Reviews

Review - Gigantic Death Worm by Vince Kramer (paperback)

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When it comes to bizarro fiction, it seems as though Eraserhead Press has been attempting to corner the market from the underground up. The indie powerhouse of a publisher has a fascination with taking on new authors in the field and giving them a chance to get their feet in the door and start making a name for themselves. It’s a commendable approach that has brought us the short book Gigantic Death Worm, the first publihed work by author Vince Kramer (Death Machines of Death). Given his coloring book posts on Tumblr, as well as his photography line of action figures having sex, there’s no denying this is probably going to be a pretty twisted tale of giant worms hell bent on destruction senseless slaughter. But is it something you’ll want to read, or is this debut offering just a flop?
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Review - Pain: Coming Home

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Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy) is back at his personal hobby once more. Pain came into existence back in 1996 as a solo project that blended the worlds of electronica, industrial, and rock. Many of the albums released under this name have climbed the Swedish music charts but haven’t really connected well with American audiences and others around the world. Hell, I didn’t even know about its existence until happening upon it back in 2005 with Dancing with the Dead. As of late, however, the reception across the board hasn’t been the warmest, but it hasn’t stopped fans from salivating given the initial two singles from the upcoming eighth studio album Coming Home. That said, does Peter deliver with this new album like never before, or is it another outing listeners would consider on the grounds of mediocre?
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Review - Hack, Slash & Backstab

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Hack, Slash & Backstab is an independent student project that recently hit the Steam and Xbox One marketplaces. Students at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Center for Media Arts Games Interaction and Creativity also known as MGIC Spell Studios, the developer and publisher behind stealth puzzle Tron knock-off A.V., tries their hand at capturing the nostalgia of couch co-op titles like Gauntlet and Dungeon Seige at a discounted title. But this title has a catch that can threaten your friendship status forever: Only one person can leave the dungeon with all the riches. That said, is this one even worth the couple bucks to own, or is it best left sitting in the corner ignored?
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Review - Falsifier: Life in Death

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Back in 2013, Falsifier stormed onto the Canadian metal scene with a self-titled EP, as well as a music video for their song “86”. They then released the Charles Manson inspired EP Malevolent, as well as I Am Death in 2014. Both of these singles were taken from their then forthcoming follow-up EP Life In Death, which was issued in 2015. For 2016, that latest effort received a proper re-issue treatment through Artery Recordings, the label which they are currently signed to. But if you missed out the first time around, does this recording, or the band in general, present anything worth taking note of?
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Review - The Darkness (Blu-Ray)

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Blumhouse Films has easily become one of the most well-respected names in horror as of late. Their catalogue of theatrical releases and straight to DVD/VOD offerings are always met with grand anticipation, and for good reason. Aside some bland offerings as of late, the company has released some of the most exciting films and franchises for all walks of horror fandom. Their latest effort, The Darkness, was greeted with plenty of excitement as well. However, the theatrical run saw plenty of mild reviews much like their recent films Unfriended, The Gallows, and especially Ouija. But was the movie as bad as many make it out to be, and does the blu-ray version offer anything worth giving it a second chance with the detractors?
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Review - Astrophobos: Enthroned in Flesh

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Stockholm, Sweden’s Astrophobos came together back in 2009. The trio composed of ex-members of Unchaste and Furia stormed out the gate in 2010 with a debut EP titled Arcane Secrets, which was followed about four years later with their official debut album Remnants of Forgotten Horrors through Triumvirate Records. Both releases were met with praise, but still kept fairly low to the underground black metal world. For 2016 we are given yet another EP titled Enthroned in Flesh, which was recorded and mixed by Erik Nilsson at Garaget Studio, and features session drumming from Fredrik Wildigs (Marduk). With a strong backbone in place, does the three-piece deliver something again worth your time, or is it mostly fluff to keep their name on the lips of those aware of their existence?
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