Harley Poe - Pagan Holiday

This is a band that I discovered while reading the awesome Rue Morgue magazine and, I don't know what it was that drew me to that review but, I've been a fan since. Acoustically creating these songs where they place themselves in the monsters as opposed to just retelling the story of a movie musically as if reading from the back of a cover, these guys are truly original. Their new release Pagan Holiday contains 4 originals, 2 covers and some awesome artwork. A smart name for an album (if you don't get it, you really need to go on Wikipedia or something for a quick history lesson!) and songs that will have you singing along to in no time. Standouts include the Pumpkinhead inspired (and soundbites included!) "Vengeance the Demon/Close the Door/Outcrowd" which begins with some fast paced electric work that immediately grabs your attention before it goes back to the acoustics we all know, "Gorehound" which outlines why we love the movies that we do and will become an anthem/instant classic among fans (especially those who like to drink RED RUM), the brilliant cover of John Carpenter's "Halloween Theme" (which also includes soundbites from the classic 1978 film), "Pagan Holiday: Part 1: A Celebration, Part 2: Dormant and Part 3: Revenge" which features some great story telling and a pretty insane acoustic cover of the Rolling Stones classic "Paint it, Black". This new release will please old fans while drawing new fans to the band as this is just a great release by a great band!

Calabrese - Born with a Scorpion's Touch

Wow! The brothers Calabrese have done it again delivering 11 booming tracks to spin this Hallows Eve. From the hard hitting beginning of "American Rebel Death Riders" to "There is an Evil Inside" the boys take what they have done in the past and build upon it. After this fifth release, who knows where their music is headed next. Although this may not be their best record to date (that distinction belongs to Traveling Vampire) this is a solid release! Great songs mixed with great soundbites from movies that can only come from the school of White/Rob Zombie. Standouts include "Born with a Scorpion's Touch", "Loner at Heart", "Danger", "Ride with the Living Dead", "Mindwarp", "Only the Dead Know my Name", "I Ride Alone" and "There is an Evil Inside". In the end, if you're not a fan, this release will fly over your head or win you over (your choice) but, if you are, there is plenty to make you smile and wahoooooooo on!

The Lords of Salem (2013)

Let me preface this by saying that I am a huge Rob Zombie fan. From his films to his music to his comics, the man is nuts! House of a 1000 Corpses was gory, nonsense fun and it's sequel was just as gory but more story driven. His Halloween movies were not that bad....the originals still being far superior and too much studio intervention had a lot to do with how those movies turned out and El Superbeasto was a cartoon that can only be conceived by his mind. Now, taken from the title of, but totally unrelated to the song found on Educated Horses, we have The Lords of Salem....and this is his best film to date! A slow burner that begins with a witch's coven takes on a life of its own. There is some gore but, for the most part, in a world dominated by torture porn this is a slow burning movie. Everything slowly unfolds into a well told story that relays more on "what the hell was that" or "what did I just see?" moments then cheap thrills and tons of blood. This story is based on revenge inspired by the history of the Salem witch trials and what happens if, some of the people murdered and accused, if they were actually witches. Check out this movie and, for some, sleep may be difficult while for others multiple viewings is recommended in order to fully understand and grasp what is going on. This one was really well done. 

Frankenstein's Army (2013)

Wow! After watching this movie this is all I say! Starting off like a lost WW2 documentary and building from there in a found footage style (a style that I am not exactly a fan of but, when used right, can be awesome!) this movie has mutilations, monsters and burning nuns. In this movie, Victor's grandson takes the good doctor's work and adds machines creating an unstoppable army full of Nazi soldiers. It's gory, fascinating, twisted goodness! This movie will have you on the edge of your seat and this is one found footage movie done right....always guessing, showing what you need to see, building it up without giving away too much. Just when you think you've learned it all or, think you've seen it all, another twist is around the corner. If you're like me, and love good ol' Frankie, this monsters will have you in awe. I mean, they look amazing! I won't give away too much of the plot but trust me, you'll enjoy this...that, and the director should never have his head examined....this craziness is just what the doctor ordered.

The Mummula - What in the Weird?!

Indeed! This debut ep from Mummula is a fun release that never takes itself seriously, thankfully! Making the sounds that you hear in the movies you like come alive as evident from the instrumental "Mummula vs. the Moon Men" (how do you not love that title!?). I mean, it sounds like every cheesy horror movie sci-fi crossover that I love. Personal standouts include "Ed Woodn't", Seventh Guest" and the fun sounding "My Baby's Turnin' into a Wolfman"....which I find odd....especially since she'd be a wolfwoman...I think? But! It's in the title....and I can imagine the poor dude's face when his girl turns into a wolfMAN! In the end, check out this ep, this new band will be around and, if this release is any indication, we're in for more goody goodness.

Misfits - DeA.D. Alive!

Well, last year, Jerry Only and his band whom carries the name of the legendary pioneering horror punk band the Misfits released an album. Good on you! It wasn't that bad (better then most suspected!) but it was the Misfits worst album....especially compared to the Danzig and Graves era (listen to those albums if you doubt me) but, now live, he can play his own material instead of butchering those classic songs. Now, we have a live album where half of it is butchering Graves era songs and Danzig era songs are MIA. Only is not a great singer, if he got one it would be a different monster all together! Why is he only butchering Graves era songs? A lot more people know the Danzig era (as there are some who won't even acknowledge the existence of the 90s Misfits) but, nothing! Not one song! 6 of the 14 songs are from the 90s Misfits and 1 is a cover of the classic opening track from one of my favorite movies ever The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the best version besides the movie was done by Mister Monster. His voice is not suited for any of those songs...it just sounds odd and forced imo. The songs from The Devil's Rain don't sound that bad, they translate well and are suited to Only's voice. I mean, they were written by him/for him and thus will suit it better then the other songs in the band's discography. In closing, if you're a die hard who needs everything Misfits, you'll get it. If you're a casual fan or just getting into this legendary band, don't let this be your introduction!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, Illustrated by Jim Kay and Inspired by Siobhan Dowd

This book was initially picked up by my sister because form the cover to the description, it seemed like a Frankenstein book...and Lord knows how much I love Frankie! However, it is not...it is something much different. This novel written by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay which is based on the ideas and characters by Siobhan Dowd for a book that she never started as she passed away before she could. It is the only book ever to win the Carnegie Medal for literature and the Kate Greenway Medal for it's illustrations....and rightfully so! The story of a boy who "calls" upon a monster while his mother is dying (you can assume what it is by reading it) in this beautiful tale of how real life is much scarier then any monster seen in any movie. In fact, the boy here is the true star, not the monster who works like a voice of reason teaching the boy to come to terms with his real fear and life in general. If you haven't already, pick up this book! Both the illustrations and the words are beautiful as they work together to tell this sad tale. This book may be aimed at teenagers or young adults but trust me when I say that, if you enjoy reading, you'll love this book! It may not be packed full of horror from the monster but, like I said before, real life is sometimes way scarier and way sadder then any horror movie!