Nox Arcana
Official Site
Blackthorn Asylum, Monolith Graphics 2009
For years, I had thought the Midnight Syndicate was the only group out there doing spooky ambient albums based around a single theme. So as you can imagine, I was pretty blown away with I stumbled across the Wikipedia entry for Nox Arcana. Elated by the idea of even more cool haunt music being out there, I immediately started researching Nox Arcana.
Formed in Cleveland, Ohio by Joseph Vargo, the name “Nox Arcana” is Latin for “mysteries of the night.” Since 2003, the famed horror artist and his bandmate William Piotrowski have been cranking out albums devoted to everything from horror authors to ghost pirates.
Given that Mr. Vargo used to be a part of the Midnight Syndicate, it might be tempting for some to label Nox Arcana as a Midnight Syndicate clone. However, that is just not the case. If you go read my history of the band, you’ll find that Vargo was huge part of the reason the Syndicate adopted that style (so Nox Arcana is merely doing more of the kind of music he’s always been doing). Besides, Nox Arcana includes lots of extra bonuses with their albums, such as opening narration, bonus tracks and lengthy liner notes filled with details to help draw draw listeners further into the world the album’s music has located. They’re often filled with puzzles and injokes, too. How can you not love a group that would name a song after an obscurity like this?
Blackthorn Asylum is not merely a trip through a haunted asylum, as certain tracks and the liner notes (designed to look like a journal) reveal that an experiment that should be familiar to readers of this story by H.P. Lovecraft. Medical diagrams and coded messages can also be found in the liner notes. I won’t spoil anything by telling you what I’ve found, but let’s just say the answers will surely delight any horror fan.
“Legacy of Darkness” starts things off with rolling thunder followed by a combination of synth work, piano, pipe organ and a variety of sound effects. After the laughing, moans and screams, a crackling recording (voiced by Joesph Vargo) discusses the nature of insanity and hints at the secrets of the asylum. The title track “Blackthorn Asylum” is very scary and good for just about any scare scene or haunt. This thanks to its moody piano, chanting vocals, and synth work that alternates between medium and heavy in terms of volume and feel. The vocals, piano and synth work of “Sanitarium Gates” are relatively softer than they were on the previous track, but are still just as effective. The tolling bells are a great touch.
“Abandoned” uses soft piano notes and foreboding synthesizer work to evoke the feeling of loneliness. The wordless female vocals (by guest vocalist Christine Filipak) go well with the violins and chanting male vocals (the Gregorian Shadow Choir) and add to the sense of unease (with a touch of danger). “Threshold of Madness” has a wonderfully pounding, 80’s horror movie feel to it. Soft speedy piano work is soon dominated by pounding drums, male chanting, organ work and bells. Eerie use of a harpsichord in “Tapestry of Decay” gives the track a suitably ancient feel, with female vocals, light bells and synth notes coming in at times. Male vocals later join in for a spell and add to the sense of dread. “Hidden Horrors” effectively uses heavy synth work, an evil laugh and male chanting, followed by female vocals. The very chilling bursts of chanting and organ work in this are strengthened by low whispering and more laughter. It’s perfect to use in a part of your haunt where you want to keep visitors guessing about then something will come after them. “When Darkness Falls” couples light piano work, female vocals and soft (but somehow heavy) synth work. The plunking of keys seems like shadows growing, and the later use of bells and a violin add to the mood.
“Shock Treatment” is a soundscape that runs less than a minute in length. Thankfully, its use of pulsing, electrical shocks and screams are great for continuous looping without sounding odd. This is ideal for use with scenes based around electric chairs or shock treatment. “Fractured Memories” uses light piano work with some heavy touches, aided by synth notes, bells and vocals. “Phantasmagoria” gets the heart racing with pounding percussion, the sound of thunder and loud chanting in a language I can’t make out (presumably Latin). Thunder and rain signal the coming of the “Creeper,” whose evil laugh is often heard throughout the track. Low violins and bells make up most of the track, with moaning male chants enhanced by lone female vocals. A light, slow piano gets “Sanity Slipping” going and are later joined by more chanting, bells and the occasional use of a music box-like effect.
“Dementia 13,” named after the horror movie of the same title uses pounding notes and soft wails to get things going. Great piano work is eventually joined by bells, chanting and wild violins that add a sense of madness to the menace. The combination of piano and violins give “Solitary Confinement” a mournful feel, aided by bells and light male chanting in background. “Frenzy” lives up to its name thanks to its fast, heavy piano and bells. Vocals of both sexes also add to the effect. “The Condemned” uses pounding, heavy drums and chanting, along with a “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor”-style organ work. I love the musical “slamming” effect in this. “Spiders in the Attic” uses eerie synth (or is it violins?) and a new type of wordless female wails along with piano, bells and the sort of chanting we’re used to. Its spooky sound and long length make it great for any haunted attic or basement.
“From Beyond” is another short soundscape, where pulsing and buzzing summon up something that growls, laughs evilly and speaks backwards. “Essence of Evil” uses bells and heavy synth work, along with a piano and male chanting in Latin to live up to its name. The drums and female chants that join in later are extremely effective. “Fade to Black” opens with a Halloween-style piano open with bells and heavy synth, along with chanting and a gong near the end. Or is it? A period of silence reveals moody synth work and breathing, followed by a crackling recording about the dangerous mutated inmates in the basement. Sinister laughter takes us to another brief silence, followed by the resonator sound effects, moaning, and the backwards-talking demon.
Despite the name, the music of Blackthorn Asylum can work with haunted attractions or yard setups of many other themes besides asylums (minus most of the soundscapes, of course). The majority of the tracks are well suited for looping and for playing while distributing candy come Halloween. I’m not the only one to notice the greatness of William Piotrowski and Joseph Vargo’s music. Big-name theme parks have used their work, as have the Travel Channel and a special showing of Nosferatu. As of this writing, Nox Arcana have recently released Theater of Illusion and have contributed to another project I’ll be discussing tomorrow…
Special thanks to Monolith Graphics for the review copy!
Gravedigger’s Local 16 is not to be held responsible for the content on or anything that may occur (be it good or bad) as a result of visiting any links on the above sites (or constructing a project that’s detailed on them). This also applies to the suggestions made here. Attempt at your own discretion.
16 pings
Skip to comment form
[…] Eve Winter’s Knight Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Chaino Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: Daikaiju Music to Haunt By: Nox Arcana Music to Haunt By: Buzz-Works Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The Waitiki 7 Freaky Tiki Surf-ari: The […]
[…] you read yesterday’s installment about Nox Arcana, you might remember how I teased about another new release of sorts from them. That’s due to […]
[…] browsing through the ol’ Google Analytics, the sheer number of people who read the Nox Arcana and Buzz Works installments of “Music to Haunt By” after searching for “House of […]
[…] better known for his musical and artistic work with Nox Arcana, Joseph Vargo is also a talented author. The Amazon preview for The Legend of Darklore Manor […]
[…] overall feel of Monster Movie Haunts! is what would happen if a relative of a Midnight Syndicate or Nox Arcana-type group married one of those “spooky sound effects” CDs that pop up everywhere come […]
[…] can I say about Nox Arcana that hasn’t already been said since I last reviewed them in “Music to Haunt By?” Well, this is the second time I’ve reviewed them for this […]
[…] snow blanketing everything, with icicles glittering like crystals. Noting both sides of the season, Nox Arcana has released two winter-themed albums, Winter’s Knight and the CD I’ll be reviewing […]
[…] musical favorites Nox Arcana have a great holiday deal on their website: You can save 10% off the entire Nox Arcana CD […]
[…] browsing through the ol’ Google Analytics page, the sheer number of people who read the Nox Arcana and Buzz Works installments of “Music to Haunt By” after searching for “House of […]
[…] Nox Arcana – Blackthorn Asylum is not only suitable for scary adventures set in haunted asylums (or other haunted locales), but its plotline involving a resonator will surely please fans of Lovecraft-themed games like The Call of Cthulhu. Some might take issue with the creatures summoned from beyond being referred to as “demons” and speaking backwards, but let’s not forget this could just be another case of eldritch forces pretending to be something else. Some might opt to leave out the album’s first track, “Legacy of Darkness,” due to its spoken word nature, but others may choose to use it as a scary way of setting up the adventure. The liner notes are another potential playing aid, as they are designed to look like the head of the asylum’s coded journal. If soundscapes are your thing, the presence of “Shock Treatment” and “From Beyond” will both delight you and add to planned encounters involving electroshock therapy or creatures being summoned from another dimension. The other tracks are perfect for conjuring up the feeling of antiquity, madness and/or being chased. Nox Arcana has produced many other albums that are well suited to use with RPGs, especially Blood of the Dragon and Necronomicon. […]
[…] use of synthesizers and instruments should definitely appeal to fans of music from groups like Nox Arcana and the Midnight Syndicate. Those in the industry have taken note of his talent as well. Midnight […]
[…] being known primarily for spooky music, Nox Arcana has also released two Christmas albums (with a touch of darkness). They also offer Christmas cards […]
[…] towards soundtracks that can be used in a variety of haunts. That said, I should have known that Nox Arcana would be the ones to make a circus-themed album that has tracks appropriate for regular and […]
[…] use of synthesizers and instruments should definitely appeal to fans of music from groups like Nox Arcana and the Midnight Syndicate. Those in the industry have taken note of his talent as well. Midnight […]
[…] was one of groups that inspired me to do the “Music to Haunt By” series and have been a constant presence ever since then. Given how 2013 is their 10th anniversary, it would make sense for me to […]
[…] to Haunt By: An Introduction Music to Haunt By: Midnight Syndicate Music to Haunt By: Nox Arcana Music to Haunt By: Buzz Works Music to Haunt By: Dronolan’s Tower Music to Haunt By: […]