It’s been two long years since Midnight Danger released his screaming full length debut album “Malignant Force.”  Since then, Midnight Danger has fine-tuned his sound like a creature of the night sharpens its fangs. His latest release, “Chapter 2: Endless Nightmare” is an intense journey back from the abyss with dark driving synth bass lines, beefy riffs, and fantastic production. Featuring a slew of hellish synth metal and darksynth, Midnight Danger is be perfect for fans of Dance With The Dead, Volkor X, or Elay Arson.

“Malignant Force,” Midnight Danger’s first album, definitely had its roots in traditional outrun and synthwave, as well as a blend of 80s rock. You can hear it in the bpm and synth tempos, the fantastic melodies utilizing higher pitched synths, the crooning 80s hair metal references, and the retro stab percussion effects (there’s a perfect example at 2:22 in ‘Adrenaline Burst.’)

Of course, layered in with that were minor key synth lines and darksynth inspired heavy bass lines too. So, because of its foundation, “Malignant Force” always felt like a blend of synthwave and outrun with darksynth instead of being full-on pedal to the metal graveyard at midnight darksynth. It was an exploration of the young teenage girl that gets murdered in the first act – not the the sigil covered Necronomicon surrounded by corpese in the third.

A New Deviant Direction

This is where “Chapter 2: Endless Nightmare” changes things up, improving on an already radical sound. This album is a BEAST with intensity turned up to 11 and the darkness factor cranked up too. It punches out some fantastically catchy and fierce tracks left and right. Even though there are still retro influences and synthwave tracks, the  this album definitely falls more in the darksynth category than outrun. The production has been polished, and Midnight Danger’s sound swells with a new cinematic quality too.

The style of the synth metal on Midnight Danger’s “Chapter 2: Endless Nightmare,” has even changed a bit too – from hair metal and 80s glam to Iron Maiden esque heavy metal, taking the guitar influences to the darkside of the grave. (Even the album art looks a little like Eddie the Head!)

Altogether, this second offering from Midnight Danger really shows an artist refining their craft. All of the outstanding elements from the first album are here, but infused with a new sense of wicked ferocity and determination – just like a corpse, rising from the dead, hell bent on revenge.

Grab a listen here!

Dropping next Friday, July 24th, “Magnatron III” is jam-packed with absolute fire tracks from some of the best hand-picked artists in the retro synthwave scene. Just listening to the gleaming production of first three singles (Waveshaper – Vivid Stars/ Wice – Interstellar / Power Glove & PYLOT – AEON) is proof-in-pudding that Magnatron III is going to be an absolute banger! With genres ranging from dreamwave to synthwave to darksynth and everything in-between, This synthwave compilation is set to be stuffed with a track for everyone.

Initial pre-sales of rare bundles are already sold out – but fear not! We’re adding more to the store at 9:30AM EST tomorrow via NRW Records. This will include standalone items in larger amounts and different colorways. – https://NRWRecords.lnk.to/MagnatronIII

Tracklist:

1. Wice – Interstellar
2. Waveshaper – Vivid Stars
3. Zombie Hyperdrive – Ghostwalker
4. Absolute Valentine – Magnatron Engaged
5. STRAPLOCKED – Active Aggression
6. ALEX – SAMUS ARAN
7. Power Glove & PYLOT – AEON
8. Tonebox – Pulsar Blast
9. TOKYO ROSE – Tyrael
10. F.O.O.L – The Truth
11. Daniel Deluxe – Frontier
12. Sandman – Destiny Unknown
13. Donbor – Brume
14. DEADLIFE – Grit Rewired
15.Turboslash – Phantom
16. ORAX – Shelter
17. Kick Puncher – Last Resolve
18. Volkor X – Aftermath

Magnatron / Magnatron III / Magnatron 3

The mix of cyperpunk darksynth and blast beat syncopation really gives this gem an interesting dynamic that most metal influenced synth acts haven’t yet touched upon. Throw in some hard vocals and you have a truly fantastic release.

This single has also been given a work-over by the likes of Volkor X, Gör FLsh, and Hollywood Burns – each with a unique take that builds upon the original.

If you’re a fan of metal and synth – you do not want to miss this track and it’s remixes. Check it out below – and try not to headbang yourself into whiplash!

Bandcamp link: "Violence Suppressor" by Irving Force