Carnival of Lost Souls

When I was a teenager I seriously wanted to run away and join the circus or a carnival. I suppose that, given I was a preteen in the early 1970's when there was no internet or indeed any VHS/DVD, not even any Gothic music for entertainment, that for a person with a creative and darkly bent mind the carnival/circus was something that captured one's imagination more than most things in the mundane world...Therefore--"Carnival of Lost Souls" really resonates with me, reminding me exactly why it was that I longed for the dark Midway back when I was a youngster. Even if it were not for that being in my background, I would think this was awesome. It is Nox Arcana's best so far, in my opinion, because it is utterly unique. I first discovered Joseph Vargo when he was a part of "Midnight Syndicate"--and my first CD's were "Born of Night" and "Vampyre: Symphonies From the Crypt". The latter is still a favorite. I also recently bought "Shadow of the Raven" and while that is also quite wonderful--still, there is something special about "Carnival of Lost Souls." As other reviewers have pointed out--quite rightly--it is a departure from the usual "Halloweenish" CD's, even the other Nox Arcana offerings. These guys just get better and better. I also recommend--if you read the tarot cards at all--Vargo's "Gothic tarot" cards and the compendium book. I have not mastered them yet, but I can already tell they are going to be my most cherished deck. If you are well acquainted with your Shadow Self, if you like things Gothic, I cannot see how you could fail to get very good readings with these cards, they just have a certain "feel" of power and mystique...have not got Madame Endora's cards yet, but I like how they look and am not surprised she is involved in the "trio"...it's nice to browse their Monolith Graphics website as well...but I digress. I will leave you now by saying--get "Carnival of Lost Souls"--you do not want to miss out on this sublimely sinister experience....

Nox Arcana's Carnival of Lost Souls album is my favorite NA album out of the five that I own. This album stands alone in their catalog because it is an album that first of all is unique in that it is a refreshing break away from the traditional haunting/Halloween atmospheres that have been created over the years on gothic horror soundscapes, such as haunted houses, castles, vampires, witches, graveyards, etc. This disc takes the listener to a haunted carnival in its after hours. The tracks are extremely creepy and none of the tracks really sound the same. Each track has its own identity. The best thing about this album is that it is not over the top and "cheesy" like one might expect something like this to be. When listening to this CD there are no clowns running around with chainsaws and laughing. The scenes/tracks are depicted in a more subtle way, leaving the listener feeling creeped out. My favorite tracks are After Hours, Calliope, Hall of Mirrors, Cries In The Night, Soul Stealer, Haunted Carousel, and Living Dolls. If you are new to Nox Arcana's music, I would recommend this disc as a starter. You can always buy the traditional haunted house/graveyard/castles/vampires/witches sort of material any time. However, a non-cheesy haunted carnival album is rare, and Nox Arcana delivers. I recommend it highly.

Nox Arcana hits the mark with this truly Haunting cd that contains beautiful melodies and terrific sound effect tracks. I highly recommend this for those who want to haunt their homes at Halloween or those who appreciate a spooky atmosphere at a carnival.

Nox Arcana does not disappoint with this truly original Carnival themed soundtrack.

A MUST have for the true fan of Haunting music!

I was not familiar with Nox Arcana before I started planning my Halloween party in June. But as I was researching, I came across them. This is pretty neat music. It's eerie and spooky, perfect for my party. I really think little children or carnival lullabys can be scary sounding. I recommend this product, I don't know if I will listen to it year round. But it's perfect for Halloween.

I love the introduction, it really feels like you are in a fun house and carnival. It remindes me of when I wss a kid and went on a trip to PA. We saw a life like statue of a gypsy woman in a glass box and you put your money into a slot and out came a fortune. This CD took me back to a very exciting time when I was a small child.