Tea in the Sahara
Kev: Critic & Podcaster
Known as a brief month, my upcoming podcast review for “Ominous Thrill” will also be mirroring that compact February theme.
“Ominous Thrill” created by renowned sound design legend Jeff Schmidt launches on all podcast platforms on the 15th Feb – with new episodes releasing monthly. This outing marks Jeff’s foray into the fictional drama arena for the very first time as the frontman. And after listening to two early episodes here are my early impressions.
Each bespoke episode will have its own captivating thriller theme running through it as Jeff draws inspiration from TV series like “Black Mirror” and “Love Death + Robots”.
This format of micro episodes will cater to those listeners seeking indulgent podcast escapism, avoiding the commitment of having to listen to a whole season for the plot to unfold.
The episode “Sleep Tight” stood out immediately as my favorite as it demonstrates what a shotgun plotline can achieve when encapsulated within forty minutes of intense mayhem! That, and I might genuinely never sleep again! Feel free to share in the comments if you agree with me?
Each episode is a collection of character-focused dark fiction tales. Jeff’s writing throws shade on contemporary modern adult themes blending plot twists, surrealism, and individualism with occasional dark comedic undertones.
The voice casting within the episodes that I heard was excellent. However, it is a shame about the show’s audio… kidding! The sound design found within Ominous Thrill is extraordinary as fans (including me), have come to expect from the man behind Aftershocks sound design.
So within this vortex of madness who’s actually going to listen?
The short punchy creativeness of each episode will deffo have mass appeal. Potentially even opening up some minds that haven’t fallen down the fictional rabbit hole just yet.
During the writing of this review, I inquired if Jeff would continue as a creator if Ominous Thrill proved successful. Jeff’s response was swift: “I’ve got the bug, now it’s what I want to do“.
Ominous Thrill is like snagging a window seat in a chopper above life’s crime scene, as portrayed by Jeff. It’s a riot—an industrial-scale audio fiction anthology riot. And I’m all in!
Scores – Ominous Thrill – 7/10
Jeff Schmidt is the creator, writer, director, and sound designer of Ominous Thrill.
Podcast submissions – tinthesahara@gmail.com
Tea in the sahara 