Darklore Manor

Nox Arcana | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2004)
• Original Release Date: December 31, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Monolith Graphics
• ASIN: B0006OHMRY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,085 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #14 in Music > Miscellaneous > Sound Effects
  • #22 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Halloween

Editorial Reviews

Embark on a musical journey throughout a legendary haunted mansion with a dark and sinister history---a place where creatures of the night lurk in shadows and ghostly sounds echo through its unhallowed halls. The concept of the album, which is based on the tales of a real haunted Victorian mansion near Salem, Mass., centers around the mysterious deaths of its original owners, the Darklore family, the curse that yet lingers there among the ruins, and the later disappearance of three teenagers who set out to hold a séance in the house on Halloween night several years ago. Reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House," this ghostly tale delivers all the elements of a classic horror film---an old mansion with a dark history, a cursed bloodline, tales of black magic and vengeful spirits of the dead---brought to life through ominous music and eerie sound effects. This gothic soundscape of haunting melodies, ghostly voices, Latin chants, and foreboding orchestrations creates the perfect dark atmosphere.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darklore Manor is a masterpiece of gothic music, June 1, 2004

By 

Angela Ramsland (Hollywood, FL) - See all my reviews

Let me begin by saying I am a HUGE fan of Joseph Vargo's artwork. Ever since I bought my first calendar of his years ago I have been in love with his dark and alluring renditions of vampires and ghosts. When I heard about Nox Arcana and the Darklore Manor cd, it sounded too good to be true. I didn't want to set my hopes too high, in case the music didn't meet my expectations. Before this album, I could only imagine what a soundtrack to the images in Vargo's dark world might sound like, but never in my wildest imaginings did I envision music so hauntingly beautiful. Vargo combines his talents with soundtrack composer William Piotrowski to create a captivating realm of gothic wonders.
      Listening to this cd, one can easily envision ghostly specters wandering through misty cemeteries, and vampires rising from their graves during the midnight hour. The music varies from woeful piano melodies to menacing pipe organ music to full-bodied orchestral compositions. The main melodies are accented by tolling bells, ghostly choirs and the occasional chorus of Latin chanting. My favorite tracks were "Remnants," which combines eerie harpsichord music with a sad violin melody, and "Phantom Procession," which utilizes sinister church bells to toll out a haunting refrain.
Throughout the cd, we are treated to creepy poems from the various undead spirits that inhabit Darklore Manor, an abandoned gothic mansion that has become the resting place of an undying evil. The photos and storyline in the accompanying booklet tell the tale of an ancient curse that looms over the forsaken abode. Darklore Manor is a masterpiece of gothic music that takes the concept of an atmospheric horror soundscape to new heights.

- Angela Ramsland

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Halloween music or for anytime you want something devilshly dark, October 27, 2005

By 

R. Wynieski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Darklore Manor (Audio CD)

This cd is the first from the gothic duo Nox Arcana. And it tells the story of cursed mansion that brings woe and death to all who dwell within. The music is sinister, enticing, and darkly inviting. Almost like a temptress luring the listener to walk through the gates to hell. Only one statement comes to my mind that describes this haunting cd. It's from the inscription above the gates to hell in Dantes Divine Comedy,"Abandon all hope ye who enter here". And if you dare to enter Darklore Manor you may never return.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invitation..., August 16, 2005

By 

Draconis Blackthorne (The Haunted Noctuary) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darklore Manor (Audio CD)

"Woe befalls all who dwell within Darklore Manor, for those whohave met their fate within this blighted place are cursed to forever wander its unhallowed halls."

A magnificent treasure found, a veritable key to Darklore Manor. Travellng through the thick foliage of black forest underneath the moon's gaze, the fog increases as you near the omninous Mansion - at the iron gate, a phantasmic gentleman beckons one to enter the gloriously gloomy estate... and enter we will... there is no turning back. A strange chanting fills your mind as vertigo overtakes the consciousness, the shadows deepen beyond the creeking door, as the candlebrum is lit, and now into the labyrinthine hallways.

The musick is repleat with a mystical ambience flowing to take you into this infamous legend. The booklet is spooktacular in its artisry, relating the tale as well as poetry. As revealed by a yellowed scroll, seems Mr. Damon Darklore had been experimenting with some Dark Sorcery, uncovered by the swinging bookcase which leads into a secret chambre. A wonderful surprise awaits on track 21, so keep listening. The astute will discover the interactive booklet contains various clues and indications relating to both the story and the music itself.

Travel back in time to witness the events that occurred once upon a time in the theatre of your mind, allowing the dread muses to rise. Darklore Manor is a welcomed addition to aurally haunt one's own 'unhallowed halls".

{Keep in mind that this is 'part one' of the subsequent 'Necronomicon' opus, which reveals the nefarious source of events.}