Shuddersome Soundscape #7: Nocturnal Escapades

 The night. That bewitching time when spirits come out to play, when vampires hunt for fresh blood, and when sorcerers slip into the woods to perform their magic. After all, it is Hallows Eve when the liveliest of October's festivities begin. And it is that time of moonlight that is the subject of this week's song. Here is "The Night" by Voltaire.

Aurelio Voltaire is a goth musician who thrives in New York City, a city known for its exuberant night life. His sound is often called dark cabaret or dark folk, although he is often prone to visiting other genres as well, some of which range outside the commonly expected realms of goth. In addition to music, Voltaire also runs a web show called Gothic Homemaking (which I highly recommend for anyone interested in spooky, DIY home decorating).

"The Night" was conceived in 1988 in the midst of Voltaire's teenage years. A while later, the song fittingly received a due resurrection (or would one say it was revamped) not once, but twice, each in a different style on a different album. It first appeared on Voltaire's second album Almost Human (2000) in his trademark dark cabaret style. After fourteen years, he released a new version on his tenth album Raised By Bats, which features many other songs also written in the '80s. This edition of the tune is in a classic deathrock style, a sound more prevalent on this particular album. 

The narrator of this song is definitely no stranger to the moonlit skies, although the exact species of this being might be left up to our imaginations, if we may allow it. He could be a night-loving goth or something more nocturnal and supernatural, like a lurking lycanthrope or a vivacious vampire. Or even just an enthusiastic trick-or-treater. After all, 'tis the season.