Royalty-Free Music

Feels: Dark

Iron Horse

Darkly plodding, this staccato piano piece is the tense setting for the classic silent film scene: the heroine is tied to the train tracks, the steam engine train plugging along towards her. The chug-a-chug feel is maintained by a tense hammering of the chords in triplets, depicting machinery or chaos set in motion without an end in sight. 032 Dark, Driving, Intense 2010

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The House of Leaves

A simple harp refrain plays a child’s melody, but is torn apart by discordant screeching noises, thumps, growls, and mechanical noises. 037 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2010

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Final Count

Epic piece taking off from Chopin's famous funeral march (Piano Sonata #2). Death! Death! Death! Action, Dark, Epic, Intense, Somber, Unnerving 2009

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Tenebrous Brothers Carnival - Act One

This peculiar piece does have a story. If anyone would like to animate it, you'll have to bring your own script. Moderately large changes every minute or so. Accelerando at the end. Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Mystical, Unnerving 2009

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Alchemists Tower

A crazy ride, starting calm and erupting into a frenzy. Calm again at the end. Very Elfman-like. Action, Dark, Epic, Intense 2009

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MTA

Urban-sounding tight piece suitable for rap or stand-alone. Some giant hits, and a cool B section in here. Mix consultant: Bryan Teoh. Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Grooving, Intense 2009

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What You Want (version 2)

Same as the other version, but with no intelligible vocals. Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Unnerving 2009

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Slow Burn

Super nice progressive rock/blues piece with 3 sections. 011 Bright, Dark, Grooving 2009

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What You Want

Super aggressive distorted piece with vocal effects. 026 Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Unnerving 2009

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Truth of the Legend

Solo voice along with a small choir and giant percussion section. Ends in a sort of ethereal mode. 042 Action, Dark, Driving, Epic, Intense 2009

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Private Reflection

Epic myth. Part of the hero's journey. Starts with a solo soprano, and later mixes a full choir. Ends assuming you'll mix it into another piece. 043 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Intense, Somber, Unnerving 2009

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Wounded

It is rain outside the window on the day of your husband's funeral. maybe not exactly that... but there's death involved somehow. 013 Dark, Somber, Unnerving 2009

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Darkness is Coming

Quiet yet epic. This piece is an odd mix. Highly processed drum kit. 006 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Intense 2009

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Aftermath

This is a dark, almost inky feel - subtle, and texturally rich. 037 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious 2009

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Danse Macabre - Low Strings Finale

Just the low strings and brass from the finale of "Danse Macabre". 005 Action, Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Epic 2009

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Danse Macabre - Finale

Just the finale from the "Danse Macabre". This is the highest energy portion of the piece in isolation. 005 Action, Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Epic 2009

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Exciting Trailer

A militaristic snare drum march begins this piece, reminiscent of Eastern Europe during World War II. The orchestral sounds blend with the sharpness of the brass throughout, but especially after 0:36, when the music is lyrical and melodic, though intensely emotional and suspenseful. At 0:52, the rhythmic march begins again, with the strings playing the melody and the brass reaching discordant, swelling heights until the final crescendo at 1:10. 039 Action, Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Epic, Intense 2008

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Tea Roots

Almost straight-up reggae, but with a chinese folk violin in it. 023 Calming, Dark, Grooving 2008

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Gagool

A very nice piece with repeated themes... not sure what one should expect, given the instrumentation of this piece - but it probably won't disappoint. 035 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2008

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Interloper

Multi-part cue that builds as it accelerates. 044 Action, Dark, Eerie, Epic, Intense, Mysterious, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2008

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Colossus

Nice mid-level orchestral action piece. Culmination at 3:43. 030 Action, Dark, Epic, Intense 2007

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Stoneworld Battle

Giant movie battle sound kicks in at 2:00 with the finale starting at 2:50. 030 Action, Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Eerie 2007

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Smoking Gun

Gritty Western feel with a touch of suspense. Dark, Intense, Mysterious, Suspenseful 2007

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Netherworld Shanty

A happy little discordant march with a catchy melody. 021 Bouncy, Dark, Humorous, Unnerving 2007

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Blue Scorpion

An odd mix of African pseudo-polyrhythm and modern overdriven synths. Major feel changes at both 30 seconds and 2 minutes in. 012 Aggressive, Dark, Intense 2007

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Achaidh Cheide

Traditional Irish-sounding. I had a hard time classifying this in my existing feels. It feels like Irish folk music. 003 Dark, Driving 2007

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Scheming Weasel (faster version)

Sort of cartoonish, and yet sort of dark. I couldn't decide the tempo, so I posted a slower and faster version of the piece. 034 Dark, Humorous, Eerie, Bouncy 2006

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Easy Jam

Chilled out reggae with a brass section. 023 Dark, Grooving 2006

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Sovereign

Very very good new age piano solo in a minor. You might think 6 minutes is a bit long, but it isn't. Played on a darkly voiced piano. This piece should in no way be offered for free. 013 Dark, Calming 1998

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Dark Times

Deeply troubling and somber, this piece is heavy on the bass strings, especially in the last minute. The feel is very dark and funereal, and could be used to depict the beginning of the apocalypse. 035 Dark, Somber 2010

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Amazing Plan

With elements of a quick Russian polka playing in the immigrant section of industrial-era New York City, this piece is mainly in a minor key, but at the halfway point changes to a major key, reversing the feel and tone for a few seconds, before reverting to the darkness of the minor key. 032 Bouncy, Dark 2010

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Amazing Plan - Distressed

With elements of a quick Russian polka playing in the immigrant section of industrial-era New York City, this piece is mainly in a minor key, but at the halfway point changes to a major key, reversing the feel and tone for a few seconds, before reverting to the darkness of the minor key. 032 Bouncy, Dark 2010

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Villainous Treachery

The melody for this piece is in the bass keys, while the high notes play a headache-splitting constant rhythm. At the one-minute mark the high-pitched notes drop several octaves to play a crunched staccato before returning to the previous theme. The last thirty seconds feature drawn out chords, and the tempo slows dramatically, ending with frustrated trills in both registers, signaling the demise of the villain. 032 Dark, Intense 2010

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Villainous Treachery - Distressed

The melody for this piece is in the bass keys, while the high notes play a headache-splitting constant rhythm. At the one-minute mark the high-pitched notes drop several octaves to play a crunched staccato before returning to the previous theme. The last thirty seconds feature drawn out chords, and the tempo slows dramatically, ending with frustrated trills in both registers, signaling the demise of the villain. 032 Dark, Intense 2010

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Iron Horse - Distressed

Darkly plodding, this staccato piano piece is the tense setting for the classic silent film scene: the heroine is tied to the train tracks, the steam engine train plugging along towards her. The chug-a-chug feel is maintained by a tense hammering of the chords in triplets, depicting machinery or chaos set in motion without an end in sight. Dark, Driving, Intense 2010

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Rites

Heavy and deep, the chords of this piece resemble Gregorian Chanting with resounding reverb as a harp plucks a few solitary notes. The music evokes an ancient ritual or ceremony, but could also be used for a tragic medieval funeral. 040 Dark, Mysterious, Mystical 2010

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Pop Goes the Weasel

Heavy bass drums and an string bass set the tone for this dark and menacing tone. The familiar refrain then plays, but is made expressive and almost violent as it is played on several string basses and cellos. The pace is rather quick and forceful, and after the quick ending, a jack-in-the-box plays, normally child-like, but made creepy because of the sinister music that came before. 035 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Unnerving 2010

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Redletter

High-pitched strings play above a low drone, while fuzzy noises and cymbal rolls flow throughout. The high strings crescendo and quickly cut out as if a knife sliced their throats. A somber melody plays in the final minute, and the noises crescendo and come at you from every angle, symbolic of an attack and a gruesome finale. 037 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2010

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The Hive

Cymbals and synthesizers evoke swarming insects, as whirring and clicking noises abound with heavy reverb. 037 Dark, Unnerving 2010

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Nerves

The first two minutes contain many changes and shifts in tone - all intense. The final minute is a collection of all that came before, ending in a pulse-quickening finale. This is music for an action film, or a scene that begins with tremulous anxiety and ends in a big way. 033 Action, Dark, Eerie, Epic, Intense, Suspenseful 2010

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Song of the Volga Boatmen

Yo, Heave Ho! The classic theme of difficult drudgery. Based on a Russian folk song. 036 Calming, Dark, Somber 2010

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Chee Zee Cave

Loping dissonant loopable atmospheric. Dark, Humorous, Intense, Suspenseful 2010

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Agnus Dei X

Just a quick piece from a traditional Latin mass. Lyrics are "Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis._. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem". For Sopranos and Bass. Dark, Epic, Mystical 2010

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Sinfonia Number 5

J. S. Bach's 3-part invention that I hacked together for music for a "stuffy aristocratic dinner party". Of all the Sinfonias, I think this works the best for that. Dark, Relaxed, Somber 2010

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Space Fighter Loop

Written as a background loop for a space fighting video game. Action, Dark, Epic, Intense 2010

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Zap Beat

Perfectly loopable for background applications that need a little bit of drive that doesn't annoy. Aggressive, Dark, Grooving 2010

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Ghostpocalypse - 4 Temptress

4 of 8. Driving slower rhythm with piano. Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Somber 2010

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Seventh Seal

Simple drone followed by a crescendo leading to silence. Dark, Mysterious, Unnerving 2009

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Spring Thaw

Simple melody. Something feels amiss here, but in a sort of pleasing way Dark, Eerie, Somber 2009

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Sunset at Glengorm

Processed piano is featured, leaving a deep uncertain texture. Tempo is highly variable. Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Somber 2009

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Spacial Harvest

Deep unsettling piece with no repeated themes. Fat, rounded bass drone with very high pitched interest on top. Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Mystical, Unnerving 2009

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Lightless Dawn

Add a dark intensity to any scene... Is there building action? Is there a clue? Is there a need for ambiguity? Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Mystical, Somber, Unnerving 2009

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A Singular Perversion

Overplayed piano, subtle percussion, sweepy violins. Dark, Eerie, Somber, Unnerving 2009

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Tenebrous Brothers Carnival - Act Three

Metallic and generally unpleasant... yet I like this piece quite a bit. It gives the impression of a giant mechanical automaton. Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Mystical 2009

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Sugar Plum Dark Mix

Tchaikovsky's dance from the Nutcracker with lots of percussion and extra choirs. Dark, Humorous 2009

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Sugar Plum Breakdown

Just the final part of Tchaikovsky's piece with giant percussion and synths. Dark, Humorous 2009

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Impact Intermezzo

4 of 6. Zero melody, all percussion piece... might be useful for anything that needs a bit of urgency, but not too much. Dark, Driving, Grooving 2009

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Mind Scrape

Interesting collection of consonant and dissonant sounds across the spectrum of sound. Dark, Mystical 2009

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Padanaya Blokov

Catchy Russian-sounding piece. 029 Bouncy, Bright, Dark 2009

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Symbiosis

Quiet solo piano in 3 parts with additional percussion bit adding in more and more to the end. My normal "feels" that are used to classify pieces are largely inadequate for this piece, as are the genres. In other words... I have no idea what this is. 021 Calming, Dark 2009

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Night of the Owl

Native American drumming with a flute. 019 Dark, Mystical 2009

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Thunderhead

Native American drumming. The branch rattle is reminiscent of thunder. Tempo picks up about halfway through. 019 Dark, Mystical 2009

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Black Bird

Native American drumming with clapping to the feeling of bird wings. 019 Dark, Mystical 2009

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Firesong

Native American drumming with a deep dark drive. Slowly picks up in speed throughout. 019 Dark, Driving, Epic, Mysterious, Mystical 2009

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Birch Run

Native American drumming, sometimes with rattles. The 2 main drummers are funkier than most Native American pieces. 019 Dark, Eerie, Mystical 2009

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Rising Game

Dark piece in 2 roughly equal main parts. Gets progressively more exciting. 006 Dark, Driving, Epic, Grooving, Intense, Mysterious 2009

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Schmetterling

A giant cavernous mix of pipe organ and classical choir. German. 043 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Somber 2009

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Soporific

A laid-back chill, and chilling piece. 007 Dark, Grooving, Relaxed, Somber 2009

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Cambodian Odyssey

Written on spec for a Cambodian documentary. The double-reed horn in the piece is actually a highly processed oboe changed to give an edge. 010 Dark, Grooving, Mysterious, Mystical 2009

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Quinn's Song: The Dance Begins

This piece takes its main theme from Chopin, completely reharmonizes it, and gives it a different setting. One of three pieces with this theme. 035 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2009

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Quinn's Song: A New Man

This piece starts with piano, and ends with tymp. It uses a reharmonized theme taken from Chopin. One of 3 pieces with this theme. 038 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2009

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Quinn's Song: First Night

This piece contains 2 themes, one in 7/4 time, and another borrowed from Chopin - and set among very disturbing chords. 038 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2009

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Ghost Dance

6/8 piece with piano intro that leads into a sparse orchestral, and ends with piano again. 042 Dark, Epic, Mysterious 2009

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Awkward Meeting

Simple piano theme drives this, but it sometimes buried under unnerving textures. 7/4 time, rubato. 038 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Mysterious, Mystical, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2009

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One of Them

Calm opening with giant hit around 1:50 that calms down some and ends on grating tones. 006 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Unnerving 2009

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Rocket

Euro-tech with some highly processed guitar lines and symphonic elements. 012 Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Intense 2009

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Chanter

Interesting hybrid of at least 3 traditions. For being plodding - it keeps up the intensity to a surprising degree. 010 Dark, Intense, Mysterious, Mystical 2009

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Ominous

Uneven foreboding short cue, winds play opposite strings. 040 Dark, Mysterious, Somber, Unnerving 2009

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Round Drums

A collection of mostly large drums. Useful for action scenes. 033 Dark, Driving, Grooving 2009

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Danse Macabre - No Violin

This is the same as the other "Danse Macabre" on this site - but without the solo violin part... in case you're a violinist, and you want to play along at home. 005 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Intense 2009

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Danse Macabre - Isolated Harp

This is just the harp part from section E of Danse Macabre (measure 205). I think the beauty of this part is often overlooked in the full piece, so I pulled it out for everyone to enjoy here. 005 Calming, Dark, Mysterious 2009

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Danse Macabre - Busy Strings

An interesting section of Danse Macabre from around measure 145. There is a particularly nice viola trill with ornament. 005 Dark, Driving, Epic, Mysterious 2009

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Danse Macabre - Violin Hook

This is the most famous section of Danse Macabre, and features a very nice violin line. 005 Bouncy, Dark, Eerie, Epic, Mysterious 2009

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Danse Macabre - Light Dance

A small section of Danse Macabre that features the basses, cellos, and violas each taking one beat out of the measure with a triplet. Light melody on the top. 005 Bouncy, Dark, Intense, Mysterious 2009

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Danse Macabre - Sad Part

Thematically, a small section of "Danse Macabre" - but with good motion. 005 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Mysterious 2009

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Danse Macabre - Xylophone

This is one of my favorite sections of "Danse Macabre"... lovely xylophone part. 005 Bouncy, Bright, Dark, Epic, Mysterious 2009

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Danse Macabre - Sad Part - no violin

Just a small section of quiet fast playing strings from "Danse Macabre". 005 Dark, Eerie, Intense 2009

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To the Ends

Horns used in the background. Main melodies carried by clarinet and strings. Starts off bright, ends darker. 043 Bright, Dark, Mysterious, Suspenseful 2009

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With a Creation

An experimental piece, designed to emulate a keyboardist with her robot. The piano player likes to play with the EP in this piece. Take a listen to get the full effect. EP used heavily throughout the entire piece. Build at 1:02, percussion picks up with heavy, fast beats. 021 Dark, Eerie, Mystical, Unnerving 2009

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Vulcan

A mystical piece for Flutes, Bells, and Percussion. Disjointed melodic flute in counterpoint with lower fluttery flutes, plodding percussion, and shimmering bells. Same texture throughout piece. 045 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Mystical 2009

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Basement Floor

A heavy synth slap bass and processed percussion drive this suspenseful piece. The consistent groove is complemented by a chorus for several more dramatic moments. Heavy Phasing, delay and reverb. 018 Dark, Grooving, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2009

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Snowdrop

A somber solo piano improvisation featuring a repeated melodic tone with arpeggiated shifting chords in the bass. Ends slightly uplifting. Reminiscent of Chopin's Raindrop Prelude. Dark, Eerie, Relaxed, Suspenseful 2009

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Spider Eyes

Spider Eyes is an eerie soundscape created with distant high strings, dissonant non-percussive piano textures, and alternately tuned bells. This piece features much sustain and space. 021 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2009

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Blue Feather

Somber Solo Piano, with repetitive descending arpeggio motive. Contains uplifting moments, but generally sparse and mysterious. Calming, Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Relaxed, Somber, Unnerving 2008

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Laconic Granny

Lumbering tuba-driven tune with heavy back beat appropriate for character underscore. Ends Abruptly. 034 Bouncy, Dark, Humorous, Mysterious, Somber 2008

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Decay

A very dark piece heavily featuring cymbal and bells. Frequent Cymbal usage creates unnerving feeling. 3:08 prolonged trombone. Lasts almost 30 seconds. This piece is great for an eerie atmosphere. 037 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Unnerving 2008

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Road to Hell

A slow dark piece featuring a piano, bass duet. Begins with bass, then immediately piano comes in. Piece has continuous bass with piano coming in and out. Finishes with prolonged bass note. 036 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious 2008

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Hero Theme

A short, powerful theme with a bit of hope. Dark, Epic, Intense, Mysterious 2008

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Memory Lane

Casual, quiet piano solo for those introspective moments. 3/4 020 Calming, Dark, Relaxed, Somber 2008

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Bad Ideas (distressed)

Distressed (1930's era vinyl) version. 032 Bouncy, Dark, Humorous, Mysterious 2008

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Bad Ideas (clean)

Clean, unaltered pure recording of this piece (see also distressed version). 032 Bouncy, Dark, Humorous, Mysterious 2008

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Dark Hallway (distressed)

Distressed (1930's era vinyl) version of this piece. 2 sections; one choppy, and one smooth. 032 Dark, Mysterious 2008

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Dark Hallway (clean)

Clean version of this piece. 2 sections; one choppy, and one smooth. (see also distressed) 032 Dark, Mysterious 2008

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Ujangong Mix

An epic clash of genre that feigns coherence. Based on the Public Domain 1904 recording of "Ujangong (Mask Dance)" from New Guinea. But with a swing bass and slicing techno chunk in 3/4 time. 021 Dark, Driving, Grooving, Intense, Unnerving 2008

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Firmament

An interesting mix of rock, reggae with a more than average bit of swing to it. Three distinct snare drums give it character. 023 Bouncy, Dark, Grooving 2008

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Classic Horror 1

Solo piano, which is not in tune (traditionally speaking). 4/4 time with some asymmetries. 006 Dark, Mysterious, Mystical, Unnerving 2008

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Classic Horror 2

5/8 time gives this piano solo a really unsettling feel. It uses more of the range of the piano, and can be chopped up to suit scenes well. 038 Dark, Mysterious, Unnerving 2008

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Classic Horror 3

Alternate tuning is very apparent here, Deep voicing lends a very ominous quality. Sounds more like the mind of someone who is breaking. 038 Dark, Intense, Mysterious, Unnerving 2008

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Long Note Four

A fairly intense beginning with a small piano part I pulled from a thing I wrote last week (Trio for Piano Violin and Viola), followed by a very long section of not moving much. 037 Dark, Eerie, Mystical, Somber 2008

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Dark Walk

Simple motive countered by several striking dissonances. 035 Dark, Eerie, Somber, Unnerving 2008

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Ritual

Very very slow piece featuring the alto flute. 030 Dark, Mysterious, Mystical, Somber 2008

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Unnatural Situation

Piano with a tape delay and lots of dark colour in the background. 038 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Unnerving 2008

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Trio for Piano Violin and Viola

An unfinished trio in 2 main parts. Dark, Relaxed, Somber 2008

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Achilles

Written as theme music for an epic drama. This starts broad and kicks into awesome at 0:27. 042 Action, Dark, Driving, Epic, Intense 2008

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Sovereign Quarter

A re-recording of an older piece of mine on a new sample set of a Steinway Model D. This one is tuned to Quarter Comma Meantone (and not standard Equal Temperament). In this piece, it gives an unerringly warm feel, as the notes that would be least in tune in this are never used. 013 Calming, Dark 2008

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Comic Plodding

Impromptu. 032 Bouncy, Dark, Humorous 2008

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Confused State

Interesting mallet-only section in the middle that sort of has a dreamy-yet earthy feel to it. 001 Dark, Grooving, Mysterious, Unnerving 2008

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News of Sorrow

African-influenced short piece with continuous accelerando. 036 Dark, Intense, Somber, Suspenseful 2008

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Myst

Theme from "AngloZulu" expanded on, but in a more relaxed sense. 040 Dark, Mystical, Somber 2008

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Witch Hunt

Several feel changes from strictly percussive to full orchestral. Ends on a piercing high. 033 Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Unnerving 2008

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Ignosi

Starts without percussion, then adds in a groove later on. 042 Dark, Epic, Intense, Somber, Unnerving 2008

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Morocco Sting

Bouncy, Dark, Mysterious, Mystical 2008

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Mystery Sting

Slow groove percussion under an exotic melody. Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Mystical 2008

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Flutey Sting

Slight slow down in tempo on the end. Dark, Mysterious, Unnerving 2008

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Monkoto

Clashing time signatures, but a cohesive piece. 001 Dark, Grooving, Mysterious 2008

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A Little Faith

Woodwinds enter 53 seconds in, and the tone changes from outright depressing to somewhat hopeful. 036 Dark, Somber 2008

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Mourning Song

Long broad notes with a solo oboe. 036 Dark, Somber, Unnerving 2008

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Serpentine Trek

Something winding its way somewhere. 040 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Intense, Suspenseful 2008

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Plans in Motion

Major feel change at 1:15. It loses the highly disjointed theme, and takes on a smoother note. 033 Action, Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Intense, Somber, Unnerving 2008

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Arid Foothills

Slight polyrhythms grow in the piece as it gains intensity. It eases back down at 2:30. 001 Dark, Grooving, Mystical, Relaxed 2008

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Majestic Hills

Several feel, tempo, and instrumentation changes throughout this orchestral piece. 043 Dark, Epic, Somber 2008

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Long Note Three

A very long dark note. Use under dialog, or to kill site noise. 037 Dark, Mysterious, Somber, Suspenseful 2008

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Long Note Two

Heavy effects on an arhythmic piano, and very deep bass. 037 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2008

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Some Amount of Evil

Starts at a fast pace, and slows. 035 Action, Dark, Intense, Unnerving 2008

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Long note One

Just a very long pad for use under dialog. 037 Dark, Intense, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2008

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Tiny Fugue

A very short fugal theme. (3-part imitative counterpoint) Dark, Intense, Mysterious 2008

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Griphop

Sort of hip-hop rap beat with a giant backing string section. 018 Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Grooving, Intense 2008

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Dangerous

Crescendo and sting at the end. 033 Action, Dark, Driving, Eerie, Epic, Intense, Unnerving 2008

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Dreamlike

Dark, creepy theme with a modulation about 2/3 of the way in. 030 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Somber, Unnerving 2008

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Lone Harvest

It looks like an uncommon mix of descriptive words, but this simple piece does a good job of displaying complex emotion. 035 Calming, Dark, Somber, Unnerving, Uplifting 2008

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Tango de Manzana

A tango in 2 chords. 015 Bouncy, Bright, Dark, Intense 2008

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Epic Unease

Starts quiet, ends fortissimo brass. 035 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Intense, Unnerving 2008

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Gnarled Situation

Builds with a climax, then calm ending in flutes. 006 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Mysterious, Somber 2008

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The Chamber

Delicate start with a lush ending. 006 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Mystical, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2008

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Grave Blow

We're dealing with a dark tragedy here... sounds like something needs to be done! 006 Dark, Epic, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2008

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Dark Dance

Winds, piano, and brass come in very late. The piece accelerates to the end. 035 Dark, Eerie 2008

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Asian Drums

A semi-chaotic mix of drums with nice reverb. 010 Dark, Eerie, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2008

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Smash (Sketch)

This is NOT a complete piece. It is only a sketch developed as a test for a stage production (repeated many times). If you only need a few seconds, it is fine. This piece has a harsh ting-y electric piano on top. 023 Dark, Grooving 2007

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Reggae (Sketch)

This is NOT a complete piece. It is only a sketch developed as a test for a stage production (repeated many times). If you only need a few seconds, it is fine. Squaky-talky EP on the bass and melodies. 023 Dark, Grooving, Relaxed 2007

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Electro (Sketch)

This is NOT a complete piece. It is only a sketch developed as a test for a stage production (repeated many times). If you only need a few seconds, it is fine. Smooth rich synths fill in a nice syncopated hook. 018 Dark, Grooving 2007

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Seven March

A piece in 7/8 time with 2-measure phrasing. Very dark and round sounding with randomly placed percussions. 038 Dark, Mysterious, Unnerving 2007

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Very Low Note

Just a very low note (a C) to be used as a bed for any very unnerving and dark scene. 037 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Unnerving 2007

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Deep Noise

Could be breathing, could be the wind, it is very dark, and kind of disturbing. 037 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Unnerving 2007

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Chase Pulse

Measured pace in low registers that just doesn't stop. 006 Dark, Driving, Mysterious 2007

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Chase Pulse Faster

Same theme as "Chase Pulse" but with added percussion and a quicker pace. 006 Dark, Driving, Mysterious 2007

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Blue Sizzle

Synth Pad with several swells. 006 Dark, Eerie, Unnerving 2007

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Night Break

Edgy-sounding synths with several pulsing band-pass sweeps. 037 Dark, Eerie, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2007

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Chill

Bass feature piece with some rich laid-back synth, and a thin-sounding drum machine. 007 Calming, Dark, Grooving, Relaxed 2007

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Spy Groove

Aggressive drum kit sound with warmth added by a B3 organ and conga. Modulation in the final repeat. 007 Dark, Grooving, Intense, Mysterious 2007

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Hand Balance Redux

Intense, slightly urban piece with rich chordal melodies. 018 Dark, Driving, Intense, Mysterious 2007

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Darkness Speaks

Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Unnerving 2007

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Eyes Gone Wrong

Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Unnerving 2007

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Folk Round

A simple folk perpetual canon - also known as a round. Feels like a medieval campfire piece. 003 Dark, Eerie, Relaxed 2007

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Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

J. S. Bach's most famous organ piece. BWV 565. (Beckerath German baroque pipe organ) 008 Dark, Epic 2007

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Halls of the Undead

Deep dark background undercurrent. 006 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Mysterious 2007

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Shamanistic

Earthy, yet unearthly. Deep and rich with things amiss. 035 Dark, Driving, Eerie, Mysterious, Mystical 2007

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The Machine Thinks

100% electronic creepiness. Change from round and bleeping to harsh bleeping about 2 minutes in. 021 Dark, Eerie, Unnerving 2007

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Martian Cowboy

Slow-moving synth textures. Glock starts at about 1:20, and the bass at 1:50 035 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Somber, Unnerving 2007

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Western Streets

An all percussion tension-sustaining piece... More chaotic than symmetric, but enough repeated themes to keep it cohesive. Dark, Suspenseful, Unnerving 2007

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The Bandit

Short Theme in two tempos for your bad guy. 032 Dark, Mysterious, Humorous 2007

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Phantasm

This piece stars a super-low bass line that physically unnerves. The bells and other melodies offer enough complexity to offset the simple repetitive lines. 035 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Somber, Unnerving 2007

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Lasting Hope

Minimal percussion gives a subtle edge to the smooth synth line. 045 Dark, Eerie, Mystical, Relaxed, Intense, Somber 2007

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Big Mojo

Big grooving percussion loop with a massive bass kick that will rattle teeth. It starts out with high and low shelves, and kicks in at around 30 seconds. Big ending. 046 Action, Dark, Driving, Epic, Grooving, Intense, Mystical 2007

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Himalayan Atmosphere

A Tibetan atmospheric that is a mix of rhythmic and arhythmic sounds. 010 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Unnerving 2007

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Celtic Impulse

Simple, easy-to-play folk-influenced tune in the D Dorian mode (related to D Minor). 003 Dark, Driving, Mystical 2007

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Feral Chase

Someone's running from something... or to somewhere... High energy, but reserved. 033 Action, Driving, Suspenseful, Dark, Epic 2007

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Dark Standoff

Broad dark sustained chords in the low strings punctuated with slight percussion. 035 Dark, 2007

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Lift Motif

Airy-sounding short waltz. 027 Dark, Mystical, Uplifting 2007

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Double Drift

Loads of delay on the guitar give this piece a dark, yet comforting feel. All of the sounds are rounded, but the effect isn't. Grooving, Dark, Mysterious 2007

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Sonatina in C Minor

While not quite a sonatina - it is closer than anything else. Forte violin with nice double stops. Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2007

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That's a Wrap

Sparse music compatible for voice-over. This piece is related to the Rock piece "Welcome to the Show" 011 Dark, Grooving 2007

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Artifact

Interesting multi-layered blend of percussion rhythms and acoustic guitar, which foreshadows the choir. 001 Grooving, Dark, Mystical 2007

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Crisis

A very serious and straight dark orchestral piece. Tubular bells, bass trombone, and bass drum add a lot of low-end. 033 Dark, Epic, Driving 2007

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Dragon and Toast

Minimalist-type piece. 030 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Mystical, Unnerving 2007

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Grave Matters

Methodical and depressing short piece. Written as a quick composition study with only strings. 036 Dark, Somber 2007

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A Turn for the Worse

Made up of two thirty-second refrains, “A Turn for the Worse” is deep and funereal, ringing of sorrow, grief, and death. In the first refrain, the violin lilts and meanders like the wail of a grieving widow, and at 0:35 the clarinet comes in, echoing the violin’s refrain in a dark call-and-response. The piano, cello, and accordion provide slow, mournful accompaniment, and in the first refrain, the tubular bells chime as if they were death’s final toll. 036 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2007

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Earnest

6/8 apreggiations with a thin high melody. 013 Dark, Somber, Mysterious 2007

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Darkening Developments

Bass is very VERY strong in this. Please make sure you master on a system capable of reproducing these notes. The end feel is decided different from the rest of the piece. It does an unnerving build to nowhere. 006 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Mysterious, Unnerving 2007

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Passing Action

This short piece is the accompaniment for the hero surreptitiously breaking into a corporation or headquarters. The reverberating congas, triangle, and synthesized percussion enhance the senses, while the bass guitar provides a strong groove. The strings raise in pitch, evoking a sense of building tension. High-pitched crescendo of strings at 0:45 is the climax of the suspense. 039 Dark, Unnerving 2007

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Promising Relationship

A striking chordal change keeps the first and second halves different. 036 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2007

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Duet Musette

Folk sounds from the continent. This is not a traditional anything, just improvisation in two chords. 003 Dark, Mysterious 2007

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Showdown

Starts unnerving; ends calming. 039 044 Dark, Unnerving, Calming 2007

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Temple of the Manes

An ancient-feeling modal piece. 045 Dark, Mystical 2007

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Ominous Intro

Slow moving, and moog-like. Dark, Epic, Unnerving 2007

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Land of the Dead

A background pad full of human souls. A cacophony of choirs run in counter directions. This is very unpleasant to listen to at volume. 035 Dark, Mysterious, Unnerving 2007

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East of Tunesia

Sort of based on Maltesian music. The primary horn in this piece is actually an effected sopranino sax with an oboe drone. 046 Dark, Eerie, Mystical 2007

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Scheming Weasel (slower version)

Sort of cartoonish, and yet sort of dark. I couldn't decide the tempo, so I posted a slower and faster version of the piece. 034 Dark, Humorous, Eerie 2006

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Attack of the Mole Men

Written as an introduction to a play, this has the feel of a 1950's monster movie. 042 Dark, Suspenseful, Epic 2006

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Guess Who

Bizarre mix of orchestral setting with a power guitar and drum set. 034 Dark, Driving, Humorous, Mysterious 2006

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Misuse

Sort of a dark dance piece. Interesting things happen regularly. 018 Dark, Driving, Mysterious 2006

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Thinking Out Loud

Piano looped digital electronica hybrid. I started this piece in 2002, abandoned it – and came back to finish it off so I can clear off some of my older projects. 018 Grooving, Driving, Dark 2006

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The Way Out

Understated intensity with a hair of creepiness. 018 Driving, Action, Eerie, Dark 2006

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Overriding Concern

Slow fade in with source recordings from a carnival, leading to a clean sharp synth and round synth. Tubular bells and glock add interest later. 018 Driving, Action, Unnerving, Dark, Mysterious, Suspenseful 2006

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Cryptic Sorrow

Sad solo piano with a "reality" feel. Uneven meters. 013 Eerie, Somber, Dark 2006

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Overture

Opening theme I wrote for Nosferatu. Striking chord structure. Sweet melody. 013 Uplifting, Mysterious, Dark 2006

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Professor and the Plant

Two short pieces in one file. Deliberate clockwork theme. 006 Dark, Humorous, Mysterious 2006

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Spider's Web

Harpsichord in tritones with a bass pedal. 035 Dark, Unnerving, Mysterious, Eerie 2006

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The Reveal

Starts with cellos, adds horn, clarinet, English horn, contra-tuba - to a final sustained chord. Slow. Thin yet satisfying. 035 Dark, Somber, Calming 2006

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Sax, Rock, and Roll

Lots of guitars with a sax-y hook. 026 Driving, Dark 2006

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Dvorak Polka