Blasphemic Cruelty: Devil's Mayhem
{XLIII A.S. Osmose Productions. Gene Palubicki: Lead Guitar, Vocals {"Sadistic Vengeance Fleshsaw / Auxilary Death Exhalations"}; Alex Blume: Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar {"Volcanic Rumbles / Hellish Blasphemies"}; Gina Ambrosio: Drums & Percussion {"Corpse Skin Death Drum Rituals"}. Genre: Death / Thrash Metal}1. Possessed Commands 2. Poisoned Lust 3. Devil's Mayhem 4. Warstrike 5. Nuclear Evil 6. Infernal Abominations 7. Vengeance Dragon
For those who wish for a raw expression of this genre, harking unto Possessed, Sodom, and Morbid Angel, even shades of S.O.D. and F.C.D.N. Tormentor, these seven songs of infernally-ferocious assault from Blasphemic Cruelty delivers the extreme-velocity and heaviness you crave.
Of note, within this brutal triad convocation, Blasphemic Cruelty features the surprisingly exceptional talents of female drummer Gina Ambrosio, a member of the infamous Church of Satan.
With beautifully-diabolical cover art by dark artist J.P. Fournier, and demonic CD art featuring a pitchfork-wielding bearded devil emerging from the pentagram, orchestrations herein are precise and unrelenting. with horror-themed blasphemies plunging the depths of nightmarish invocation.
[Complimentary CD courtesy of Ms. Gina Ambrosio]
GrotesqueUphoria
Bred To Be Your Enemy
{XLI A.S. Genre: Death Metal. Bass/Vocals: Zoth Ommog, Leo Bakman: Guitars, Drums/Vocals: Gabe Madsen, Guitars/Vocals: Sam Lara}
Track List: 1. Bred To Be Your Enemy 2. Box Cutter Butcher 3. Decimation of My Foes 4. Mind Prison 5. Divine Corrosion 6. Crucified 7. Of All Truth Seeking Whores 8. Sewer Crypt 9. Death March
In the visual style of The Grande Guignol, GrotesqueUphoria brings forth a relentless sonic slaughter with infernal vocalizations by Church of Satan member Zoth Ommog, aside with Madsen & Lara - to form a veritable chaotic chorus of some of the most bestially-demonic voices in the genre, combined with these sinisterly intricate compositions, manifesting a hellish nightmare not for the faint of heart.
GrotesqueUphoria is one of the select few Death Metal bands who can actually boast a genuine Satanist in its line-up, which seems to add a certain unique diabolic element to whatever endeavor it happens to be, and it can certainly be felt.
Lyrics tend towards the brutally-realistic, from social commentary on hypocrisy, misanthropic contemplation, to gore, and religious scrutiny, created in a horror-psychodrama style. Of particular note, "Death March", written and performed by Zoth, offers morbid martial instrumentation with audio clips featuring news reports on crime in the world.
GrotesqueUphoria recently played two songs on Fangoria Radio, hosted by an impressed Dee Snider {segments available on their site}, causing a discernable reflection by the Metal legend, and that is rare indeed.
For those who listen to Death Metal, GrotesqueUphoria represents the optimum in this musickal genre, and are destined to make their devil's mark.
{Complimentary CD courtesy of GrotesqueUphoria}
The Invisible War
{XLIII A.S. Composer: Jan Welke, Minister of Malefick Musick}
1. World Without End 2. Cycling Eternally 3. Der Wille Zur Macht 4. Metamorphosis
What lies behind the old oak door in this dark and gloomy place? Grasp the leonine knocker to unleash hauntingly somber orchestrations from the Minister of Malefick Musick, Citizen Jan Welke {a frequent contributor to The Devil's Diary}, who also brought us the primal rage of Jan Not Jackson - herein we welcome another maestro to the fold - we are treated to moody and atmospheric musick in the vein of Nox Arcana and Le'Rue Delashay.
World Without End: Projects an aristocratic ambiance, while reaching into the ether, becoming one with the timeless night.
Cycling Eternally: One derives the impression of amorphous incense transmutating into ghostly shapes, manifesting thought-forms by the candlelight of the Chamber.
Der Wille Zur Macht {The Will To Power}: For the meditation of focusing the Almighty Will unto materialization with ponderous instrumentations.
Metamorphosis: My personal favorite from this opus, this piece utilizes a spectral organ fit for any haunted mansion, and the visualization of vampiric transformation.
The Invisible War offers contemplative echoings to accompany your foray into this enchantingly evolving musickal maze of the Left-Hand Path. Experience the darkness...5/5
Jan Not Jackson
{XL A.S. CD: Self-titled. Jan Welke: vocals, Deacon Dunlop: guitar, Ohyun Kwon: guitar, Robert Sommer: bass, Jan Schulz: drums}
German Punk in the vain of The Exploited, Black Flag, and some discernable Germs influence. With suprisingly clean composition and delivery, the hardcore presented here contains rhythm and harmonies quite rare in the genre, and will have a hoof tapping. Intros demonstrate the band's innate talent with precision uses of mood-setting guitar work, and Jan Welke's vocals add that essential combustable element.
Considering the clever sarcasm of the facetious band name, Jan Not Jackson acts as an accusing devil in a humorous undertone, with songs dealing with the so-called "emo" travesty {gutless "pop-punk"}, media stupification, brain-dead burned out losers, and cheap Japanese influence, among other sadly relevant subject matter, which nonetheless needs to be raked over the coals from time to time.
Jan Not Jackson preserves the true rebellious essence of Punk pioneers like D.R.I. and S.O.D., with a refreshingly catalystic style which needs to be re-invoked.
Rating: 5/5.
* Website: Includes contact information. mp3's available.
While I do not normally listen to this genre, sometimes a listen catches My attention, and I feel compelled to comment on it based on a recommendation. In this case, I was pleasantly suprised when I received this in the mail as part of an order from Church of Satan and OBD member Jan Welke.
Smokey Deville
Taste of Meat
Track List: 1. Unnerving Tranquility 2. Paper Mask 3. Siknes: Delirium Tremens remix 4. Insomnia
Atmospheric Dance/Trance/Industrial mood musick conducive of relaxation and vice. What would possibly go very well in the background of a sinemaerotica presentation, and/or accentuating the "sin" of the carnal indulgence in The Lair.
* Unnerving Tranquility
Rolls of thunder and sinister laughter with a mellow tune places one on a placid rainy night with droplets cascading along the window paine, seated comfortably upon that chair in the den by the fireplace, or witnessing and/or participating in sublime debauchery at a contemplative pace.
* Paper Mask
A steely sadistic feel from this song, as if enunciated by a cyborg in some futuristic dungeon.
* Siknes: Delirium Tremens remix
Dancable serpentine reverberations, in which one can picture gracefully undulating beauties in a smoke-filled underground chamber amidst multi-colored laser pulses strobing and beaming through the darkness.
* Insomnia
A trans-muted lustful beat vibrates heavily, shifting and pounding as if through an intoxicating ecstatic state, hypnotically over-looping one upon another. Warning: played forcefully enough, it may cause disorientation and a loss of inhibition upon an audience. Recommended.
My personal thanks and appreciation to Mr. Deville for this complimentary copy. Hail Satan!
Tier Instinct: In Through This Devour
{XLIII A.S. Genre: Spoken, Instrumental.}Track List:
1. Between 2. Man Wolf 3. April Flowers 4. In Through This Devour 5. The Hat Trick 6. Omen I-II 7. Illusions 8. Awake 9. A Mutual Exchange (Featuring Ladie Loki).
Potent enunciations of Atavistic evocation, relating everything from fictional horror scenarios, to erotica, brutal reality, and Magical invocation, which leads to materialization:
In an almost 'backward masking' style, Between is an intriguing introduction presenting demonic voices in contemplative rapport.
Man Wolf: Reminiscings on lycanthropic metamorphosis featuring the reverberating throes of a mighty thunderstorm and the fierce echoing of a monstrous hell hound's howl into the night who unmercifully takes his prey.
April Flowers is a playfully salacious poem about three witches who make their way downtown on a warm April night, to the delight of on-lookers...
In Through This Devour blasts a strong and willful voice calling upon the dread Hellementals unto manifestation, with distant screams of terror. A familiar experience.
The Hat Trick offers a ghoulish spectacle, and an amusing method to control gridlock...
Omen I-II: A morbid little poem relating the mysterious circumstances surrounding a boy's father's demise, and the superstitious translation of relatives.
Illusions brings forth a hypnogogic impression, dream-like and floating through an intoxicating mind brew of spectral visions.
Awake brings forth the demon-beast of destruction loosed from the fetters of pure hatred, as his vile victims cower and are consumed.
A Mutual Exchange is a wonderfully erotic poem about the tranferrence of The Command to Look and mutual communication of The Mating Signal. Features the sultry voice of Ladie Loki as the succubus who has chosen her incubus master, while gleefully constricted in the smooth, cool touch of chains and the sharp sting of leather.
The splendid cover artwork features 'Death's Clock' by Citizen Aleuranthropy, as a memento mori to the contemplator.
For those who appreciate the spoken works of Boyd Rice, In Through This Devour features Nine tracks of furious and commanding voices which echo through the ethers, accompanied by accentuating sound effects to create a darkly exhilarating ambiance, resonating from the deep subconscious abyss...
5/5.
Ol Sonuf
Vaoresaji
I received this CD in the mail today, and I must say, that there is an enormous amount of talent herein, and expect great evolutions with this artist. The Dark Classical orchestrations are splendidly enmeshed with brilliant guitar work and overall Black Metal amalgamations. No vocals, which allows one to soar with one's unlimited imagination. I have often detected the correlations between Classical music and much of the Metal compositions, but this opus really brings the two out in tandum to provide an aristocratic and mystical feel. And for a one-man band who names itself after a line in The First Enochian Key, I consider this a worthy musickal personafication thereof.
{Complimentry CD from Jason Wood}
Deathwish
Demon Preacher
{XXIII A.S. Bradley Button - Lead Guitar, Jaiden Fahey - vocals, Jarrad Hroteck - drums and Daniel Hanlon - bass. Genre: Metal}
I had not previously heard of this band before, so what initially attracted Me to this album was the interesting cover art - a horned skull strung with chains, as well as the title. Plus, it bore the name of one of My favorite films. When I listened to it, I was pleased by the quality of Metal I heard. There are well-placed harmonies and melodies, decipherable lyrics which feature horror and occult scenarios, a nice mix of speeds, ranging from doom-laden Power Metal to intricate Thrash Metal, with morbid Black Metal lyrics and feel.
I was also never really for Glam pop rock, so actually seeing the musicians attired in black leather with that certain spark of diabolical creativity added to the overall presentation of the album. You could tell their dedication to the genre ran deeper than mere record sales, enriching the art of it, appealing to those with a discerning ear.
I do appreciate good instrumentals and atmospheric accentuations, which this album contains in the introduction 'Death Procession' and the finale 'Past Life'. Also mentionable is a splendid cover for Black Sabbath's "Symptom Of The Universe", not replicating it exactly, but adding an individual take, which was gratifying, considering the rest of their songs are darkly enjoyed.
Deathwish's Demon Preacher is a worthy acquisition for those who appreciate true Heavy Metal on the dark side, but again, as it may bear repeating, that one listens to such bands for grim entertainment, not necessarily for philosophical value.
Imago Mortis
Vida: The Play of Change
Imago Mortis {"Image of Death"} emerges from Brazil, which to Me sounds like across between Candlemass, Type O Negative, and Sepultura. Operatic, heavy, power grinding at times, and a faster pace at others resembling Iron Maiden.
Themes range from the romantic to the tragic, the melancholy to the morbid. At times, one thinks one is listening to Messiah Marcolin's vocals, and at others, an almost Geoff Tate impression echoes in the chamber of the mind. I was particularly impressed by 'The Silent King', 'Unchained Promethius', and 'Long River'.
The aesthetic presentation of the CD cover is splendid with a spectral collage blending into one another as if from the dark subconscious.
Piano solos, pathos-inducing ballads, haunting keyboards, sound effects to accentuate the story lines, all merge together as one in a veritable eclectic opus of sonic gratification. If there is some sort of category for Gothic-Metal-classical compositions, Imago Mortis would fit perfectly.
{CD compliments of Satanya}
Samael
Ceremony of Opposites
What can one come to expect from a band named after the `venom of god'? Death-Metal excellence. The slow, skull-grinding riffs rip the soul asunder, & then suddenly shifts into a necro-velocity sending the mind reeling into a euphoric frenzy. The gut-wrenching guitars, the bone-pounding thunder, the growling damnation in a bestial, demonic voice.
Satanic Forces seem to flow through this band. In every blast of the drums, in every chord of the bass & guitars, in every indignant & exhaulting word, the feeling is there.
The cover features the thorn-impaled head of a bloody jesus in the midst of excrutiaton. Within the cover, one finds a rather clever depiction of the Yin-Yang, beseiged with two serpents, each with the black & white representative spheres as eggs in its mouth. This can be taken to mean the black viper as signifying the darkside, as it holds the blindlight under its power, as it thrusts upwards in domination.
Amongst other underworld topics, sado-masochism is expressed, & a tribute to dark warriors who have been persecuted from ancient to current times.
Ceremony of Opposites is a superior Black Metal production. It will bring the daemons into your household, as they pour in from your speakers. Keep an eye out for these minstrels, for their other infernal unleashings, which may form veritable chapters in a sonic grimoire of nightmarish manifestation.
Black Sabbath
Headless CrossAn "occult classic", in My opinion, being that this album is under-appreciated and underrated, remaining a more or less "hidden" classic of Macabre Metal.
The musick herein is memorably melodic and powerful, with an operatic voice that is truly an instrument in itself here, with clearly decipherable lyrics, which are arranged in a story-teller format, with the mood it creates as one of an eerie ambiance, and best listened to at night, in My opinion. Very theatrical in a Metal/Gothic/Horror sort of way - a wonderful combination, which is just pure dark entertainment which one can visualize in the theatre of the mind.
"The Gates of Hell" begins with the ominous sounds which brings to mind permeating fog as an arched stone gateway creeks open, unleashing the horrors within; and therefrom, straightaway into Headless Cross, an omenic tiding as a warning to the local villagers that something wicked this way comes; but probably one of the best songs is "Devil & Daughter", which speaks to the charm of The Satanic Witch entrancing mankind while smashing all detractors; "When Death Calls" is a ballad-like Faustian auto-eulogy of a man about to walk through the veil of mortality warning the living of the terrors to come, and to dare not mock the face of death, lest your tongue blister; I also really enjoy "Kill in The Spirit World" which to Me, grants the impression of a Magical Victory against a truly deserving individual - despite the lyrics, as a justified execution, not a so-called "murder"; "Call of The Wild" affirms the enjoyment of life to those who have the courage to accept it in all of its carnal joy; "Black Moon" is another exceptional cantible, about The Devil rising and calling forth His own by the nocturne; and as if to compliment the previous, "Nightwing" summons the creatures of the night to witness the glory of the flight.
Obviously, there are certain typical depictions from the Judeo-Christian mythos, but it is very artfully done, with haunting tunes that float into the ether to join with the glowing moon. A frequent pleasure.
Lita Ford
Dangerous Curves
My recollection of Lita Ford derives from the time I saw her in concert at The Country Club in Reseda with My friend Rick at the time, and our dates. She wore a skin-tight silver lame' body suit with a plunging neck-line, a studded belt around her waist with a huge belt-buckle inscribed with the word "Bitch" thereupon - and after the show, she actually leaned down towards the front row invariably displaying lovely cleavage, and bearing a bottle of wine or champagne to share with her fans in the front row.
I recall her fling with Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue primarily, her previous band The Runaways, and of course, that unforgettable duet with Ozzy Osbourne "Close My Eyes Forever"; her music contained a couple of catchy tunes from time to time, but it really derived a more distinctive character with the addition of the keyboards. Then it tool on a more dangerously erotic appeal accentuating her femme fatale persona - "beautiful and deadly" as she fancies herself. This took place with her prime release "Kiss Me Deadly" {containing the afore-mentioned Ozzy duet}. "Dangerous Curves" also certainly carries that theme to the hilt with songs like "Shot of Poison", "Playin' With Fire", "Black Widow", and "Little Black Spider" would indicate. Dangerous Curves has its moments, but it definitely comes in second to "Kiss Me Deadly" in most respects. Of particular mention, I did enjoy "Hellbound Train" with witch-cackles and all.
She actually did initiate what perhaps may be described as "dance metal" {which would rally not be Metal in actuality, but more in the lines of "hard rock"}, and serves as a passionate encounter with a lover, or stripper music for erotic performers. There certainly is an energetic quality to her music that makes one want to move and gyrate, especially in the bed chamber "in a super-sized bed", as it were.
Quiet Riot
Guilty Pleasures
What can be said about Quiet Riot beyond "Condition Critical" and "Metal Health"? How many prognosticated that with the flatulence of scrap metal grunge that this vociferous high-energy quartet would disappear, yet this did not occur - that riot may have gotten a little quieter, but that is only as far as "popularity" is concerned - yet that is not because the band has been diminished in its Heavy Metal content, but only because record executives lured the herd away from the genre that they may instead chew on some grungy cud, yet Heavy Metal remains its own entity, despite how many sheeple may be listening. It you determine you have discovered something that works for you, edifies you, grants indulgence, stay with it. As a matter of fact, it is indeed stratification to observe who remains standing after the next wave of trendiness comes along - it is more or less cleaning house, disinfecting the poseurs from the midst of what carries value and quality, as opposed to mere disposable consumerism and valueless quantity.
And so is the case with Quiet Riot, who, through this release, continue to propitiate that hard-edged head-banging, hand-stomping, feet-clapping fun without placation.
I was not sure what to expect when I slipped the CD into the Infernal Machine - would the music preserve or betray its integrity? Thankfully, the sound herein retains its heaviness - I immediately recognized it as genuinely Quiet Riot's, and not some watered-down mutation of its former self - I recognized the harmonious strains and the feral DuBrow vox. It is a compliment to the band that they have remained true to themselves amidst the morass of pop-faddists. Now, you will want to insert this CD into the Infernal Machine because, lo and behold, a surprise awaits you on the desktop - an .avi file featuring an audial documentary on the making of Guilty Pleasures. featuring members of the band elaborating on some of the lyrics, band history, musical compositions and inspirations, some private life relations, all explained in that characteristic effervescent manner.
The visuals are pleasing as well - the group, which remains solid as Kevin DuBrow, Rudy Sarzo, Carlos Cavazo, and Frankie Banali incite the Quiet Riot in full. They actually look like a Rock/Heavy Metal band, which alludes that this is who the band really is, on and off stage, musicians who play from the metal heart and truly live it. The cover image depicts a scene from the Adam and Eve mythos, partaking of the Forbidden Fruit which represents carnal knowledge, rendered by none other than a favorite Artiste Albrecht Durer, with the addition of the Metal Madness mask obfuscating the genitalia of the nude figures, which was an amusing touch indeed.
Another mentionable bit of commentary is that among the generally self-destructive or death & misery-obsessed plethora connected to this genre, QR is actually quite life-affirming with decipherable lyrics speaking of earthly indulgence, love and lust, living life to the fullest - overall fun, which, since its inception, has been what QR is all about. Guilty Pleasures is certainly a worthy addition to your Heavy Metal collection - the condition is still critical, so play it loud for your metal health.
Infernal Majesty
None Shall Defy
A demonic depiction of a serpantine monarch slashes through the fabric of time and space with a fanged rictus leering forth at the universe from an infernal dimension.
We are blasted into Overlord - a velocity-enraptured song orchestrated classically like Beethoven or Mozart placed to electricity with a voice speedily inunciating to summon forth the inner daemons within; then on to a delightfully-haunting instrumental entitled R.I.P., {in which a whispering voice repeats "Satan...Satan...Satan...Lead us into Hell!"} which is a always a welcomed interlude to the next hell-spawned onslaught; 'Night of The Living Dead', obviously inspired by the film by the same name - rotting zombies stalking the earth in search of living flesh - especially brains; 'S.O.S.' could be an acronym for "Son Of Satan" or 'Save Our Souls', but here it signifies "Satan Our Savior" - another fast-paced cantible which, if you are so inclined, is sure to give you whiplash with an upthrust Cornu; 'None Shall Defy' may be the strongest song herein, bearing the album title, with the signature line, "Marching defiant, the Legions bear witness, if you stand against Evil then you stand alone!"; Schizophrenia embeds herein with 'Skeletons In The Closet', about a man whose own demons come for him in the form of monstrous skeletons; 'Anthology of Death' retells the infamous murderous exploits of Jack The Ripper. Of note, the line "...He'll sneak up behind you, and sever your head. He kills with a passion, makes love to his dead..." 'Path of The Psycho' concludes this metal masterpiece with eerie acoustic guitar trailing off back to The Infernal Regions...
Each song's lyrics are quite extensive for the usual short and repetitive words offered on most albums, and they are short stories all to themselves, each, like taking a tour of a museum of Horror, which is not surprising, considering the band are quite the Horror movie fans, from whence they derive much of their fantastic relations. The musickal theatre herein drips with blood...enjoy.
Exorcist
Nightmare Theatre
An arcane opus placing one amongst the world of European superstition - a story book opus of woodcarvings, Witchfynders, "witches", biblical demons, etcetera. The cover features decomposing corpses in dim lighting.
The songs are powerful orchestrations masterfully created to sublime Black Metal excellence, bringing a truly eerie adrenaline-filled hellish unleashing.
Exorcist really manages to create a remarkable atmosphere, quite distinctive throughout the Metal maelstrom of replicative albums. Haunting intros are featured in renditions to 'Call To The Exorcist', 'Riding To Hell', the sounds of intensely burning hellfire, amazing loud and clear guitar solosconsistently pounding drums, a discernable voice speaking on stuporstition focusing on the Salem witch-craze, evident with a mock tryal recreation, including the names of Elizabeth Proctor, Guiles Coring, Abigail Hocks, Nathaniel Hocks, and William Proctor, among others, whoi were tortured and executed for their purported allegience with The Devil; which by now it is known is untrueas no REAL witches were burned. Very much like the SRA hysteria circa 80's/early 90's - it could veritably serve as evidence of what may happen if the paranoid christians have their way.
For the Puritans, it was three little girls in hysterical fits pretending at possession to gain attention, provide excitement for themselves, and wield a sort of pretentious influence and pseudo-authority, with poor Tutuba who bore the initial brunt of the so-called "burning times"*.
In modern times, it was an exploitation program entitled "The Devil Worshippers" presented by 20/20, and the subsequent further sensationalized "Exposing Satan's Underground" by Geraldo Rivera. But it is asserted that every generation and era in history has had its scapegoats. There seems to always be one segment of the populace villainized and accused of being in league with Lucifer, The Prideful Rebel. Whether it be Jews, Amerinds, homosexuals, whatever indigenous native cultures living contently before the tyrranny of christian swords arrived to corrupt, degrade, and brainwash that culture.
* Track List: 1. Black Mass 2. The Invocation 3. Burnt Offerings 4. The Hex 5. Possessed 6. Call For The Exorcist 7. Death By Bewitchment 8. The Trial 9. Execution of The Witches 10. Consuming Flames of Redemption 11. Megawatt Mayhem 12. Riding To Hell 13. Queen of The Dead 14. Lucifer's Lament 15. The Banishment
"And thus the darkness ended - outright - even swept away. And the land was made clean and wholesome again... thanks to the Exorcist. God bless you..."________
* Interesting to note that burning was the method of execution in Europe, not in America, who initiated various other methods of torture and forced confessions.
Halloween Hootenanny
{XXXIII A.S. Geffen Records. Genre: Metal, Rockabilly, Lounge, Spook-Surf}
I can definitely visualize a tiki-laden environment, like a Halloween Luau, perhaps at the beach at night, with everyone dressed up as their favorite monsters, sipping martinis and dancing nearby a bonfire to the joyous tunes of Halloween revery...
1. Halloween Hootenanny - Zacherie
We are introduced to the Halloween festivities with a poem narrated by our Ghoulish Host Zacherie, providing a welcoming atmosphere, starting off the party...
2. Halloween (She Get So Mean) - Rob Zombie
Emerging from the blackened earth, the zombie king launches the celebrations with a bang, where you can picture Baby girating in a devil-girl a-go-go costume...
3. The Halloween Dance - Reverend Horton Heat
Stick your arms out like you're in a trance, the gang's all here! You can hear them in the background throughout the songs herein. Everyone's having fun beneath the harvest moon!
4. A Fistful Of Terror - The Bomboras
An effervescent instrumental reminiscent of 'Wipe-out' by The Ventures.
5. Werewolf - Southern Culture On The Skids
Lycanthropic fun! You really being out the beast in Me!
6. Gravewalk - Satan's Pilgrims
A nocturnal jaunt in the graveyard may yield some unexpected pleasures...
7. Ribcage Mambo - Frenchy
A dimly-lit room, smoke looming above everyone's heads, as a zombie-like Noir beauty slinks out into the spotlight in a sequence gown and pillbox hat, while the skeletal band plays a hauntingly exotic number...
8. I Drink Blood - Rocket From The Crypt <,p> High-velocity with a very feedback / static quality.
9. Little Demon - The Amazing Crowns
A Rockabilly cover of the classic by Witch Doctor Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
10. No Costume, No Candy - Swingin' Neckbreakers
Now here's a great sign waiting to happen! A really fun song addressing a possible issue on Halloween night. Perhaps those who do not dress up but still expect candy should also be given the "trick" of fetid condoments in those little packets instead of candy. If you lack the imagination or effort to celebrate, don't dare expect a treat here! You're no mummy, you're just a dummy!
11. 'The Munsters' Theme - Los Straitjackets
An amusing spook-surf rendition of the original by Jack Marshall, from a band who dress up as masked wrestlers.
12. Sinister Purpose - Zacherie
I really enjoy this one, wherein The Devil comes knocking on the coffin door offering wondrous gifts of immortality and riches. Sort of reminds Me of L'Air Epais, wherein one is awakened unto one's carnal nature.
13. Werewolves On Wheels - The Born Losers
Lycans on motorcycles going wild into the night!
14. Psychic Voodoo Doll - Deadbolt
Somewhat of an endearing sado-masochistic romantic tune.
15. Banshee Beach - The Ghastly Ones
Another fun instrumental. This actually reminds Me of a shirt which featured The Creature, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and Wolfman carrying surfboards, heading out for some tasty waves. This from a band who look like undertakers.
16. The Creature Stole My Surfboard - Dead Elvi
A humorous diddy about a surfer relating the time when The Creature took over his board for some late-night surfing. Of course, the band are all dressed as zombie Elvi...
17. Extrasensory Deception - David Allan/Phantom Surfers
Yet another highly-energetic instrumental utilizing some echo effects to add to that haunting element.
18. Spooks Night Out - Legendary Invisible Men
The spooks are out! With vocals sounding like they emminate from a megaphone, accompanied by echoing guitar and organ. Yes, that's right, the band members are bandaged invisible men.
19. Happy Halloween - Zacherie
Our host would stop at nothing to wish all a Happy Halloween!
The booklet features Rob Zombie's artwork throughout, from Frankenstein to The Mummy, with Baby dressed up like a barbie-like sexy witch on the back.
Overall, Halloween Hootenanny is a fun collection of jaunty tunes for year-'round revery, in a "spook surf", martini-sipping sort of way. Amidst the undead 50's-style rockabilly, many of which are enhanced with sound effects, we hear from "Zacherie", a ghoulish host regailing the listener with haunted tales sure to add that certain spicy ingredient to the Witch's brew.
The Sounds of Demons & Dementia
{XXVIII A.S. Label: Black Tulpis. Genre: Narration & Halloween Sound effects}
Not for the faint of heart, The Sounds of Demons & Dementia actually contains passages from The Satanic Bible (read rather dubiously): "Invocation Employed Towards the Conjuration of Destruction", "The First Enochian Key", "Invocation to Satan", & the chanting of "In Nomine Dei Nostri Satanas, Luciferi Excelsi." {Satanic Chant}. Such interesting narrations playing forth into the night will certainly add a haunting effect while providing perspective, although depending upon who is listening, may perhaps prove too disturbing for some. Although this particular section would be quite stimulating for private gatherings.
The rest of the recording contains wonderfully lengthy sound effects of a horrifying nature, with minimal "goofiness" typical on most Halloween presentations, thus preserving a delightfully frightening atmosphere, which will scare the Hell into Trick or treaters. Be warned.
