Midnight Syndicate's latest album continues the band's tradition of every disc being centered around a major theme and setting. On The 13th Hour, the band introduces us to the haunted Haverghast Mansion. Starting off with a couple of tracks full of sound effects that make you feel like you're walking through the gates of the mansion, track 3 is the first musical track. Fallen Grandeur is a Bach-like organ-driven piece. The Drawing Room is especially eerie, with a piano being played ever so slowly, somewhat clumsily, and echoing throughout the entire track. Makes you picture a little girl sitting at the piano in a large, open room, trying to learn how to play. And that's what I like about Midnight Syndicate-they get your imagination going. It could be broad daylight and this album will still give you the heebie-jeebies. I love Family Secrets-its piano and violins are excellent. Midnight Syndicate's music is not just gothic, macabre, and haunting sound effects, it's music, and the music is what I love most about the band.

I have to mention Last Breaths, a 21-second track of someone breathing and then gasping suddenly at the end. I have to admit, I had the volume up to hear it better, and yes, it made me tense up. Here's a word of advice: If you're going to listen to this album, keep in mind that reading the song titles along with listening to the tracks forces you to conjure up images and ideas that maybe you wouldn't have thought of in the first place if you had just listened, so you may want to pass on the titles the first time around. To top it off, you're listening to sound effects on the CD, and before you know it, you don't know what you're hearing on the CD and what you're really hearing in the room you're in. Yes, it screws with you that much, especially if you're a pansy like me (haha). Never knowing what to expect, a song can be playing before it stops abruptly and the horrific sound effects start-Case in point: Footsteps in the Dust.

For a real thrill, listen to this album in a dimly lit room with surround sound. The slight whispers on some tracks will make you jump out of your seat. Visit the band online at www.midnightsyndicate.com to find out where you can purchase the album.

Rating: 5 out of 5 !!!

Lisa - Paragon Magazine