The Dark Volumes Podcast
by Russell Archey
Like horror stories? Like audio books? Like to be read to by a voice as soft as black velvet and as sinister as a phantom?The Dark Volumes podcast brings you monthly stories from the greats such as H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Robert Chambers, and others. There's some commentary, sure, but it's all about the stories, here.Turn off the lights, pour some wine, and (maybe) get under the covers. The Dark Volumes are here to remind you why you should be afraid of the dark.
Episodes
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"Nomad" by Aaron Ray Ballard
Most of us are running from something. Some of us more literally than others. This story is from author Aaron Ray Ballard's collection "All The Monsters Are Here: 13 Spooky Tales." If you enjoy this story, listen to Ballard's other entry, "A Vampire Walks Into a Bar," also here on The Dark…
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"The Alchemist" by H.P. Lovecraft
An interesting case of "maybe magic, maybe mundane" in the French countryside. Does the narrator truly have a cursed family lineage? Narrated by: Russell Archey Music: Tension by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Royalty Free Music by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons /...
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"The Book" by H.P. Lovecraft
Mysterious incantations from on ancient, incomplete book found in a dreary place of questionable sanity. The sentence gets worse the more you read it, yet the narrator of this episode continued down that dark rabbit hole until he discovered more than he bargained for. Narration: Russell Archey...
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"Dark" by Russell Archey
Your friendly neighborhood narrator is providing you with a read today from the third book in his dark fantasy trilogy "The Obscured Throne." This story is set in the dying world of Alda. You can read about the struggles and terrors within the trilogies pages, but here is one tale focused on the...
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"A Strange Christmas Game" by Charlotte Riddell
Scrooge had his ghosts, and so do we. The Dark Volumes never rests (so it is with the strange and the damned), therefore we present to you a Christmas-themed episode. If the lights are too much for your shadowy soul, give this haunting tell a try and refresh your spooky batteries during all this...
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"Silence - A Fable" by Edgar Allan Poe
With mysterious and haunting imagery, this story by Poe is truly unique reading. Now, you can indulge in an engaging aural experience regarding a demon's fable from within a strange tomb. Narrated by Russell Archey Music: Cicadas by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckleyMusic…
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"The Picture in the House" by H.P. Lovecraft
Storms and weird houses. A horror staple. This one come with a tasty twist. Narrated by Russell Archey Music "Desolation" by Lucas King
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"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Published in 1892, this story is considered one of the great early works of writing, especially in regards to horror, that discusses the mental strains women faced in the late 19th century. It will also speak to anyone who suffers from feeling alone. The walls closing in. Isolation that strains...
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"Ghosts of Alda" Free Chapter: "The Ritual"
"Ghosts of Alda," the second volume of your friendly Dark Volumes narrator Russell Archey's dark fantasy horror trilogy, is available on audiobook. This particular story deals with a nameless acolyte in the fiendish Black Gnarl cult and their excitement of their upcoming initiation. This will…
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"The Wendigo" by Algernon Blackwood - Part 4 of 4
A popular beastie in today's culture; it holds much more significance with the Algonquian peoples with which it originated. It's also known as the "witiko" and "weeghteko" among others. Originally it was a malevolent spirit or even just a particularly wicked individual, with variations in...
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"The Wendigo" by Algernon Blackwood - Part 3 of 4
A popular beastie in today's culture; it holds much more significance with the Algonquian peoples with which it originated. It's also known as the "witiko" and "weeghteko" among others. Originally it was a malevolent spirit or even just a particularly wicked individual, with variations in...
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"The Wendigo" by Algernon Blackwood - Part 2 of 4
A popular beastie in today's culture; it holds much more significance with the Algonquian peoples with which it originated. It's also known as the "witiko" and "weeghteko" among others. Originally it was a malevolent spirit or even just a particularly wicked individual, with variations in...
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"The Wendigo" by Algernon Blackwood - Part 1 of 4
A popular beastie in today's culture; it holds much more significance with the Algonquian peoples with which it originated. It's also known as the "witiko" and "weeghteko" among others. Originally it was a malevolent spirit or even just a particularly wicked individual, with variations in...
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"The Festival" by H.P. Lovecraft
The episode that checks all of the creepy boxes: creepy village, creepy villagers, creepy rituals, creepy church, creepy cave. All wrapped up in a 20-minute story from a master of horror: H.P. Lovecraft. Music: Horror by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Music promoted by...
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"I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison
Artificial Intelligence is fast becoming one of the most divisive topics in the world today. There's no shortage of horror stories, movies, comics, and video games with evil or out-of-control AI as a theme, but few reach the depravity and insidiousness of Harlan Ellison's "AM" (Allied...
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"A Vampire Walks Into a Bar" by Aaron Ray Ballard
The Dark Volumes are back from a long hiatus (things can twisty in the spaces between time and reality, where we drink with abominations and party with eldritch beings). But, this new episode returns with a story from author Aaron Ballard, from his book, "All the Monsters are Here: Thirteen…
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"The Beast in the Cave" by H.P. Lovecraft
H.P. Lovecraft, horror master and creator of the Cthulhu mythos, wrote this story when he was only 14 years old. It's simple, some may call predictable, but sometimes it's nice to sit back and return to the basics.
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"The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce
A late 19th Century seminal work of horror. Just one more example of why the woods are so damned terrifying.
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Interview with Alisha Galvan (Author of "The Vessel")
Alisha Galvan is the author of "A Path Through the Forest." Her book includes "The Vessel," available to listen to on Episode 23 of The Dark Volumes.Her interview includes her thoughts on writing, horror, her inspirations, and a little preemptive peak at her upcoming novel, "Bitter Crown of...
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"The Vessel" by Alisha Galvan
Playing with dark, forbidden things has never boded well for anyone, no matter the intent or purpose. One has to wonder if it will work out for the narrator of this story from author Alisha Galvan..."The Vessel" is a part of her collection, "A Path Through the Forest." If you enjoyed this story,...
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"Count Magnus" by M.R. James
A tale as old as time...no, not that one. A curious man investigates a curious mystery and finds more than he could imagined. Enjoy this story set in 19th century Sweden and published in 1904 in James' Ghost Stories of the Antiquary.
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"The Dead Smile" by Francis Marion Crawford, Part 2 of 2
The chilling tale of love, death, hauntings, and the secrets of the Ockram family concludes in this episode. Vile old patriarch Sir Hugh Ockram's secret is finally revealed. But, what does it hold in store for son and his betrothed?
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"The Dead Smile" by Francis Marion Crawford, Part 1 of 2
F. Marion Crawford is considered a master of ghost stories. This particular tale was published in 1911 and features a macabre mix of family drama, secrets, and haunting imagery.
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"The Moon-Bog" by H.P. Lovecraft
Lovecraft, well, loved writing about secrets of the old world that modern (for his day) gentlemenly types just couldn't stay away from...even if it was for their own good. A lot of Greek gods and mythology in this story about a mysterious swamp and local beliefs tread on by yet another wannabe...
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"The Music of Erich Zann" by H.P. Lovecraft
Music is powerful in many ways. It can have psychological, emotional, and even physical effects. Apparently, in some cases, even supernatural...
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"The Call of Cthulhu" Part 3, by H.P. Lovecraft
The grand finale: Cthulhu himself makes his appearance and the final findings of our narrator are revealed. The description of R'lyeh itself does a great job of making you "see" non-euclidean ruins and how a place somehow outside of space and time would feel like trying to traverse on our…
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"The Call of Cthulhu" Part 2, by H.P Lovecraft
The continuation of one of the most classic works of horror. Delve deeper into the mystery of the entity known as Cthulhu and the dread sway that the timeless legends hold on the minds of men.
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"The Call of Cthulhu" Part 1 by H.P. Lovecraft
This is the piece of work Lovecraft is perhaps most famous for. Games, Movies, Comics, Plushies, and authors worldwide have been inspired by this story. Even the author's legacy, "The Cthulhu Mythos," is named after this story. Fun fact, though: Lovecraft himself referred to his connected…
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"From Beyond" by H.P. Lovecraft
Stories about science meddling in things it shouldn't are a staple in horror. Seeing things no living person is meant to see is a staple of Lovecraft. This story brings the best of both of worlds.
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"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe
Wine, revenge, and murder. Some say Poe was letting out some of his own frustrations with this story. That's a scary thought. Maybe enjoy a strong rose with this one?
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"Pickman's Model" by H.P. Lovecraft
We're inundated these days with horrific and scary art and images. But what if our favorite horror memes, creepypastas, and DeviantArt images held some truly sinister origins? Maybe we could sympathize with the narrator of this story, who's love of art was truly put to the test.
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"The Strange High House in the Mist" by H.P. Lovecraft
Haunted houses are a beloved staple of horror and this one is no different. Hear about a man who's curiosity got the better of him in this brief but harrowing encounter with otherworldly forces.
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"The Whisperer in Darkness" by H.P. Lovecraft
Dark forests, rumors, educated skepticism, and a place called Dark Mountain. This novella is a keystone story in Lovecraft's mythos and combines cosmic horror with science fiction. H.P. even works in the recent (at the time) discovery of Pluto as a something less awe-inspiring and potentially…
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"The Terrible Old Man" by H.P Lovecraft
They say crime doesn't pay...but have they ever mentioned the cost? Enjoy this short story!
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"Old Vintage" by Russell Archey
A bonus story to share on Tell A Story Day! This is a brief flash fiction horror story I've written that I've yet to submit for publishing, so I figured it's a good one to give out to you all. Drinking Game Idea: Take a drink of wine for every Edgar Allan Poe reference you hear.
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"The Rats in the Walls" by H.P. Lovecraft
Some family secrets are darker than others. Is that scratching coming from the wall? Or just your imagination?
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"The Willows" by Algernon Blackwood
A story about two boating friends in turn-of-the-century Europe who stumble upon a beautiful, isolated piece of nature where they definitely don't belong, "The Willows" is a haunting tale with vivid imagery that will stay with you long after the story ends. Music by Lucas King:...
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"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
Karma. Poetic Justice. What goes around comes around. This story reminds us that our secrets will only continue to eat away at us until nothing is left of our conscience but frayed, screaming nerves. Music by Lucas King: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq52MbjRULLbjRPvxM7FwZg
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Old Records Series: "The Pit and the Pendulum" by Edgar Allan Poe
Nobody expects the Inquisition. A macabre joke in this case. A classic tale by Poe without his usual supernatural flair. In this case, humanity is the nightmare. Music by Lucas King: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq52MbjRULLbjRPvxM7FwZg
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Old Records Series: "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe
We're all familiar with dealing with a world-changing disease at this point. Edgar Allan Poe wrote about one, too. Seems this is a tale as old as time (no, not that one.) Although, a disease called "The Red Death" does have a particularly gruesome ring to it. Come check out this next entry in the...
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Old Records Series: "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs
Introducing a series of recordings with the audio style of classic vinyl records--for that old-school creepy factor. This story is the classic "be careful what you wish for" tale coupled with family heartbreak. Music by Lucas King: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq52MbjRULLbjRPvxM7FwZg
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"The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe and black cats...sounds like a match made in hell. Which, once you hear this story, might be pretty accurate.
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"The Shadow Over Innsmouth" by H.P. Lovecraft
One of Lovecraft's most iconic stories and a key part of the Cthulhu mythos. One of the best for The Dark Volume's first episode. Music by: Lucas King https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq52MbjRULLbjRPvxM7FwZg
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Episode 0: Welcome to The Dark Volumes, feat. "The Ghosts" by Lord Dunsany
Allow me to introduce myself as the curator of this grisly collection. Besides my little introduction, I've included a short story here for you from Lord Dunsany: "The Ghosts." Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany, is one of the earliest and most influential examples of fantasy and dark fiction...
About this show
Like horror stories? Like audio books? Like to be read to by a voice as soft as black velvet and as sinister as a phantom?The Dark Volumes podcast brings you monthly stories from the greats such as H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Robert Chambers, and others. There's some commentary, sure, but it's all about the stories, here.Turn off the lights, pour some wine, and (maybe) get under the covers. The Dark Volumes are here to remind you why you should be afraid of the dark.
Hosted by
Russell Archey