts of midnight..."
ChristmasReviews.com
"With Winter's Knight, Nox Arcana went into more
of a gothic or ghostly sound for the winter holidays. They have
done another excellent job..."
Kitley's
Krypt |
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| NECRONOMICON |
"Nox Arcana leave no stone unturned
in their quest to bring the Great Old Ones to life through their
patented brand of morbid music... 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."
Hacker's
Source
"Deliciously sexy and seductive."
Fangoria
"They've hit the mark on this one. Necronomicon is
a delightfully eerie, aural exploration of the Cthulhu Mythos.
Lovecraft's work does have a melodramatic flavour to it that
doesn't translate well unless you acknowledge it. Well, Vargo
and Piotrowski have done just that, and the result is delicious!"
Morbid
Outlook
"Amazing... dark masterworks."
Music
Extreme (Argentina)
"A flawless performance, an occult mosaic planned and executed
with rhythmic precision. Nox Arcana's Necronomicon is
a masterful blend of dark desires and the Cthulhu mythos. The
CD is an impressive tribute; to appreciate the sum of its parts
it should be played as a stand-alone piece replete with candles,
cobwebs, and musty books."
FlamesRising
"Classically arranged and wonderfully visionary... A brooding
masterpiece... One of the most frightening pieces of music ever
pressed. The darkness that surrounds Necronomicon as a
whole is truly mind numbing."
Legends
Magazine
"Necronomicon is the most impressive and effective
musical interpretation of the writings of H. P. Lovecraft ever."
Music
Street Journal
"Necronomicon is 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 *****]
Temple of
Dagon
"I highly recommend Necronomicon. 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!"
Chiller
Cinema
"With their 2nd release Necronomicon, Nox Arcana
delve into the world of H.P. Lovecraft... they continue to conjure
up dark and eerie images through their music... Just be careful
where and when you listen to it, in case you conjure up some
unwanted guests."
Kitley's
Krypt
"Necronomicon would make a great soundtrack to the
original Lovecraft-inspired computer game..."
Urotsukidoji's
Pad |
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| DARKLORE MANOR |
"This album is the perfect way to
capture that elusive haunted house from your childhood, and relive
it anytime you wish. Enter the doors of Darklore Manor,
and prepare yourself for a journey to the very heart of your
deepest fears."
Hacker's
Source
"A masterpiece of darkness."
Music
Extreme
"Former Midnight Syndicate mastermind Joseph Vargo pairs
off with a new partner-in-crime, William Piotrowski, and the
21-song litany of lament they orchestrate is pure Goth... The
blackened compositions Vargo and Piotrowski have written are
irredeemable but gorgeous, dreary but exquisite. Not since Hammer
has an ominous Gothic sensation been so effectively produced."
Legends
Magazine
"A landmark album of gothic and eerie atmospheres. Darklore
Manor is pure, classical goth."
Darklife
Magazine, Germany
"Nox Arcana has a rich essence and timeless goth appeal.
It is beautiful music to play in the evening. I think it is a
great addition to anyone's music collection."
Don Henrie, "The
Vampire" (Mad Mad House)
Darklore Manor isn't merely music, it's good
music.
FlamesRising
"Darkly elegant... Darklore Manor is an extremely
high-quality production in the same league as classic horror
soundtracks like Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Omen and Halloween."
[5 stars *****]
Vampire's
Crypt
"Darklore Manor is the ultimate gothic expression..."
SideLine
Magazine
"Music of the dead..."
Fangoria
"Darklore Manor will slowly build tension and creep
under your skin in an almost inconspicuous way."
Urotsukidoji's
Pad
"Darklore Manor must be Joseph Vargo's most remarkable
musical endeavor to date. 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!"
Buzz-Works.com
"Nox Arcana bring back the sounds that made Midnight Syndicate
famous. Darklore Manor continues the legacy and gives
fans what they've been craving most... maintaining strong musical
compositions instead of becoming overdone with sound-effects
like most seasonal releases. Darklore Manor is an exciting
one this year for Halloween fans worldwide." [5 stars
*****]
ChainDLK
What is most impressive about Nox Arcana is their ability to
set an all encompasing mood via merely audio treatments. Like
other releases by this duo; the quality of this material is first
rate. I recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys a bit of Gothic
symphonic music.
Marty Dodge,
BlogCritics
"Deze cd is dan ook een aanrader voor de horrorfan!"
Translated: "These cds are a must for the horrorfan!"
If you read Dutch, check out this zine from Belgium...
Fantastiek
"Former Midnight Syndicate mastermind Joseph Vargo is back
with a vengeance... everything this man does in the name of art
is first rate. Darklore Manor is an instant classic, solid
from start to finish, a 'must-have.' A new monster has been born,
Nox Arcana is its name, and it has now arisen to claim the dark
throne!"
Goth God,
Haunted Hollow
"Truly beautiful, inside and out! Darklore Manor
shows significant sophistication, good production/engineering,
and excellent compositions. I'm blown away... Everything Monolith
is associated with is truly magical. Congratulations on another
masterpiece!"
MusicBootCamp.com
"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. 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. Combining a well thought
concept with solid orchestration, Darklore Manor succeeds
where others in this genre have failed."
National
Gamers Guild
"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."
Dark
Realms Magazine
"Darklore Manor has everything one would seek from
haunted music. Certainly, if one wanted to elevate the evening's
spook factor. If you seek a CD to scare the neighborhood children
as much as yourself, Darklore Manor bids you welcome."
Hidden
Sanctuary / Albion Batcave
"Genuinely quite spooky."
Gothic Beauty
Magazine
"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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