Music

Cover art for Tachyon by Plastic Horizon

Tachyon: New Anthemic Outrun Single from Plastic Horizon

Cover art for Tachyon by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon hits the accelerator with “Tachyon,” a track that pays homage to the neon-soaked aesthetics of the Outrun genre while carving out its own lane.

A Slow Burn to Redline

While many Outrun tracks rely on high-speed tempos from the start, “Tachyon” takes a more deliberate approach. It runs at a moderate tempo, opening with a stripped-down, skeletal arrangement. A driving bassline locks in with a minimal drum track, allowing a lonely melody line to drift over the top like streetlights passing on a midnight drive.

The Anthemic Release

The track is a study in momentum. It builds patiently, layer by layer, until it erupts with anthemic guitar rhythms that transform the song from a moody synth piece into a stadium-sized rocker. The composition cycles back to the driving intro groove, but this time with the full weight of the instrumentation intact, bringing the song home in a bombastic, cinematic ending.

Listen & Support

“Tachyon” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Ephemeris by Plastic Horizon

Ephemeris: New 2024 Cinematic Darkwave from Plastic Horizon

Cover art for Ephemeris by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon launches a new series of singles with “Ephemeris,” a track that showcases the darker, more cinematic side of the project. While previous releases have explored upbeat synthpop, this composition drags the listener into the shadows.

A Score for Shadows

The origins of “Ephemeris” are rooted in drama. It was originally composed for the Campfire Radio Theater episode “Gerald,” serving as part of a larger score featuring around 30 pieces of music. Because of this, the track prioritizes atmosphere and tension over traditional song structures.

It opens with a spacious, brooding arrangement, creeping bass tones, a simple arp, and distant atmospheric textures that establish a sense of isolation. The production utilizes the stereo field to create a feeling of being watched, wrapping the listener in a cold, nocturnal mood that fits perfectly within the horror-synth canon.

The Heavy Build

As the composition progresses, it sheds its ambient skin and evolves into a powerful, sweeping groove. The production here hints at the weight of heavy metal, utilizing harmonized guitar leads that deliver the soaring power of twin guitars.

This shift from “creeping dread” to “anthemic power” transforms the track from background score to a main event. It creates a “wall of sound” finale that retains the darkness of the intro but delivers it with a driving force that will appeal to fans of Killer and other heavier synthwave tracks.

Listen & Support

“Ephemeris” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Carousel: New Dark Wave Ballad from Before After Again

Cover art for Carousel by Before After Again

Before After Again kicks off the new year by taking listeners into the deepest abysses of dark wave with their latest work, “Carousel.”

A Journey Through Dark Landscapes

“Carousel” is a slow, brooding track that feels more like a nightmare than a dream. With stripped-down instrumentation and a low-energy vocal delivery, it captures a specifically mournful atmosphere.

As described by ElectroZombies (Thomas Frenken): “This melancholic ballad, drenched in melancholy, takes us on a journey through dark landscapes. The song itself sounds almost depressive, with a slow, low-energy delivery that perfectly captures the mournful atmosphere.”

Lyrics

Daughter son
Don’t make a scene
It’s no one’s fault
Don’t pin your blame on me

Carousel
Don’t need to keep
Another fall
From grace you think you need

No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear
No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear

Water pools
Through vacant eyes
It leads you through
All of my Twisted lies

Down the walls
My mirror drags
It looks my way but darling don’t look back

No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear
No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear

Listen & Support

“Carousel” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Words to the Wise by Imperial Measures

Words to the Wise: Debut Album from Imperial Measures

Cover art for Words to the Wise by Imperial Measures

Imperial Measures has officially arrived with their debut album, “Words to the Wise.” Spearheaded by the prolific composer Peter Rand and featuring the evocative vocals of Stefanie Kisamore, this project is a rich tapestry of progressive rock and pop sensibilities.

A New Musical Chapter

I am proud to have been a part of this collection, providing drums, percussion, keys, guitars, and handling the arrangement, production, and mixing. The result is an album that critics are already calling “gorgeous” and “absorbing.”

As Rob Fisher notes in his review: “The opening title track is a brilliant introduction to their musical world-building… It’s not until well over a minute into the song that the vocal is finally unleashed into a wonderfully soaring crescendo, full of power and life.”

Lyrics (Title Track)

Sun breaks through
Morning light
Bedside clock tells time
Eyes stay shut
Sleep holds back each rhyme

Songs that whisper
Through the night
Disappear
Disappear
Lines that told
The story right
Disappear
Disappear

All just words to the wise
Keep this sleep from my eyes
All just words to the wise
Keep this sleep from my eyes

Another me
Another world
Finds the words to say
Another me
Another world
Lives another day

All just words to the wise
Keep this sleep from my eyes
All just words to the wise
Keep this sleep from my eyes

Listen & Support

“Words to the Wise” is available now on all major streaming platforms. CD and Vinyl are available via Elastic Stage. You can support the project directly by purchasing the album on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Kevin Hartnell - The Sounds of Nightmares 6 cover art

The Sounds of Nightmares 6: Original Music for Campfire Radio Theater

Kevin Hartnell - The Sounds of Nightmares 6 cover art

The Sounds Of Nightmares 6: Music Composed For Campfire Radio Theater

Kevin Hartnell presents “The Sounds of Nightmares 6,” featuring 38 tracks of original music composed for the horror anthology podcast Campfire Radio Theater. This volume explores a wide spectrum of fear, from historical survival horror to surreal psychological drama.

This collection features scores from three massive productions: “The Road Ends at the Sea,” “The Dreams of Wolves,” and the critically acclaimed “Last Resort.” My connection with Campfire Radio Theater continues to be a creative highlight, allowing me to pay tribute to the audio dramas that inspired me, such as the classic CBC series Nightfall.

Please consider supporting the show by listening to the full episodes where these tracks appeared at Campfire Radio Theater.

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The Sounds of Nightmares 6: what this volume covers

This release highlights the diversity of the series. “The Road Ends at the Sea” demanded a score drenched in maritime isolation, while “The Dreams of Wolves” required a period-accurate tension set against the backdrop of the Civil War. Finally, “Last Resort,” a story rooted in real-life events, required a surreal, dreamlike soundscape to mirror the protagonist’s descent into a personal hell.

Below, you can play the episodes directly on the page. If you prefer to jump straight to listening to the scores, use the Spotify and Bandcamp embeds at the bottom. Bandcamp is also the best option if you want to support the work directly.

The Road Ends at the Sea

Haunted by lost love, a successful writer revisits college friends manning a remote lighthouse on the Canadian coast, only to find a mysterious harbinger of doom waiting offshore.

The Dreams of Wolves

During the Civil War, a small band of Union soldiers seek refuge for the night within the confines of a southern plantation home inhabited by three frightened residents, unaware they are closely stalked by a predatory beast.

Last Resort

In the midst of a surreal dreamlike reality, a broken, flawed man relives the last drunken hours of his life in pursuit of an elusive perfect moment from his past as he hurtles headlong on a collision course with fate.

Listen to the Scores

If you prefer uninterrupted listening, use the full-album players below. Spotify is convenient for streaming and playlists. Bandcamp is ideal if you want high-quality playback and direct support. If you are sharing the release, linking to this page is also useful because it keeps the episode scores and album players in one place.

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#AudioDrama #Horror #Soundtrack #Score #CampfireRadioTheater #KevinHartnell

Cover art for Again by Before After Again

Again: Sophomore Darkwave Album from Before After Again

Before After Again returns with their second full-length album, simply titled “Again.” Drawing upon darkwave, post-punk, and industrial influences, this release marks a confident evolution in the band’s sound.

A Darker Evolution

Written by Jason Whitcomb and produced by Kevin Hartnell, the album features 11 tracks that blend gritty electro-rock textures with melodic sensibilities. Tracks like “Sweet Candy” and “Not to Speak” showcase the duo’s ability to balance aggression with atmosphere.

Spotlight: VWS

One of the standout tracks on the album is “VWS.” While the full meaning of the acronym has been partially lost to time, the band recalls the first word stands for “Violated”—a theme echoed in the song’s crawling, uneasy rhythm.

Lyrics:
Looks like a scene from a movie
Drags like a nail on the blackboard
Crawls like a limb gone numb

Cries like a lamb for the slaughter
Turns out we’ve all been before her
See how your senses blur

The light’s on
But nobody’s home
Click the lock pull the key
The medicine flows

The light’s on
But nobody’s home
Click the lock pull the key and the switch while
The medicine flows

Eat like a long lost survivor
Choke down the lies that you’ve told her
All while she watches on

Clean all the stains that you’ve left there
Burn all the remnants
And know where
I’m on the prowl again

Listen & Support

“Again” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the album on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

After by Before After Again - cover art animated
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Cover art for Decade in Despair by Plassgard

Decade in Despair: Progressive Rock Anthology from Plassgard

Plassgard unleashes a massive musical anthology with “Decade in Despair,” a collection of recordings that spans ten years of creative evolution.

A Ten-Year Journey

Written entirely by Anders Plassgard, this album is a testament to perseverance and artistic vision. It weaves together a tapestry of genres, blending the complexity of progressive rock with the raw energy of NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) and classic rock.

The core trio of the band, Anders Plassgard (vocals, keys), Kevin Hartnell (drums, bass, keys), and Mat Williams (guitars), delivers a sound that is both nostalgic and thoroughly modern.

Ballet of the Mechanical Doll

A standout moment on the album is the track “Ballet of the Mechanical Doll.” Featuring guest bassist Bjorn Pehrson, this six-minute epic serves as a showcase for the band’s technical prowess.

Listeners should pay special attention to the guitar work of Mat Williams here; his performance is absolutely phenomenal, driving the track with intricate leads and heavy rhythms that define the album’s sound.

Track Listing

1. 1974 (04:47)
2. Demons in My Head (04:57)
3. The Wonderful Machine (06:28)
4. Creation (05:18)
5. Insanity of Man (03:00)
6. Black Agenda (06:02)
7. Born Evil (05:09)
8. Sunshine (04:40)
9. Shadowlands (05:35)
10. Ballet of the Mechanical Doll (06:27)
11. Shadow Dancer (02:53)
12. Spirit From the Sun (04:47)
13. Summer Love (04:48)
14. The People (04:34)
15. Shadow of My Heart (08:11)
16. Angel (03:56)
17. The Emporer (05:06)
18. Insanity of Man II (03:37)

Listen & Support

“Decade in Despair” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the album on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for The Sounds of Nightmares 5 by Kevin Hartnell

The Sounds of Nightmares 5: Horror Scores for Campfire Radio Theater

Cover art for The Sounds of Nightmares 5 by Kevin Hartnell

The Sounds of Nightmares 5: A Legacy of Fear

Kevin Hartnell returns with “The Sounds of Nightmares 5,” the latest collection of original music composed for the award-winning horror anthology podcast, Campfire Radio Theater.

It has been nearly eight years since Hartnell joined the show as lead composer. This new volume brings the total number of released tracks to 214, showcasing a diverse range of styles from teeth-chattering dark ambient textures to melancholic orchestral arrangements.

“The Sounds of Nightmares 5” features the complete scores for three specific episodes of the audio drama. You can listen to the full episodes below to hear how the music drives the narrative.

The Sounds of Nightmares 5 animated

The Ghost of Lori Keegan

This episode features the track “The Serpent.” The story follows Angela, who is haunted by the vengeful spirit of Lori Keegan, a girl with asthma who was bullied to death. The music reflects this tragic rage, blending sorrow with a suffocating, supernatural intensity.

The Bones of Saint Nicholas

A terrifying holiday tale where a single mom faces a bitter divorce and a mall Santa who is much more than he appears. The score shifts from traditional holiday motifs (“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”) to dread-inducing soundscapes fitting for a Christmas nightmare.

Abominations

Scored for a story about a carnival medium and a “chainsaw facelift,” this section features tracks like “Carousel 1 in F Minor” and “Oil and Ashes,” capturing the gritty, twisted atmosphere of a dark carnival.

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Lost In Time by Plastic Horizon cover art

Lost In Time: A Cinematic Dreamwave Journey by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon celebrates a major milestone with the release of the new single, Lost In Time. This release marks the 1-year anniversary of the band’s first full-length album, offering a nostalgic yet forward-looking soundscape for listeners.

A Milestone Anniversary

“Lost In Time” is more than just a single; it is a celebration of the journey so far. Commemorating one year since the debut full-length release, the track captures the essence of the Plastic Horizon sound while pushing into new territory.

Listen & Support

You can support the artist directly by purchasing the music on Bandcamp or following the official channels below.

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This Christmas Eve: A Holiday Rock Anthem by V1CTOR

V1CTOR: This Christmas Eve

Overlook Hotel Records is proud to present a special holiday release from V1CTOR (Victor Bonato).

“Vic and I have been working on music together for around 11 years or so. You may have heard him on the Cambium release or some of the singles I’ve posted over the years. He is a wonderfully gifted composer who writes his own brand of music.

The first time I heard his work, it struck me as theatrical, odd, and entirely wonderful. It was a bit rough around the edges back then, but so enticing in a ‘mad musical scientist’ way that pulled me right in. I knew I wanted to work with him and be a part of his creative vision.

“This Christmas Eve” is his first Christmas song, marking a distinct departure from his usual body of work. Being as it has been a rough couple of years for everyone, sharing Vic’s positive message seems like a good idea to me. Roll down the windows, crank up the volume, and enjoy a bit of rock and roll Christmas spirit.”

Lyrics

This Christmas Eve

Tell us that you missed us
Spend time with us this Christmas
Family and friends, I believe
Make it all worth while
Good cheer, love, and smile
We all agree
It’s all you need

Verse
Gathered round the Christmas tree
Feelings warm are guaranteed
Even if it’s cold outside
Feeling alive, so hard to describe
We all need,
This Christmas Eve

Chorus
This Christmas Eve
Candles burning bright
This Christmas Eve
What a wonderful sight
This Christmas Eve
Everything’s all right
Always Christmas Eve
It’s my favorite night