Author: Steve Earles
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Book reviews from Steve Earles: May edition
Encyclopaedia of Weird Westerns: Supernatural and Science Fiction Elements in Novels, Pulps, Comics, Films, Television and Games, second edition By Paul Green Published by McFarland, Introduction by Cynthia J. Miller I really enjoyed reviewing first edition of this book. The Weird Western is a truly fantastic genre, and the fact that this entertaining and informative book…
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Woodhawk – Beyond The Sun
This was truly a pleasure to review – songs, musicianship, production, everything is as it should be! Woodhawk have taken some very good influences: Mastodon, Thin Lizzy, Budgie, Hawkwind, Monster Magnet and, of course… Kyuss. (I often think of some alternative universe where Kyuss never broke up…a splendid thought indeed!) Not so much in sound,…
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Lung Flower – Effigy
Once more, an independent band puts higher profile bands to shame. Lung Flower play seriously heavy groove metal in the vein of Pantera and Black Label Society. The packaging and art for this CD shows a commendable commitment to the physical product of music, and for that they should be applauded. The production is clear…
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Presumption – ‘From Judgement To The Grave’ and ‘Ancestral Rites’
Presumption – From Judgement To The Grave Doom metal from France… tres bon! Presumption put many bands to shame with a unique sound that, while it draws from the likes of Cathedral and Trouble, builds on these influences. It’s always more authentic to hear a band sing in their native tongue, as on the excellent…
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Film Review – Kong: Skull Island
Orson Welles once memorably commented that films should be made with innocence (something we rarely see now, sadly – we live in a time when films are made by marketing committees!) and Kong: Skull Island is a fine example of a film made for the right reasons. It has been described as a reboot of…
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Radio Free Universe – Casa Del Diablo
Firstly, kudos to the splendidly named Radio Free Universe (inspired by World War 2’s ‘Radio Free Europe’) for their commitment to the physical format of music, this is one excellently designed CD. In a fair world, Radio Free Universe would be the next Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam or Soundgarden, not because they sound like those…
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Book reviews by Steve Earles: horror cinema
Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969 By Roberto Curti Published by McFarland Foreword by Ernesto Gastaldi Without Italian gothic horror films Black Sabbath would not be called Black Sabbath so we owe them a debt of gratitude. Roberto Curti writes with great passion on the subject, showing great knowledge in such a way as to be…
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Jupiter Hollow – Odyssey
I am very impressed by this EP on any level. Sounding, to my mind, like a cross between Rush, Zombi, and Mastodon, this is progressive metal as it should be. Grant MacKenzie and Kenny Parry, the two men that make up Jupiter Hollow, can be proud of this EP. It features strong playing, excellent song-writing, and…
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Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard – Noeth Ac Anoeth and Y Proffwyd Dwyll
Noeth Ac Anoeth It is increasingly rare to hear a band with their own unique sound, but the splendidly named Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard are just such a band. Wielding huge doom riffs and drums along with the astonishing vocals of Jessica Ball, they have a superb sound, aided by the sterling work of Conan…
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Darkthrone – Arctic Thunder
There can be few musicians who have such a love of what is good in metal as do Ted (Nocturno Culto) and Fenriz of Darkthrone. Their previous album, The Underground Resistance, was my album of the year in the year of its release. As ever, with Darkthrone there can be few complaints. Arctic Thunder works well as a…