19OCT14 Best Live E Trip Ever. Emphasis on Ever

So, the day to get a last stand...even though I didn't get a last stand.

However, I will say, it was probably the most random and relaxed trip of the season. I usually end the season taking videos, watching shows, strolling through and getting the last bit of fresh air from the park before it shuts down.

So after parking in the front I wanted to try and get the first 1400 Midnight Syndicate show but did miss that by just a few minutes. I've been wanting to see this show since Halloweekends started but have unable to get time to head up north and enjoy the park. After watching Dragster roll back three times and apparently the last time a launch boost cycle (I always was under the impression it was unloaded trains only but hey), and finally clear. After a few cycles I used my line pass to enjoy a front row on black cherry. Nice quick ride to start the day.

From there I heard the lines for Midnight Syndicate can get long, I decided to head over about 30 minutes early to be safe, which luckily I was good. It was nice to see a bit of Skeleton Crew perform while I waited, it helped the time pass for sure. The CP Skeleton Crew show is fantastic and shouldn't be missed. It even surpasses it's replica show at it's sister park at Kings Island. Their talent down there is pretty impressive, but the crew at Cedar Point just destroys theirs all day.

Well, once it was time to go inside, wow, the first glimpse of everything was incredible to see. Walking past posters from all of their complications seeing all the albums I've played and enjoyed over the years, to seeing a really REALLY intricate set, and some eerie music while we waited. Little did I know watching the first time, but from the minute you sit down to enjoy the show, the show has already started. Get there early, enjoy every bit of the show. It doesn't start just when Gavin & Ed come out to play. However, when they do play it's incredible. Seeing the Haunted Schoolhouse & Lab be used for a few opening scenes before seeing them, honestly for the first time with my own eyes walk down the steps and just start playing music, it's mind boggling. Here they are, from just a bit away in Ohio start playing things I've only ever heard in my own house and a few attractions here and there. It's right in front of me, with movies, sound effects, a really sweet stage...It was just, perfect. This show is their perfect answer to their "kickstarter" I really hope to see more of this even after Cedar Point shuts down this season. I can't tell you how much I'd pay to see this show and more.

The show starts with Alchemists Chamber from The Dead Matter: Cemetery Gates soundtrack. Great opener, and again with them looking awesome playing with a really sweet video as the backdrop was incredible. After that first track it jumps into Time Outside of Time from the 13th Hour (probably my favorite album they have done looking at all of them as a whole), from there Gavin & Ed pick up with Grisly Reminder, also from The 13th Hour. From there honestly I forget where it went next musically, it's not on the tip of my tongue yet, I'd need to watch it again to get it down. They did play Veiled Hunter as well from the same album above, and also It Lives! From Monsters of Legend.

During the show they play their music the whole time, while random "paranormal occurrences" happen that really help fit the theme of the show. A few songs they are joined with Emma, a very talented singer who hits these notes perfectly singing something in Latin, no clue what, I'd love to figure it out.

The show continues on and more occurrences happen, all culminating like a great horror movie. It starts out calm and awesome, and ends on such a fantastic note. It almost got my hairs to stand on edge. When you see it, you'll love it. If you don't you must be packing a kevlar bag between your legs because nothing phases you. Again, don't want to spoil the details, just go watch the show, enjoy the music this duo puts out, and join them for the ride. It was quite worth the wait in years to see this finally be put together.

Seriously to see this caliber of show at Cedar Point comes to no surprise given the recent huge improvement in the parks regarding Live E. However I would have never expected something like this to ever hit the park. It truly goes above what an amusement park puts out for a Halloween themed show. Usually the format for shows at the park just follow either a musical review or show off amazing acrobatics & feats. This show did neither really. It was original, live performed music, with intricate set pieces and a great multimedia experience attached. Gavin, Ed spearheaded a really great project with the team they had with them to get this show from their dreams and ideas, to a reality at Cedar Point this year. I remember them ready to get a kickstarter moving for this, but ended it abruptly, only to see this culminate in it's wake. It was everything I thought it could be, and more. Seeing this performed live with the show setup they brought to the Point, it's has nowhere to go but up.

Seriously, Gavin & Ed, you really went above and beyond. Following your works for years and seeing how you have gone from a few attractions, to practically everywhere going overseas, to now in basically every costume/Halloween shop, and at least one track at every Halloween attraction everywhere I go is quite impressive. Now to see what you're capable of doing live, it's quite fantastic. I hope to see something outside of the peninsula, please keep this going. You have eager fans everywhere who would love to see this like me, and others across the nation who don't have the privilege of having a world class amusement park an hour away from them. Great job you two, great job!

Oh! If one of them are reading this, or if anyone knows help me out, have some questions I didn't get to ask or get answers to.

1. The whole show setlist, from doors open-finish. I believe I heard Dead Can Dance by Windfall and 11 Ghosts II by NIN but couldn't figure out any of the other tracks I heard. Then during the show I recognized a few but couldn't remember the others. If you could help there it'd be appreciated.

2. Will this show be available for DVD/youtube/some video platform. I'd love to have a video of this to play at home to enjoy/show others.

3. Ed, where did you get the costume. Honestly I've wanted to ask over the years, it'd be something sweet to use for the Halloween parties/cosplay events I end up heading to over the year.

4. Future plans? Future ideas? Areas you want to improve/work on?

5. More pipe organ please :P

The next bit on my list was to watch Skeleton Crew. As stated earlier, they're the best of the best. Some acts from last year have carried over. We still have the best person ever for fire manipulation, hands down. Every year he's something I look for, just excellent job. Then the acrobats & cirque performers all do a great job. The Cyr Wheel bit was fantastic as always, I'd love to give it a go, but I'm sure I'd smash my face first time around. Then the only thing I believe was new was the tarp trampoline segment with a bit of hand to hand acrobatics. As always the show finishes with a bit of trampoline work that just never ceases to amaze (can I jump just once). Then with a great drum solo of the Ultraviolence track used during the fire manipulation.

I plan on having the short Skeleton Crew video I took with my phone up later today. It's still processing it through Movie maker to put the files together, then I need to upload it to Youtube. Check back later for results of that. I missed a bit of the beginning, it starts with the fire portion of the show and goes through till the show finishes.

The show setlist I have pretty down pat by the way if anyone else wants the music from the show.

Preshow has:

Tubular Bells from The Exorcist (originally performed by Mile Oldfield)
The Night Has Come on the Halloween Songs performed by Halloween (that's what Googlenow says, and it's the correct track at least.
Carmina Burana: O Fortuna by Leonard Slatkin
The Evil Ringmaster by Ted Barnes

During the show.

First fire manipulation & show start is TBD
Hand to Hand acrobatics is TBD
Fire manipulation 2 is Ultraviolence by Cliff Lin
Cyr Wheel is TBD
Balance Board is On HEr Majesty's Service by Propellerheads
Trampoline Act is Big & Bad by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

I'll hopefully have the other tracks down at some point later, still trying to figure them out.

After that I headed around to get a few last rides. I hit up Corkscrew as per usual, that ride always is fun, and such a classic. Plus I'll always have a soft spot for it. Many memories, and hopefully much more. The crew this year is really top notch. Previous years and a bit early this season I had some gripes, but they were knocking it out of the park that day. Even with one train op, it was still fun, exciting, and fully alive. After that it was off to Magnum for a last trimless ride on it to end the evening in the park.

Off to Pony for a mediocre burger and company. Then the long drive home for potentially my last trip of the season. We will see, I may try to head back up for next week, but I can't be so sure yet. If so, I'm happy to end the season this way.

See, it's not just about getting rides, or coaster credits, or x amount of rides a season. Go to the park, make memories with those you go with, watch a show or two. Sit down, eat some bad for you food, and enjoy the atmosphere. There's more to the point than coasters. Yeah, it's def. a perk, but it doesn't have to be just about that.

Thanks for reading, hope I get one more trip/report in this season..if not, ah well, the dreaded off season will come soon enough, and Pointbuzz will need to eat a Snickers, but for now, I'm quite happy, and that's all that matters.

Video of Skeleton Crew uploaded, it's blurry and fuzzy at times, I did the best with what I had..but it's decent enough to watch and enjoy I guess

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UP_dYiheXY

EXCELLENT write up about Midnight Syndicate Live! Having been a huge fan of them for years as well, my feelings are the same. So happy you enjoyed it. The show really is above and beyond anything I expected.