Customer Reviews

Vampyre : Symphonies from the Crypt

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Again, Midnight Syndicate succeeds in delivering another compilation of haunting compositions to stimulate listeners' imaginations. "Graveyard," the second brooding track of this album, is reason enough to buy "Vampyre." While there are fewer sound effects and ambient noises on this album, the music is no less atmospheric. The dynamic duo of Midnight Syndicate is brilliant and worthy of being enlisted to produce film scores for famed horror directors like John Carpenter. Whether or not this ever happens, Midnight Syndicate will remain the masters of gothic horror soundtracks.

This is background music, not a symphony, soundtrack, or goth music. FYI - it's EXTREMELY repetitive at times and often the synths sound too much like synths, but it's really made for haunted houses, Halloween parties, and the occassional satanic orgy, not for listening to on your ipod. Nearly every review (good and bad) has been accurate in that regard.

If you want something soundtrack oriented but more dynamic or musically interesting, get the Nox Arcana albums, or if you want vocals, Nightwish. They're mildly similar, but much livelier.

That said, it's very good at what it does - dark background/elevator music for the dentist's chair in hell (or your attraction or party).

The Midnight Syndicate CDs are more or less the official haunted house/Halloween party soundtrack besides Nox Arcana. Listen to both bands. Then pick the one that works better for your party or attraction.

IMO, the MS albums are more holiday oriented and the NA albums are more darkwave/goth than holiday and attraction oriented (and better for personal listening), but your mileage may vary.

Including "Vampyre", I now have Midnight Syndicate's 4 most recent CD's. For some strange reason, during the first few tracks I can't help but think of John Williams movie scores. The Dark Effect finally hits around the 5th selection and I am enticed into the NightWorld of of the Vampyre at last. So Good to be "Home" again! This is a grand collection of "inspirational" music. I think "Born of the Night" and "Realm of Shadows" are slightly better, but when they're all at least as good as "Vampyre", one really has nothing to complain about. Light the candles, climb into your coffin and ENJOY!

very good album by a good set of artists. Hope they make it big. This is one of a select few that I will buy their stuff sight un seen so to speak.

Midnight Syndicate has become a Halloween tradition for me. Light some candles, turn the lights down, prop up your feet and let the haunting melodies set the mood. "Vampyres" is yet another great CD from the Syndicate. I found this release to be even better than some of their earlier CD's. Tracks 2,6,8 and 11 are my stand out tunes. If you haven't heard these guys before and enjoy instrumental music with a Halloween flavor then this CD (or any of their other ones) is a must.

Sounds just like sound track music,Bought for holloween party and it really sets stage. Black lights, this music and subwoofer turned up and you get chills.

Every time I listen to Vampyre, it grows on me more and more. This album is excellent. The music is very spooky and passionate and intense and eerie all at the same time. There are a wide variety of melodies. No two tracks sound the same. One of the strengths of Midnight Syndicate's style of music is that it is more dark classical in nature, without an EXCESS of certain sounds that can liven up the songs, such as chimes, bells, and choirs. They use these sounds, but it's in moderation. I like listening to dark classical/gothic with lots of strings with an occasional accent in each song to liven things up. Midnight Syndicate does this well, and they never go overboard with sound effects.

I give Midnight Syndicate credit for having the courage to come up with music for a theme that I feel is probably difficult to portray musically. Coming up with music for an album with a broad vampyre theme that covers the full spectrum of vampyres is not easy. They did an excellent job. Here are the songs: Awakening (good opening atmospheric track), Graveyard (good atmospheric track), Unhallowed Ground (great organ), Crypt Of The Forsaken (eerie), Winged Fury (great melody and passionate), Blackest Rose (very ballad-like with a good melody), Ravages Of Time (melodic, driving, and spooky), Catacombs (ghostly), Unseen Eyes (good transition into Undead Hunters), Undead Hunters (driving rhythm and spooky, and has that "you better watch out" sound to it), Ancient Tomes (great melody and passionate), Dusk (spooky), Spectral Masquerade (good melody), and Vampyre (very dramatic, passionate, and melodic with great sound effects). My favorites are Unhallowed Ground, Winged Fury, Blackest Rose, Ravages Of Time, Catacombs, Undead Hunters, Dusk, Spectral Masquerade, and Vampyre.

This is an album that you can play on your stereo while watching a vampire movie with your TV on mute, and the music will fit right in with what you see on the screen. If you like such vampire movies as Salem's Lot (1979), Dracula (1979), and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), then you should like this. All in all, a solid versatile album that I recommend to anybody who likes dark classical/gothic music that can be used for Halloween or any time you want to relax with great music and not be distracted by it. It's great music to listen to when you're driving down the freeway at twilight with the windows rolled down. Get this disc. You'll love it.

Now what is that that comes to my ears? The sound of an organ reverberating inside of an "abondoned" crypt, seducing me with the promise of fulfilling my dark desires. Luring me deeper and deeper into a hauntingly beautiful world where vampires roam...

Yet another masterpiece by some of the night's most talented minstrels.

Midnight Syndicate hits this one out of the park with a hauntingly orchastrated soundscape for the undead.An excellant soundtrack to take along with you on those nightly jaunts through the cemetary when seeking out hungry bloodsuckers.A chilling sometimes melodic compilation.Midnight Syndicate never disapoints.

The first time I heard this album, I wasn't blown away. It was good and all, but I liked it the least of all of the previous Midnight Syndicate albums. Not too long ago, I pulled it out again and listened to it again. It's funny how your opinion of something can change over time. This time, I WAS blown away. I thought to myself "How could I have only thought 'yeah, it's pretty good' back then?" This CD was amazing!

If you weren't overly impressed the first tme you heard this CD, throw it back in and give it another try. It might just sound a little different to your ears this time around.