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 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Apparition - The Ravenous Dusk [Dark Adversary Productions - 2018]

The Ravenous Dusk is the debut album from the mysterious Apparition. Very little seems to be known about Apparition as an entity, is it a single person, a band, and from where do they hail? What we do know is that they produce pseudo horror movie soundtracks with more than a nod to the classics of the genre. You will hear the influence of John Carpenter, Goblin, Fabio Frizzi, Vangelis, Richard Einhorn, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson and a host of the best 80s revival Electronica that is currently popping up all over. The difference here is that you get the feeling this is more of a continuation of a tradition that had begun with the likes of Goblin and Frizzi.

Apparition create soundtracks to films that don’t exist, The Ravenous Dark is the first in a trilogy of imagined vampire films. The tale of the vampire Arkhan, a once dreadful warlord who scourged the land with blood and fire, who it is claimed was so evil that he was granted immortality by the Devil himself. Eventually, a man named the Priest was able to condemn Arkhan to an eternal rest in his tomb. Centuries later Arkhan is awakened and voraciously begins his blood lust anew, murdering anyone who gets in his way, as he seeks revenge on the descendants of those who robbed him of his beloved Ludmilla.

The album is constructed in such a way as to tell the tale through the music and the sound design. The album’s opening track The Beginning starts with the sounds of an ongoing storm, thunder, rain and wind setting the scene before a Carpenter esque bass synth breaks through the ambience. Atmospheric synth lines lair over the top building towards the track’s climax when drums are introduced and some epic sounding church organ takes centre stage. The final third of the track is so reminiscent of Goblin, that one almost wonders if this was a lost Goblin album.  Grave Robbers is up next and after an atmospheric opening we are treated to the sound of Arkhan’s grave being dug up. The mix of Foley sound effects and atmospheric synths work perfectly together to create the feel of a genuine soundtrack or radio play. The fabulous sounding church organ returns for Arkhan Wakes to A New World, which sounds like it belongs in a classic Hammer or AIP film from the 1960s, full of bombast and grandeur. Arkhan Takes Flight follows on with some arpeggiated 80s synth lines, that are reminiscent of the classic 80s electronic scores for films as diverse as Don’t Go in The Woods, Shock Waves or even Rick Wakeman’s The Burning.  The Dawn Approaches kicks off with some pounding Goblin style bass, before some lovely organ riffs are brought into play. This one reminds me of Mad Puppet from the soundtrack to Profondo Rosso.

The second half of the album follows the same blueprint, Fight or Flight fits somewhere between classic John Carpenter and Johann Johannsson’s soundtrack to Mandy, whereas the phased synth lines in Distant Memories give it an undeniable 80s feel. Eternity Alone represents the calm before the storm, and is a beautiful atmospheric piece of electronica. This is followed by The last Stand, this is where things really kick in, a droning synth line that fades in and out forms the track’s basis as samples and more synth lines are layered on top as the track builds in intensity. The track really kicks into gear around the midpoint, coming across like the pounding progressive rock sounds that made Goblin horror fan favourites. Ludmilla’s Dream follows and after some opening ambience a tinkling Halloween style motif takes centre stage. Dance of the Phantasms brings the album to a close, beautiful piano and synth strings give this a classy closing theme vibe before slowly fading down to nothing.

Overall, The Ravenous Dusk is Apparition’s love paean to the finest soundtracks of the 1970s and 80s. The important stuff can be heard in the details, the pounding Goblin style bass, the Carpenter-esque synth lines, the Emerson/Wakeman style organ it’s all there, all beautifully observed and replicated with panache and authenticity. Whilst this album does not reinvent the wheel it takes something and lovingly recrafts it for the current 80s retro infused generation of synth lovers. Deservedly taking its place alongside retro horror soundtracks by the likes of The Giallo’s Flame, The Heartwood Institute, Repeated Viewing and Perturbator. Absolutely wonderful stuff.

Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5

Darren Charles
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