Well it’s the end of the year, and what better way to recap it than by making a list! So check out what Metal Albums I liked best in 2015! 

____________________________________

Now I am by no means a music expert, I just love Metal. I'm not a music reviewer by any means, however in 2013 I started a little podcast called Monsters & Metal. On this monthly show I get a chance to play some amazing music from all over the globe. So I can't have just a Top 10, instead I have a Top 35! So I started with with my 15 Honorable Mentions, and then on to #20 - #11. So here it is, my top 10 Albums of 2015!

Please note that I do not have the time to sit and listen to albums all day, so from what I heard these are my picks.

#10) Disarmonia Mundi - Cold Inferno
Disarmonia Mundi is a band that never lets me down. NEVER. Their style is consistent and their albums are always solid from start to finish. Cold Inferno was a perfect addition to their catalog and just added to my love of the Melodic Death Genre. Highlight Track: Stormghost


#9) Rise to Fall - End vs Beginning
Well I am now adding a new band to that Melodic Death love, because Rise to Fall is awesome. This album has everything I love on it. Great screams, great singing and some amazing music to back it all up. I am so glad I discovered this band this year.  Highlight Track: The Threshold


#8) Mechina - Acheron
I don't even know how to truly describe Mechina. They have some of the most amazing metal sounds I heard this year, but what adds to it are all the extras. There are parts that seem to have a choir singing the choruses, mixed with electronics and sometimes a concert band here and there. This one took me by surprise and I could not stop listening to it. Highlight Track: On the Wings of Nefeli

 

#7) Mors Subita - Degeneration
Mors Subita has a great Melodic Death sound mixed with some damn good groves, but it also pounds when it needs to. They are one of the best bands I got to hear for the first time in 2015, because this album is as complete as it gets. Highlight Track: End Complete



#6) Kamelot - Haven
I would have never, never, never checked out this album had it not been for Z.M. Thomas making me review it on Monsters & Metal. Tommy Karevik is just an amazing vocalist, and he is what pulled me in. I do think that this album has a "Metal Musical Soundtrack" feel to it, but man is it good. I never really though I would enjoy the Power/Prog Metal genre so much, but damn this is good shit. Highlight Track: Citizen Zero


#5) Angelmaker - Dissentient
This is Deathcore at it's finest if you ask me. This album is brutal, and never lets up. I love the two vocal styles, the back and forth from a high pitched scream to a low growl gets me every time. This one was a neck breaker too with those amazing drums. This was just a flat out amazing album. Highlight Track: Shia LeBeouf


#4) 6:33 - Deadly Scenes
I am sure that my love of Dog Fashion Disco played into why I loved this album, but this was the creme dela creme of the all over the place sound. With great metal moments, mixed with jazz, choirs singing, circus sounds... ugh it's so good. I am actually dying in anticipation that they will come to the US to tour. I can not get enough of these songs. Highlight Track: Ego Fandango


#3) Soilwork - The Ride Majestic
Soilwork is my constant. My go to. My band. There is no album from them that I will not listen to all the time. I just love this band. So a new album is out, and it's just as good as everything else they have ever done. I think that Bjorn's singing only gets better on each album. This was a Top 10 pick for me before it was released because I knew it was going to be amazing. Soilwork can not disappoint me. Highlight Track: Whirl of Pain


#2)  Sylosis - Dormant Heart
I was so excited for this album to come out back in January that I really wanted to put it on my 2014 list based off the two tracks I heard. Sylosis has become one of my favorite bands, and Dormant Heart is a perfect example of why. The guitars are ear melting, and then with Josh Middleton's vocals... I just sit back and take it all in. The easy way to put it, Sylosis is so god damn good!  Highlight Track: Victims and Pawns


#1) Leprous - The Congregation
All hail my new music addiction, Leprous. This Prog Metal band could be the best thing I discovered in the past 4 years. My god this album is amazing, and addicting as all hell. Einar Solberg's vocals just grab me and don't let go. When I heard The Congregation for the first time all the way through, I just instantly went and got every other album by the band, I had to hear more. No album got more plays from me this year, and I can't see it getting any less play time any time soon. This is as complete as it gets. Highlight Track: The Flood



So there you have it, my Top 10 albums for 2015
• Note: It was not easy to make this list. There are so many great metal albums that come out each year, so I say to you, create your own list and let the world know what stood out to you.

Read more...

Well it’s the end of the year, and what better way to recap it than by making a list! So check out what Metal Albums I liked best in 2015! 

____________________________________

Now I am by no means a music expert, I just love Metal. I'm not a music reviewer by any means, however in 2013 I started a little podcast called Monsters & Metal. On this monthly show I get a chance to play some amazing music from all over the globe. So I can't have just a Top 10, instead I have a Top 35! So I started with with my 15 Honorable Mentions, so now let's move on to #20 - #11.

Please note that I do not have the time to sit and listen to albums all day, so from what I heard these are my picks.

#20) Moonspell - Extinct
There is just something in Fernando Ribeiro's voice that draws me in, song after song. This is a solid album that was great from start to finish. Highlight Track: Breathe



#19) Act of Defiance - Birth and the Burial
Love the guitar work on these tracks. The metal vocal moments are solid, but I think I give my big nod to the harmonies. Loved this albums intensity.  Highlight Track: Thy Lord Belial



#18) Nightland - Obsession
You talk about an album that has it all, it's Obsession. The way that the band brought all of this together was so damn good. You have some great crunch moments, mixed with these amazing vocals, and the vocal layers are fluid. It all poured into my head and screamed, this is complete. Amazing stuff. Highlight Track: A.R.E.S.



#17) The Darkness - Last of our Kind
God damn it I love this band. The Darkness is my go to for a good time. If I'm in a shitty mood I'd throw on a track and just pick myself back up. Plus how can you not love Justin Hawkins voice? And yeah. I know its more on the rock side, but it's so good! Highlight Track: Barbarian



#16) Embryo - Embryo
I loved the intensity on this album. The pacing was amazing on all the songs, and it never let up. Plus the double vocals always get me right between the ears. Highlight Track: Manipulate My Consciousness



#15) Black Fast - Terms of SurrenderThis album is much like the second word in the name of the band, fast. Now I don't typically go for Thrash, but the way this band is described sums it up, Blackened Thrash. Maybe that is what I like, who knows, but I know I like this. Solid stuff. Highlight Track: Tongues of Silver



#14) Abiotic - Casuistry
Abiotic could possibly one of the only all over the place bands I love. I know they are listed as Progressive Death Metal, but to me the sound is all over the place. So what draws me to this band? The drums are through the roof, the double vocals are amazing, and those guitars... oh man those guitars. I freaking love this album. Highlight Track: Violent Scriptures



#13) Dog Fashion Disco - Ad Nauseam
Two DFD albums in two years, I must be in heaven! I will always have a spot in my heart for this band, and this was another top notch album. The mixture of metal and jazz has never been done better. DFD 4-EVER! Highlight Track: Golden Mirage



#12) Tainted - Into Tempation
When I first heard this album it was on non-stop rotation. The way everything came together here is just jaw dropping good. No track was a letdown, and it is all packaged perfectly. I really hope this band hits the States someday. I would love to see them live. Highlight Track: Torch the Ground



#11) Khemmis - Absolution
This is my slow jam, right here. This was a low, so peaceful and moving masterpiece. There is not a moment where I'm not slowly headbanging, or moving. The vocals are out of this world too. I think this might have been the album I told the most people about in 2015. Highlight Track: Torn Asunder




So there you have it, my #20 - #11 albums for 2015! Make sure to check back for picks #10 - #1.
• Note: It was not easy to make this list. There are so many great metal albums that come out each year, so I say to you, create your own list and let the world know what stood out to you.

Read more...

 

Well it’s the end of the year, and what better way to recap it than by making a list! So check out what Metal Albums I liked best in 2015! 

____________________________________

Now I am by no means a music expert, I just love Metal. I'm not a music reviewer by any means, however in 2013 I started a little podcast called Monsters & Metal. On this monthly show I get a chance to play some amazing music from all over the globe. So I can't have just a Top 10, instead I have a Top 35! So let's get this party started with with my 15 Honorable Mentions. I will save my thoughts for the Top 20.

Please note that I do not have the time to sit and listen to albums all day, so from what I heard these are my picks.

Nightrage - The Puritan

 

Dagoba - Tales of the Black Dawn

 

Graveworm - Ascending Hate


 
We Butter the Bread with Butter - Wierder geil! 

 

Torche - Restarter 

 

Stab.twist.pull - Lifeline 

 

Soundcrawler - Dead-End Host 

 

Daemon Pyre - Daemon Pyre 

 

Walking Corpse Syndrome - We are the Humans 

 

Smash Hit Combo - Playmore 

 

Ghost Lights - Dark Zero One 

 

Solution .45 - Nightmares in the Waking State 

 

Scarnival - The Art of Suffering 

 

Clouds and Oceans - But Hope Remains 

 

Fear Factory - Genexus



So there you have it, My Honorable Mention albums for 2015! Make sure to check back for picks #20 - #11 and again for picks #10 - #1.
• Note: It was not easy to make this list. There are so many great metal albums that come out each year, so I say to you, create your own list and let the world know what stood out to you.

Read more...

 

  Well it’s the end of the year, and what better way to recap it than by making a list! This is just a list ranking the books I read / listened to in 2015.
____________________________________

 

 

11) The Rising - Brian Keene (Audio)
I like zombies, but I don’t like zombies. Does that make sense? Probably not, so let me try to explain. As you will go down this list you will see how much I like Brian Keene’s work, but zombies are zombies and just don’t do it for me in book form. Now I’m not bashing this book, it has a lot of great twists and turns. I love what the dead are, because it plays into the Mythos, it is why I will read the rest of the series.  I also want to point out that a big reason why it is at the bottom of my list here is because I did not care for the narrator. He even did the sequel which, I started and then stopped so I will just read it now instead of doing the audio version. So overall, it’s a good book, but from what I read in 2015 it was not as good as the others.

10) Starship Troopers  - Robert A. Heinlein (Audio)
Do you want to know more? You’re damn right you do, and this book is nothing like the movie that rocks my socks. I love the movie, so I said I wanted to try the book and my god they are nothing alike. So the book kind of has the same cast, but what I really liked about it was how militaristic it was. It was not what I was expecting at all. Following Johny Rico the book focuses on how he goes into training and on to move up in the ranks to become a citizen. But this book focuses more on how the battles are fought and what is wrong how things were done in our time. It actually bashes the worlds governments and how they were run in the 1950’s. Which could still be true today. If you go into this book because you liked the movie, expect something completely different. It’s good, but I can easily see this not being for everyone.

9) Castaways- Brian Keene (Audio)
Okay close your eyes. No wait... don’t close your eyes this is a written post not a podcast. Pretend you are closing your eyes and imagine the show Survivor. Now pretend that the island they are on is inhabited by a tribe of neanderthals who start to kill them. It’s an awesome vision right? Well that is Castaways! Kind of, there is more to it, but at it’s base this is a slaughter flick through and through. It was such a fun listen, and was done so well. Maynard McKillen was fantastic at reading this book. I have a drawback though, it was light on the connection to the other books. A small reference was all I was able to pick up. That just means it is safe for anyone who is not as big a freak on the Labyrinth Mythos as I am becoming.

8) The Three - Sara Lotz (Audio)
So this book was just different than anything I had read before. Not in terms of the subject matter, but more in how it was presented. The book is told by various people sharing their stories of the Black Thursday event and what happened after that. It’s just a style of writing I had no encountered before, and came off like a breath of fresh air. The opening chapter blew me away. By the time I was done with it, I was hooked and there was no way I was going to put this book down. Not to mention the concept here. Four plane crashes, three child survivors, what happened? Are they human? Was there a fourth child? The questions are all there and all are answered kind of. Maybe it’s just my stupidity, but the ending was very satisfying but not super specific. This book might not be for everyone, in terms of how it is told, but to me it was amazing, and I was always wanting to move forward to know more. I did struggle with the Audio version, mostly because of all the voices that the actors were using. So for me it was a better read than listen.

7) Ghost Walk - Brian Keene (Book)
If you didn’t figure it out yet, I’ll give you one guess as to who’s books I read the most of this year. Ghost Walk is the sequel to another book you will find on this list Dark Hollow, so I don’t want to really spoil anything should you want to read them. So to put it safely, this book takes place a few years after Dark Hollow, and really focuses on the setup of a Halloween attraction for the area. It has nods here and there to what happened before, but for the most part the first half of the book can stand on its own. However when it all starts to come together and move to the end, it would probably be best if you did know what had happened prior. So my personal feeling is that you need to read DH. The big takeaway for this book though is that it introduces Levi Stoltzfus, who I feel is Keene’s best character and needs more books (wink wink). So I don’t think I spoiled anything, so read my thoughts on DH and then read them both!  

6) Urban Gothic - Brian Keene (Book)
Well look at that, more BK! So let me say this before going on, I started Urban Gothic with the audio format. Jeff Pringle is the narrator, and his style was not for me. I like it when narrators get in there and work up the voices. When they sell it by doing what they do. I did not get that Pringle. So I switched it up and went to the physical copy. So this book starts off as a “Haunted House” tale that leaves you with chills, but then it dives deeper. It brings in characters that had the feel of the Natives in Castaway, and the nods to Ghoul and Ghost Walk, GOOSEBUMPS!!! And I could totally be wrong about the Castaways nod, but It was what I thought of. This is the goriest and most brutal of the Keene books I have read too. The “horror/death” scenes are detailed very well, and really put me in that uncomfortable place. Special mention to the draining scene, that was all up in my head for awhile. So here is my only drawback on Urban Gothic, it really, really, really, really left me wanting to know more, and I mean MORE! Sure what was here was enough to make this book amazing, but I wish more answers had been given as to the who, how and what next questions. This book is so good, and it’s really safe for a Keene Newbie. I know I mentioned the little things that I caught here and there, but you don’t need to know anything about those things when i comes to this book. They are just readers to find. I need that sequel now!

5) Bestial - Ray Garton (Book)
Last year I had the absolute pleasure of listening to Garton’s Ravenous, so when I got my hands on the sequel I was really excited. This is a werewolf tale like no other, in terms of how the disease is spread. This book picks up sometime after the first book, but does a great job of recapping as it goes along. I needed that too, because it had been awhile since I had listened to its predecessor. The moments depicting attacks and death are fang-tastic, and what I came to expect from Garton. I was also introduced to two characters who had starred in a previous book of his, which I will hopefully get to read in 2016. I will say that this book is not safe to jump into on it’s own. I really do think you need to have read the first, but again that could just be because they are both such amazing books. I really want to know what will come next, but I have to wait patiently. Werewolf fans looking for a book to check out, look no further than Ravenous and Bestial, you will not be disappointed.

4) Nightwhere - John Everson (Book)
Erotic Horror, I think that might be a simple way to explain this book, but if I go for bigger words I think that calling it a Dark Sadomasochist Erotic Trip Through the Bowels of Hell might be more up it’s alley. Everson won my literary heart with The 13th. So I did expect the sex-factor with this book. I did not expect it to be this graphic though. I’m kind of worried now about John, just kidding. So this book revolves around a good and evil style tale, that goes deeper and darker than one would even imagine. Think about a swinger party, but everyone there is a Cenobite from the Hellraiser movies. I loved every damn second of it. There were times when I was writhing in my seat because the torture descriptions were so in depth. This book is definitely not for everyone, but for those willing to go to Nightwhere, you will be rewarded for your journey. This is just a damn good book.

3) Ghoul - Brian Keene (Book)
All hail BRIAN KEENE! ALA LA KEENE! ALA LA KEEN! WOW! What a fucking fantastic read this was. This is seriously a book that I suggest EVERYONE in the world should read. There is so much emotion in the voices of these three kids. I fell in love with all of them so fast, and was so sad as it all played out. I mean Brian just makes you feel for them as if they were your friends. I’ll make a simple comparison here, this book really had a “Stand By Me” feel to it. You have Timmy who is nothing but Wil Wheaton, Barry who is a mix of River Phoenix and Cory Feldman, and Doug is just straight up Jerry O’Connell. With a pure early 80’s vibe, as it takes place then, we follow the boys as they enter the start of Summer. A time that should be full of fun and sun, but instead is full of pain, loss and terror. Another I took away from the book was the number of monsters that are in these boys lives. Of course we have the obvious Ghoul, but their family lives are not all picture perfect. It really added to that emotional connection with the boys that I got as a reader. I really can’t say enough about how great this book was. Instant classic, and sure I read it to my 2 month old, but I don’t think we will come back to it until she is in her teens. I leave you with this, there is a movie, I will take your word for it if it is good or not. I want to see it, but after what the Horns movie did to that book, I’ll stay away. You have to read this book!

2) Dark Hollow - Brian Keene (Book)
Alright this is the last Keene book for this year, I promise. I honestly never thought I would like one of Brian’s books as much as I liked Darkness on the Edge of Town and A Gathering of Crows, but Dark Hollow is a bully that threatened me to never put it down. This book was a page turner and when I was done with it, I was sad. Not because of it’s ending, but because it ended when I wanted there to be more. Thank you for Ghost Walk, Brian. Dark Hollow is a sexual tale, but it’s so messed up and introduces the reader to what will become the Levi Stoltzfus universe. So initially I was waiting and waiting and waiting for Levi to show up, but that never happened. Instead I was introduced to Pow-Wow and other great things that lead into Levi coming in with Ghost Walk. But that means nothing, when trying to explain why this book was so good. I know I compared Ghoul to a movie, but I have to say that in a way this one had a Burbs feel to it. A bunch of neighbors going out to kick some ass. It’s got action, intrique and god damn it a Satyr! Ok fine, you don’t believe me, it’s okay, maybe the opening line of the book can convince you “It was on the first day of Spring that Big Steve and I saw Shelly Carpenter giving head to the hairy man.” SOLD! I’m gonna read it again just to put it on next years list too.

1) Bird Box - Josh Malerman (Audio)
I need you to do me a favor, you the one reading this list, get the audio version of this book, put it on your ipod, phone or whatever. Turn the lights off, try to make it as pitch black as possible, sit back and listen to this book. Sure you can do the book version, but trust me on this, not hearing Cassandra Campbell read this book is a crime. This book creeped me the fuck out. I was going to bleep the bad word there, but using it explains it perfectly, this book is fucking creepy! Imagine a world where if you see something you go insane and either kill someone and then yourself, or just kill yourself. So it’s no wonder that everyone lives in the dark by being blindfolded in fear of seeing something.  This story is told in two layers, which are separated basically by even and odd chapters. So one story is of a mother and her kids trying to get somewhere, leaving the safety that they have and trying to find others. The other story takes place in the past and covers the mother when she was pregnant and how she got to where she is in the future. By the end of this book, I was so terrified of knowing what the monster really was, and I will not spoil it, but I when it was over I was relieved and had some tears of joy on my cheeks. I tell you to listen to this book over holding the book because closing your eyes and imagining it all fucks with you so much. I heard that a movie was coming, and I want to boycot the hell out of it. This is a book based on not seeing, so unless the whole movie is about not seeing what is on screen it will not be as good as this. I honestly can’t believe I was able to describe the book so well here because I typically just go duuuuuhhhhhhhhh it’s good. This book is fucking good!

Read more...

 

  Well it’s the end of the year, and what better way to recap it than by making a list! So check out what I liked best in 2015!
____________________________________

Writer of the Year: Kieron Gillen
Kieron oh Kieron, how could you let me down in 2015. Über was amazing, as always, Mercury Rising was awesome, but neither of those were horror. So how do I attempt to justify having you as my top pick? Simple, your Crossed Badlands arc Homo Tortor put the nail in the coffin. While I have not had the chance to read more of Gillen's work, these three things alone, which I LOVED, cemented his spot as my writer of the year. I can not wait to see what he has planned for 2016.

Honorable Mentions: Terry Moore, Mark Kidwell, Mike Wolfer

____________________________________

Artist of the Year: Mike Wolfer
Mike is a HUGE double threat. His writing is above and beyond, but his artwork is just GORE-Geous. Just look at what he did in 2015 and you will know what I mean. Whether he was doing his own thing on his Daughters of the Dark Oracle issues or working on his The Lesser of 2 Evils arc for Crossed Badlands, he never let me down in terms of the artwork. I wish I could see a new page from him everyday of the year. So damn talented.

Honorable Mentions: Raymund Bermudez, Kyle Strahm, Stan Silas

____________________________________

Horror Publisher of the Year: Avatar Press
THREE PEAT!! 
Avatar brings it home again for a third year in a row! If you want to debate that another company is putting out a more solid Horror Line-up be my guest, but with titles like Crossed Badlands, Crossed +100, Dark Gods, Providence, God is Dead and non-Horror titles like War Stories, Mercury Rising and of course Über... yeah that is like every book they did this year, so damn good.

Honorable Mentions:  Dark Horse Comics, Oni Press, Image Comics

____________________________________

Best Ongoing: Rachel Rising
THREE PEAT!!
For three years running Rachel Rising has been the go to book. It has never, never, not once, never ever let me down. It's so solid, and has now solidified itself as one of the BEST COMIC BOOKS EVER! It is a must read, and if you are not reading it, after all this time, I really can not believe you don't live in a cave. Terry Moore delivers like no one else with GORE-Geous on page after page artwork and a story that has me hooked like nothing else. GOD DAMN IT, I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Honorable Mentions: Crossed Badlands, Spread

____________________________________

Best Limited Series: Who Needs the Moon
I have waited patiently, for a few years now, for Todd McCullough to finish Who Needs the Moon. I would send him emails every now and then, starting with small talk, but always focusing on asking WHEN WILL IT BE DONE! Well, it's done, and it is a book to behold. Todd's artwork is off the chains jaw dropping. This story is a fun filled thrill ride from start to finish. I could not be happier to finally have it all in my hands, and sing it's praises. So damn good, and so worth the wait.

Honorable Mentions: Colder Bad Seed, Brides of Helheim. Lady Demon

____________________________________

Best OGN: Norman Vol. 2
Stan Silas is a genius. Norman Vol. 1 was fantastic, but the story he told in Vol. 2 took it to a whole new level. This is Horror Comedy done so well, you will slap your mama for not reading it too. Silas really has a fantastic cartoon art style that delivers the jokes so well in the art, but adding the jokes in the dialogue puts the icing on the cake. Need some B-Movie comics in your life, look no further than this book right here. It is an unstoppable force of laughs and gore.

Honorable Mentions:  Norman Vol. 1, Hellbound, 40 Coffins

____________________________________

Best Book(s) You Need to Go Find: TIE - Some Kind of Blue Moon & Red Angel Dragnet Vol. 1

This category is so hard to pick a winner in, hence the tie. I mean these are books fighting to be known, so how can I make one an honorable mention, when I need to tell you about them.

Some Kind of Blue Moon looks so damn good. It has a FANG-Tastic werewolf that adds to how great the artwork is, but what I really liked about this book was the writing. It's a classic "how do I control the change" tale, that adds in some great humor. It even leaves itself open for what will come next, and that makes me happy. I can not wait to see more.

Red Angel Dragnet has a huge Hellblazer feel to it, and man do I miss that book. The story is a page turner and when it ended I was left craving more. The big highlight here for me though was the artwork. Anna Wieszczyk put some of the most GORE-Geous pages together. It has an Æon Flux like feel to it, and those demons... oh man, to die for!

____________________________________

Best Comedy Title: I Hate Fairyland
Before I get into even trying to describe I Hate Fairyland, I want to say that the Honorable Mentions here were in the middle of a Royal Rumble in my head for who would take the top spot. But then October came and Skottie Young said "BEHOLD! I PRESENT TO YOU I HATE FAIRYLAND!" HOLY S#!+ PEOPLE! This book is amaze-balls. It just destroyed me. I was laughing so damn hard everytime I read it. Yeah, I read issue #1 like 10 times, and I will probably go back and read it again and again. Just give me the words and it's the funniest book of the year, but add in the artwork and and I am on the floor, rolling around, laughing so hard wondering when my butt fell off because it is laughing too. I want this book daily, it is the freshest breath in comics in a long time for me. 

Honorable Mentions:  Futurama, Invader Zim, Norman Vol. 2

____________________________________

Best Non-Horror Title: Über
THREE PEAT!! 
I knew at the start of the year that nothing, and I mean that nothing was going to take Über off of this top spot. I am seriously addicted to this book. It's a buy every single issue 5 times for every cover, buy every trade, buy every hardcover addiction. I just love these What If style War stories. I'm addicted to the show The Man in the High Castle right now, so what does that tell you. But here is the bad news, it ended! Yes I know it's starting up again in 2016, but damn it, I miss it right now. The story is just so solid, I can not put it down. I need my fix, and I need it now!

Honorable Mentions:  War Stories, Saga, Mercury Rising

____________________________________

Best Comeback: The Dead
I am guessing that only a handful of you are adult enough for this book. That image up there is not even the cover. I can't show you the cover it's so graphic! Which, if you recall the series when it was coming out had covers that were just like that. Rough House Publishing has done the world a service, they have collected, cleaned and restored one of the hardest to find GOROR (get it Gore + Horror) comics ever. I have searched for years since I got back into comics to find these single issues, and now, now it is here in a collected format for you. If Deadworld is the Daddy of Zombie Comics, then The Dead is the Creepy Uncle. It's grotesque, it's dirty, it's hideous and good lord it is so damn good. You gotta hide this one under your mattress because you won't show it to your kids, your parents, your spouse or even you pets, but if this is not in your Horror Comic collection there is something wrong.

____________________________________

So there you have it. My comic picks for the best of 2015!

• Note: It was not easy to make this list. There are so many great horror comics that come out each year, so I say to you, create your own list and let the world know what stood out to you. When it came to choosing the writer and artist of the year I specifically took into consideration people who worked on more than one book for the year. Please also note that my picks in no way shape or form have any influence over the Ghastly Awards.

Read more...

Well it’s the end of the year, and what better way to recap it than by making a list! So check out what Audio Books I liked best in 2014!

____________________________________

2014 was the year of the Audio Book for me. I had a chance to check out more books, and while these did not come out in 2014, these 8 books were the ones I listened to. So I figured why not rank them and share the love. Maybe you will have a chance to check them out in either Audio or Book form. So here we go. . .

#8: Hell House by Richard Matheson

Narrated by Ray Porter

(Blackstone Audio)

I will admit that I was really excited to listen to Hell House. I read great things about this book, and even though it was a book about a haunted house I thought that it was going to be great. I mean so many people had it on their lists of Great Horror novels. Yet I was let down. Not that it’s not a good story, because it is good. However I just don’t think haunted houses are my thing. I was never nervous or on the edge of my seat while listening to this one. Narrator Ray Porter was fantastic though. I would have to say he was probably the saving grace here. He did a fantastic job of selling the excitement and horror, but the story is what I think let him down here. So overall I will say it was good, but it was nowhere near as good as I had hoped.

#7: The Loon by Michaelbrent Collings

Narrated by John Bell

(Audible)

Unlike Hell House, the Loon is a fantastic story, that is actually played down some by the narration. Now I’m not saying that John Bell did a bad job, but it was not what I would have wanted. I thought he was able to sell the voices, but the pacing when it came to the excitement levels seemed to be off. The story itself has two solid layers to it. You have an insane asylum where the worst serial killer is on the loose, but on top of that a monster is also out hunting down the humans. So while you are worried about one, you are also worried about the other. It’s a great sell job by Collings in regards to the writing.

#6: The Strain Book 1 by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Narrated by Ron Perlman

(HarperAudio)

Well I enjoyed the comics, and the TV was about to come to FX, so I decided that I better get started on this trilogy this year. The first book is a great take on vampire lore. It’s original and never lets up. The pacing is always on point, and I love how it’s all build. Sure there is final resolve in how it all plays out, but it leads right into book two perfectly. It’s no where near as strong as the other two books, but you have to read this one before you can even touch those two. The big surprise is hearing Ron Perlman read this one. He does an outstanding job, and it really good with voices. A perfect start to the trilogy.

#5: Night Eternal: The Strain Book 3 by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Narrated by Daniel Oreskes

(HarperAudio)

As much as I enjoyed this book, and I really enjoyed this book, I couldn’t rank it any higher than this spot. The final book in the trilogy takes place a few years after what takes place in book 2 as the world is in disarray. I won’t spoil anything for anyone, but this book does a great job of bringing it all to a close. One of the things I was worried about was who was going to make it at the end, and I was very happy about who did. Overall this trilogy was just outstanding. It’s probably one of the best things I have ever spent 36 hours taking in. Oreskes even outdoes Perlman, with the narration, which I will explain later in the list. The Strain Trilogy is a MUST if you ask me.

#4: The Fall: The Strain Book 2 by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Narrated by Daniel Oreskes

(HarperAudio)

The Fall in the Godfather 2 of the Strain trilogy. With Orsekes taking narration duties over for Perlman nothing slips a beat. I actually think he did a better job on the voices and pacing of the story. This book picks up right where book 1 left off, and things are not looking good. As it plays out things just go from bad to worse, and it actually has a feeling like nothing good is on the horizon. Once I finished this book I had to jump right into Night Eternal to find out what happened next. A perfect second act that was stronger than the other 2 books in my opinion.

#3: Ravenous by Ray Garton

Narrated by Michael Agostini

(Dark Realms Audio)

Having listened to a Haunted House story, a Vampire tale and a book taking place in an insane asylum I was looking for something new, and a werewolf tale was it. Ravenous takes a good turn on the werewolf myth and makes it even more exciting. I’ll spoil this and only this, the virus is transmitted sexually. Along with that the book contains a love story, a serial rapist and one confused sheriff. The death and action scenes are highly detailed and played out so cinematically in my mind.  What really clinched this books spot above the Strain books was the ending. I never saw it coming, and now I want to know what happens next. Agostini delivers on the narration, and it makes this audio book one hell of a complete package.

#2: A Gathering of Crows by Brian Keene

Narrated by Monty Lewis Sauerwein

(Dark Realms Audio)

This was the second Keene novel I listened to this year and it barely missed out on the top spot. This book is just intense and completely insane. Without letting to much info out, this small little town is descended upon by a group of 5 murderous crows. Now they aren’t always crows, they shape-shift and just wreak unimaginable havoc on the town. It seems like there is no stopping them, until Levi Stoltzfus comes around. This book is highly detailed, scary as hell and just downright a drop dead trip to listen to. Sauerwein was a perfect choice for the narrator, who was able to grab my ears and not let go. This book added another layer to what I had heard in Darkness on the Edge of Town (which I will get to next), and I need more now!

#1: Darkness on the Edge of Town by Brian Keene

Narrated by Michael Agostini
(Dark Realms Audio)

This book won’t only be my pick for the Best Audio Book I heard in 2014, it will also be added to my list of Best Books EVER! This was my first introduction to a Brian Keene novel (I have read his comic book work before) and it won’t be my last. If anything this book made me want to go a find anything Keene has ever written so I can devour it next (which I did by following up this book with A Gathering of Crows). This book is dark, it’s creepy as hell and it never, never let me go. I really have to try and not spoil anything, but from what I now understand, Keene’s books all revolve around the 13. A group of god like creatures that are mad and wreaking havoc on multiple Earth’s. I think I already said too much, but hell it’s hard not to let that cat out of the bag. Anyway, this book focuses on a town that one day goes dark. No electricity, no weather, no sky... just pure darkness, but it ends on the edge of town. People spiral out of control as they try to figure things out, and it’s just a dark gloomy story with a fantastic ending that leaves me wanting to know what comes next. To add to how good the story is, it’s read by Eric Medler, who is probably my favorite narrator (I have also heard him narrate John Everson’s The 13th). Not only does he deliver on the voices, like no one else, he also tells this story in such a dramatic fashion. This book introduced me to Keene’s Labyrinth Mythos and I am now in the mood to take on all of his books to know more. I need more, so up next is The Rising, which I can not wait to listen to.

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So there you have it, my rankings for the all of the Audio Books I listened to in 2014!

Read more...

Well it’s the end of the year, and what better way to recap it than by making a list! So check out what Metal Albums I liked best in 2014!

____________________________________

Now I am by no means a music expert, I just love Metal. I'm not a music reviewer by any means, however in 2013 I started a little podcast called Monsters & Metal. On this monthly show I get a chance to play some amazing music from all over the globe. So continuing what I started last year I figured let's make a Top 10 Albums list, except this year... I have a Top 35!

Let's get this next group announced already! Here they are Ladies and Germs, #10 - #1.
Click here to see #20 - #11
Click here to see #35 - #21.

#10: Surroundings - Of Bane, Burden and Change (Highland Records)

Surroundings list themselves as Progressive/Melodic/Hardcore, and I can see that. Progressive is the term that always throws me off though. Taking a look at what albums I have listed here in the Top 35, I suppose I am a Progressive fan, just never knew it. Anyway, Of Bane, Burden and Change is a freaking masterpiece. Everything that is hard, is also soft, and everything that is soft, is also hard. There is this atmospheric sound in almost every song that lies under the soul crunching guitars and when it all comes together in my ears I just melt. I am beyond happy that I came across this album, and I can not wait to hear more.

#9: Exmortus - Slave to the Sword (Prosthetic Records)

Sadly I didn't know much about Exmortus when the year started, but that all changed when I seen them live back in September. Now I know who they are, and that I need more of them in my life. The stage presence they had on that tour was overpowering. Their music filled my ears with joy and I headbanged until my neck was sore. Slave to the Sword is an insane Tech Death/Thrash album that only gets better as it plays and plays on the stereo. Mix into that the classical sounds of a little "Moonlight Sonata" and you have a band on the verge of taking over the Metal World.

#8: Gormathon - Following the Beast (Napalm Records)

Sweden, the land of such amazing groups like Soilwork, Scar Symmetry, Meshuggah, At the Gates... and now Gormathon.  Nice heavy tracks, deep demanding vocals mixed with fantastic melodic parts and songs that you will remember, and HAVE to come back to again and again. Following the Beast sunk itself deep within my brain and I will not let it leave. These are some really catchy tracks, and honestly, it makes me want to pick up a sword and go slay some dragons. If these guys come to the Chicago area you better believe I will be front and center breaking my neck. This album was all I could want and more. Speaking of more... MORE PLEASE! 

#7: Shake Well Before - Woland (Redfield Digital)

Once again I have fallen in love with a European band, that just comes straight out of the gate to destroy my ears. Shake Well Before describes themselves as Metalcore/Hardcore, and I can pick that up pretty easily, but I would tend to lean more towards Metalcore. Again I am no music expert, so just my opinion. The first track, "The Game of Death", is the perfect introduction to the album. The song is brutal, intense and sets up the rest of the record perfectly. I actually enjoyed every single song here. I was highly engaged, and since I was on the treadmill, pumped up as fuck while running. I may be new to this band, but it won't be for long. This album is phenomenal from start to finish, a MUST listen to.

#6: Fallujah - The Flesh Prevails (Unique Leader Records)

What's that, you want more Progressive Death Metal... well you got it! Holy shit on a cracker this album is something to behold. I don't even want to say one song is better than another because from front to back they are all just pure heaven on my ears. The Flesh Prevails is just one of those albums that you have to sit back and listen to in full. You just have to lay back, close your eyes and it will transfer you to a place where only a few Metal albums can take you.

#5: Bloodshot Dawn - Demons (Independent)

One thing that was great about 2014 was my exploration for something new to really get into. I think it's pretty apparent that I went outside of the "Record Label" box and found some bands that deserve some more recognition. Now I am sure a lot of you know about Bloodshot Dawn already, and Demons is one flawless Melodic Death Metal masterpiece. This was my first introduction to the band and it won't be my last. I just can not get over how they are not on a label. Hell I will sign them to Decapitated Records, but I have nothing to offer them except some hardcore fandom.

#4: Son of Aurelius - Under a Western Sun (Independent)
 

Hey alright look at that more independent music! Thanks to Allegaeon I stumbled across Son of Aurelius and instantly fell in love with them. As a matter of fact, I can not go to the gym these days without listening to "The Stoic Speaks" at least once. The band lists themselves as Tech Death, and it's easily heard, but I would add Progressive into that as well. The mixture of brutality, with clean vocals and some insane guitar playing make this band stand out from the rest of the pack. I also want to high suggest you check out their infomercial for Under a Western Sun by clicking right here.

#3: Spectres - Ghosts of Revolution (Independent)

OH MY GOD MORE INDEPENDENT MUSIC IS ON THE LIST! To make it even better... what if I told you the Spectres was only 2 people? WHOA MIND BLOWN RIGHT!? So I truly stumbled across Ghosts of Revolution and I could not believe my ears. I probably listened to the album straight through 4 times before playing anything else. Sure it's only two beyond amazing musicians. Sure it's music that just leaves me with a sore neck. Sure it's truly something beyond words to describe just how great this album truly is. But it is just that. . . a great fucking album. I can't even tell you the price of it without getting mad because it's so cheap to get your hands on. Why, oh why have you not heard of Spectres, and why oh why are you still reading this instead of going and buying this album. These guys came to the yard to play and instead of playing, they just flat out dominated everyone else off the field. Oh and I had a chance to interview them on Monsters & Metal.

#2: Black Crown Initiate - The Wreckage of Stars (eOne Music)

A lot of people were hyping up Black Crown Initiate online, and I was terrified when this album came out that I would be let down. I loved the Song of the Crippled Bull EP, but it could not prepare me for The Wreckage of Stars. Right out of the gate "A Great Mistake" comes on and it's just build up for what is to come. The music is insane, it flows and course and pounds in my head, and all I can say is I want more. I want to hear it again, and then I want to hear it again after that. BCI is a drug that I am addicted to, and I can turn to any track on this album to get my fix, but then I realize I will be back again and again for more. Truly a album that I will be playing for decades to come.

#1: Allegaeon - Elements of the Infinite (Metal Blade Records)

When I think about other possible lists I could make that relate to Metal for 2014, Allegaeon tops them all. Video of the year, hands down it is "1.618". Song of the year, it's a no brainer "Genocide for Praise - Vals for the Vitruvian Man". Ok, I only came up with 2 other lists I could make, but still... Allegaeon would be sitting at #1 on both of them, so is it a shock to me that they hold this top spot, hell no it ain't. This band deserves so much praise for Elements of the Infinite, and I can't just sit here and gush about how great it was over and over and over again... or can I? I had the fortune of seeing them twice this year, and both times they just blew me away. The stage presence of these guys is only a small portion of what they bring to the table musically. With songs that have meaning beyond meaning, to some of the best guitar playing on the planet, this is an album that you will listen to even if I have to make you. With three solid albums out now for your listening pleasure make sure that you give them a listen. Go see them live, and just enjoy what they do. Now... I will say they need some more kick ass merch cause I need more than 1 shirt, I need like 6 so I can wear one everyday of the week and then rotate another band in on the seventh day. I SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO ALLEGAEON!

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So there you have it, my picks for Albums #10 - #1. I hope you like the list, and I HIGHLY encourage you to make and share your own. Who knows, maybe someone will come across it and find a new band that they have to listen to. It's all about sharing our love of music!
Click here to see #20 - #11
Click here to see #35 - #21.

I have to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to Century Media, Prosthetic Records and Metal Blade for joining me on my quest to bring my love of Horror Comic and Metal to people each month with Monsters & Metal.

• Note: It was not easy to make this list. There are so many great metal albums that come out each year, so I say to you, create your own list and let the world know what stood out to you.

Read more...

Well it’s the end of the year, and what better way to recap it than by making a list! So check out what Metal Albums I liked best in 2014!

____________________________________

Now I am by no means a music expert, I just love Metal. I'm not a music reviewer by any means, however in 2013 I started a little podcast called Monsters & Metal. On this monthly show I get a chance to play some amazing music from all over the globe. So continuing what I started last year I figured let's make a Top 10 Albums list, except this year... I have a Top 35!

Let's get this next group announced already! Here are #20 - #11.
Click here to see #35 - #21.

#20: Carnifex – Die Without Hope (Nuclear Blast Records)

I really don't recall when it was that I started to listen to Carnifex, but damn am I glad I did. This album has that edge to it, that just makes me want to fuck some things up. It's intense and always balls to the wall. A perfect pump you up album to go break some shit.

#19: Reap - Neckbreak Hotel (Noisehead Records)

Neckbreak Hotel is a solid album from start to finish. I really enjoyed every single track on this one. While I am no music expert, I would say that this album has a great Thrash/Metal Core feel to it. I could be wrong, but what do I care, I loved it. 

#18: Nothgard - Pandora (SMP-Records)

Back in the day I was a big fan of Children of Bodom. However I did grow tired of them. I think it's safe to say that Nothgard has a similar sound to those early COB albums, but they add in their own style to that sound. Fantastic stuff, and you can consider me on board for whatever comes next. 

#17: Widek - Outside the Universe (Widek Records)

Sometimes I just want to sit down and relax by turning on some nice ambient metal, and Widek is perfect for doing just that. The album, much like the artwork, is cosmic. It could be perfect for background noise, but has enough to it to make you turn them speakers up to 11 because it's so damn good. 

#16: Dog Fashion Disco - Sweet Nothings (Razor To Wrist)

DFD is back and you better believe it's on my list. I love this band, always have and always will. The Metal/Jazz sound is so needed for my ears and this album does not disappoint. Add to the fact that I am a junkie for Todd Smith vocals, and well it's a no brainer that this one is on my list.

#15: In Flames - Siren Charms (Sony Music)

Now if you know me, you know that In Flames is my favorite band. So why aren't they in the Top 10? Well that easy to answer, while I LOVE this album, I don't personally consider it to be full on Metal, like I have in the past. Make no mistake about it, I think Anders Fridén is the greatest lead singer ever, but this album was a little soft. Still it's always in my rotation. In Flames I Trust!

#14: Right to the Void - Light of the Fallen Gods (Wormholedeath)
 

Two of my favorite bands are Heaven Shall Burn and Neaera, and Right to the Void is that perfect mix of both. If you haven't heard them before, I would even say they border on the Black Dahlia Murder side a little (but I enjoyed the much more). This is a Deathcore band that I have to hear more from.

#13: Revocation - Deathless (Metal Blade Records)

While I absolutely loved Revocation's self titled album, I did find the others hard to get into. Deathless though just blew my face off. I was hooked from start to finish, and then put this one on repeat. It's intensity was off the charts, and just put that nail in my black heart to also want to hear more from these guys.

#12: Scar Symmetry - The Singularity (Nuclear Blast Records)

I've never really followed Scar Symmetry before. Hell I think that last album of theirs I really listened to was Pitch Black Progress. I'm not saying that they are band I don't care for, but one I always forgot to listen to. Well all that is changed now, because this album was amazing. There was so much to behold here. The vocals are outstanding, the music is amazing, and it all comes together as one big giant eargasm, song after song. So good, so damn good.

#11: While Heaven Wept - Suspended at Aphelion (Nuclear Blast Records)

Don't kill me, but I have never heard this band before. Yet when I listened to Suspended at Aphelion I punched myself in the face twice. I know this isn't an intense metal album, hell I'm actually surprised to see them listed as a Doom Metal band on some sites over Progressive, but good lord this album is good. Much like Widek, this is one is more of a relaxing album to me. I often found myself putting it on when I was out disc golfing this year. Fantastic stuff, and now if you'll excuse me I need to dive into their back catalog.

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So there you have it, my picks for Albums #20 - #11 for the Best of 2014! Be back here on Dec. 17 for picks #10 - #1.
Click here to see #35 - #21.

I have to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to Century Media, Prosthetic Records and Metal Blade for joining me on my quest to bring my love of Horror Comic and Metal to people each month with Monsters & Metal.

• Note: It was not easy to make this list. There are so many great metal albums that come out each year, so I say to you, create your own list and let the world know what stood out to you.

Read more...