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Fanez-Vous Pour Noircir (Fade to Black): a soundtrack for plunder and mayhem

Presented by Full Moon Studios and Lame Duck Productions

Original scores written and performed by Virgil Franklin

Ahoy matey! These days pirates and swashbucklers are all the rage on land and on sea. With roleplaying games like the recently released Conan: the Pirate Isles by Paizo Publishing and the older title Skull and Bones by Green Ronin out on the market, it should come as no surprise that GMs and players alike are on the hunt for some mood-setting music.

Fade to Black is, first and foremost, background music that cues into historical music and inventive melodies. Virgil did a good job of blending the old with the new, this CD is exactly what you’d expect for the genre. Some pieces may be considered “folk” music (Drunken Sailor); other melodies like Satan’s Stowaway are a bit darker, taking their inspiration from what lurks beneath the sea’s rolling waves.

Regardless of your tastes, there is an even keel to the music, partially due to the fact that it was performed using electronic mediums without vocals, so even the most rollicking wave of notes won’t fluster your sea legs. As a whole, the simple presentation of the CD, the use of a synthesizer, and the well-balanced composition justify the concept that this is meant to be utilized for background music. While some people may prefer to hear more arrgh’s in their pirate music, there is something to be said for picking up a good, old-fashioned background music CD that helps set a mood when role-playing games 50 Fathoms by Great White Games. This type of music won’t interfere with your session–it will enhance it by adding a steady ebb and flow of piratey goodness.

So if you’re looking for something to play in the background at your next 7th Sea or GURPS Swashbucklers session, this would be a good CD to pick up.

Reviewer: Monica Valentinelli

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