The Dark Forest is now for sale here.  Here’s a FAQ I wrote so you can understand a little more about it. 

 

 

 

What is The Dark Forest? 

The Dark Forest is a dark orchestral fairy tale.

 

What’s the music like?  Is it a band?

It’s not a band.  It’s kind of like a musical or opera, only without the acting.  Technically it’s an oratorio which is a musical story. 

 

So why an opera (or oratorio or whatever you call it)? 

I’ve written rock songs for fifteen years now.  Everyone writes rock songs.  A fourteen year old kid can write a rock record.  I wanted to offer something different, something fresh.  Something no one else I personally know has attempted to do.  So I attempted to do something completely insane. 

 

I am a big fan of orchestral music big evil sounding soundtracks and classical music.  So I wanted to write something like that. 

What is the story? 

The Dark Forest is very much a dark storybook fairy tale.  The oratorio opens up with, “Once upon a time in a distant land was the Great Forest, full of magic and mystery.”  The characters are The Woodcutter, The Woodcutter’s Daughter and The Dark Elf.  The Dark Elf ultimately tries to abduct and sacrifice The Daughter.  There’s fighting, people die, but all for a purpose.

 

What does the music sound like? 

All the music is orchestral - cello, violin, orchestra, choir, timpani, acoustic guitar, etc.  The music sounds big and evil.  No instruments you’d typically find in a rock band. 

 

Can I hear one of the songs?

Download one of the fight scenes here...

 

Download the song

 

What’s going on in this song?

The Woodcutter has just found out that The Dark Elf is on his way to abduct The Daughter.  He arrives to the cottage first and tells The Daughter to get on her horse and ride as fast as she can into the forest.  Just then The Dark Elf bursts through the edge of the woods, giving chase. 

 

Who are the singers?

The Woodcutter is John Johnson of the band Vroom.  The Daughter is Julia Zulia of the band Divebomber.  Peter Kusek plays the part of The Dark Elf. 

 

How long is it?

The entire story is a little over forty-five minutes long.  There are nine scenes. 

 

Will I like it?

You’ll love it.

 

What is the status on it’s production?

As of today I am 96% done with it.  Only very minor instrumental things need to be tweaked.  Currently I am on version 3.1.  Version 1.0 was ready in July 2003.  Version 2 was completely by Fall of 2003 with redone orchestra.  Version 3 (July 2004) was a complete overhaul with new orchestration, replaced song “With Your Blood”, recorded all new vocals for The Daughter and The Dark Elf.  Rerecorded about half of The Woodcutter.  No more vocals are to be redone.  Only slight tweaks.  For Pre-Release Version 3.1 I just turned up the vocals.  That is the version you can now get.

 

Since basically I’m going all out on this piece of work I’m not sure when the final touches will be done by.  That is why I’m making available now.  It’s like watching a movie before it comes out.  A few things that most people won’t notice might get changed.  I’ve been working on it since December 2002, so what’s a couple more months just to make sure I’m 100% happy with it.  I’ll also have to work on the artwork, which could take a while. 

 

Will this be performed live?

Yes.  We’ve already performed it three times.  The orchestra is still on CD, but the vocals are live.  The illustrations are projected on screen, behind the vocalists. 

 

What are the plans for future live performances? 

I don’t know.

 

Where can I get all the lyrics?

I’ll post the lyrics here sometime.  I’m also writing the commentary for it.

 

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