The 13th Hour is the latest release from the Midnight Syndicate crew, and is perhaps their strongest album to date. The 13th Hour tells the story of a run down mansion that lies forgotten in the woods near an old asylum. This mansion is the Havergast Mansion, a place steeped in mystery and secrecy. Legend has it tragedy befell the Havergast family, and the place disappeared into the mists of time. On certain nights, however, the boundaries of time are broken, and the mansion comes alive to relive those final days. This is the story of The 13th Hour.

Midnight Syndicate is Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka. The two have created an album of horror movie-style music, chilling and beautiful, gothic and haunting. The dark orchestration is offset with ominous voices, chanting choirs, and various sound effects that all work together to bring the story of the Havergast family to life. From the beginning tracks where you hear the cautious approach toward the mansion through the dark and twisted path, the tension mounts. The listener can almost visualize the story as the album progresses and the Havergast family meets their doom, leading up to the final, frantic track, The 13th Hour, when the temporary existence of the Havergast family ends with the story of their final days told.

All music is created by Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka, with additional vocals by Lily Lane, David Jacobs, Greg Ballato and Mary Kate Douglas. Douglas and Goszka have stretched their sound on this cd, incorporating a number of instruments, effects, and arrangements, even adding a John Carpenter-esque touch in places. Douglas mentioned that it was his goal to create the ultimate haunted house album with this outing, and he may just have succeeded. There are some genuinely scary, hair raising tracks on this disc.

The artwork features a gorgeous rendition of the Havergast mansion - a dilapidated gothic mansion lit from within by an eerie purple glow and silhouetted by a full moon. It is painted by Keith Parkinson. Additional photography for the CD was done by Anthony Gray.

The 13th Hour is available at all Hot Topic stores as well as most stores that carry Halloween merchandise. It is a terrific album and well worth searching out. The 13th Hour - highly recommended for all horror and Halloween fans!

Dr. Gangrene - Chiller Cinema