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film review: THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932)

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Kaptain Carbon

The Old Dark House (1932)

THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932)
Directed By: James Whale
Starring: Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Charles Laughton
Website: IMDB

Score: 7/9 Hammers

This is a continuing series reviewing classics and gems of the universal horror group. The universal horror group was a series of American horror films that were popular in the early to mid part of the 20th century. The classic cast of Dracula, Frankenstein, the Invisible Man, the Mummy, and the Wolfman have become iconic in the annals of cinema. While the aforementioned characters and their respected movies have become iconic of the Universal horror group, there were other films made at the same period and by the same studio. The Old Dark House was one of them and never made it to a cereal box like the other films. Despite this fact, the horror films of the early 30′s and 40’s sometimes hold great unappreciated gems. The Old Dark House is one of them. Continue reading →

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album review: Demonic Resurrection – The Demon King

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Luke Maudsley

Demonic Resurrection – Demon King (2014)

DEMONIC RESURRECTION
Album: The Demon King
Released: July 13th 2014
Label: Demonstealer Records/ Candlelight Records
Website: Official

Score: 7/9 Hammers

Bless wicked Amaymon, but that’s a hell of an album cover. I mean, look at it, it’s got everything; fire, swords, a whirling vortex leading to a furious, bow wielding Vishnu. Honestly, the only thing keeping me from tattooing the whole thing onto my chest tomorrow is the fact that I’ve spent too long playing DnD for me to consider a warrior dual wielding scimitars as anything more than target practice for a guy with a bow.

(I was originally going to make an “archery smurf” joke, until I realized that mistaking Vishnu for a smurf is about as offensive as mistaking Odin for Jesus). Continue reading →

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game review: ABYSS ODYSSEY

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Luke Maudsley

ABYSS ODYSSEY (2014)

ABYSS ODYSSEY
Developer: ACE Team
Released: 15th July 2014
Website: Official

Score: 6/9 Hammers

There’s something distinctly metal about the word “abyss”, isn’t there? Technically speaking it means little more than “big ole’ hole”, though admittedly only in the same way that portal means “door”. It’s the kind of word that’s only really used in real life to impress, if for no other reason than the rarity of humongous magical pits.

Fortunately, a big magical pit is the subject of this game, so you can’t accuse the devs of inaccuracy, at least.

Continue reading →

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album review: WOLF – Legions Of Bastards

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Luke Maudsley

WOLF – Legions Of Bastards (2014)

WOLF
Album: Legions Of Bastards
Released: April 25th, 2011
Label: Century Media
Website: Official

Score: 9/9 Hammers

It can sometimes feel like an easy job, being a reviewer. There’s always a temptation to be overly harsh, slipping out of the shadows to smear somebody else’s favorite band with shit before disappearing like a faecally obsessed assassin. It starts to look a little worse when you consider we contribute no more to the world than a couple of interesting euphemisms for shit and the possible salvation of ten dollars. Occasionally it gets so bad that they’ll start thinking themselves important enough to compare themselves to an assassin, deluded into thinking they’re taken seriously, and then there’s only one thing for it. Continue reading →

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album review: JUDAS PRIEST – Redeemer of Souls

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Kaptain Carbon

Judas Priest – Redeemer of Souls (2014)

JUDAS PRIEST
Album: Redeemer of Souls
Released: July 11th, 2014
Label: Sony Music Entertainment
Website: Official

Score: 4/9 Hammers

It is almost unnecessary to introduce Judas Priest. This British band has played a monumental role in the evolution of heavy metal, not just in the sound but also the culture surrounding it. I refuse to believe anyone reading this is not at least familiar with the name Judas Priest. No? You are a fucking liar and I know it. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Judas Priest, you could spend a few weeks listening to everything released between 1974 and 1984 and be pretty set with the band’s sound. “Breaking the Law” could be one of heavy metal’s most recognizable songs next to “War Pigs” and “Ace of Spades.” With such an importance comes careful attention to maintaining legacy through controlled, time released records. Continue reading →

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game review: BANISHED

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Luke Maudsley

Banished (2014)

BANISHED
Developer: Shining Rock Software
Released: 18th Feb 2014
Website: Official

Score: 8/9 Hammers

The city builder has been much maligned in recent years. With the release of the new and disgustingly, abysmally broken Sim City and that fact that, despite all its flaws, it still sold relatively well, it’s tempting to assume there’s no alternative. In the same way that the only bar in town can start mixing snot in with its pints and scorpions in its pies without going out of business, Sim City felt no real fear when they decided to strip out a bunch of features and acted like it’s customers were morons. Even the “design a whole damn world” games, their distant cousins, are suffering from Peter Molyneux’s latest cock up, Godus. There’s not a lot of love for the hobbyist despot at the moment.