The Mist

King's chilling novella is presented in "Kunstkopf" binaural 3-D sound. This recording technology creates the impression that sounds and voices are coming from different directions, not merely through the headphones. This format is especially well-suited for an eerie horror tale such as this. A diverse group of people trapped in a supermarket must battle not only the hellish creatures of the mist, but also each other in a desperate attempt to survive. The performers are quite good, and the music and sound effects are excellent. R.A.R. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


If you listen to this production through earphones, you can discern left, right, up, down, forward, and back. If you listen through speakers, you can't discern much of anything. This is the plus and minus of binaural recording. With earphones, the technology can greatly amplify the visceral experience of suspense, adventure, and erotic narrative by placing the listener in the center of the action. Counterculture audio dramatist Tom Lopez expertly employs the technology in this recently reissued 1986 version of Stephen King's horror story. His cast does a beautiful job, due in no small part to Lopez's precise editing, expert mix of sound and music, and keen pacing. Lopez demands acute concentration from his listeners. If there's a flaw, it's that the volume of the voices sometimes is so low as to be barely discernable. This is second in quality only to Lopez's production of Dinotopia. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine


When an ominous mist rolls into town, David and his son, Billy, find themselves trapped in a grocery store. Along with others in the store, they try to figure out what monsters lie beyond--and within--and how they can survive. Will Patton's narration will send shivers down the spines of listeners as he shifts between pitched moments of confrontation and frustrating lulls as the characters cope with the monotony of waiting for their doom. His deliberate voice gives the mist an atmospheric thickness that evokes terror. Vocally creating colorful characters and drawing out their utter dread, Patton makes this production an even scarier listen for those who enjoy a good horror tale. L.E. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine