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Murkvael – The Ruins of Korraveth: Dark Ambient Music for D&D

The Ruins of Korraveth by Murkvael - cover art

Murkvael: “The Ruins of Korraveth”

Kevin Hartnell introduces Murkvael, a new dark ambient project rooted in ritual drone and medieval sonic textures. The debut single, “The Ruins of Korraveth,” is a slow descent into a vast ruined city swallowed by darkness and memory.

Clocking in at nearly seven minutes, this track was composed specifically for use in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, yet it stands on its own as a meditative exploration of decay. It evokes the slow rot of time, where melody yields to mood, and rhythm dissolves into ruin.

Designed for the Tabletop

“The Ruins of Korraveth” serves as a brooding backdrop for cursed ruins, ancient temples, or grim exploration scenes. It is designed to be loopable and unobtrusive, perfect for Game Masters looking to enhance immersion without distracting players from the narrative.

Ideal applications include:

  • Dungeon exploration scenes
  • Grimdark or horror campaigns
  • Solo journaling RPGs
  • Long-form ambient playlists

(Note: This track is free to use in private game sessions. For commercial streams, please provide a link back to this page.)

About Murkvael

Murkvael is the sound of forgotten crypts echoing with ancient hymns. Conjured from a background in horror scoring and narrative audio, this project crafts immersive atmospheres for cursed lands and lost realms beneath the earth. Each composition serves as an aural reliquary: dust-covered, blood-marked, and steeped in occult resonance.

#Murkvael #DarkAmbient #DungeonsAndDragons #TTRPG #FantasyMusic #OverlookHotelRecords

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#Murkvael #DarkAmbient #RPGMusic #DungeonsAndDragons #KevinHartnell

OVERLOOK HOTEL RECORDS TURNS 26

Overlook Hotel Records: 26 Years of Independent Innovation

Overlook Hotel Records: 26 Years of Independent Innovation

⌬⌬⌬⌬⌬⌬⌬⫷ OVERLOOK HOTEL RECORDS ⫸⌬⌬⌬⌬⌬⌬⌬

Founded in August 1999, Overlook Hotel Records began as a personal creative outlet and has since evolved into an independent label and archive, releasing music that is weird, beautiful, experimental, and occasionally rediscovered from the vault.

A Bit of History

The foundation for Overlook Hotel Records was laid in the early 1990s when I was living in Nashville, Tennessee. I owned an Amiga 500 and was using OctaMED to create music modules, inspired by musicians such as Dr. Awesome, Jesper Kyd, and Frédéric “Elmobo” Motte (not to be confused with the American artist Moby). The 8-bit sampling and digital audio editing possibilities were endlessly fascinating to me.

If you would like to read the full background on my electronic music origins, you can find that here: Origin Story.

In late 1993, I moved to Cincinnati, settling into an apartment just a block away from the legendary Sudsy Malone’s and Bogart’s, two essential music venues of the time. By the late 1990s, I owned a Korg Triton and had already begun learning the early versions of Pro Tools.

It was during this period that a friend of mine, Paul, came down from New York City to record a handful of tracks. We released them independently. That effort marked the true beginning of Overlook Hotel Records – and of a lifelong, all-consuming passion for writing and recording music. It eventually led to the construction of a modest home studio, where much of the label’s output has taken shape.

The Creative Drive

Although I have nearly fifty years of experience as a drummer, what I find most fulfilling is the process of songwriting, arranging, and producing. Since childhood, I have been captivated by the mystery of music – its construction, its origin, and the people behind it. I spent countless hours singing or drumming along to records, trying to replicate what I heard using the instruments I had on hand. That natural curiosity evolved into creating my own interpretations, variations, and eventually, entirely original compositions.

It was only once I began focusing on becoming a multi-instrumentalist that everything truly expanded. Rhythm and grooves have always come naturally – but melody is where the real magic unfolds for me.

Remembering the People

I have had the privilege of working with many musicians over the years, some of whom were extraordinarily talented. A few are no longer with us. One of them was a best friend from high school – an astonishing guitarist with a surreal sense of humor, ambition, and vision. His eccentricities gave the impression he came from another planet, which I absolutely loved. He had moved to California to find his place in the music scene and had asked me to move there as well. At the time, I was still living in a small town, holding on to a short-sighted viewpoint of things. Tragically, he died in a car accident just before his twenty-first birthday.

It was because of him that I first picked up the guitar. That moment eventually led to buying my own Fender Stratocaster, then keyboards, bass, and so on. His influence continues to echo in some capacity  through nearly everything I create.

Now, decades later, I have worked on thousands of recordings and continue to make it a part of my daily life.

Catalog Stats

  • 36 LPs
  • 7 EPs
  • 74 Singles
  • 871 Tracks
  • 17, 729 Folders
  • 472,050 files
  • 4.09 TB

Total music duration: 1 day, 16 hours, 18 minutes, and 51 seconds

Genres

  • Synthwave / Synthpop
  • Medieval
  • Bellydance / Middle Eastern
  • Post-Punk / Darkwave
  • Progressive Rock / Classic Rock
  • Glam / Sludge / Doom
  • Disco / Psychedelic
  • Giallo / Score / Soundtrack
  • Industrial / Dark Ambient
  • Americana / Folk / Southern Rock

And plenty that defies categorization altogether.

Notable Highlights

  • Most Prolific Year: 2024, with 51 new releases
  • Longest Release: Disturbed by Kevin Hartnell (3:58:26) – R237-036
  • Shortest Release: Retro Ident by Plastic Horizon (0:00:11) – R237-093
  • Most Tracks on One Release: The Sounds of Nightmares 5 (55 tracks) – R237-029
  • Curious Match: Echoes by Plastic Horizon (R237-039) runs exactly 2:37 – matching the label code

The vault holds hundreds of unreleased tracks, with new material written and recorded every week – sometimes daily.

Overlook Hotel Records is not just a label. It’s a living archive of underground sound.

Thanks to everyone who’s listened, collaborated, supported, or wandered through these sonic hallways.

⧉═══════〔 KEVIN 〕═══════⧉

A pile of magnetic tape in a soft focus, nostalgic look.

Musicians

Thanks is due to each of these musicians:

  • Daniel Åhlman
  • Bruno Andersen
  • John Andrews
  • Sonja Arnold
  • James Asokere
  • Dani Aviles
  • Nick Bailey
  • Jason Baity
  • Dan Baechle
  • Joe Bartoldus
  • Trevor Bates
  • JC Beziz
  • Vic Bonato
  • Troy Brant
  • Rich Brown
  • Kelly Bushue
  • Michael Carta
  • Mike Cavanaugh
  • Brent Chasteen
  • Rob Ciccone
  • Stuart Clements
  • Doug Cosby
  • Kevin Daniels
  • Chuck Davidson
  • Jimmy D. Davidson
  • Troy Davis
  • Chris Donnelly
  • Xan Eden
  • Henri Eisenbaum
  • Toby Ellis
  • Mark Engel
  • Sergey Engel
  • Danny Evans
  • Daniel Fagg
  • Ralph Feetham
  • Jannik Fuchs-Gade
  • Asaf Gabay
  • Todd Gerber
  • Rob Glass
  • Mika Greiner
  • Michael Duane Hancock
  • Jason Harding
  • Devon Hartnell
  • Vincent Hammerstein
  • Anja Herrmann
  • William Hezlep
  • Ric Hickey
  • Kyle Hinck
  • Jim Hill
  • Joe Hill
  • August Hoerr
  • Darren Houghton
  • Jason Hotchkiss
  • Mike Huang
  • Mark Hudson
  • Tony Inosencio
  • Jack Ison
  • David Johnson
  • David Jones
  • Mark Joscher
  • Marty Keil
  • Richard Kean
  • Mark Kenneth
  • Dan Kieffer Sr.
  • Frank Kennedy
  • Stefanie Kisamore
  • Todd Kirby
  • Kazuki Kozuru
  • David Kuckhermann
  • Bruce Livesay
  • Derek Mason
  • Andrew May
  • Ann May
  • Jim Mays
  • Ronnie Meyers
  • Jack Mills
  • Jeff Mills
  • Mini
  • Keith Morgan
  • Warren G. Morgan
  • Frank Motör
  • Ambrose Newton
  • Fredrik Notling
  • Diego Almeida Torres
  • Dan Olivera
  • Lawrence Osborn
  • Rune Palland
  • Raveen Panday
  • Philippe Pansard
  • Josh Paulino
  • Bjorn Pehrson
  • Ian Pellow
  • Herman Perry
  • Magne Pettersson
  • Jeremy Pittman
  • Anders Plassgard
  • Roy Peters
  • Scott Ponder
  • Deanna Quijada
  • Dave Quick
  • Peter Rand
  • Tim Reid
  • Greg Reynolds
  • Kip Roe
  • Larry Rone
  • Seido Salifoski
  • Barry Shook
  • Jon Silpayamanant
  • Larry Smith
  • Sabine Stola
  • Antoni Tashev
  • Gary Teel
  • Judy Teo
  • Henry Thomas Jr.
  • Ian Tsang
  • Steve Tucker
  • Ralph van der Heijden
  • Hakan Vreskala
  • John Walker III
  • Andrew Wells-Oberegger
  • Jonathan David West
  • Bryce Whitcomb
  • Jason Whitcomb
  • Tyler Whitcomb
  • Mat Williams
  • Richard Williams
  • Jay Wilson

((( ● LISTEN ● )))

((( ● LISTEN ● )))

Before After Again returns with "These Are Not Men," a darkwave anthem about the machinery of power and dehumanization. Stream it now.

These Are Not Men: New Darkwave Single by Before After Again

Before After Again - These Are Not Men cover art

Before After Again returns with a stark new release titled These Are Not Men. This track is a darkwave transmission from the edges of control and collapse, blending icy analog synthesis with a precise, mechanical rhythmic structure.

The Machinery of Power

Lyrically blunt and sonically sharpened, These Are Not Men examines the machinery of power and the erosion of identity in its wake. The song channels themes of dehumanization, spectacle, and decay into a hypnotic synth-laced performance. It is not a song for dancing away the end of the world; it is a soundtrack for those who sit still and watch it burn.

The refrain, “I’ll be here standing down, smiling while we watch you die…” captures the cold detachment of the observer. There is no catharsis here, only the quiet certainty that what we are witnessing isn’t human anymore. It is a harsh anthem for collapsing systems and the monsters they breed.

Release Information

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, this single solidifies the band’s reputation for crafting dense, thought-provoking electronic music. It is a must-listen for fans of minimal synthpop and industrial-tinged darkwave.

Stream These Are Not Men Now

These Are Not Men is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the band directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Weakness single cover art by Before After Again

Weakness: New Synthpop Single by Before After Again

Before After Again has released a powerful new single titled Weakness. This track seamlessly blends the structural hooks of classic synthpop with the emotional weight of darkwave, creating a soundscape that obsesses over collapse, control, and finding beauty within the wreckage.

Deconstructing “Weakness”

From the opening notes, Weakness establishes a mood of tension. The lyrics paint a picture of internal conflict and external chaos. Lines like “Loss of all security” and “Blinded eyes that can’t believe what’s happened” speak to a sudden, jarring shift in reality, a moment where the ground falls out from underneath you.

Musically, the track mirrors this instability. While the beat is driving and danceable, the synth textures are laced with melancholy. It is a song for the dancefloor at the end of the world, where the only option left is to let the music take you down.

Lyrical Themes

The chorus, “You’re my weakness, come and take me,” acts as both a confession and a surrender. It explores the dangerous allure of vulnerability. Is it a person, a habit, or a memory that serves as the weakness? The ambiguity allows the listener to project their own struggles onto the track, making it a deeply personal listening experience.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, Weakness is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the band directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Before After Again - Weakness cover art animation

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Nothing Inside animation

Nothing Inside: New Single by Kevin Hartnell Feat. Timothy Reid

Nothing Inside single cover art by Kevin Hartnell

Continuing the ongoing archive series, I am excited to share a track that originated back in January of 2020. Titled Nothing Inside, this single explores the intersection of rock instrumentation and electronic production, resulting in one of the more dynamic entries in my catalog.

Featuring Timothy Reid

A major highlight of this release is the contribution from collaborator Timothy Reid. His guitar solo on this track is a resonant display of technical brilliance and emotional depth. It captures a specific, soaring quality that lifts the song’s energy in the bridge. For those familiar with his work, it is exactly the kind of melodic phrasing you have come to expect from such a talented musician.

Themes of De-Evolution

Lyrically and thematically, the song is inspired by the paradox of the modern age: the rapid advances in technology contrasted with what feels like a cultural regression. It asks the question of whether we are moving forward or sliding backward.

Perhaps the band DEVO was right all along about the concept of “de-evolution.” Nothing Inside is a sonic reflection on that idea, a critique of the emptiness that can hide behind a shiny, high-tech veneer.

Listen Now

You can stream Nothing Inside now on all major platforms. Visit the Kevin Hartnell Artist Page for more releases, or support the music directly on Bandcamp.

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Cover art for In Answer to 'A' and Boiling Point by Kevin Hartnell

From the Archives: New Singles “In Answer to ‘A'” & “Boiling Point”

Kevin Hartnell - Boiling Point cover art animated

For Kevin Hartnell, the creative process has always involved a “vault,” a large backlog of music sitting in the archives, waiting for the right moment to surface. For any music producer who has been working for decades, this is a common reality.

In an effort to finally let these tracks see the light of day, I am actively working on releasing various new singles from different eras of my production history. Today, I am proud to present two distinct tracks that highlight very different sides of my catalog: “In Answer to ‘A'” and “Boiling Point.”

Kevin Hartnell on “In Answer to ‘A'”

“In Answer to ‘A'” has a long and winding history that spans nearly a quarter of a century. The original musical concept was written all the way back around 1999.

It was a time of experimentation, and while the core idea was strong, I was never quite satisfied with the initial interpretation. I felt limited by the technology I had at the time, and the sound in my head didn’t quite match what was coming out of the speakers.

In 2011, I revisited the composition. Armed with better tools and more experience, I created this specific version. It captures the mood I was originally aiming for, a blend of melodic introspection and structural complexity. However, despite being “finished” in 2011, it sat in limbo for another decade.

It was reviewed in 2021, abandoned yet again, until finally, this year, I decided it was time to bring it to the surface. Listening to it now, it serves as a time capsule. It bridges the gap between my early songwriting instincts and the modern production style that Kevin Hartnell listeners recognize today.

The Heat of “Boiling Point”

In stark contrast to the decades-long journey of the first track, “Boiling Point” is a much more recent creation. Originally produced in August of 2022, this track explores a more immediate, aggressive energy.

It was created during a burst of productivity but sat on the shelf for a short while as I focused on various other projects and label duties. The title “Boiling Point” reflects the tension within the track. It features driving rhythms and a sense of urgency that differs significantly from my older work.

Releasing it alongside an older track provides a fascinating look at the evolution of my sound. Where “In Answer to ‘A'” is calculated and evolved over years, “Boiling Point” is a snapshot of a specific, high-energy moment in the studio.

The Studio Workflow

Releasing archival music is an interesting challenge for any artist. There is always the temptation to “fix” old mixes or update sounds to modern standards. You often ask yourself if you should re-record the drums or update the synths.

However, with these Kevin Hartnell releases, the goal is to preserve the integrity of the time in which they were made. By clearing out the backlog, it clears mental space for future projects while allowing listeners to fill in the gaps of the artist’s discography. It is about honoring the past while clearing the path for the future.

Listen & Support

These tracks are now available for streaming and download. You can find more releases from my back catalog by visiting the Kevin Hartnell Discography.

To support the music directly, please consider purchasing the high-quality audio files via Bandcamp or adding them to your playlists on Spotify.

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Alien Exchange Student: Original Soundtrack by Kevin Hartnell

Kevin Hartnell - Alien Exchange Student cover art animated

Back in 2020, the popular kids’ podcast Kidpod Theater released a fun, genre-bending series titled Alien Exchange Student. I had the absolute pleasure of composing the original score for the show, and I am thrilled to announce that the full soundtrack is now available for streaming and download.

A Multi-Genre Challenge

Scoring Alien Exchange Student was a wonderful creative challenge because it required such a diverse palette of sounds. Unlike my usual work in darkwave or horror, this project needed to be lighthearted yet musically sophisticated. The brief called for a wide array of styles, pushing me to explore genres I do not typically touch.

The soundtrack features everything from retro 1960s spy themes (think James Bond meets The Pink Panther) to upbeat synthwave tracks. There are also 80s pop-style pastiches, dark ambient themes for “industrial espionage” scenes, and late 70s funk detective cues. The goal was to create a cohesive sonic world that was exciting for kids but musically rich enough for the parents listening along.

Composer’s Note

Writing for a younger audience is a unique discipline. The melodies need to be immediate and memorable, and the emotional beats need to be clear without being overly complex. It was great fun to stretch these musical muscles and pay homage to so many classic film and TV tropes within a single project.

Listen Now

Whether you are a fan of the podcast or just enjoy eclectic instrumental music, there is something in this collection for you. You can stream the full album on Bandcamp via the player below. For more of my soundtrack work, visit the Kevin Hartnell Artist Page.

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Before After Again - Control cover art animated

Control: New Darkwave Single by Before After Again

Before After Again - Control cover art

The third installment of Before After Again singles for 2025 has arrived. Titled Control, this new release is a deceivingly upbeat slice of electronic music that is available on all major streaming and download sites today.

A Tale of Two Tempos

Musically, Control is built around a distinct structural shift that sets it apart from standard synthpop fare. The verses drive forward at a frenetic 240 BPM, creating a sense of urgency and anxious energy. However, when the chorus hits, the track cuts the time in half, dropping into a locked-in 120 BPM groove.

This shift transforms the song into a disco-influenced anthem, nodding to the melodic sensibilities of Kraftwerk and the experimental edge of Cabaret Voltaire. The juxtaposition of post-punk aggression with dancefloor-ready rhythms creates a unique tension, it demands that you move, even while the lyrics suggest paralysis.

“Everything is Perfect in the End”

Lyrically, the song stands in stark contrast to the upbeat instrumentation. It paints a picture of manipulation and disconnected pain. The line “The pavement hits your face” delivers a visceral blow that cuts through the disco sheen. The chorus serves as an ironic counterpoint, claiming “Everything is perfect in the end” while the narrator is clearly being “brushed aside.”

It is a classic darkwave trick: hiding a story of alienation inside a song that forces you to dance. The demons are real, but the beat goes on.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, you can stream Control now on Spotify, Apple Music, and more. To support the band directly, head over to Bandcamp to purchase the high-quality download.

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Fade animation

Fade: New Darkwave Single by Before After Again

Fade single cover art by Before After Again

Before After Again continues their 2025 release schedule with the arrival of their second single of the year, Fade. Available today on all major streaming platforms, this track deepens the band’s exploration of atmospheric darkwave and emotive synthpop.

“I Felt Alone in Your Arms”

Lyrically, Fade tackles the painful paradox of feeling isolated while in the presence of another person. The verse “And as we grow apart, remind me of the times / I felt alone in your arms” serves as the emotional core of the song. It suggests that the end of the relationship isn’t a sudden break, but a slow realization that physical proximity never guaranteed emotional connection.

The narrator expresses a desire to escape this disconnect entirely, wondering if they could “fall into something else” or “completely fade away from view.” It captures the specific heartbreak of wanting to disappear rather than face the “twisted and beautiful knots” of a failing dynamic.

The Inevitability of Change

The chorus introduces a sense of powerlessness with the refrain: “Then there’s a change / It comes my way / Not mine.” This repetition highlights that the shifts occurring in the narrator’s life are external and unwanted. However, the song concludes with a surprising note of acceptance. The final lines describe a “long and winding road” that feels like going home, offering a glimmer of hope that “this emptiness will soon pass.”

The Sound of Decay

Musically, the production mirrors these themes of distance and time. The synth textures are lush but melancholic, creating a “fading” atmosphere with washed-out reverb and decaying echoes. It fits perfectly into the Before After Again canon, offering a darker, more introspective counterpoint to their more upbeat tracks.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, you can listen to Fade right now. Support the band by adding the track to your playlists or purchasing the high-quality download directly from Bandcamp.

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Before After Again - Touch cover art

Touch: New Post-Punk Single by Before After Again

Before After Again - Touch cover art

After a year-long wait, Before After Again returns with a vengeance. The new single, Touch, is available today on all major streaming and download sites. This track marks a sonic evolution for the project, aggressively combining elements of darkwave, post-punk, synthpop, and industrial music into a singular, cohesive sound.

“The Noose You Tighten”

Lyrically, Touch explores the disturbing intersection of physical intimacy and psychological manipulation. The narrator describes a relationship defined by control, yet there is a defiant undercurrent of immunity to that control. The key line, “The noose you tighten / Still feels loose on my end,” suggests a power dynamic where the aggressor believes they are in charge, but the victim has become too numb to be hurt.

The imagery is visceral, leaning into the song’s industrial influences. Phrases like “Warm tongue / Slithers down my throat” depict love as an invasive, choking force. The refrain asks to fill the void with “lies,” speaking to a cynical acceptance of betrayal as the only way to feel complete.

Controlled Chaos: 169 BPM

Musically, the track is built on a jarring structural shift that mirrors this psychological tension. The verses sprint forward at a blistering 169.2 BPM, driven by frenetic percussion and anxious post-punk energy. It mimics the feeling of a racing heart or the “flight” response kicked into overdrive.

However, when the chorus hits, the track drops into a grooving half-time groove. This sudden deceleration gives the refrain a sludge-like weight, emphasizing the “tightening noose” described in the lyrics. It trades speed for power, creating a sonic assault that feels both frantic and oppressive at the same time.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, you can stream Touch right now. Support the band by adding the track to your playlists or purchasing the high-quality download directly from Bandcamp.

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