Pyramid Review
Blood Mansion CD
Published by Midnight Cathedral
Audio CD, 13 tracks, 38 minutes; $12
It still seems there isn't enough game-specific music to set the mood. Blood Mansion tries hard, and succeeds to an extent, though even it has too much variation to fit its own themes comfortably, never mind being a perfect accompaniment to your game.
The back-story to the score is the old Hodges mansion. Originally a plantation in the South, the property's owner had a liberal view of slaves' rights that made him popular among his staff. This loyalty left his lands mostly untouched by Sherman on his march through Georgia -- the occupants stood together to protect it. Carpetbaggers attempted a takeover during Reconstruction, and John Hodges and his workers were mysteriously butchered when they refused all offers. Through the last 140 years it has repelled several potential owners, and the massacre has passed into legend. Now it has a soundtrack.
The first track, "Oooh Choir," drones a bit, but its slow tempo and unremarkable nature makes a good lead-in to the dramatic or creepy (it's oddly good for denouement, too). "Cemetery Talk" also has few highs and lows and fits slow action better, like investigation, while "Night Terror" suits level action: pursuit, or cruising the mean streets. It has the distant suggestion of something feral, too, so that's handy. When everyone sickens of "Cemetery"'s one-minute repetitions (about the third go-round), . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: May 5, 2006
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