Michael Noe's Blog, page 21
September 14, 2015
Salem Kapsaski - Nazi Sniper 5/5 ...
Salem Kapsaski - Nazi Sniper 5/5
I received Salem's debut novella in exchange for an honest review and it's unfortunate this will get a lot of one star reviews on Amazon with simple one word descriptions. Ugg, Ewww!, and too violent. Those people are exactly the kind of reviews that really bother me because these people fail to read the blurb that's on the back of the book. These are the kinds of people that get butt hurt when they see or read anything that they find offensive. They then post meaningless drivel that does nothing for the author. The fact is that Nazi Sniper is a dark, often violent novella, but, the thing is that we need this kind of horror. Is it senseless? Is it written to shock you so much that you curl up in a ball and recite the Lord's Prayer? Dig a little deeper and you'll see that Salem has a message here. It's quite simple really and it has a variety of meanings that others will more than likely tap into.
Salem is a film maker and a writer and it shows. He has a great eye for detail and as a writer he has created a dark and shocking novella that grabs you by the throat and pulls you in kicking and screaming. He pulls no punches and as I read Nazi Sniper I almost identified with Ludwig. This is a guy who is a former Nazi that never let go of his mission. It's no different that anyone who clings tightly onto their beliefs and shows no quarter in upholding them. This is a man that has murdered countless innocents and in the process has warped his son's view of the world and even himself. Ludwig wasn't born evil, and sometimes evil is a product of our environment.
As the novella progresses we see Ludwig begin to unravel and here we see Salem hitting his stride. He guides toward the novella's conclusion effortlessly and for a debut this is doesn't feel like a debut It moves quickly and without the usual clunkiness that we often see in debuts. As a horror novel it gives us something that we haven't seen before. Sometimes the monsters we fear are flesh and blood and Salem creates the ultimate monster in Ludwig. The fact is that this isn't one for the squeamish or the easily offended. I love novellas that invade the senses and make you think a little. The dark is a scary place but it seems as if Salem has found a home there and if you have the guts you'll venture down there with him.
I received Salem's debut novella in exchange for an honest review and it's unfortunate this will get a lot of one star reviews on Amazon with simple one word descriptions. Ugg, Ewww!, and too violent. Those people are exactly the kind of reviews that really bother me because these people fail to read the blurb that's on the back of the book. These are the kinds of people that get butt hurt when they see or read anything that they find offensive. They then post meaningless drivel that does nothing for the author. The fact is that Nazi Sniper is a dark, often violent novella, but, the thing is that we need this kind of horror. Is it senseless? Is it written to shock you so much that you curl up in a ball and recite the Lord's Prayer? Dig a little deeper and you'll see that Salem has a message here. It's quite simple really and it has a variety of meanings that others will more than likely tap into.
Salem is a film maker and a writer and it shows. He has a great eye for detail and as a writer he has created a dark and shocking novella that grabs you by the throat and pulls you in kicking and screaming. He pulls no punches and as I read Nazi Sniper I almost identified with Ludwig. This is a guy who is a former Nazi that never let go of his mission. It's no different that anyone who clings tightly onto their beliefs and shows no quarter in upholding them. This is a man that has murdered countless innocents and in the process has warped his son's view of the world and even himself. Ludwig wasn't born evil, and sometimes evil is a product of our environment.
As the novella progresses we see Ludwig begin to unravel and here we see Salem hitting his stride. He guides toward the novella's conclusion effortlessly and for a debut this is doesn't feel like a debut It moves quickly and without the usual clunkiness that we often see in debuts. As a horror novel it gives us something that we haven't seen before. Sometimes the monsters we fear are flesh and blood and Salem creates the ultimate monster in Ludwig. The fact is that this isn't one for the squeamish or the easily offended. I love novellas that invade the senses and make you think a little. The dark is a scary place but it seems as if Salem has found a home there and if you have the guts you'll venture down there with him.
September 13, 2015
The Jason Wayne Allen Interview
The Jason Wayne Allen Interview
Jason Wayne Allen has written stories for quite a few anthologies. Strange Vs. Lovecraft, Zombie! Zombie! Brain Bang! and he also edited his own anthology 50 Secret Tales of the Whispering Gash: A Queefrotica in 2014. He's just released his own novella through Morbid Books entitled Ichthyic in the Afterglow. http://www.amazon.com/Ichthyic-Afterglow-Jason-Allen-ebook/dp/B01549CFZY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442201410&sr=1-1&keywords=Ichthyic+in+the+Afterglow
Ichthyic in the Afterglow was released by Morbid Books. This is a publisher that's known for its harder edge. It's like the ECW of publishing. How has that affected your writing style?
A: I’ve always written dark and violent horror stories, but have had more success with the Bizarro genre, so far. My fear with publishing with Morbidbooks was I didn’t think Ichthyic was dark or violent enough! Morbid’s roster has some hardcore guys and girls, I mean Jonathan Moon, Dani Brown, Michael Noe, you guys are maniacs! But I think the dark and violent elements balanced out pretty well. (Thanks man, I often feel that I'm not violent enough so it's cool to be labeled a maniac) Where did the idea for Afterglow come from? I remember you saying it was more of comedic piece but after reading it I can't see it.
A: The idea came from the short story The Repairer of Reputations by Robert W. Chambers, then snowballed from there. The original draft was more comedy-driven, but I revamped it for Morbidbooks. It was more cartoony, and for Morbid I wrote it to be more real, and added like 30 more pages from the original draft doing that
Any other Morbid releases coming out?
A: Not currently, but I have some stuff for other presses coming. I co-wrote an absurd erotica book called Pounded by a Pound Sign with my buddy Don Noble coming out soon and I can’t wait to announce the publisher, and I have a Bizarro collection called The Meat Parade coming from Riot Forge Books.For awhile you just pulled the plug on Facebook. What happened and where did you go?
A: Nowhere really. I needed to get some writing done, and Facebook was just becoming to compulsory so I stopped for a couple months.
Has married life affected your writing at all? I know that when I got into a relationship I was scared to death that I would lose my edge. I was this hard core splatterpunk guy and I was seriously afraid that I would get soft.
A: Not really. My wife encourages me a lot, and as far as content nothing’s really changed.
Aside from Lovecraft who are are some of your biggest influences?
A: Henry Miller, Joseph S. Pulver, William Burroughs, Carlton Mellick, Edward Lee, Bradley Sands, Stephen King, Douglas Hackle, W.H. Pugmire…Jesus, I could be here all day.
You have mentioned that there a lot of politics being played in the publishing industry how has that affected your writing? Was there ever a moment where you thought fuck it, that's it I'm not writing anymore?
A: Not really. I love writing, and if worse comes to worse anyone could just self-publish.
Rotgut County Blues is one of my favorite books. Any chance of it being rereleased? Will there ever be a sequel?
A: There may be a follow-up, and I appreciate the kind words, but as of right now I don’t have a lot of interest in doing that kind of writing. To be honest, I’d like to retcon that book out of my history. The publishing process of it was just a very negative experience.
What projects are you currently working on? Will there be a sequel to Afterglow? Lots of short stories, and finishing my collection, The Meat Parade. I’ve been wanting to do a sleazy Chuck Tingle-style erotica book, too. So that may happen.
What advice would you give writers? A: Just sit down and write! Also, be honest and don’t pull punches.
This is your chance to plug as much shit as you can think of. And I also wanted to thank you for agreeing to do this.
Please check out Ichthyic in the Afterglow from MorbidbookS and watch out for Punded by a Pound Sign and The Meat Parade! Thanks so much, Michael!
You're welcome and also check Amazon for other anthologies that Jason's been included in http://www.amazon.com/Jason-Wayne-Allen/e/B009ZMN9ZM/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1442201907&sr=1-2-ent
Jason Wayne Allen has written stories for quite a few anthologies. Strange Vs. Lovecraft, Zombie! Zombie! Brain Bang! and he also edited his own anthology 50 Secret Tales of the Whispering Gash: A Queefrotica in 2014. He's just released his own novella through Morbid Books entitled Ichthyic in the Afterglow. http://www.amazon.com/Ichthyic-Afterglow-Jason-Allen-ebook/dp/B01549CFZY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442201410&sr=1-1&keywords=Ichthyic+in+the+Afterglow
Ichthyic in the Afterglow was released by Morbid Books. This is a publisher that's known for its harder edge. It's like the ECW of publishing. How has that affected your writing style?
A: I’ve always written dark and violent horror stories, but have had more success with the Bizarro genre, so far. My fear with publishing with Morbidbooks was I didn’t think Ichthyic was dark or violent enough! Morbid’s roster has some hardcore guys and girls, I mean Jonathan Moon, Dani Brown, Michael Noe, you guys are maniacs! But I think the dark and violent elements balanced out pretty well. (Thanks man, I often feel that I'm not violent enough so it's cool to be labeled a maniac) Where did the idea for Afterglow come from? I remember you saying it was more of comedic piece but after reading it I can't see it.
A: The idea came from the short story The Repairer of Reputations by Robert W. Chambers, then snowballed from there. The original draft was more comedy-driven, but I revamped it for Morbidbooks. It was more cartoony, and for Morbid I wrote it to be more real, and added like 30 more pages from the original draft doing that
Any other Morbid releases coming out?
A: Not currently, but I have some stuff for other presses coming. I co-wrote an absurd erotica book called Pounded by a Pound Sign with my buddy Don Noble coming out soon and I can’t wait to announce the publisher, and I have a Bizarro collection called The Meat Parade coming from Riot Forge Books.For awhile you just pulled the plug on Facebook. What happened and where did you go?
A: Nowhere really. I needed to get some writing done, and Facebook was just becoming to compulsory so I stopped for a couple months.
Has married life affected your writing at all? I know that when I got into a relationship I was scared to death that I would lose my edge. I was this hard core splatterpunk guy and I was seriously afraid that I would get soft.
A: Not really. My wife encourages me a lot, and as far as content nothing’s really changed.
Aside from Lovecraft who are are some of your biggest influences?
A: Henry Miller, Joseph S. Pulver, William Burroughs, Carlton Mellick, Edward Lee, Bradley Sands, Stephen King, Douglas Hackle, W.H. Pugmire…Jesus, I could be here all day.
You have mentioned that there a lot of politics being played in the publishing industry how has that affected your writing? Was there ever a moment where you thought fuck it, that's it I'm not writing anymore?
A: Not really. I love writing, and if worse comes to worse anyone could just self-publish.
Rotgut County Blues is one of my favorite books. Any chance of it being rereleased? Will there ever be a sequel?
A: There may be a follow-up, and I appreciate the kind words, but as of right now I don’t have a lot of interest in doing that kind of writing. To be honest, I’d like to retcon that book out of my history. The publishing process of it was just a very negative experience.
What projects are you currently working on? Will there be a sequel to Afterglow? Lots of short stories, and finishing my collection, The Meat Parade. I’ve been wanting to do a sleazy Chuck Tingle-style erotica book, too. So that may happen.
What advice would you give writers? A: Just sit down and write! Also, be honest and don’t pull punches.
This is your chance to plug as much shit as you can think of. And I also wanted to thank you for agreeing to do this.
Please check out Ichthyic in the Afterglow from MorbidbookS and watch out for Punded by a Pound Sign and The Meat Parade! Thanks so much, Michael!
You're welcome and also check Amazon for other anthologies that Jason's been included in http://www.amazon.com/Jason-Wayne-Allen/e/B009ZMN9ZM/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1442201907&sr=1-2-ent
September 12, 2015
Ichthyic In The Afterglow - Jason Wayne Allen
Jason Wayne Allen - Ichthyic in the Afterglow 5/5
JWA was gracious enough to give me a copy of Afterglow in exchange for an honest review. This is a surreal novella that blends in a variety of influences while staying original and bizarre. Allen has a knack for creating a world that you would only see in nightmares, and while you would expect the story itself to ramble incoherently it makes a great of deal of sense. This is where Allen thrives. He looks beyond the normal themes that lie scattered around the bizarro genre and creates something that you would only see while you're tripping on acid It's a nod to Lovecraft and while it has elements of violence it isn't over done and fits in with the theme of the novella.
There isn't a lot mentioned in Afterglow about the cults or their origin. That doesn't matter though and while at times I felt as if I were only getting pieces of the story as they unfolded it made for an interesting read. I think there could be a prequel here that goes into the importance of Cassie and even Clem's role as the sacrifice that allows her to go to Carcosa. Carcosa is essentially paradise and the novella itself is about the destruction of one world to usher in another. At least that's what it felt like to me. This is one of those novellas that is open to interpretation and there really are no wrong answers. You don't just read Ichthyic in the Afterglow you're thrust into it and that's what a good book does.
Allen has created a jarring vision that distorts all rules of fiction and writes something original. There's a lot of potential here for another book and I hope that at some point we get that. For what we have now it's a book that talks about the end of the world. The two cults are opposing religions and the end result is paradise. In order to achieve that there has to be sacrifice and war. That is how organized religion tells it and so does Ichthyic In The Afterglow. It's a novella that I've waited a long time to read and now that I have I can't wait to see what JWA comes up with next.
http://www.amazon.com/Ichthyic-Afterglow-Jason-Wayne-Allen/dp/0692321128
September 10, 2015
Bret Hart : Man Whore
Bret Hart - Hitman: My Real Life In The Cartoon World Of Wrestling 3/5
I totally forgot that I had read this about three or four years ago. The digital edition sports a different cover so it threw me off a little. I should also warn you that I'm a huge pro-wrestling fan. I have a ton of wrestling books lined up so be prepared. In terms of how many of these books I've already read this one isn't exactly the worst. Bret isn't publishing this with the WWE's backing so you can breath easy and be prepared for some serious dirt. That's why we read these isn't it? We want to know which wrestlers are assholes, You know the guys that refuse to put anyone over and think that their shit doesn't stink even though they suck. Bret pulls no punches and he doesn't allow you to forget that he was the best wrestler that ever graced a WWE/F ring. He's the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be damn it!
In terms of honesty there are times where you wonder and even begin to see that Bret is full of shit. He has an ego and who can blame the guy. He's the motherfuckin' Hitman. The guy who was never once faithful to his wife, but to his credit he only used steroids a few times, but being a man whore is acceptable. This is a guy that busted his ass to get where he was and in his defense he was lonely. Why not fuck everything that moves.
The Harts family is given a lot of print here including his early years as he worked for his father in Stampede wrestling and there's also a lot of heart break and yes even death, Your heart will break at his memories of his brother Owen and even if you haven't read the book you know the story of Owen's death, You also get the details on the Montreal Screw Job which was as real as you can get. Vince comes off a bit slimy but you can see why. Vince is a smooth talker but fails to deliver on a lot of his promises. Kind of like any boss in any job any of us have ever worked at. The book does give you an inside look at wrestling which a lot of wrestling bios attempt but because they're pushed by a wrestling company everyone looks good and everyone's happy.
Bret's book is a decent read but at times his ego drags it down a bit and as much ass as he talks about getting you start to feel as if he should get tested for some diseases. This is a warts and all book that pulls no punches. You wanted Bret's story, here it is in all of its man whore glory. Even if you aren't a fan of wrestling this is worth checking out
I totally forgot that I had read this about three or four years ago. The digital edition sports a different cover so it threw me off a little. I should also warn you that I'm a huge pro-wrestling fan. I have a ton of wrestling books lined up so be prepared. In terms of how many of these books I've already read this one isn't exactly the worst. Bret isn't publishing this with the WWE's backing so you can breath easy and be prepared for some serious dirt. That's why we read these isn't it? We want to know which wrestlers are assholes, You know the guys that refuse to put anyone over and think that their shit doesn't stink even though they suck. Bret pulls no punches and he doesn't allow you to forget that he was the best wrestler that ever graced a WWE/F ring. He's the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be damn it!
In terms of honesty there are times where you wonder and even begin to see that Bret is full of shit. He has an ego and who can blame the guy. He's the motherfuckin' Hitman. The guy who was never once faithful to his wife, but to his credit he only used steroids a few times, but being a man whore is acceptable. This is a guy that busted his ass to get where he was and in his defense he was lonely. Why not fuck everything that moves.
The Harts family is given a lot of print here including his early years as he worked for his father in Stampede wrestling and there's also a lot of heart break and yes even death, Your heart will break at his memories of his brother Owen and even if you haven't read the book you know the story of Owen's death, You also get the details on the Montreal Screw Job which was as real as you can get. Vince comes off a bit slimy but you can see why. Vince is a smooth talker but fails to deliver on a lot of his promises. Kind of like any boss in any job any of us have ever worked at. The book does give you an inside look at wrestling which a lot of wrestling bios attempt but because they're pushed by a wrestling company everyone looks good and everyone's happy.
Bret's book is a decent read but at times his ego drags it down a bit and as much ass as he talks about getting you start to feel as if he should get tested for some diseases. This is a warts and all book that pulls no punches. You wanted Bret's story, here it is in all of its man whore glory. Even if you aren't a fan of wrestling this is worth checking out
August 24, 2015
Kill For A Copy
Kill For A Copy - 5/5
If you haven't heard about Dark Chapter Press odds are you will soon. I received a copy of their debut anthology Kill For A Copy in exchange for an honest review and this is a massive anthology. Three Hundred and two pages of horror, and splatterpunk. The problem though is that in a volume this size there's bound to be some filler right? Surprisingly the answer is no, and as I read it I knew that Rob McEwan not only has an eye for talent but he knows horror. This is for the true horror fan and while some the authors here may be new they won't be for long. Each story packs a punch and the volume flows extremely well.
If you've read my reviews you know that I never judge these just on the stories. It would take to long to go into each and everyone and to pick a favorite from a volume this good is nearly impossible. This features every aspect of the horror genre so no matter what style you like Kill For A Copy has you covered. As a fan I loved this volume and look forward to seeing individual releases from these authors. As a small press Dark Chapter has announced their arrival and I doubt that they'll be small very long. This is high quality stuff kids, and you won't be skipping through hoping that the next story doesn't suck. You have stories here by Stuart Keane, Jack Rollins, and a slew of others.
Horror it seems is never going to go away, and with volumes like this that's a good thing. Fans will drool all over this one and if you're just getting into horror do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You will not be disappointed. Dark Chapter Press is a press that you want to seek out. I have a feeling that this press will be around for a long time.
http://www.darkchapterpress.com/home/4587410466
http://www.amazon.com/Kill-For-Copy-Jack-Rollins/dp/0993062032
If you haven't heard about Dark Chapter Press odds are you will soon. I received a copy of their debut anthology Kill For A Copy in exchange for an honest review and this is a massive anthology. Three Hundred and two pages of horror, and splatterpunk. The problem though is that in a volume this size there's bound to be some filler right? Surprisingly the answer is no, and as I read it I knew that Rob McEwan not only has an eye for talent but he knows horror. This is for the true horror fan and while some the authors here may be new they won't be for long. Each story packs a punch and the volume flows extremely well.
If you've read my reviews you know that I never judge these just on the stories. It would take to long to go into each and everyone and to pick a favorite from a volume this good is nearly impossible. This features every aspect of the horror genre so no matter what style you like Kill For A Copy has you covered. As a fan I loved this volume and look forward to seeing individual releases from these authors. As a small press Dark Chapter has announced their arrival and I doubt that they'll be small very long. This is high quality stuff kids, and you won't be skipping through hoping that the next story doesn't suck. You have stories here by Stuart Keane, Jack Rollins, and a slew of others.
Horror it seems is never going to go away, and with volumes like this that's a good thing. Fans will drool all over this one and if you're just getting into horror do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You will not be disappointed. Dark Chapter Press is a press that you want to seek out. I have a feeling that this press will be around for a long time.
http://www.darkchapterpress.com/home/4587410466
http://www.amazon.com/Kill-For-Copy-Jack-Rollins/dp/0993062032
August 19, 2015
Tables Without Chairs #1
Tables Without Chairs #1 Brian Alan Ellis, Bud Smith and Waylon Thornton 5/5
I haven't been into the bizarro scene for quite some time, but occasionally I'll drop back in for a visit just to see what's going on. Brian actually posted a picture of the cover to this on Facebook and it looked like someone ate a bunch of cotton candy and then got pedigreed onto the floor and promptly threw up. It's the kind of cover that you see and instantly want to read. I have read three of Brian's books so far and I find that with each book he just strings a bunch of random ideas together and they somehow form a cohesive story. Case in point each of these stories range in topics from lost car keys. tripping balls on New Years Eve and finding that you're locked out of the apartment and the keys you have are the ones that someone lost. Brian was gracious enough to give me a copy on Facebook in exchange for an honest review and I was again drawn to that cover. You see what I'm talking about? It just grabs your attention and that's where Waylon Thornton comes into play. His artwork just works in holding this all together.
What sucks is that I'm the first person to review this. You have no idea how much pressure that is. Both writers are good at what they do, and their sections are both entertaining. You don't skip through Brian's section to get to Bud's hoping that his stories suck a whole lot less. This is three guys having a blast and writing whatever the hell they want. These stories are random. but are well written and you can't help but wonder how these stories came together. Brian has presented us with a weird little love story and advice and tips for writers. Now as a writer I found Ha-Ha! Sad Laughter to be informative and quite hilarious. Any writer reading it will relate and if you're not a writer you'll have a sense of what we go through. Bud gives us a guy who is just trying to escape New York while chilling in an inflatable Jacuzzi that he places in his apartment. It's bizarro fiction without the gross out or having something happen just to be outrageous.
Tables Without Chairs is all about making shit up as you go along and having fun doing it. If you're a fan of bizarro fiction you'll have a blast reading this and if you're not a fan you should still pick this up because it's the type of book that just is. It doesn't need a reason to exist and I have it under good authority that if you don't buy this Brian and Bud will show up at your house and piss all over your carpet. If you think that's bad wait until they bring out the flaming tables. In all honesty though this was a blast to read and I look forward to reading #2
http://www.amazon.com/Tables-Without-Chairs-Brian-Ellis/dp/0692480145
I haven't been into the bizarro scene for quite some time, but occasionally I'll drop back in for a visit just to see what's going on. Brian actually posted a picture of the cover to this on Facebook and it looked like someone ate a bunch of cotton candy and then got pedigreed onto the floor and promptly threw up. It's the kind of cover that you see and instantly want to read. I have read three of Brian's books so far and I find that with each book he just strings a bunch of random ideas together and they somehow form a cohesive story. Case in point each of these stories range in topics from lost car keys. tripping balls on New Years Eve and finding that you're locked out of the apartment and the keys you have are the ones that someone lost. Brian was gracious enough to give me a copy on Facebook in exchange for an honest review and I was again drawn to that cover. You see what I'm talking about? It just grabs your attention and that's where Waylon Thornton comes into play. His artwork just works in holding this all together.
What sucks is that I'm the first person to review this. You have no idea how much pressure that is. Both writers are good at what they do, and their sections are both entertaining. You don't skip through Brian's section to get to Bud's hoping that his stories suck a whole lot less. This is three guys having a blast and writing whatever the hell they want. These stories are random. but are well written and you can't help but wonder how these stories came together. Brian has presented us with a weird little love story and advice and tips for writers. Now as a writer I found Ha-Ha! Sad Laughter to be informative and quite hilarious. Any writer reading it will relate and if you're not a writer you'll have a sense of what we go through. Bud gives us a guy who is just trying to escape New York while chilling in an inflatable Jacuzzi that he places in his apartment. It's bizarro fiction without the gross out or having something happen just to be outrageous.
Tables Without Chairs is all about making shit up as you go along and having fun doing it. If you're a fan of bizarro fiction you'll have a blast reading this and if you're not a fan you should still pick this up because it's the type of book that just is. It doesn't need a reason to exist and I have it under good authority that if you don't buy this Brian and Bud will show up at your house and piss all over your carpet. If you think that's bad wait until they bring out the flaming tables. In all honesty though this was a blast to read and I look forward to reading #2
http://www.amazon.com/Tables-Without-Chairs-Brian-Ellis/dp/0692480145
August 18, 2015
The Hellbound Heart
Clive Barker - The Hellbound Heart 5/5
Hellraiser is one of the greatest and most iconic horror movies ever created. You disagree and I will fight you. Horror had reached a new level and at the helm was a man named Clive Barker who was changing the landscape of horror. I was a young metal/horror fan of twelve when I stumbled onto Barker's classic Books Of Blood. I think it was either the second or third volume and my mind was blown. I had been worshiping at the altar of Stephen King for quite some time but wanted to branch out and see what else was out there so I gave Barker a shot and it reaffirmed this insane belief that I wanted to write. As soon as I heard about Hellbound Heart I was intrigued enough to read it and it became one of my favorite horror novels. I wanted to read it again just to see if I felt the same way and holy shit! Many years have passed as have many viewing of the film that it was based on and if anything Hellbound is still just as ground breaking today as it was when I was twelve.
A lot of reviewers want to compare the novel and film and I refuse to do that.because the book is just as important as the film, The book is a masterpiece of horror fiction that blends so many different genres that it elevated the horror genre. Finally we had a smart horror novel that didn't fuck around and rehash old ideas or just go for the gross out to placate horror fans. The Hellbound Heart was a novel that went beyond the usual themes, and gave us something different. Among the overall theme of the box itself is the search for pleasure. The ultimate pleasure, but underneath that is obsession. Frank is obsessed to open the box, and Julia is obsessed with bringing Frank back. It's these human elements that drive the novel.
Barker uses human emotions to fuel Hellbound and while the Cenobites themselves aren't as visual here as they are in the film that isn't what makes this novel so good. It's the story of the box and what it leads to. The Ultimate moral here is to be careful what you wish for because once you have it, it may not be what you want. For fans of horror this is a must read. Barker was a breath of fresh air in a horror market that was saturated with Stephen King, and Dean Koontz. He wrote novels that embraced the macabre and made it appealing. The Hellbound Heart is one of those novels that you should read because it's just so damned good. Barker has a style all his own and I have yet to see anyone that has come close to copying it. When I first read this many years ago I knew that I was reading something special and as I sat on my couch at the age of forty something I was still blown away by it. Nothing had changed and that's how classic novels are. They age well and no matter where horror has gone The Hellbound Heart proves that if you try hard enough you can change an entire genre.
Hellraiser is one of the greatest and most iconic horror movies ever created. You disagree and I will fight you. Horror had reached a new level and at the helm was a man named Clive Barker who was changing the landscape of horror. I was a young metal/horror fan of twelve when I stumbled onto Barker's classic Books Of Blood. I think it was either the second or third volume and my mind was blown. I had been worshiping at the altar of Stephen King for quite some time but wanted to branch out and see what else was out there so I gave Barker a shot and it reaffirmed this insane belief that I wanted to write. As soon as I heard about Hellbound Heart I was intrigued enough to read it and it became one of my favorite horror novels. I wanted to read it again just to see if I felt the same way and holy shit! Many years have passed as have many viewing of the film that it was based on and if anything Hellbound is still just as ground breaking today as it was when I was twelve.
A lot of reviewers want to compare the novel and film and I refuse to do that.because the book is just as important as the film, The book is a masterpiece of horror fiction that blends so many different genres that it elevated the horror genre. Finally we had a smart horror novel that didn't fuck around and rehash old ideas or just go for the gross out to placate horror fans. The Hellbound Heart was a novel that went beyond the usual themes, and gave us something different. Among the overall theme of the box itself is the search for pleasure. The ultimate pleasure, but underneath that is obsession. Frank is obsessed to open the box, and Julia is obsessed with bringing Frank back. It's these human elements that drive the novel.
Barker uses human emotions to fuel Hellbound and while the Cenobites themselves aren't as visual here as they are in the film that isn't what makes this novel so good. It's the story of the box and what it leads to. The Ultimate moral here is to be careful what you wish for because once you have it, it may not be what you want. For fans of horror this is a must read. Barker was a breath of fresh air in a horror market that was saturated with Stephen King, and Dean Koontz. He wrote novels that embraced the macabre and made it appealing. The Hellbound Heart is one of those novels that you should read because it's just so damned good. Barker has a style all his own and I have yet to see anyone that has come close to copying it. When I first read this many years ago I knew that I was reading something special and as I sat on my couch at the age of forty something I was still blown away by it. Nothing had changed and that's how classic novels are. They age well and no matter where horror has gone The Hellbound Heart proves that if you try hard enough you can change an entire genre.
August 15, 2015
The Woods Are Dark
The Woods Are Dark - Richard Laymon Original Version 3/5 - Restored 5/5
This is the book that pretty much killed Laymon's career in the US which can be explained rather easily. Warner Books not only heavily edited the original manuscript but gave us this lovely cover. Atrocious isn't it? The problem was that even with this awful cover and numerous typos this was a classic horror novel. Laymon went places that no other writer dared, but sadly no one read it.
The thing is that Laymon had built up a rabid following and despite Warner Books almost killing his career here in the States. The UK loved him and this Ohio born horror fan stumbled onto his work. I read the original version of The Woods Are Dark so I knew what this book was all about. I knew that people were turned off by Laymon's style and penchant for over the top violence. What I loved, and still loved about The Woods Are Dark is that this is a novel that does have a lot of violence, but it's a part of the story. This is a writer who is building a solid foundation and creating a legacy. He wasn't one to follow everyone else if it had been handled the right way The Woods Are Dark could have brought him the success he deserved. For all that was wrong with Woods what Laymon was trying to convey was still there, but Warner of course dropped the ball, and dropped it big time.
For years the Warner Edition was all that we had. We knew that this wasn't the version that Laymon had hoped to see released and finally it was. Cemetery Dance had released the restored version in a limited edition hard back in 2008 and if you're lucky you may still find one, but it'll cost ya. I did get my hands on one, but there is a cheaper Leisure version out there if you look hard enough. The covers are different and that's all I know.
What's so different? The text is repaired the damage a copy editor had created and after chapter nine the story differs quite a bit. Warner had cut out the Landers Dill chapters which left a huge gaping hole in the story. In the original The Woods Are Dark is just a slasher piece, but with the restored version you can see that Laymon had intended this to be something much bigger, and something that horror fans hadn't seen before. This is a story of survival and a man's descent into madness. The book gives a bit of history on the Krulls and who they are. They are a group of nasty people that prey on the offerings that the residents of Barlow leave them, and in exchange they are left alone. This is a truly horrifying novel that moves quickly, Laymon pulls no punches and drops you right into the horror. If you're looking for an easy read this certainly isn't it. Laymon at this point was staking out his turf and knew that if he were different then people would notice. This is where the men became boys and the horror landscape was altered forever. This is one of the foundations of splatterpunk and Laymon was slowly emerging as a God. If you've never read Laymon this is a good place to start. Terrifying and brutal, Woods is a horror classic that leaves the reader holding one hand over their eyes as they turn the page.
The Restored version of The Woods Are Dark give us the vision that Laymon had intended. As a writer we can see that he's still finding his footing, and it's that rawness that really make the book shine. As a Laymon fan this is a must read, and for non Laymon fans this is still worth checking out. Horror is always about taking risks and creating something that defines, or even expands the horror genre and this novel does that, While the original release was lacking it was still readable, but now thanks to Kelly and Cemetery Dance we have the novel the way it should have been in the first place.
This is the book that pretty much killed Laymon's career in the US which can be explained rather easily. Warner Books not only heavily edited the original manuscript but gave us this lovely cover. Atrocious isn't it? The problem was that even with this awful cover and numerous typos this was a classic horror novel. Laymon went places that no other writer dared, but sadly no one read it.
The thing is that Laymon had built up a rabid following and despite Warner Books almost killing his career here in the States. The UK loved him and this Ohio born horror fan stumbled onto his work. I read the original version of The Woods Are Dark so I knew what this book was all about. I knew that people were turned off by Laymon's style and penchant for over the top violence. What I loved, and still loved about The Woods Are Dark is that this is a novel that does have a lot of violence, but it's a part of the story. This is a writer who is building a solid foundation and creating a legacy. He wasn't one to follow everyone else if it had been handled the right way The Woods Are Dark could have brought him the success he deserved. For all that was wrong with Woods what Laymon was trying to convey was still there, but Warner of course dropped the ball, and dropped it big time.
For years the Warner Edition was all that we had. We knew that this wasn't the version that Laymon had hoped to see released and finally it was. Cemetery Dance had released the restored version in a limited edition hard back in 2008 and if you're lucky you may still find one, but it'll cost ya. I did get my hands on one, but there is a cheaper Leisure version out there if you look hard enough. The covers are different and that's all I know.
What's so different? The text is repaired the damage a copy editor had created and after chapter nine the story differs quite a bit. Warner had cut out the Landers Dill chapters which left a huge gaping hole in the story. In the original The Woods Are Dark is just a slasher piece, but with the restored version you can see that Laymon had intended this to be something much bigger, and something that horror fans hadn't seen before. This is a story of survival and a man's descent into madness. The book gives a bit of history on the Krulls and who they are. They are a group of nasty people that prey on the offerings that the residents of Barlow leave them, and in exchange they are left alone. This is a truly horrifying novel that moves quickly, Laymon pulls no punches and drops you right into the horror. If you're looking for an easy read this certainly isn't it. Laymon at this point was staking out his turf and knew that if he were different then people would notice. This is where the men became boys and the horror landscape was altered forever. This is one of the foundations of splatterpunk and Laymon was slowly emerging as a God. If you've never read Laymon this is a good place to start. Terrifying and brutal, Woods is a horror classic that leaves the reader holding one hand over their eyes as they turn the page.
The Restored version of The Woods Are Dark give us the vision that Laymon had intended. As a writer we can see that he's still finding his footing, and it's that rawness that really make the book shine. As a Laymon fan this is a must read, and for non Laymon fans this is still worth checking out. Horror is always about taking risks and creating something that defines, or even expands the horror genre and this novel does that, While the original release was lacking it was still readable, but now thanks to Kelly and Cemetery Dance we have the novel the way it should have been in the first place.
August 13, 2015
Greasepaint
Greasepaint - David C. Hayes 5/5
When I received an advanced copy of Greasepaint I should have known what I was in for. For just a second let's talk about this new influx of clown horror and what it does to those who are deathly afraid of clowns, and also what it does for horror in general. I myself aren't afraid of clowns. Do I find them creepy? Hell yeah I do. With their floppy ass shoes. And big red noses. As a horror writer I have written a couple of short stories that features a few clowns and I can tell you that there is a lot there to work with and it's easy to see why clown horror is the new in thing. They've always been creepy and it's easy to look beyond the bright cheerful demeanor and peer into something darker. Horror is all about exposing the dark and bringing it into the light. After seeing the cover of David Hayes' new book all I can say is fuck clowns. Fuck them in their asses. I wasn't prepared for what I saw and odds are when you see the cover of greasepaint you'll feel the exact same way.
Orzo the clown is a sick twisted clown who has a kids television show and he's a serial killer and it just happens to have a kid chained up in his basement. He ends up dying after a SWAT team breaks into arrest him. If that isn't enough there's also the fact that many years later it seems as if Orzo has come back from the dead after it's been announced that the Orzo The Clown is being released on DVD. You thought Pennywise was bad you have yet to meet Orzo. If you're just a little freaked out by clowns this isn't going to make you like them or feel less creeped out the next time you hit the local McDonald's or the circus. The thing is that horror should creep you out a little and fear the things once thought wholesome and entertaining. Orzo gives the horror genre the kick in the ass it needs and adds originality to a genre that loves to rehash ideas and monsters.
Greasepaint is a quick read that adds an element of mystery to the horror. All of the elements here work well together and while this is a horror novel it kept me guessing throughout. Hayes is a talented writer that gives us a book that is totally original and at times truly frightening. It's the surprise factor that makes this novella so readable. As the kills mount up you can't help but feel as if it's Orzo himself returned from the grave, but of course that isn't possible is it? When this is officially released this is one horror novel you need to pick up. Hayes explores the realms of B, and slasher horror and infuses it with a classic whodunit. This is one not to be missed.
Greaspaint is available to pre-order and will be released Nov. 3
http://www.amazon.com/Greasepaint-David-C-Hayes-ebook/dp/B010D3KT6S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1439512120&sr=8-4&keywords=Greasepaint
When I received an advanced copy of Greasepaint I should have known what I was in for. For just a second let's talk about this new influx of clown horror and what it does to those who are deathly afraid of clowns, and also what it does for horror in general. I myself aren't afraid of clowns. Do I find them creepy? Hell yeah I do. With their floppy ass shoes. And big red noses. As a horror writer I have written a couple of short stories that features a few clowns and I can tell you that there is a lot there to work with and it's easy to see why clown horror is the new in thing. They've always been creepy and it's easy to look beyond the bright cheerful demeanor and peer into something darker. Horror is all about exposing the dark and bringing it into the light. After seeing the cover of David Hayes' new book all I can say is fuck clowns. Fuck them in their asses. I wasn't prepared for what I saw and odds are when you see the cover of greasepaint you'll feel the exact same way.
Orzo the clown is a sick twisted clown who has a kids television show and he's a serial killer and it just happens to have a kid chained up in his basement. He ends up dying after a SWAT team breaks into arrest him. If that isn't enough there's also the fact that many years later it seems as if Orzo has come back from the dead after it's been announced that the Orzo The Clown is being released on DVD. You thought Pennywise was bad you have yet to meet Orzo. If you're just a little freaked out by clowns this isn't going to make you like them or feel less creeped out the next time you hit the local McDonald's or the circus. The thing is that horror should creep you out a little and fear the things once thought wholesome and entertaining. Orzo gives the horror genre the kick in the ass it needs and adds originality to a genre that loves to rehash ideas and monsters.
Greasepaint is a quick read that adds an element of mystery to the horror. All of the elements here work well together and while this is a horror novel it kept me guessing throughout. Hayes is a talented writer that gives us a book that is totally original and at times truly frightening. It's the surprise factor that makes this novella so readable. As the kills mount up you can't help but feel as if it's Orzo himself returned from the grave, but of course that isn't possible is it? When this is officially released this is one horror novel you need to pick up. Hayes explores the realms of B, and slasher horror and infuses it with a classic whodunit. This is one not to be missed.
Greaspaint is available to pre-order and will be released Nov. 3
http://www.amazon.com/Greasepaint-David-C-Hayes-ebook/dp/B010D3KT6S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1439512120&sr=8-4&keywords=Greasepaint
August 12, 2015
Blade Of The Destroyer
Blade Of The Destroyer - Andy Peloquin 4/5
I received Blade Of The Destroyer in exchange for an honest review and I have to admit that I didn't realize that it was a fantasy novel. I'm more of a horror/bizarro guy so I was a bit worried. I can't even tell you the last time a read a fantasy novel. I do have an open mind though and have been known to genre hop from time to time. I'm the kind of reader that likes a good story regardless of what genre it's in. It's quite nice to sometimes step outside of your comfort zone and see what other books are out there. As I started this I was instantly hooked. Blade is an often violent novel about a guy called the Hunter. This is one bad ass dude but unlike a lot of other novels Andy gives this guy some depth and it's the Hunter himself that fuels this novel.
Blade is the start of a new series and what I like is that the story moves quickly and unlike a lot of other novels you aren't mired into a lot of set up. It all runs smoothly and as the story progresses so you learn exactly who and what the Hunter is and the blood shed and violence balance out the tale nicely. As a horror fan I wasn't sure what to expect but what I enjoyed here is Andy's eye for detail. You almost feel as if you're right there with these characters and not just observing. This a book that you instantly become absorbed in and it becomes impossible to put down.
The one thing I can't do is compare it to other fantasy novels. This is not a genre that I read, but as I finished Destroyer I knew that I would read the next book in the series just to see how the story evolves. Andy is a talented writer and you can tell that he put a lot of effort into this novel to make it flow as well as it does. This is a book that not only grabs your attention, but holds it hostage. Fantasy fans will enjoy the hell out of this and even non fantasy fans should check this one out for the simple fact that it's a great story. I couldn't help but imagine this huge power metal soundtrack playing during the battle scenes. As I write this I have Sinbreed playing and it fits this novel well. Death to false metal, and hail Blood Hunger!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1515038955/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1515038955&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
