Cover art for The Sounds of Nightmares 5 by Kevin Hartnell

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

March 14, 2022

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 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.

Listen to the Scores

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Lost In Time by Plastic Horizon cover art

Lost In Time: A Cinematic Dreamwave Journey by Plastic Horizon

February 14, 2022

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

December 26, 2021

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

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Mothsounds Debut: New Shoegaze & Indie Rock Album from Phoenix

June 21, 2021

Mothsounds: A New Shoegaze Journey from Phoenix

It is new release day and I am proud to announce the arrival of Mothsounds! This self-titled debut brings nine new tracks of indie rock and shoegaze created by the talented trio of Mike Chambers, Jason Whitcomb, and Kevin Hartnell.

The album is now available for streaming on your favorite platforms. Take a dive into this sonic landscape and let us know what you think!

Critical Reception

The debut has already caught the ear of international press. IndieCriollo praised the album’s experimental nature and raw power:

“We start today’s charts with a doublet of mothsounds, who bring us a whole experimental universe in their music… finding these two songs is like seeing the curiosity of rock, and how it can unleash you with fury with nothing to leave behind. It is pure rock so that you feel and do not lose your mind, so untie it all.”

Track Highlight: “Beta Carotene”

One of the standout tracks mentioned in the review is “Beta Carotene.” It’s a track that takes you by surprise, demanding you jump into its world while catching your breath. Driven by propulsive percussion and the cryptic, catchy hook “Lemon lime twister,” it leans heavily into the band’s college rock influences.

Mothsounds Album Credits

All songs written by Mike Chambers & Jason Whitcomb.

Mothsounds is:

Mike Chambers: Guitars, bass, keys
Jason Whitcomb: Guitars, bass, keys, drum programming, vocals
Kevin Hartnell: Guitars, bass, keys, drums, percussion, backing vocals

Mixed by Kevin Hartnell | Mastered by Hector the Rat
Moth photo courtesy of Natasha Wright.

View Full Lyrics and Tracklist (Click to Expand) ▼

1. Son of the System

Son of the system / A child of war he cannot fight / A mother’s conviction / Try and escape he cannot hide
Open doorways and starlit sounds / As the looking glass fades / Opulence on this carousel of the beautiful ones / But something’s not right
Son of the system / A child of war he cannot fight / A father’s intentions / Poising everything in sight
One by one, as the air runs thin for the struggling fold / Two by tow as we take control of everything else / It’s starting to rise

2. Chain Link

Stop me before I get tired of the same situation / The cat’s out of the bag now / Downtown on the corner with another
Don’t speak it’s ok / I don’t think I want to hear this / Excuses come easy / I should I know / I’ve made quite a few of my own
Tell me if I should sit back while it falls out from under / Your footing unstable / Grab ahold of the sky as you’re falling / But next time remind me / Of the ways that I’m there when you / Don’t seem to need it / Looking down at the bottom of a barrel

3. Beta Carotene

Screaming at the statues on the lawn / Losing any sense of self control / Find myself alone and then / Television’s on the fritz again / We should just go throw it away
Lemon lime twister / Yeah I think I saw your sister last night / Out past a quarter to two / Beta Carotene wasteland / Now you’re off to the next move / Don’t you come down until we are through
Where have all the good times left and gone? / Wondering if they ever came around / Would I fall in love again with someone other than myself, my friend? / This life is just such a charade
Now you’re running to the wrong side of the ship cause you know it’s sinking / But no one else has a clue

4. Disentangled

Now that we’ve come this far / I don’t expect you’ll understand / I’ll leave it all behind / Forgetting just how sad it is / Then you get under my / Cold and thin contorted skin
And all / All I hear / Is the silence you bring / I’ll find some sense / And I’ll wait for you to change
A loaded mouth of lies / Twisted tongue and serpent’s smile / You slither by and by / I sit alone and wonder why / No comfort I have found / In watching you consume my mind.

5. Photos of the Ghost

Your moves are fine / It’s all we do to keep it in place / Hanging out for now / Truth is I’m mortified / By your grace it seems
Your thoughts are mine / A stoic figure enters my mind / Who does she want now? / Changes like the weather / And clouds are blowing in
When should I just let it go? / Let it end in silence / Ask yourself would you look back / Or would you run for your life?
Unglued, but I / See the pieces fall into place / Nausea is mine / I cannot stomach all we’ve become / And all that we’ve made

6. Dark Army

Let us in your silver lining / Leaves you trembling on the floor
Now I can’t feel you / My limbs are numb / We’re innocent here / We are innocent here / Now I can’t see you / My eyes are blind / We’re innocent here
Half lit pathways open on / Promises of what we’ve done / Broken pages of your story / One that no one lives to tell

7. Edit

I’ll surrender myself / I’ll lay my hand facedown / Stripped of all that controls me / Can’t save you from yourself / Innocence is over / At least that’s what we’re told
The countdown / It’s starting / Change is bound to come / They beg us / To feed them / Always wanting more / The chants are / Still calling / Slowly drowning out / An answer to all / The questions are left out
Broken down and beaten / We pull ourselves back up / Raise a fist in anger / Then watch it fall back down / Ours is not to question / Just fall back into line

8. Slip

Who am I to tell you that your mediocre life is tainted? / You’ll find out someday I know / Maybe I should clear my head and the way I see you clouded in my far too empty mind
I miss all the finer things we know / When I come down to the excuses we’ve made / I’ll forget all our troubles and we’ll make some
Who are you to listen to my every word I’m speaking softly / So you can’t hear what I say / Maybe I should scream my lungs out and blow away what you’ve accepted in your warm embrace

9. All That We Have Lost

Distant voices / Slowly fade away / Is anyone out there? / Who hears the same thing? / We are never going back
This is not what I’m here for / Shouldn’t shock you / Don’t need words to show you how I feel about you / Tell yourself that it’s alright / But don’t look in the mirror / You might not like who’s looking back / Wash away denial
Is she lost? / Or is she waiting? / For someone who’ll make a change

#IndieRock #Shoegaze #PhoenixMusic #Mothsounds #NewMusic

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Saltanath – 888: Progressive Rock & Guitar Virtuosity from London

March 9, 2021

Saltanath: Progressive Folk & Guitar Virtuosity

We are thrilled to announce the release of “888” by Saltanath. This 8-track instrumental album is the brainchild of Antoni Tashev, a guitar virtuoso originally from Bulgaria and now based in London.

Drawing from classical training and a deep respect for his heritage, Tashev weaves complex “Math Rock” time signatures with the soulful melodies of Bulgarian folklore. The result is a sound that is technical yet deeply emotional, a true journey for fans of progressive rock and instrumental storytelling.

Track Highlight: “Spiritual Slumber”

A standout moment on the record is track 4, “Spiritual Slumber.” It perfectly encapsulates the project’s fusion of styles—balancing intricate, clean electric guitar work with driving percussion. It moves with a restless energy that defies its title, showcasing Tashev’s ability to make complex arrangements feel accessible and melodic.

Listen

Tracklist

Euphoria (06:08)
Medieval Dreams (05:14)
25th Century (02:31)
Spiritual Slumber (04:16)
Memorable Days (06:51)
The Pilgrimage (05:08)
Banished Tears (07:02)
Saturn (06:04)

Album Credits

Saltanath is:

Antoni Tashev: Electric and acoustic guitars, Tambura
Kevin Hartnell: Drums, percussion, keys, bass guitar

All songs written by Antoni Tashev.
Produced and arranged by Kevin Hartnell and Antoni Tashev.

Mixed by Kevin Hartnell | Mastered by Hector the Rat at the Overlook Hotel.
Cover photo by Petya Tasheva | Design layout by Hector the Rat.

#ProgressiveRock #InstrumentalRock #MathRock #GuitarVirtuoso #Saltanath #NewMusic

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The Sounds of Nightmares 4 by Kevin Hartnell cover art

The Sounds of Nightmares 4: Horror Anthology Score by Kevin Hartnell

January 26, 2021

The Sounds Of Nightmares 4: Music Composed For Campfire Radio Theater

Kevin Hartnell presents “The Sounds of Nightmares 4,” a collection of 31 tracks of fiendish audio composed for the horror anthology podcast Campfire Radio Theater.

This volume focuses heavily on two standout stories: “The Thing on the Ground Floor” and “Gerald.” Whether you are a fan of horror scores, dark ambient soundscapes, or 80s-inspired synth music, there is plenty here to scratch that itch.

Have a listen, in the dark, preferably with headphones.

The Thing on the Ground Floor

This two-part episode required a unique sonic approach. Creator John Ballentine requested a theme song for a fictional “Cops”-style television series referenced in the story. It had to evoke the energy of the famous “Bad Boys” theme while standing on its own. The result was the track “Busted,” a fun diversion from the otherwise dark and tense score.

Gerald

Originally written by Bill Gray for the CBC’s Nightfall anthology series, this story is set in 1983. Having grown up in the 80s with a love for analog synthesis, this score was something I could really sink my teeth into. The music leans heavily into the era, utilizing vintage synth textures to build a creeping sense of dread.

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

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Plastic Horizon: Self-Titled Synthwave Debut Album

January 13, 2021

Plastic Horizon: A Synthwave Journey Begins By Kevin Hartnell

After ten months of writing and production, I am proud to announce the release of the self-titled debut album from Plastic Horizon.

Synthwave has been a fascination of mine for years. It is a rebirth of 1980s synth music with a modern, cinematic twist. Having survived the 80s and being a lifelong synthesizer fanatic, this genre feels like a perfect fit for my musical DNA. This album is a love letter to neon skylines, analog warmth, and the retro-futuristic dreams of a bygone era.

Track Highlight: “Memory Waves”

The standout track of the collection, “Memory Waves,” has quickly become a listener favorite. It captures a specific kind of “endless summer” nostalgia, shimmering keys, a driving mid-tempo beat, and a melody that feels like a fading photograph. It is the perfect soundtrack for a late-night drive or a moment of reflection.

Listen

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Tracklist

TCKR (03:09)
The Crush (03:43)
Chasing The Night (03:42)
End Of The Road (03:36)
Memory Waves (03:35)
Autumn Wind (03:47)
Fading Memories Of You (03:19)
A Dream Within A Dream (03:54)
Nightscape (part 1) (01:40)
Nightscape (part 2) (02:27)

Album Credits

All tracks written & produced by Plastic Horizon.
Mixed and mastered by Hector the Rat.

Recorded from May 1, 2020 – February 12, 2021.
Released February 13, 2021.

Follow Plastic Horizon: Bandcamp | Facebook | YouTube

#Synthwave #Retrowave #Outrun #PlasticHorizon #NewMusic #80sVibe

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The Sounds of Nightmares 3 by Kevin Hartnell

The Sounds of Nightmares 3 Soundtrack: Dark Scores for Campfire Radio Theater

July 13, 2020

The Sounds Of Nightmares 3: Music Composed For Campfire Radio Theater

Kevin Hartnell presents “The Sounds of Nightmares 3”, featuring 45 tracks of original music composed for the horror anthology podcast Campfire Radio Theater. This volume focuses on four stories with distinct tonal demands, from dread-soaked suspense to sudden, violent shocks, and the score is designed to support that range without losing cohesion.

This collection features scores from four tales of terror: “Death and Alchemy,” “Monster’s Game,” “Incident On and Off a Mountain Road,” and “The Resurrectionist.” It has been a great pleasure working on music for Campfire Radio Theater, especially because the show consistently gives the music room to breathe. When a scene is built on pacing, restraint, and performance, the score can do its best work.

If you are listening for the first time, use headphones. Many cues in this release rely on low-level texture, stereo movement, and careful dynamics. Those details can disappear on small speakers, but they matter when the story turns and the tension locks in.

The Sounds of Nightmares 3: what this volume covers

Each episode in this set required a different scoring approach. Some scenes called for cold ambient pressure that sits behind dialogue and keeps the listener uneasy. Others needed rhythmic motion to push momentum forward without distracting from the performances. Across all four stories, the priority was the same: reinforce the emotional intent of the scene, clarify the arc, and give the transitions a sense of inevitability.

Below, you can play the episode 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.

Death and Alchemy

An obsessive doctor unleashes dark elemental forces in a mad quest to resurrect the dead in Victorian London.

Monster’s Game

A young man battling schizophrenic demons from his past, hears a sinister new voice in his earbuds with murderous intentions. Will a blossoming romance with a mysterious neighbor be his salvation or lead down a darker path?

Incident On and Off a Mountain Road

On the run from a bad relationship, Ellen is pursued into a moonlit wilderness by a freakish pale brute forcing her to utilize dormant survival skills in a bloody game of cat and mouse.

The Resurrectionist

A spiritual medium recalls harrowing experiences as a young girl traveling cross-country with her trucker father pursued by a mysterious cult. Along the way, they gain allies and enemies, both living and deceased.

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

Memory Waves by Plastic Horizon - video thumbnail

Plastic Horizon – Memory Waves: Melancholic Synthwave Ballad

June 11, 2020

Memory Waves by Plastic Horizon - single cover art

Plastic Horizon: “Memory Waves”

Kevin Hartnell presents “Memory Waves,” the most popular track from the self-titled Plastic Horizon album. Recorded between May 2020 and June 2020, this slower-paced synthwave ballad captures a specific, melancholy vibe, a strong sense of nostalgia for growing up in a small town in the 1980s.

“Recently, my daughter was describing how she felt a wave of great memories flooding her mind. It was a bittersweet observation from the point of a child in the middle of a pandemic, closed schools, and being isolated from her friends. It inspired me to create this track and recall quite a few great memories of my own. Writing this track was an emotional journey for me, and I hope it is for you as well.”

Insights

“Memory Waves” functions less as a retro pastiche and more as an emotional recollection filtered through synthwave aesthetics. Rather than leaning on overt genre signifiers like aggressive arpeggiators, the track adopts restraint and patience. The title is well chosen; the music unfolds in gentle swells rather than linear development, mirroring how memories surface unpredictably and recede just as quietly.

The melancholy here is subdued and sincere. It suggests quiet streets, late evenings, and small-town stillness rather than neon skylines. Sustained synth pads and gently voiced melodic elements carry the emotional weight, creating a polished piece of “Dreamwave” that feels personal and introspective.

Credits:

Written & Produced by: Plastic Horizon
Mixed & Mastered by: Hector the Rat
Released: February 13, 2021

#PlasticHorizon #Synthwave #Dreamwave #KevinHartnell #OverlookHotelRecords

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TCKR by Plastic Horizon - single cover art

Plastic Horizon – TCKR: New Synthwave Project Debut

May 16, 2020

Plastic Horizon: “TCKR”

It is with great pleasure that I announce a new music project called Plastic Horizon! For those who grew up in the 80s, you will understand the appeal of Synthwave, Stranger Things, and the nostalgia for the colorful decadence of that era. So, sit back in your La-Z-Boy chair, press play on the VCR, and enjoy the retro/future sounds.

The debut single, “TCKR,” is inspired by the series Black Mirror (created by Charlie Brooker) and the fictional neural research company TCKR Systems. You can read more about the lore behind the title at tckrsystems.tech.

This track sets the tone for the project: driving beats, neon-soaked synths, and a heavy dose of cinematic nostalgia.