Story by B. Hursell

If they’re not eating you, it’s because they’re not hungry. Proto-Alpha-One.
If they’re not eating you, it’s because they’re not hungry.
Proto-Alpha-Em.
If they’re not eating you, it’s because they’re not hungry.
Busted limbs and oiled urns. Good night, Julie Bath.
Theta and Delta, Ominous under sheets of rain, Ominous, sometimes on horseback Carrying
spears, garlands of tendons, Or plans and blueprints, Or poison daggers, tainted water, And the
blue halos of diner glass, Puddings and wreathes of extraterrestrial flowers. Kissing in
moonlight, in paper funerals And electric streets and dives. Oils burn blue and green Under
sheets of holy skin, virgin skin.
He was a protege of Freud, But before that, He attended Seminary School With the I-5 Killer,
And everyone he encountered Contracted a touch of paranoia, And wept blood from their
Microbond Ports.
She wept slow tears for the jittery, miniature, Shackled Corpse in the attic. Her coffee was
glowing With the beating wings of the holy legions And the nuclear throat of heaven’s chorus.
She mourned her husband.
Tunica intima.
Tunica media.
Tunica externa.
Shirley oiled herself for war. Televisions had gone silent, But not the one in her dreams,
Ancient, electric fire- And on their backs, On their ankles and breasts, A vision in the shape of a
human…dressing quiet in the other room, Careful not to wake the troops. Thirsty for the
ambush. Long stemmed, cruel vines Crept along every edge Of every raging mass Of tissue in
her body. Rejoice!! On microscopic levels, Adrift in the tides of her warm Pink blood: Lay
Legions. Spurting the blessed. His feet, calves, and knees moved Ahead of the rest of his body.
He had already grabbed the keys. They were on the move now. He had taken everything they
needed, Dressed in rare fabrics, They did everything they could to become…free of it. They did
everything they could To ignore their appetite for carrion.
She creamed her regurgitations With oil paints and sage leaves. Preparing for the grand
ceremony, Muscles lean and tight mind. Monkery of flora, sunbursts, And nuclear baths.
Valentina- Cage of the Beast.
Shout The morning Bells of capillaries Circuitry of shrines And nude demons.

Saplings that blanket Flesh Faithful Gorged with the sweat and promises Of legions, of codes.
Oh, holy torture Riding on horseback.
Peddlers of infamy Go into the crowded streets, The markets, And collect the cemetery dust
From their pockets and their palms And their cuffs.
Spidery branches moan In autumn wind. Cakes of intestines at her doorstep. Bacterium in the
honey A drowsy guardsmen With lanterns and bells.
Streamers of blood Seasons of robotic afterbirth Orange glow of burnt sashes wrapped around
her ribs.
The orchestra warms it’s chilly breath And mutters Lap dogs And turning knots of scars.
She made a speech before coming to rest, The installation of the corpse queen. Feast, oh
children of the sea On the coming of death And the serpents of despair.
I lay sheets of woven grass On my lap And wait for the morning hunting party.
Steel jaws rejoice The end has come And I have designed for you Healthy catacombs.
Dinner plates, tablecloths, chains, and tea sets. Antiquarian lust, bookends, electric chairs, and
horsehair Fog and fire.
For twelve days and nights, I can tell you about it, I spent time roaming the halls And devouring
its offerings.
(For each day, there were three sunrises and three sunsets, three moonrises and three
moonsets).
We had sweet coffee and moonshine And we smoked
And I talked to Hugo for hours.
He had plans.
He wanted to make a machine to feed things to. He had briefcase after briefcase of drawings
and ideas He wanted to know how to make guts without flesh I told him I had no idea but I
would look into it What else could I say?
He wasn’t the only strange character that I encountered As I investigated This palace, All of it,
is beyond time and space.

TUNICA EXTERNA (Story by B. Hursell)

"Ghostly Shadows" - A Spine-Chilling Halloween Anthem

Step into the realm of "Ghostly Shadows," a hauntingly captivating Halloween track written and performed by Xak Stahl. This eerie synth-driven composition weaves a tapestry of classic Halloween imagery, creating an immersive auditory experience that's perfect for the spooky season.

Stahl's evocative lyrics and vocals paint a vivid picture of a Halloween night teeming with supernatural activity. From witches soaring under moonlit skies to werewolves howling in the distance, each verse unveils a new facet of this otherworldly landscape. The chorus invites listeners to join in the spectral festivities, with monsters dancing beneath the warm glow of jack-o'-lanterns.

The song's atmospheric synth work provides the perfect backdrop for Stahl's ghostly narrative, enhancing the eerie ambiance with every note. "Ghostly Shadows" captures the essence of Halloween - equal parts thrilling and chilling - making it an ideal addition to any October playlist or Halloween party.

Immerse yourself in this auditory haunted house, where every verse reveals new spooky surprises. From creaking doors to skeletal hands reaching for the light, "Ghostly Shadows" is a Halloween journey you won't soon forget.

Ghostly Shadows

"Spooky Night Delight" - A Halloween Anthem by Xak Stahl

Step into the enchanting world of "Spooky Night Delight," a bewitching Halloween track written and performed by Xak Stahl. This haunting melody captures the essence of All Hallows' Eve with its eerie synths and Stahl's mesmerizing vocals.

From the very first note, listeners are transported to a mystical Halloween night where witches soar on broomsticks and black cats prowl under the pale moonlight. Stahl's evocative lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where jack-o'-lanterns grin, ghosts whisper, and monsters lurk in the shadows.

The chorus invites you to embrace the "spooky night delight" and the Halloween magic that fills the air. With each verse, the song delves deeper into the holiday's iconic imagery - from creaky doors and cobwebs to rattling skeletons and shivering graveyards.

Stahl's haunting vocals, layered over spine-tingling synths, create an immersive auditory experience that's perfect for any Halloween playlist. Whether you're hosting a costume party, decorating your haunted house, or simply getting into the spirit of the season, "Spooky Night Delight" sets the perfect atmosphere.

So dim the lights, light your jack-o'-lanterns, and let Xak Stahl's "Spooky Night Delight" be the soundtrack to your Halloween adventures. But remember - trick-or-treat if you dare!

Spooky Night Delight

Xak Stahl: Alchemist of Sound, Architect of Emotion

Xak Stahl is a genre-blurring music artist, sonic storyteller, and relentless experimenter. Every track he creates is a new world—a kaleidoscope of indie folk, alt-pop, electronica, and global flavors—infused with raw emotion and boundless curiosity. Xak’s music isn’t just heard; it’s felt.

From Shadow to Spotlight

For Xak, music is metamorphosis. His journey began in the shadows, transmuting heartbreak and struggle into songs that glow with hope. Early anthems like “Neon Dreams” and “Rising Through the Darkness” invite listeners to find their own light. His newest project, Major Arcana, channels the mysteries of the Tarot—each song an archetype, each lyric a step along the path from the Fool’s first leap to the wisdom of The World.

More Than Music: A Multisensory Universe

But Xak isn’t confined to sound. As a visual artist and writer, he crafts immersive stories that spill across genres and languages—sometimes haunting, sometimes playful, always honest. Whether he’s conjuring lush soundscapes, weaving bilingual lyrics, or creating striking visuals, Xak’s art dares you to feel deeper and dream wilder.

An Invitation to Transformation

Join Xak Stahl on a sonic odyssey that blurs borders—between genres, between artforms, between you and the music. Each release is an invitation to explore, to heal, to become. For Xak, every song is a spell, every album a universe. The only question is: are you ready to step inside?

🎶 Music Producer
​🔊 Sample Pack & Synth Preset Designer
🎹 Synthwave | 80s Retrowave | Electronic Music

Thanks for your support.

📍Chicago | Northwest Indiana
📧 matthewcassettemusic@gmail.com

New tracks tagged #SpookySynth