Considering how much horror movies inspired the creation of his latest album Huntress, I really wasn’t that surprised when Camp Counselors‘ Kyle Reigle announced that the cassette label he co-founded, Snowbeast Records, would be releasing a Halloween themed compilation.
Featuring contributions from Field Mouse, Psychic Twin, and countless others, the real stand out of the compilation is a sprawling 7 minute track by Snowbeast Records’ co-founder/Cemeteries band member Jon Ioviero’s own side project Seismograph.
“The Fear” is perhaps less obvious in its Halloween inspiration than many of the compilation’s other tracks that make explicit references to things that go bump in the night. Instead its pervasive sense of eerie calm really taps into the feeling of walking alone down a dimly lit street or watching a scary movie in the dark. It’s the feeling of a quiet, seething mystery that spirals into and fuels those spooky things, the jumping off point that earns chilling thrills and terrifying scares.
“The Fear” creeps forward like shadows in low light with its growing intensity in the periphery, cultivating a spooky chill without having to resort to theatrics. It’s also an enjoyable slow burning pop number featuring Reigle on backing vocals, for what it’s worth.
Seismograph’s debut full length Azure Drift was released earlier this year on Snowbeast. You can also download the limited edition Halloween compilation Rituals or purchase on cassette here »
