Last year, the Pulse had the privilege of reviewing the haunted attractions in Middle Tennessee. We put together a team of people who love a good scare, sending them into abandoned psychiatric hospitals and creepy woods alike, letting them give their assessment of each terrifying encounter.

Aesthetics and production aside, these haunted houses contain a very human element. They’re run by people who care enough to contribute such a unique and artful entertainment. As stated last year, this is the only experience in which patrons get to indulge their fears on such a scale. It was through our trek of haunted houses that we were exposed to this industry; a small community of people whose affection for scaring others manifests every year as a thrilling experience to visitors.

Amidst the level of camaraderie in the circle of local haunts,  there is an overpowering pressure to compete. It is this rivalry to be the creepiest kid on the block who gives us the biggest chills that drives these businesses. For Carroll Moore and Jason Kittrell, two friends in fright, their competition is of singular interest. Since both friends are now the managers of last year’s tying amusements for first place in our haunted attraction guide, Moore and Kittrell are working harder than ever before to make Middle Tennessee jump out of its collective skin.

“A lot of people think that haunted houses are for kids. That’s not true. We want to scare adults,” offers Moore. Adding that this is the favorite time of the year for the two of them, he says, “There’s nothing like that first, cool morning fog of the haunt season. . . . where everything’s just right.”

Moore’s history in the business goes back to 2006, when he and business partner Brandon Brinkley created Death Yard Dark Amusement, a production company that specializes in haunts. Putting their own elan and showmanship into the mix, Death Yard Dark Amusement invigorated the local scene with fresh shocks and better stories, adding modern amenities for several client haunted houses. Stepping away from Monster Mountain in 2008, Moore returned in 2010. It was there that he and Kittrell paraded their ardor for the horror genre, including last year’s incarnation, which toured us through the hellish studios of Hackenstein Von Splatterhaus.

This fall has new plans for Moore and company. Brad Webb, owner of Nashville Nightmare, has teamed up with Death Yard Dark Amusement to bring what they hope will be the best haunt of the area. The production company is now putting on “Dark Descent,” a journey through a quarantined CDC testing facility that was abandoned after its staff began testing the cargo inside of a Ukranian shipping container, code-named “Dark Dwellers.” While working in a smaller space, the angle of Dark Descent is a claustrophobia that adds for more quality scares. Dark Descent will be the second half of Nashville Nightmare, with the first bloody half being “Night Terrors,” adding 2,000 additional square feet to a walk-through of 13 different nightmares that feature the work of makeup effects coordinator Rick Prince, former contestant on Syfy’s Face Off series.

But Jason Kittrell’s not intimidated. A man of few words, Kittrell embodies the saying “Less talk, more work.” Having called Monster Mountain his horrific home since 2008, Kittrell conceptualized many of the ideas that Monster Mountain used, as well as increasing sales, and creating multimedia for the amusement. Now, he’s working with the makeup artists, creating plots and characters, supplying props, recruiting actors, and managing social media and public relations  for the mammoth attraction. In addition to being a jack-of-all-trades for this haunt, Kittrell creates content, conducts interviews,  and shoots video for WalkingtheWalkingDead.com. On top of this, he also is the owner of Sinister FX Studios, which, much like Death Yard Dark Amusement, provides props and designs for haunted attractions. Kittrell also loves teaching prop creation and makeup/character design, offering his wisdom where needed.

First time I went to Monster Mountain, I got nervous,” he confesses, a little slyly. Continuing that he loved his experience, he points out that fear is a sensation that people are always chasing. And in the business of terrifying others, one could see the importance of doing better every year.

Jumping into the conversation, Moore points out something of a home-field advantage that Monster Mountain might have. “An indoor haunt can never capture what a good outdoor haunt can, if it’s done right.” He points to the cold air, rough terrain and the tricks of the mind. But this is relative to the tradeoffs of Mother Nature’s production design in exchange for something that can be manipulated inside, where you don’t have to worry about things like stormy weather.

And much like a dark cloud over the moon, Kittrell is looking to eclipse the work of year’s past, hinting that this may be the best season ever for Monster Mountain. “This year, we’ve cut out the middle man. Monster Mountain Horror Studios invites you to come live over 20 scenes of horror. Enter into the ‘Cabin of the Dead’ and find out what happens when you open the gateway to hell,” begins Kittrell, ramping up to full-blown pitchman as he touts his scary wares. “Reprise your role as the sacrifice in ‘Voodoo Bayou 2.’ Find out what happens to people on the naughty list in ‘Krampus: Home for the Holidays.’ And try to survive a world filled with the walking dead in ‘Zombie City 2.’ All of this and more await you at Monster Mountain this year. Prepare for the scare of your life,”
he says, “because at Monster Mountain Horror Studios, we know fear.”

So, in this rivalry, the attendees will have to decide if they prefer a larger outdoor haunt or two smaller indoor ones. The best option is to attend both and find out for yourself. . . .

Both haunts officially open on Friday the 13th of September. To join the fun and let us know what you think, check out our review of the 2013 haunt season. You can also find information for each haunt via their websites: nashvillenightmare.com  and monstermountain.net.

(And, for those of you in the loop . . .  FCM.)