Nox Arcana's debut album, Darklore Manor, was featured as the musical score for the WB's televised special of the 1922 silent film classic, Nosferatu, and has spawned a book of original horror stories, The Legend of Darklore Manor and Other Tales of Terror. Their haunting Gothic soundtracks have also been used in theatrical productions of Bram Stokers' Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and Lewis Carrol's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. During the Halloween season the music of Nox Arcana can be heard throughout haunted attractions and theme parks around the world, including Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Six Flags, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
In keeping with Vargo's literary interests, several concept albums pay tribute to many of his favorite authors. The darkly seductive album, Transylvania, ventures into the land of vampires, musically expounding upon Bram Stoker's Dracula. The sinister Necronomicon is brought to life in Nox Arcana's homage to H.P. Lovecraft. And the unsettling Blackthorn Asylum explores the horrors of a forsaken 19th century sanitarium with an original storyline that expands upon Lovecraft's "From Beyond." Carnival of Lost Souls takes listeners inside an old-fashioned traveling circus that harbors living nightmares and sinister secrets, in the tradition of Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes." The morbid and melancholy Shadow of the Raven pays tribute to the great Edgar Allan Poe, and the darkly enchanting Grimm Tales album brings the childhood nightmares of the Brothers Grimm to life. Theater of Illusion conjures a realm of mystery and dark magic, set in an old Vaudeville theater, hidden from the outside world, where master magicians gather to display their talents every Halloween night. The Dark Tower is a sinister symphony based on Joseph Vargo's original book series, Tales From The Dark Tower, and its sequel, Beyond The Dark Tower, which follows an epic saga of the vampire Lord Brom and his quest to solve the ancient mysteries of the accursed keep.
Nox Arcana also delves into the realms of fantasy with the medieval sword and sorcery epic, Blood of the Dragon, which stormed in at #4 on Amazon's New Age chart, and Phantoms of the High Seas, a ghostly adventure steeped in pirate lore that explores mysteries of the deep. The gothic-Christmas release Winter's Knight peaked at #8 on the Billboard Music Chart for Best Holiday Album in 2006. Winter's Eve continued the celebration of the magic and wonder of the winter season. Nox Arcana returned to the wintery realm of Ebonshire forest with Winter's Majesty, marking the third and final installment of winter-holiday albums.
Since the early stages of Blackthorn Asylum, Nox Arcana has been the solo project of Joseph Vargo, who has been the sole composer and musician on all subsequent albums, including Winter's Eve, Theater of Illusion, The Dark Tower, Winter's Majesty, Legion Of Shadows and Ebonshire. Vargo has also composed the music for two Buzz-Works CDs (Zombie Influx and House of Nightmares), as well as the musical scores for the cable series Eerie America and the upcoming computer game The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana.
As with all of Nox Arcana’s albums, the concepts and themes are of personal interest to Joseph Vargo, who also creates the lavish artwork, captivating storylines and hidden puzzles that accompany each CD. The section called The Arcanum offers entertaining information about Nox Arcana's favorite authors and arcane subjects.
Over the past decade, Nox Arcana has released a total of 18 full-length albums, comprising more than 380 compositions, and have never re-released any of their material on other albums. The latest release, Legion of Shadows, marks the band's 10 year anniversary, with 21 all new instrumental tracks dedicated to Nox Arcana's fans and all creatures of the night.
Something Wicked
Nox Arcana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The air grows stale
Deathly cold winds
Howl and wail
Raging thunder
Pounds like drums
When something wicked
This way comes
In these opening lines of Nox Arcana's "Something Wicked," there is a palpable sense of impending doom and foreboding. The repetition of "breath" emphasizes the involuntary nature of life and the inevitability of mortality. The description of the air growing stale suggests a stagnant, oppressive atmosphere, hinting at a decaying or corrupt environment. The mention of deathly cold winds howling and wailing evokes a chilling and eerie image, creating a stark contrast to the warmth and vitality usually associated with breathing. These winds symbolize a malevolent force that is at once invisible and pervasive, stirring fear and apprehension.
The imagery of raging thunder pounding like drums adds to the sense of chaos and agitation present in the lyrics. Thunder is often associated with power and destruction, amplifying the sense of imminent danger and calamity. The comparison to drums suggests a rhythmical and relentless approach of this malevolent force, building tension and anticipation. The use of sensory details such as sound in these lines heightens the immersive experience of the listener, drawing them further into the dark and ominous world being depicted.
The phrase "something wicked this way comes" serves as a chilling refrain, echoing the famous line from Shakespeare's Macbeth. This evocative language suggests a sinister presence or event on the horizon, creeping closer with each passing moment. The use of the word "wicked" conveys a sense of moral corruption and malevolence, hinting at the nefarious intentions of whatever is approaching. The repetition of this ominous warning throughout the song reinforces the sense of impending danger, creating a suspenseful and unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the music fades.
Overall, these lyrics paint a vivid and atmospheric portrait of a world teetering on the brink of darkness and despair. Through the use of evocative language, sensory imagery, and foreboding symbolism, Nox Arcana captures the essence of fear and foreboding in "Something Wicked." The careful construction of these verses invites the listener to immerse themselves in a haunting and ominous landscape, where unseen forces lurk and threaten to disrupt the fragile balance of existence. It is a masterful blend of poetry and storytelling that taps into primal fears and stirs the imagination, leaving a lasting impression long after the final note has sounded.
Line by Line Meaning
With every breath
As time passes and life moves forward
The air grows stale
The atmosphere becomes heavy and foreboding
Deathly cold winds
Chilling, ominous gusts blow through
Howl and wail
Cry out in agony and despair
Raging thunder
Loud, powerful sounds of nature
Pounds like drums
Echoes like a rhythmic beat
When something wicked
In a moment of evil or malevolence
This way comes
Approaches or draws near
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Joseph Vargo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind