Cover art for Words to the Wise by Imperial Measures

Words to the Wise: Debut Album from Imperial Measures

December 7, 2023

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

April 9, 2023

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.

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

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Cover art for Again by Before After Again

Again: Sophomore Darkwave Album from Before After Again

September 18, 2022

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

September 18, 2022

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

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: 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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