Envenomist - "Unsettled Sunless Seas"

Last Sunday, I posted an incredible dark ambient compilation from Cryo Chamber that included many lesser-known artists, entitled Tomb Of Iconoclasts. As I listened to the entire compilation, one track really stood out to me, and that was the second track Threading The Needle by the artist Envenomist (who I had never heard before).

This track had a darker, dystopian and more sinister feel than the rest and it really got my attention. After hearing it, I immediately researched Envenomist and I couldn't believe what I found.

I'm not sure how I hadn't found this artist before now, as this style of dark ambient is right up my alley. I have since added his work to all of my Halloween playlists, and if you're like me, you should too. Really great work here with a truly dark, industrial sci-fi/horror atmosphere.

Out of a wide collection of great releases, I decided to share Unsettled Sunless Seas as the first track, The Smothering Sky, is just so fantastic. A perfect soundtrack to get us to the darkness of Halloween night... Enjoy.

  

The 2025 Neighborhood Trick-Or-Treat Flyer

The annual neighborhood trick-or-treat announcement flyers have finally been printed and are ready to be distributed to 125 houses throughout my development. In recent years, I have become the unofficial official flyer creator and distributor, which I do without complaint. Designed and printed by me (easy now that I only have to change the date from last year!), and distributed by my son and a few of his neighborhood friends (work smarter, not harder!).

And while I'm still disappointed with the meager two-hour window for trick-or-treating on a date before Halloween proper, I'm happy to see the annual orange-and-black flyers go out to all the neighbors, signaling the countdown to the big night. 

We are getting closer! Are you ready?

  

Walt Disney Studios - "Chilling, Thrilling Sounds Of The Haunted House (1979)" Record

The days of October are absolutely flying by and we have already reached another Friday... time for the next Freebie Friday post, where I share forgotten gems from the murky depths of my Halloween "spooky sounds" collection.

WARNING: This album will scare your socks off. Parental guidance suggested.

For the third week in a row, I'm serving up an absolute Halloween classic. This time around, it's Walt Disney Studios' Chilling, Thrilling Sounds Of The Haunted House - the second version!

That's right! After the initial success of the original Chilling, Thrilling Sounds... in 1964 (and 1973), Walt Disney Studios went back and re-released a totally new version in 1979, with completely different cover art AND audio tracks.

Gone were the original's individual story/audio tracks utilizing special effects sounds from the Walt Disney Studios collection, and replaced with a more traditional "spooky sounds" collection of sounds.

I have done a bit or searching to find out why this was done, but I haven't been able to find anything definitive. Either way, I find this version to be the superior one. The original, while groundbreaking for its time, lacks any real spookiness to it and is plagued with silliness in most of the tracks. And let's not even get started on that "Chinese Water Torture" track...

This re-released version fits well into the traditional "spooky sounds" genre with more mature Halloween sounds. Two sides of continuous audio with side one containing "Frightening Situations" and side two containing "Eerie Sound Effects." Both sides are equally great and have all of the classic sound effects within.

And I haven't even mentioned the new cover art yet. A fantastic, full-cover haunted house illustration with a skeleton rising from a grave and colorful, traditional creepy fonts make this one an absolute winner! I would expect nothing less from the talented artists of Disney.

Overall, this release is an absolute classic (even if it is still overshadowed by the original). It's campy and fun, but still has just enough nostalgic creepiness to make it an essential piece for your collection.

(And on a side note, this was just re-released in 2023 on a cool translucent smoke-colored vinyl and is still available here.)

DOWNLOAD CHILLING, THRILLING SOUNDS OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE (1979) HERE.
  

Southern Tier - Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale

It's time to squeeze in another pumpkin beer review! Today, I'm putting Southern Tier's Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale up against the highly scientific Drunken Jackos rating scale.

Before I begin the review, I do want to note that I had previously reviewed the standard Imperial Pumking Ale, giving it a very favorable 4 out of 5 Drunken Jackos. Since that review, I had a bad experience with said beer in a bar in Salem, Massachusetts (of all places!). I had a bad pint - a VERY bad pint - that I ended up sending back. And since that experience, I haven't touched a Pumking since.

Sorry, I didn't have time to set up a spooky beer shot this time, so you only get a bottle pic for reference!

So I was a bit nervy picking up the 4-pack caramel version. But upon cracking the cap, all concerns were immediately dashed!

The beer poured a medium copper color with a quick, thin, fizzy head. I was immediately rewarded with a very fragrant, delicious and sweet caramel note. I don't think I've ever had more scent come from a pumpkin beer before. I sat there for quite a few minutes, just enjoying the pleasant toasty caramel coming from the glass!

On first sip, I got hints of sweet pumpkin, but as expected it quickly blended into delicious caramel across the entire mouth. That same caramel flavor stayed throughout, ending with a dry, almost nutty caramel aftertaste. A really great transition of flavors across the entire sip.

I was quite impressed with the amount of flavor in this beer. Aromatic and full, but never overpowering. This is a really great beer for a cold October night and is absolutely recommended to anyone who even remotely likes caramel. It's a delicious beer, but it's also a sweet treat.

And because of this, Southern Tier's Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale gets a well-deserved 4.5 out of 5 Drunken Jackos. A real October treat for the mouth AND the nose!

  

The Smell Of The Haunt

So in past years, I have really focused in on a few detail aspects of my display: sight and sound. 

I arrange everything in a visually appealing way with a hierarchy of focus and light (that is, the most important and detailed props are front and center in the display with full-color spotlighting while less important pieces - my potter's field wooden crosses - flank the edges with only a wash of light). It all keeps the viewer's eye focused on the center of the display.

I have also spent years developing the sounds of the display. I have settled on dark ambient audio as the main background audio - enveloping, menacing sound to create a sense of unease that stays in the background without creating any noticeable hints to distract or bring attention to it. I also add some spot sounds throughout to add detail and focus to certain props, be it a quick accent sound or vocal cue.

But the third pillar of the display still escapes me: scent. I want to create a full haunt experience for the trick-or-treaters and their families by also giving scent to add to their experience. Thus far, I have been using scents in my fog which has worked well, but only when the fog is shooting from one of my fog machines.

Last year, I added two incense cone burners to either side of my main archway which sits centered at the front of my display. I thought that position would be optimal as it's right against the sidewalk where everyone passes. They would be sure to catch a hint of scent as they stood and took the display in.

Unfortunately, the scent dissipated pretty quickly and was dispersed by the constant breezes on Halloween night.

I also ended up pitching the incense from last year, as the scent that I picked out was far too "perfumy" for my liking...

But on a whim, I grabbed these new Midnight Woods Scented Incense Cones from Michael's and am quite pleased with the scent. Woodsy with a hint of patchouli spice. I think it will be a great, earthy scent for the Cemetery this Halloween!

And here is where I hand it over to you. Do any of you use scent in your haunts, and how do you disperse it without it immediately blowing away in the wind?? Or am I just doomed to fail on this one???

I'll keep tinkering, but I'd love to hear your tips or ideas to make this work!

  

Trick 'r Treat In Theaters Tonight!

Yes, it has become an annual mandatory Halloween viewing for all of us, but we've never had the opportunity to see Trick 'r Treat in theaters. Until tonight! From it's original straight-to-DVD release back in 2007, tonight marks the first time Mike Dougherty's mistreated cult classic gets the theater experience it has always deserved.

I have literally seen this film at least 30 times, but I'm still going to get out and see it on the big screen. We get two nights - tonight and Thursday - to see it. Maybe theaters can make this an annual occurrence and a new Halloween tradition? Let's make it happen!

In the meantime, Slashfilm has a great article that covers the full history of the maligned-to-cult-classic film. Give it a read before going to the theater! And then enjoy Douglas Pipes' incredible soundtrack! Enjoy!