Silvanus: What is MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE? What are you heading for? And what's the principal aim and motivation behind this?

E: MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE's goal is to create music that stimulates listeners' imaginations and transports them to worlds of their own creation.
 
Silvanus: Whose ears and minds are you attempting to reach?

E: Anyone who wishes to transcend this reality.

Silvanus: What about the former works by MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE? Do you still consider them to be spiritually valuable enough?

G: "Born Of The Night" is a perfect companion to "Realm Of Shadows" and is, stylistically, very similar.

E: MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE's self-titled debut has a lot of dark elements but the album is not quite the same as the CDs we've been releasing since then.  The goal has always been to transport listeners away, it's just that the first album has some lighter (even humorous) elements to it.

Kai: Your latest work's layout appears as pretty astounding! May I assume that it has certain kind of concept behind it? It looks very well crafted and thougtout, and moreover - undoubtedly enigmatic, fitting the MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE's overall musical canvas just perfectly!

G:  There were definitely concepts behind the last two albums.  Never a specific story, more like an atmosphere and suggested elements.

E: We always want to leave the details up to the listener and allow them to interpret the concept however they choose.

Kai: Have you gained any kind of recognition with your music so far? I hope, I'm not the only one who's familiar with MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE?

G: We have a strong following in the US and this is starting to carry over internationally.  Both CDs have done well in Germany.  We're also seeing increased sales in several other countries (Italy, the UK, Netherlands, Spain, and Hong Kong) as well.

E: The internet has really been a valuable tool in helping our international sales and exposure.  It puts us in touch with fans who don't have the albums available in stores in their country.

Kai: Nowadays black metal and so-called dark ambient appear as some kind of a common thing, even though this and that are utterly different in terms of approach to music and music itself... And the question is: why do we consider ambient as a part of black metal scene? What are the reasons for this?

G: Although they are two different styles of music, we have found that many people who like black metal also like dark ambient as well.  There is the common dark element that draws them together.

E: I agree. For example, we recently were contacted by Andy La Rocque of KING DIAMOND, one of our biggest musical influences.  He told us that they are alternating "Born Of The Night" and "Realm Of Shadows" as the pre-show music for their current tour.  Andy felt that after hearing the CDs they would be perfect to set the mood for their shows.

Silvanus: Many black metal and dark ambient acts have a tendency to conceptualize around witching themes and magic in general... Do you feel this is a prosperous subject matter in many forms of music or have you only found it in the genre MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE may be reckoned to?

G: I think it's the mystery and dark allure of these topics that many people find fascinating.

E:  They're both topics that spark the imagination.  They're images that help draw the listener into the alternate reality our music creates.

Kai: By the way; what is your definition for MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE? In my view, it's some kind of a slightly blackened, dreary and ritualistic form of dark ambient; and the question is: would you agree with such a description?

E: Yes.  I think of "Born of the Night" and "Realm of Shadows" as gothic / horror soundscape albums.

G: "Soundtracks for the imagination" is a good description for what we do.

Kai: I'm convinced that anyone who gave or will ever give a listen to either "Realm Of Shadows" or any other piece by the duo named MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE, undoubtedly wondered (or again, will wonder) if you have ever performed any sort of ritualistic masses or anything that may be reckoned to that kind?

E: Absolutely not.

G: Me neither.  That's not what MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE is about.

Silvanus: What is your vision of a dreamland? Could we ever possibly achieve anything that might be considered "utopia"?

G: Perfection is unachievable. It's a good ideal to strive for as long as you don't condemn yourself or others for your place on the journey.

E: Almost everything we do artistically is meant to help ourselves and others engage in escapism.  To help them transcend this everyday world into their own dreamland.

Kai: Mind vs. Soul. What's your choice?

G: I feel mind and soul are inseparable.

E: Unexpected question... I guess I agree with Gavin on that one.

Kai: Do you know anything regarding Russia? What's your attitude to the country of mine as well as it's people? Any Russian bands you've heard lately?

E: My sister had the opportunity to travel there last year and could not say enough about the people of Russia.  The care and warmth they showed her while she was there.  I would like to travel there as well.  I really would like to share our music with others there.  I wish we had more exposure to Russian music here.

Kai: One of you (guess who am I talking about?) definitely is of European origin, more likely a Slav! Any comments on that?

G:  Yes, I come from a mixed Polish and Russian background.  My
great-grandparents moved here in the 1920's.

E:  Actually, my last name was originally Dlugoleski.  My grandparents were forced to change it due to the difficulty in American pronunciation.  Like Gavin, my great-grandparents moved here from Poland.  I have relatives who still live in Poland and Austria.

Kai: If I'm not mistaken, back in 1996 you've shot a B-class movie, entitled "Dead Matter". What about the storyline behind it; and besides that, what roused you to make a directional debut?

E: "The Dead Matter" is a gothic drama that involves modern-day vampires and a mystical ring that controls the dead.  I really like the storyline and would like to re-shoot the film again with a larger budget someday.  We have more information about "The Dead Matter" on our site at www.entityprod.com.  Scoring the film was definitely one of the most rewarding elements and served as inspiration for the last two MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE albums.

Kai: MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE isn't the only activity you're taking part in, right? Any enlightening comments on Entity Pictures, Rakocy Photo & Design and Dynamic Pixels?

G: If we decided to do a live show, we would definitely employ the services of the other divisions of Entity Productions.  Entity Pictures and Dynamic Pixels helped produce "The Dead Matter" and the multimedia concerts promoting the first self-titled album.

E: We are currently working with Mark Rakocy on the art and layout for our next CD which will be released the first week in March, 2001.  Mark worked on the self-titled debut and helped produce the multimedia shows supporting it back in '98.

Kai: The dawn rises, eating away all-devouring darkness, touching my soul with it's utter pain and emptiness... The great Beast and Dragon's dear images cease into the outer spheres, the ones they were spawned by, consequently it's time to finish this interview. Final obscure thoughts of yours?

E: SHMAY (pleadingly) : "Don't go in there! No one returns from that pit of  rot!  You'll die in there!!"  ....... CHO (mildly amused) : "Will I?"

G: Thanks ... pleasant dreams...

MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE contact -
Email: EDoug0001@aol.com