''Realm of Shadows'' is the third studio album by American band

Midnight Syndicate Midnight Syndicate is an American musical duo that has been working primarily in the genre of neoclassical dark ambient music since 1997 and is based in Chardon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The band refers to their CDs as "soundtracks for t ...

, released March 6, 2000 by Entity Productions.Discogs ''Realm of Shadows''
/ref> Musically keeping with the band's blend of dark instrumental music and

horror Horror may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres *Horror fiction, a genre of fiction **Japanese horror, Japanese horror fiction ** Korean horror, Korean horror fiction *Horror film, a film genre *Horror comics, comic books focusing on ...

-influenced soundscape, the theme of the album centers around a cursed and abandoned village.Julie E. Washington, "Haunting tunes are Goth band's specialty", ''

The Plain Dealer ''The Plain Dealer'' is the major newspaper of Cleveland, Ohio, United States. In fall 2019, it ranked 23rd in U.S. newspaper circulation, a significant drop since March 2013, when its circulation ranked 17th daily and 15th on Sunday. As of Ma ...

'' (Cleveland, OH ), October 30, 2000, Pg. 1-EGregorious Chant, "Audio Drome: Realm of Shadows", ''

Rue Morgue Magazine ''Rue Morgue'' is a multinational magazine devoted to coverage of horror fiction. Its content comprises news, reviews, commentary, interviews, and event coverage. Its journalistic span encompasses films, books, comic books, video games, and o ...

'' (Toronto, ON), September, 2000, Pg.72

Album release

The album was self-distributed in United States, selling nationally in the United States through chains like

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Hot Topic Hot Topic, Inc. (stylized as HOT TOPIC) is an American retail chain specializing in counterculture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music. The stores are aimed towards an audience interested in rock music and video gaming, ...

, Border Book Stores. The album was also sold in amusement park gift stores at

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, and in other retailers of

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-related products, such as Mr Fun's, a chain of

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s based in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Reception

''Realm of Shadows'', along with their previous release, ''

Born of the Night ''Born of the Night'' was the second album of the band Midnight Syndicate Midnight Syndicate is an American musical duo that has been working primarily in the genre of neoclassical dark ambient music since 1997 and is based in Chardon, Ohio, ...

'', helped establish the band's reputation in the haunted attraction and gothic music industries.Jeff Niesel, "Soundbites", ''

Cleveland Scene The ''Cleveland Scene'' is an alternative weekly newspaper based in Cleveland, Ohio. The newspaper includes highlights of Cleveland-area arts, music, dining, and films, as well as classified advertising. The first edition of the newspaper was pub ...

'' (Cleveland, OH), October 12, 2000, Pg.52Linda Feagler, "Tracks of Terror", ''

Cleveland Magazine ''Cleveland Magazine'' is a monthly magazine focused on Northeastern Ohio, USA. It was founded in 1972. The inaugural April 1972 issue featured a young Dennis Kucinich, a frequent profile subject of the magazine. Published monthly by the Great La ...

'' (Cleveland, OH), October 2000, Pg. 20. In an October 2000 interview in

, band founder, Edward Douglas estimated that about 400

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and amusement parks were using the music including

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and

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. In an article in

Adrian LePeltier, Director of Show Development at Universal Florida, called the music "the most horrifying he'd ever heard," convincing him to use it in the park's

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event. Daniel Hinds of

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Magazine said the album "took the band's brand of symphonic horror to a new level," commenting on that the ambient,

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-based instrumentals were a more subtle type of "terror." Side-Line Music Magazine praised the dark tone of album's music created and effectiveness of the artwork."Music Reviews: Realm of Shadows, ''Side-Line Magazine'' (Brussels, Belgium), April 2000, pg.51 ''Realm of Shadows'', along with ''

'', was used as pre-show music for

King Diamond Kim Bendix Petersen (born 14 June 1956), better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Danish rock musician. As a vocalist, he is known for his powerful and wide-ranging countertenor singing voice, in particular his far-reaching falsetto s ...

's tour in 2000.

Track listing

Personnel

*Edward Douglas – composer *Gavin Goszka – composer *Tim Blue - composer on ''Among the Ruins'' *Joseph Vargo - narration on ''Prophecy''

Production

*Mixed and Engineered by Tim Blue (assisted by Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka) *Artwork by Joseph Vargo for Monolith Graphics *Photography and Design by Christine Filipak *Additional Photography by Colleen Douglas *Financial Consultant: Edward P. Douglas *Mixed at Mandala Studios *Mastered at Beachwood Studios

References

{{Authority control 2000 albums Midnight Syndicate albums