Review of "The Dead Matter"; the directorial debut of Midnight Syndicate's Edward Douglas

Review by Scott Ruth

Chances are, even if you're not familiar with the name Edward Douglas, or his group Midnight Syndicate, you've, more likely than not, heard their haunting horror and halloween music.

For the past fourteen years, dark music pioneers Midnight Syndicate have been creating Halloween music and gothic, horror, fantasy soundtracks for the imagination.

Their music has appeared at a large variety of halloween and other haunted attractions including Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights XVIII and Hugh Hefner's infamous Halloween parties, in movies such as Robert Kurtzman's The Rage, and featured on television shows including Monday Night Football and the Barbara Walters specials. In 2003, Midnight Syndicate teamed up with Hasbro and Wizards of the West Coast to produce the first ever soundtrack to the classic RPG Dungeons & Dragons! Additionally, their music has even been used in Xbox games, on tracks by Academy Award-winnning rap act Three Six Mafia, and Twiztid, as well as in concerts by legendary punk band The Misfits and in a concert pre-show for horror metal God, King Diamond!

Now, what are the chances that you've never heard their music? Slim to none, I'd say.

In 2010, Edward Douglas of Midnight Syndicate turns his attention to the horror movie field, writing, co-producing (With Robert Kurtzman and Gary Jones), directing and composing the score to his first feature film, The Dead Matter.

The Dead Matter stars Andrew Divoff (Wishmaster, Lost), Jason Carter (Babylon 5, Beverly Hills 90210) and Tom Savini (From Dusk Til Dawn, Maniac), co-stars Sean Serino (as Gretchen), Tom Nagel (as Mike), C.B. Spencer (as Jill), Christopher Robichaud (as Frank) and Brian Van Camp (as Mark the zombie) and follows the tale of an ancient vampire relic called The Scarab. An old school vampire named Vellich (Played by Andrew Divoff) seeks to possess the scarab in order to control the dead (Yup. Zombies!), thus reigning supreme over all of mankind. Unfortunately for Vellich, a vampire hunter named McCallister (Played by Jason Carter) has been more than just a thorn in the side of the ancient sinister vampire, and because of McCallister's actions, the scarab ends up in the hands of Gretchen, a young woman who is devistated by the death of her brother, for which she blames herself, and who will do anything to have her dead brother back in her life. Vellich seeks to regain control of the scarab, but he has more obstacles in his way than Carter has pills. (What an antiquated reference that was, no? Ah well. I'm gettin' old.) Vellich must overcome the fact that the scarab is now in the grieving and insanely desperate hands of Gretchen, vampire hunter McCallister is constantly foiling his plans to recover the relic, and another ancient vampire, turned drug lord, named Sebed (Played by Tom Savini), who wishes to rid himself of pesky Vellich, as well as Vellich's old fashioned ways. Oh, and ontop of all of that, there's a sinister company known for producing a wide variety of products such as a Zombies board game, and an amazing weight loss program, which may give those using it more than they bargined for.

I have always felt that vampires and zombies are not-so-distant cousins, and therefor I've always been partial to films such as Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space, and even The Spierig Brothers' film Daybreakers, which took an advanced variation of vampirism and gave those aflicted with this advanced version many of the same attributes that we have always seen in zombies. The Dead Matter brings together vampires and zombies, in a similar way to the fashion in which Ed Wood did with Plan 9. This fact automatically drew me into the film, but even had that not grabbed my attention instantly, the writing in this film, as well as the score, the wonderful acting, especially by Sean Serino, who may not be a household name but she is absolutely wonderful in this film, and atmosphere & set work, that is so reminescent of those films of the 50s and 60s, that I grew up with, and will always have great love for, would certainly have quickly won me over, making me a diehard fan of the film.

The Dead Matters has a little bit of Ed Wood, a pinch of Sid & Marty Krofft, a smattering of Joe R. Lansdale's Bubba Ho-tep and even a tad of tv's Charmed, mixed together with Edward Douglas' unique vision and take on a vampire story, coupled with one of the most incredible movie scores ever (Original music by Edward Douglas and Midnight Syndicate) to create a throwback to the legendary horror movies of yesteryear.

Great casting, humor (Used only when it works, and never forced), some cool gore, wicked FX by Robert Kurtzman of KNB efx, fantastic set design, awesome atmosphere, a unique take on vampire lore and a phenomenal score make The Dead Matter one of my favorite films of the last 2, or 3, decades!

"The Dead Matter" has earned itself 4 and 1/2 out of 5 Lon Chaneys!

If you watch this film and don't have a great time, I'm sending the zombie of Tor Johnson to your house to shake some sense into you!