Midnight Syndicate- Gates of Delerium

Gates of Delerium, Midnight Syndicate's third offering of moody ethereal Halloween soundscapes, isn't altogether different from their previous work. The sound effects and vocal screams/speech are, perhaps, more present, more decisively arranged, and more narrative, but the trademark horror/fantasy blend of lush orchestral synth strings/choir/percussion, piano, processed sound, bells and organ that has made the band Halloween soundtrack icons still remains intact and more-or-less untouched. At times sounding like something from a Danny Elfman soundtrack, at other times touching on horror/fantasy videogame soundtrack territory or delving into dark sound collages, Gates of Delerium is another exceptionally well written and produced slice of eerie ethereal horror fun aimed at the Halloween soundtrack niche.

Like previous offerings, the disc flows continuously from one track to the next, creating something of an atmospheric 54 minute sonic narrative. Weaving powerful orchestral tracks with moodier/eerier melodic offerings and tracks of processed sound and sound effects that range from sparse to claustrophobic, Midnight Syndicate have effectively created another solid ethereal/classical set that's perfectly suited for its intended purpose but also musically interesting enough to stand on its own.

In the end, Gates of Delerium isn't particularly better than or worse than the band's other albums. Rather, apart from the songs themselves, it's more or less sonically indistinguishable from the band's previous work. That's not necessarily a bad thing, however. It's another very well assembled foray into the world of eerie horror fun that will not only function as an exceptionally suitable backdrop for seasonal parties and attractions but is also likely to please Halloween lovers of all ages.