Music as background for roleplaying rounds is nothing new. Most of us uses movie-soundtracks to manipulate the atmosphere of a gaming session. One of my friends is so enthusiastic about the effect, that she often carries a case, filled with 50 CDs, when she enters a convention. Yes, music written for movies is suitable, but not perfect for roleplay gaming sessions. Very common are great changes in the loudness or extremely varies in the mood, so it seems impossible to let them play all the time. Roleplayers come together to listen to each other, not to the music.
So special music, that is designed for roleplaying, sounds like a good idea. Soft changes in the loudness and mood - as much that the music is present subconsciously and a good support for the Game Masters work.
Some German publisher try to fulfil the gamers needs with a mixture of instrumental melodies, background noises or - maybe worst - dominant singing voices. The now reviewed CD done by the US-publisher follows another way.
Midnight Syndicate were known for their Gothic-sampler, before they discovered that the music was consumed by (Vampire-) roleplaying gamers, too. So they started to support this special kind of customers.
Vampyre - Symphonies from the Crypt could maybe fit as excellent background music for a horror- or dark fantasy-movie. All songs are instrumental, are well arranged on the CD and have something in common - without getting boring. The music keeps in the background of the conversation, so that it is no problem to hear through the whole CD without switching. This is ideal to create a dark atmosphere.
Also GMs that want to underline special scenes are supported. Some songs are more dramatic and present. Some songs tell of hope while other are more aggressive or create an the-battle-is-lost feeling.
There are songs that fit for the smalltalk with a slimy informer, as well as there are songs for introductions to the lord villain himself, a chase or the beginning of a great battle.
But (my) words may be not enough to describe the contents of this CD. Everyone who wants to get a better impression of what Midnight Syndicate has produced, should take a look at www.darkcelldigitalmusic.net, where a sample (song 14) can be downloaded and the CD can be ordered.
