I've used several sources to convey this - some of them are also thematic links to previous albums. Here are the more literal ones:

The title of the album and first piece I composed was taken from 'The Werewolf Of Paris' by Guy Endore: 'But there was a strange shame here that he could not overcome. Oh, the terrible disgrace, the ignominy of it - possessing a mythical monster in one's own family, in this the age of science and enlightenment!'

The 'Return Of John Deth' pieces were inspired by the painting 'John Deth' by Edward Burra. My own original 'John Deth' piece appeared back on the 'Thirteen From The Twenty First' album and I always knew I'd give him, like all great horror creatures deserve, some sequels. 'The Red Room' was the second piece I wrote for this album. 'Bones In The Moonlight' was the last and initially inspired by the rhythmic piano on Paul McCartney's 'Single Pigeon'. 'Nocturne Macabre' was a challenge to myself - could I write a quiet piece that actually stays quiet? (I am very fond of cresendos and generally wide dynamics). The title is my acknowledgement to Saint Saens' 'Dance Macabre' - a piece that enchanted me as a child and I'm sure it's spirit still lies in the music I write.

'Talos' was inspired by one of the lifespan lengthening project names in Robert Silverberg's novel 'Shadrach In The Furnace.' Talos was the cybernetic one. I not only used this as a link to 'The Future Eve', but also because I noticed that the other two projects 'Avatar' and 'Pheonix' were also titles of pieces I had written and liked the idea of this co-incidence.

'Carmilla' was inspired by the vampire short story by Sheridan Le Fanu.

'Am I Dreaming You? Are You Dreaming Me?' was inspired by a line in Robert Silverberg's 'Son Of Man.' The narration (spoken by Ileesha, Helen, Caron and Zoe) are quotes from Sheridan Le Fanu's story 'Green Tea'.

The title for 'Second Star' was inspired by lyrics in the Kate Bush song 'In Search Of Peter Pan', who was in turn partially quoting J.M. Barrie: 'When, When I am a man, I will be an astronaut, And find Peter Pan, Second Star on the right, Straight on 'till morning.'

The album cover pictures are wall paintings I photographed at Pompeii and subsequently manipulated on the computer.

Richard Wileman, 2nd May, 2006.