Get all 14 Ian Gordon releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The Box Redux (2023), Exercises in Audible Dread (2022), His Quiet Hands (2021), Theme Tweak: Volume One (2016), Beyond Monochrome (2015), Survivors (2014), Departure (2014), The Horror Show (2013), and 6 more.
1. |
The Kaleidoscope
21:25
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i. above the waves
narrative
a crew set sail unto stormy seas
fifteen men, intent to explore the world
1785 was the year
and their time had come to seek their fortune on the seven seas
but out in the night they sailed blind in the storm
anxious, desperate and lost
fear it held them in a depressing suspense
unprepared for what was to come...
ii. the storm
breaking the waves with the bow of the ship
the men are aware of the rain
the deck under darkness
the thunder
the crash
the storm it descends from the sky
fingers are pointing
the crew passing blame
lost through no fault of their own
no omen
no warning
just the eye of the storm
these men they can't ever go home
harris
pass me the glass
i will climb up the mast
i'm braver than most as you know
into the sky
i will climb rain or shine
in search of a place to lie low
captain godson
sooner or later
we will find a stretch of land
onward we will venture
till the ship it runs aground
the clouds above will dissipate
the storm will run its course
beyond the golden arch of dawn
all will be understood
o'leary
dissipate...
dissipate...
thunder crash...
thunder crash...
understood...
understood...
harris
listen to the captain
i don't believe he's to blame
for i have seen through the looking glass...
land ahoy!
iii. the uncharted isle
the storm subsides as land approaches
trees and birds abound
a tropical island under sky blue
greets the desperate crew
murphy
food and water!
shelter from the sun!
thorne
safe from danger!
life has just begun!
gathering strength now
sickly pirates
they wade ashore to the beach
the golden sand is warm and soothing on their aching feet
captain godson
deathly silent is this place we've found
keep your wits about you when the sun goes down
the crewmen are lying on the sand
the captain is searching for a path overland
the ship it is anchored
rocking to and fro
it's vacant
empty of life
will it remain this way forever?
o'leary
silence...
silence...
oh so silent...
peace and quiet...
captain godson
fortune
glory
age-old story
riches we will seek...
iv. the forgotten world
narrative
night fell on the beach
and with it a moonbeam
illuminating a hidden trail leading deep into the trees
the captain led his crew within
where they discovered an ancient, secret cave
curious and without fear
they ventured forth
into the darkness of a forgotten world...
captain godson
light your torches
gather round
into the cove
into the hidden dark
now...
fifteen men
march in single file
their footsteps take them
deeper underground
face to face with darkness
torches light the passageway
strange depictions carved in rock
display a long forgotten race
ancient stone
smooth as bristol blue
a distant temple
in the deepest gloom
beams of light cascade and fall upon a tower of broken bones
beyond the temple waits in silence
deep beneath the real
a wooden door beholds them now
they stand alert
the building here in deepest darkness
it fills their minds with doubt
v. the temple of laztozia
the captain spots a burning candle
it flickers in the shade
a disembodied spectre speaks from far beyond the grave
spectre
extinguish the candle and lower the lights
for we've been gifted the eyes of night
and we are many within these halls
we wait to take away your burdens
in the dark we dream of life in flesh
torches dimmed
now the door it opens
the captain leads his men into the dark
there shapes are brought to life awash with polychromatic light
revealing a maze of corridors
murphy
where to go from here?
the spectre faintly heard in the distance
beckons with its cold breath
captain godson
the time has come
we've got a make a choice
do we trust a stranger's word?
thorne
if jewels await us
pearls and diamonds
then trust my friend is theirs!
harris
i don't understand what we're doing here captain
it's out of control!
can we really trust these voices?
o'leary
trust...
trust...
trust...
spectre
you must find us!
you must help us!
trapped!
we can't get out of here!
- the change -
deeper into the heart of the maze
the dream of their fortune it fades
the pirates are fearful
they're desperate and lost
in need of a way to escape
captain godson
hear my words
i speak to you god's honest truth!
vigilance will serve you well
until the end...
and they can see a distant glimmer of light
in the depths of the maze up ahead
a chamber filled with sheets of colourful glass
a place undisturbed by time
spectre
welcome to our special place
within the glass we live and breathe
and here we've been for far too long
so cold within the glass...
vi. the chamber
light reflects from pane to pane
the shapes within are on the move again
spectre
crack the surface
smash the glass
share the future
share the past
arms in the air
the men are ready to strike
the shapes beneath the glass are frozen now
ready to join again the land of men
to walk beside them on a summer's day
narrative
with steel and stone they strike the glass
cracks are formed and the spectres gasp
the faceless figures cry out in pain
as the glass it shatters and the spooks escape
an empty silence falls upon them
deathly figures rise from the shards and splinters
disembodied
blind and clutching
twisted features
a pirate's nightmare
harris
look to your left - look to your right
it seems that we are surrounded
captain godson
what is it that we have unleashed?
are we doomed to the same fate as they?
harris
caught in the storm
bait on the sea
prey for the devils and serpents
captain godson
run for your lives!
leave me here in the dark!
this is your final chance!
take it now and go!
vii. escape
they fell into the kaleidoscope
they strayed too far
they fell into the kaleidoscope
they saw too much
harris
looking back
those things i saw
was it a dream?
i look at the mirror
there i see my face
but is it really me?
i'll never really know...
- ? -
captain godson
i can see a thousand faces staring back at me
no sky just dark
there's no redemption
no escape for me
locked up tight in artificial light
a slave to greed
a slave to hate
a slave to entropy
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2. |
In Search of Winter
21:12
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i. the absent season
i dream of winter snowflakes
falling from the broken skies of earth
the season it is absent
not a trace of my home world
my winter
my season
my life under snow
exists within a memory of a world i used to know
i open up the door
and step into a dusty plain
i'm on my way
my eyes they are wide open
i will find the land of ice and snow somehow
the skies reflect the colour of the sunrise on midsummer's day
my destination clear to me
in my heart i'm almost there
ii. the wanderer
the days are short as i roam the earth
through barren streets and moonlight parades
a dreamer dances in the twilight glow
nervously she shows me the way
from slim back streets to the open highway
she's showing me rural roads
through foliage and hedge high
into the night's eye
waving she sends me north
the nights are long
and the plains are dark
approaching a village serene
a quiet community of 'winter seekers'
exchanging their knowledge and hopes
townsfolk
welcome stranger
join with us
- commitment -
"maybe i'll return some day
i walk this road alone today
maybe you will do the same
but this has always been my fate"
iii. the climb
townsfolk are so strange
autumn faces mock
truth they seek
need as great as mine
townsfolk
feather winged creatures take your north of here
the catacombs of wisdom take you to the snow
my memories are fading
as the rain it lashes down
the duty to my soul
inside i'm clutching
the mountainside is closing in i know i must ascend
above a plateau must await
a land of purest snow
i need to see snowflakes falling from the sky
up and up the mountainside i climb
i'm holding on
up and up the mountainside
i'm climbing to the top
iv. phantoms of the storm
dreaming of the wonder of what lies on the other side of this mountain
i can only hope it's what i'm searching for
wintertime a secret kept for far too long i pray
that the truth it will present itself
i'll wish the rain away
all for love
all for truth
soon i'll see
when all is dark and lost inside
i'll find my refuge in the snow
a place to live and to call my own
my home is sub zero
everything i ever had it was stolen in a single day
my life begins today
when all is dark and lost inside
i'll find my refuge in the snow
a place to live and to call my own
my home is sub zero
everything i hope to gain it is hinging on this dark campaign
my life begins today
the clouds above closing in
anticipating death
to see what lies beyond this mountain
the terror fills my head
tomorrow may be different
but today i know my fate
the storm is coming straight for me
to tear my world apart
thunder claps above the clouds
the summit reached i look below
heavenly the sight below
a snowy wonderland!
v. the split
the snow is heavy on the ground
thick and white upon the leaves
a scene from both our wildest dreams
picturesque in the moonlight beams
neanderthal would envy this
this image of heavenly bliss
where life it teams in vigilance
glory to the many here
luke, your name
well mine is john
what brought us here?
our heart's desire
to seek the truth
i ask you why
we say goodbye to our old lives
it seems you're me and i am you
we know now what we have to do
we'll merge again here in the snow
we are as one
we always knew we were
the skies reflect the colour of the sunrise on midsummer's day
my destination clear to me
in my heart i'm almost there
the skies reflect the colour of the sunrise on midsummer's day
and wintertime is here today
in my heart it's here to stay
it's here to stay!
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3. |
The Black Church
21:03
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i. origins
from the banks of the river came crawling a boy
the memory of a past unclear in his mind
the word amongst the elders, "sacred is the child"
a history of conflict locked behind his eyes
and now the evil in him stirs
elders
will we pray for you? to make your dreams come true?
the boy
the time has come to overrun the world
ii. atrocities
the boy is gathering a crowd
preaching sermons under clouds
slowly turning them from god
and things are raining from the skies
fearful people run and hide
children falling prey to plagues
the boy is carving out his name
ancient words are on display
fire invoking something strange
the thing it rises from the flames
it has come to take them all
the boy
answer to the master's call!
come forth with water - enter into me
rise, i bring you water - enter into me
iii. foul
frail, the women of his world
lured into the darkness of his lair
the boy
drink from me you've got to drink from me!
if you want to be a part of the black army!
mankind it slowly ebbs away
losing touch with mortal plains
out of time and out of space
the boy
come forth with water - enter into me
rise, i bring you water - enter into me
iv. conclusion
the dreamers are the victims
they slowly fade away
the last are trapped
impaled upon the words of yesterday
a monster lost in history
remembered once again
summoned in the dream of an innocent boy out in the rain
echo of mankind
maybe he knows
maybe it shows
v. beneath
so much to love
so much to pride
so much to all we left behind
so much to the dreams we used to share
our forgotten hopes
our forgotten words
our sentiments
our dying words
our final thoughts
upon the wings of birds
flying endlessly
and those empty cries when we're alone at night
the rolling clouds in the summer skies
the winter night is locked away
on distant shores
forever aloof
and when the time it comes at last
i'll look to you with a tearful gasp
the broken man
the broken child
the bastard son of a burnt-out fire
the son of all
the son a king
the son of your brother
your son is free
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4. |
Becoming the Cause
07:12
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cleanse the filthy heart of me
i wait for the moment to draw near
i gather strength
behind the trees
autumn leaves come crashing down
here in the haze i'm fuelled by wrath
burning deep inside of me
i look above and see my face
in disguise i see no trace
an underwhelming feeling
empty is my head
and so to seek the mighty high
in the dark i may just find
out in the public eye
my bashfulness sets in
- shy -
my broken heart is out to play again
i'm a new romantic in a sea of dreams
never content with the notion that i am fulfilled inside
i'm reaching out for that extra something i believe to be outside
like circus angels on their tightropes thin
their tiny bodies
they come crashing down
and only then do they realise and stop to look around
come life or death they feel the need to risk it for the crowd
such is life
time is lost but my mind is engaged
i'm playing games
i'm stepping out from the trees
ready to do good deeds...
broken hearts are on the line again
stuck in time i have to find a way
all i have is on the line today
something strange has got a hold on me
stardust dealers
sell their stolen dreams
and desperate vagrants
nurse their swollen knees
and still i wander aimlessly
i'm not the only one
i'll find a place to test this dust
i'll find a place to rest
twilight merchants know my face
they whisper my name
i'm stepping out from the trees
ready to do good deeds...
i've lost my bottle think i'll go on home
trace the face of night another day
hibernate until the fear has gone
something strange has got a hold of me...
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5. |
The Renegade
06:55
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victor
i’m dead in the water
i’m losing the will to live
life is taking me deep underground
i’m dead in the water
a liar
i can't resist
silent spectres pull me deeper down
inner
go to the light
leave your fear behind
go to the light
let me show you why
renegade won't play the game
cause he can't take it anymore
renegade don't know the way
cause he can't take it anymore
victor
i don't remember why
i don't remember where
i don't remember what you said
and every time i learn the truth
i keep forgetting
i don't believe these scars are real
i’m dead in the water
the mighty about to fall
so i give to you the one and all
dead in the water
forever a pantomime
silent spectres on the borderline
inner
go to the light
leave your fear behind
go to the light
let me show you why
renegade won't play the game
cause he can't take it anymore
renegade don't know the way
cause he can't take it anymore
victor
i don't remember why
i don't remember where
i don't remember what you said
and every time i learn the truth
i keep forgetting
i don't believe these scars are real
inner
there's a right way and a wrong way
take the wrong way and you'll pay for it
with more than just your life
victor...
inner
go to the light
leave your fear behind
go to the light
let me show you why
renegade won't play the game
cause he can't take it anymore
renegade don't know the way
cause he can't take it anymore
victor
i don't remember why
i don't remember where
i don't remember what you said
and every time i learn the truth
i keep forgetting
i don't believe my world is real...
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6. |
Little Black Box
04:51
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boy
i've been feeling rather strange just recently
since father found that box out in the yard...
mother
you know better than to toy with things you don't understand!
father
tempting me that box it wants to show me things...
narrative
the box it opened and it spoke of other worlds
worlds within the corners of their minds
mother
go to the light my darling!
boy
mother found a baby girl last thursday
crawling through the overgrown backyard
mother
you should have known better than to toy with things you don't understand!
father
tempting me that box it wants to turn me green!
father
watch the child!
mother
watch the box!
the box
blessed and sacred
little black box
heathen movement
joyful hexes
- yard baby scrap -
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7. |
The Art
07:50
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- instrumental -
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8. |
It's Just an Old House
10:42
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narrative
on the road on a winter's day
the rain is falling down
a clap of thunder breaks the clouds
as the hunters enter town
a house upon a cliff's edge is the place they're out to seek
a house deserted for many years
a hotspot for research
armed with the tools and traps to capture the most elusive ghost
an educated team of students
seven fearless youths
the house upon the hilltop it is coming into view
as the moon's abundant light cascades
this night will own them soon
nervous laughter on the lonesome road
ancient windows stare as they approach
an odour foul lingers it's hard to ignore
tools in hand it's time to knock at the door
hunter
do you think they can see us?
do you think that they're aware?
will they try to foil our plans?
do spectres even care?
i'll start with the looking glass
i'm sure they're in there somewhere
let's find us some evidence
let's start out downstairs...
narrative
darker still they're closing in
an eerie silence greets them
and with the sound of jingling keys
a shadow moves right through them
hesitant and filled with fright
as the door it opens wide
they step into the entrance hall
none alive to wish them welcome
the door behind them closes, locks
now they believe that they are trapped
the time for investigation has crept upon the team at last
but if the laughter coming from the dining room isn't sure to scare them off
what of the crippled boys and twisted girls left screaming in the basement?
tattered paintings hang upon the walls
broken bottles fill the empty halls
silent chambers lead them to their doom
ghostly strangers waiting in the gloom
hunter
do you think they can see us?
do you think that they're aware?
will they try to foil our plans?
do spectres even care?
i'm armed with the looking glass
this time i am sure
we'll find us some evidence
but god what's that sound?!
spectres
welcome to our ancient home
this place you say you've found
it seems you've come to investigate
we don't think that is allowed
we won't perform
we won't entertain
we won't become the truth you've come to claim
in life you leave
in death you stay
we simply cannot tolerate your presence
you must die!
narrative
the team uncertain unleash their hardware
the ghosts don't seem to understand
the technical nature of the 21st century
will serve its masters in life and death
- fight -
humans frozen in their tracks
spirits are moving in
they take the team by their throats
and lock them in the dungeon
ghosts
you were wrong to come here
your fate it is sealed
to spend the bleakness of eternity
in this damp, accursed human tomb
narrative
intently still they sit as darkness descends from up above
the world beyond is all but gone
what are they to do?
they made a fateful mistake that day because they didn't understand
the misfortune of their ways it won't be etched upon their graves
words of wisdom carved upon the walls
trapped in silence
mouthing twisted calls
exit space and time
reality
exit dungeon hell into the sea
hunter
do you think they can see us?
do you think that they're aware?
will they try to foil our plans?
do spectres even care?
i'll start with the looking glass
i'm sure they're in there somewhere
we'll find us some evidence
i know this for sure!
narrative
they step into the light
then fall down to the sea
seven suicides it seems that it was meant to be
ghostly strangers watching from their towers up above
shouting and cursing the end it has come!
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9. |
Ride
05:53
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narrative
a lonely boy
a soldier in the making
lonely boy
soon to be a man
enterprising souls they should know better
no one to help, to lend a guiding hand
boy
the change in me is striking
now i’ve got to make them see somehow
that the boy i used to be is far away now
contemplating pastures new
i’ve moved on i must seek the truth
till the end we fight for freedom, peace and justice
take me for a ride
no you’ll never know me
no you’ll never know who’s right
narrative
out on the plains, the sun above is blinding
gun in hand he’s fighting for his life
so many years he fought for liberation
his head is sore, about to overload
boy
a flash of doubt invades my mind
responsible for genocide
my life is slowly slipping through my fingers
look at me
my eyes are blind to human rights, the laws of life
they’re coming now to send me to my maker
take me for a ride
no you’ll never know me
no you’ll never know who’s right
boy
listen to my heart
beating out of time
listen to my words
falling out of time
here i stand
no bullet is going to put me down
here am i
nobody is going to take me alive…
take me for a ride
no you’ll never know me
no you’ll never know who’s right
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10. |
Demigods
12:32
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i. the knight
narrative
into the night
where the scarlet moonlight
it falls on the lonesome horseman
man and his steed
adventure he seeks
from deep in the earth
once sheltered
his story is this:
a lady awaits in a tower
a mad man’s hostage
and into the light
the two they will ride
their part in an ancient story
beyond the fields of barley gold
he rides beside the lake
the symmetry of nature keeps anxiety at bay
and in the distance mountains tall
aware of his approach
the knight
whisper softly gentle breeze
and guide me to the tower
narrative
in the night when the moon is slowly rising in the darkened sky
the courtly knight rides into the glow in search of enterprise
seeking her
the lady of the manor captive way on high
and there she waits
the noble lone crusader is to rescue her
trees surround him
overhanging
faces on the leaves
the sense of something watching
fills his heart with fearful heed
creature
stop! stop!
gimme your gold!
you’ll never pass as long as i stand!
pay up!
narrative
the creature is old
defenceless and weak
an accident of nature
he pulls out his blade
puts an end to the beast
and continues on his journey
just like a scene from a dream in the dark
riding blind under foliage and bark
the prison forest
wander astray
and then the misty cavern…
spectre
dismount
light a torch and crawl through the dirt
leave a trail of prints in the mud
seek your refuge from the night
seek a long lost treasure!
narrative
captain godson trapped in glass
he gives directions
lost in time, a guide
captain godson
on unto the citadel
the tower is in sight
narrative
light ahead it takes him west
and soon enough he’s free
the world beyond a place of wonder
bright with blues and greens
face to face with something new
a vision to pursue
and caught within his thoughts he’s frozen
father’s words are true
ghost of the knight’s father
so you know the reasons
know your purpose
to fight for freedom, vengeance, majesty
you know the quest and know your fortune
the tower beyond in which you seek
is host to one whose mind is madness
chaos reigns in the heart of the kingdom
the demigod he rules our blessed land!
ii. descent
narrative
darkness falls across the land
an end to day
lights are low but birds aglow
they’re burning in the rain
clouds of black descending now
drowning all beneath
the dawn of something evil
rises over land
the knight
what could it be?!
narrative
dark horizon
kingdom border
destination reached
under darkness
shrouded hero
silent he’s unseen
dancing shapes
a burning fire
ritualistic preachers
faith in ancient prophecies
pain and lies
preacher
all arise!
cast the spell!
feed the flames!
summon forth!
bring to life!
death to all!
narrative
seven shapes in single file
march around the fire
cackles
witches
screams of mirth
a call to arms
a figure rises slowly from the bottom of the flames
a creature filled with heat and hate
has arisen from the grave
preacher
those eyes they see everything...
narrative
the preacher falls
his wounds are great
the knight defends his country
slash the weak
and sever the cruel
an end to conjured demons
and on we go
the tower alight
and up the stairs he’s climbing
to rescue her
the lady fair
beyond the clutch of madness
the knight
i am your saviour
you must come with me
you must believe me
narrative
out of the tower
and into the streets
calm in the sunshine
and over the hills
the silence is golden
the chaos gone
the key to madness lost in time
or lost in her gaze
the lady
here, face to face with you
i give you all i have
you set me free
the knight
destiny
my search is over
the journey long
but here my fortune
sits beside me
crown in place
please take me by the hand today
to wander far as members of the spring!
narrative
but what of the demigod?
|
Ian Gordon Manchester, UK
The works of Ian Gordon: musician, writer, that HorrorBabble guy.
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