Outburn Magazine (Issue #44)

For over a decade, Midnight Syndicate has been recording some of the finest and most haunting instrumental albums available - you are unlikely to make it through a Halloween without hearing the band's music somewhere. Their albums have always been a journey through dark places, overflowing with atmosphere, so it makes perfect sense that they would be right at home doing movie soundtracks. Robert Kurtzman's The Rage is a mix of horror and gore that allows for a surprisingly well-rounded soundtrack, moving from light to shade, bombastic to subtle with fluid ease. Composer Edward Douglas is clearly a genius when it comes to keyboards and synths, yet there is a very classical feel to his style. Lots of brooding piano, stabbing horns, and sweeping strings give the proceedings a very full and larger than life feel, which is perfect for an emotional, edge of your seat movie project such as this. Obviously, the pacing and arrangement have to suit the movie, so listening to The Rage might not be as satisfying as a spin of one of Midnight Syndicate's independent albums like Realm of Shadows or Born of the Night, but it still makes for a gripping listen and should slot nicely into your collection next to your John Carpenter soundtracks.

Daniel Hinds - Outburn Magazine