Devil's Brew Productions Present The Devil's Jukebox Vol. 1

So, the kind ghouls at Devil's Brew Productions have been kind enough to share 18 killer songs from 18 awesome bands with the world. Bands that I've reviewed before and fan favorites are here like Thirteen Shots, Horror Vision, Mutant Reavers, Siblings of Samhain, Sugar Virus, Slavething and the House of Haunt along with new favorites like Prayer Line, The Damn Givers, Ratbatspider, Running From Daylight, Johnny Rottencorpse and the Rising Dead and Souls of Hades to name a few. This whole collection is solid, awesome and worth checking out. Just because Halloween is over, it doesn't mean that the treats have to end. 

Prayer Line - Drink the Blood

So, every now and again, someone passes me along a band who's debut album I need to check out. I love it when that happens! This debut album by Prayer Line has ol' Jekyll smiling from ear to ear! Opening with "A Martyr's Death", things move along into "Run" and my personal favorite track on the album "The Witches' Sabbath". But, it doesn't end there! "Be Afraid", the title track, "Diary of a Drowning Boy", "Ezra Cobb", "One That Can See" and "Chopping Mall" are all just awesome tracks! I cannot wait to hear more from them! Listen to Jekyll when he says that you should keep an eye on them. I know I will, I just don't know which eye I'm going to use but I have a ton to choose from. Drink the blood and enjoy the music! 

Horror Story - Return of the Strange

New Zealand's premiere Horror Rock band has just dropped a 10 song masterpiece and the world is a better place for it! Return of the Strange finds the band unleashing great songs in their distinctive sound lead by Dr. Hell and Von Toxic as only they can. Make no mistake though; they do not release the same album but there are elements that are like a calling card and you know it is them which is not a bad thing as they take their music to another level! Opening with "October Night" the band sets the pace as they move onto "Skinshift" and "Making Monsters". "Release the Wolves", "The Moon is Always Full", "Night's Embrace" and "Midnight in the Lab" keep up the pace and awesomeness of the music where some albums would choose to lag after a thunderous opening trio of songs. The last part of the album is no different as "Strange Transmission", "House of Hell" and "Virus" keep up the goods and have you wanting more like a vampire at a blood bank or a zombie at a university. Yes, I went there! Now, I know there was talk that this was their final album and, if that is the case, what a note to end on. If that is just talk, the better it is for the fans and the genre as a whole. Horror Story is a legendary band for a reason and songs like these show you why. Dr. Hell and Von Toxic are great musicians and whatever they put their name on, you know you are in for a horrific treat. No tricks here, this album is that good! 

Ozzy Osbourne - Under the Graveyard

So, it has been nine years since we have heard new music from the Ozz man. Well, this song was well worth the wait as this song just sounds great! Reminding me of the Ozzmosis era tunes, this is a cool song that makes you want to hear more of what the man has to offer. The Godfather of Heavy Metal may be at the end of his touring days but, this song shows us that he is not done musically. Makes you excited at what the rest of the new album will have to offer. 

King Diamond - Masquerade Of Madness

So, we've waited 12 years to hear new music from the King and his band. Well, I am hear to tell you that it was well worth the wait! Taking that classic King Diamond sound, the man and his band deliver an instant classic that has me salivating at the thought of what the rest of the album will sound like along with how it will fit in with the rest of the album! Just a fantastic peice of music from King and company. If this a preview of what is to come, then I cannot wait for the main attraction! 

Siblings of Samhain - Night of the Living Dead

Helping to raise money for cancer treatments for legendary drummer Joey Image, the Siblings release an awesome cover of the Misfits classic "Night of the Living Dead". Taking the song that we all know and love, they put their own spin on it while staying true to the original. It would be so easy to make a carbon copy but it's not. I, for one, live covers because it shows you another side to the band as they cut loose and play a song that they love and probably know very well. Just enjoyable and for a great cause.

Siblings of Samhain - Laid to Rest

So, earlier this year, the Siblings released a new EP and it freaking rocks! Laid to Rest takes what the band has done so far and just amps it up making this a great follow up to Hyde and drooling over the thoughts of what they will come up with next! "Vampires Everywhere" is a great opener, followed up by "Full Moon Trance". "Goodnight Forever" and "Out For Blood" are amazing while "The Legend of Crystal Lake" and "Stay Away From Camp Blood" is a fantastic one two punch to end the album with! With so much happening, the Siblings show that you don't need to only have fun on the 31st of October; fun can be had all year long with tunes like these! 

Siblings of Samhain - Pumpkin Patch Murders

Remember how I said that these guys remind me of Blitzkid on their full length Hyde? Well, check out their cover of Blitzkid's classic "Pumpkin Patch Murders". This cover finds the band paying homage to a fundamental band while putting their own twist to make it their own. Just a great cover by a great band making waves on both sides of the pond in this genre. Check it out or else they will come after you! 

Shadow Windhawk - The Funeral Cortege

So, in case you live under a rock, Shadow Windhawk and his band deliver the Horror Rock goods and this release is no exception! His fourth album overall, the man and his band open with "Broken Signals" and don't let up for a second. "Borgo Pass" are fantastic "Cortege" while "Fourteen-Mile Tombstone (Mr. Romero)" is a great tribute to the director who brought us all those classic movies in the Dead series. "Visitation Room" and "Red Shadows" are great whole "Feb 24th, 1989" sees him doing an electric version of type song found on his first solo album! "Green-Wood" and "Wendigo" are great finishers! This is maybe the best album by Windhawk and company as they just deliver the goods on every song as every note is placed with care and every sample chosen with precise precision to enhance the songs. Just a fantastic listen by someone who is a master of his craft. Give this album a listen and tell Windhawk that ol'Jekyll sent ya! The songs grab you and don't let go for a second and, if you manage to break away.... they'll stock you and find you like a slasher in any good or not so good slasher flick. 

Siblings of Samhain - Hyde

This, this is their first full length and man, it does not disappoint at all. Opening with a great one two punch in "Jekyll" and "Hyde", these siblings channel the spirit of the great Blitzkid on this release! And no, it's not a rip off but more of a nod that makes fans of the band smile that these guys are not forgotten by anyone. Like the song ."From the Bite to the Bullet" recalls memories of "The Torn Prince". However, they do do their own thing with songs like "Gravestones", "Loculus", "Epidemic", "Gravedigger Man", "Winsome Witch", "I Am the Zombie", "Love at First Bite", "The Dead Crawl", "The Killer in Me", "Helen" and "Dead Darling" are just fantastic. Did I just name the whole album? I guess I did! This is a great listen by one of the emerging bands from the genre making noise on both sides of the pond. Listen to ol' Jekyll, you need to give this music a listening to as they have more good things on the horizon. 

Siblings of Samhain - Gravest Ones

Remember when I said to keep your eyes out for this band? Well, on this new single, the band has shed the acoustics and just deliver some Horror Punk goodness on this rocking track! These siblings united in all things Horror and Punk just bring the goods and has you wanting more. Let's see what else they have in store! 

The Panic Beats - Slave to the Blade

How long has it been since I've heard new music from the Panic Beats? Five years? Well, I don't know why we had to wait but I am glad with what they dropped on Halloween! THE ARE BACK! With their infectious blend of Ramones inspired Horror Punk, the guys bring the goods from the first note to the last. Favourites include "They're All Gonna Burn", "No Way Out", "Time to Go", "Dead in the Dirt" and "Wait to Die". My only complaint is that I wish there was more as this release had me smiling ear to ear! But, you know what they say, quality not quantity. In short, THE PANIC BEATS ARE BACK! So, check out this release and tell them ol' Jekyll sent ya. 

Eerie Erie Records Presents Songs for Samhain Vol. 4

So, Halloween may be over but, it's spirit lives on. A great way to keep that spirit alive is by listening to this new collection of acoustic Horror songs put together by Eerie Erie Records in Songs for Samhain Vol. 4 or Songs 4 Samhain (whichever you prefer). There is a lot of great songs on here by some great bands. You have the goods you expect from bands like Bad Whoremoans, Trash Bats , Jess-O-Lantern, The Mutant Members Only Club, Mummula and Afterlife Love Machine along with artists that you may not have heard of yet like Skeleton Drive, Helltown Heroes, Christophe Murdock, Mikey Garou, Grimpond, Judas, Jim Strange, Matt Gibson, The Cryptkeepers, Roy Peak, Die Gruwel, Grim Grin and Mobil Mockingbird. There is a lot to love and check out on this collection of music. Check it out and see who you get into next. 

In Memoriam Timi Hansen

Today, it is with a heavy heart that I share with you the passing of Timi Hansen the bass player of Mercyful Fate and those early King Diamond albums. Keeping the low end as the guitarists roared loudly, Timi and company helped to define just what a Black Metal band could do on releases like Melissa, Obey the Oath, In the Shadows, Fatal Portrait and Abigail. Those albums infused with themes of Horror and the occult are just classics of the genre as well as Metal in general. The man was a master but, in the end, cancer took him way too early. R.I.P. Timi, keep that low end dark and heavy whatever you are.