RECAP:  The Underworld adventure begins in a busy laboratory, where two eccentric technicians move groups forward to get a glimpse of their latest creation.  Gale-force winds blast through a curtain as an oversized hand suddenly reaches out grabbing at innocent victims, and pulling them back into its confines.  Being rushed out to a staging area of 6 decontamination units, we’re “injected” with some sort of liquid concoction, and pointed in the direction of chamber #6.  Lights flicker, as worthy participants are evaluated and processed through time travel testing resulting in, “permanent dimensional entanglement!”  Transport through the twilight zone dispatches into Area 51, a highly classified area occupied by gas-masked individuals where ungodly bio-hazard experiments take place, and large florescent containers give rise to alien-like creatures!

Floors vibrate, alarms sound, and a giant, fanged behemoth spews out a death mist as large tentacles reach out from below a series of exam tables containing the remains of extra-terrestrials!  Dark corridors; uneven floors; and a shaking, unstable, tilted walkway connect to hallways loaded with actortronic monsters, some having huge arms that reach out or actually bump into those outlasting the assault!  Continuing through a time machine scanner dumps into an area filled with cocoons hanging from above, and arachnid-like insects look to bite and prey on those entering their webbed domain!  Escaping daddy long legs moves the course through shrinking, arched approaches and into a claustrophobic passage that exits alongside the narrow ledge of a bottomless pit with the wall closing in from behind pushing closer and closer to the edge of the cliff!

Cave-like tunnels access the Terebus Big Top “KILLER” Circus, home to murderous clowns that have tied unwilling participants to spinning wheels and thrown axes and knives at them!  Walking through the mouth of a life-size clown embarks upon a tricky mirror maze that empties into a midway of games like basketball, where jokesters play hoops with severed heads; and “High Striker,” whose test of strength prompts a hammer-swinging surprise!  Pranksters taunt and laugh wickedly while steering the path to dead end doors that open into concrete blockades as they rejoice, “Never trust a clown! 

Passing through another scanner-like portal leads back to a long-past era of dilapidated houses decorated with carved jack-o-lanterns, where a rickety bridge unexpectedly slants into the waiting arms of “Kürbis!”  Fleeing into a safer-looking home unveils a library of ghosts that send progression out into an enchanted forest inhabited by an enormous, sharp-toothed, man-eating, killer pumpkin!  Caskets and a villain armed with a lethal knife compromise the descent into an entire array of additional upright coffins!  Inching along through upcoming lightlessness disturbs a growling, long-armed, actortronic monster that appears out of the shadows blocking the way out!

Skulls chaperone a wooded entrance into a murky swamp that’s infested with yellow-eyed gators and countless, unseen ankle-grabbers as the bog twists and turns its way through the growing quagmire that gets deeper and deeper, nearly engulfing the journey  in a treacherous, watery grave!  Lucky to be alive, survivors move onto the sight of bizarre ghouls playing paddleball with a mortal’s head, and into a circular opening exposing a smoked-filled, burning building!  Flames erupt as the fire rages on, and colossal hands claw down from the rafters!  Discovery of a staircase heads up to the attic, where low ceilings inhibit movement into a mysterious room having a pentagram painted on the floor inciting threats from a beast swinging a spiked flail!

A near-miss hit-and-run is still to come, as is a run-in with a mutant gorilla, and a confrontation with a bloody-faced fiend pleased at the arrival of, “Fresh meat,” who squeezes us through tight aisles, slams the door shut, and proceeds to bury us alive!  Living to see another day provokes more attacks including a rendezvous with a pig-faced butcher at Mrs. Patty’s Meat Pies, where bodies hang from rotating conveyors on one side, and skeletons pass by on the other after their flesh is peeled off and diced into ground beef!

Up next, a spinning vortex, unlike any other, surprises navigation by tilting from side to side!  Making it across, the gateway enlightens spirits equipped with Tasers, then a shaking grating brings about a zone of uncertainty, where holding onto a dangling rope presents the only hope of being guided to escape, but dangers still lurk ahead thanks to an up-close-and-personal battle with an agricultural combine and its twirling spindle displaying the remnants of human remains!  Half torsos litter adjacent walls as circular saws cut their way through invading the space of innocent passersby, trapping them in an apparent dead end with the only option of survival being to force your way through an upright, blood-stained meat grinder!  Then, just when you think you’ve made it out with your life, a discontented brute bursts through a door to abduct a girl and pulls her away as she screams for help!  “You’re next!” he promises as the route scampers upstairs into the concourse area successfully concluding the lengthy Erebus experience.

ANALYSIS:  Erebus is quite possibly the most unique haunted attraction in existence due to the unequaled nature of so many of its scares.  The site custom builds 90% of their props guaranteeing such a different experience.  The adventure simulates traveling through time to present one-of-a-kind frights.  Actortronics are numerous and reach out, grab, hit, and even knock you around a bit in addition to blocking the path, all executed to perfection.  Buried Alive and Bottomless Pit couldn’t be any better, and you just won’t see them anyplace else!  Giant, man-eating pumpkin is likewise impressive, gently pinning patrons up against the wall, and even taking a bite out of them as they make their way past!  Twisting swamp is another prime example of their inventive ingenuity as it was the first of its kind and became one of the most copied props around.  Other haunts have them now, but Erebus designed theirs using black airbags before the “claustrophobic” type was ever made professionally.  Tilting vortex tunnel is another seldom seen effect.  Sloping hallways and shaking walkways add their own twist to the plentiful variety of impactful happenings.  Mrs. Patty’s conveyor, mirror maze, tentacles, and meat grinder are likewise impressive, intimidating, and memorable, and transfer sectors are extensively adorned with detailed vacuform panels, tailor-made for their use, positioning, and the story they’re depicting.

Sinister music and sounds fill every inch and crevice of the 4 floors of terror, and lighting enhances the overall atmosphere.  Costuming is above average.  Acting was good, although dialogue was a bit weak on occasion with some resorting to just saying, “Hi.”  Standout characters include pig butcher, abduction brute, and Kürbis.  More intense performances combined with more threatening interactions could really push them over the top.

Erebus is open on Fridays and Saturdays in September beginning on Friday the 13^th!  They’re also open the first weekend in November, and every day in October excluding Mondays and 10/1, 10/2, and 10/8.  Their season concludes on November 2^nd.  Cost of general admission ranges from $25 to $39.  Speed Pass sells for $35 to $49, and VIP is $70.  Prices do not include service fees, which add on an additional $4.50 - $4.99 per ticket, and parking is $10 extra. Be sure to check their website for additional information.

­­­­This is practically the blueprint for haunted house construction - dark, spooky, and filled with the unknown, just as it’s supposed to be.  The density of made-to-order scares is second to none at this legitimate Haunt of the Year contender!  Take a trip through the underworld and live one of the most phenomenal haunts you'll ever see!