Harbinger’s Killer Picks – October 2024

Halloween is almost upon us! It’s the last Saturday of October, so it must be time for the fourth issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks! I’ve got a veritable treasure trove of great music recommendations for you today. So, without further ado, here are my top five picks for October in chronological release order.

First, one of Germany’s finest metal labels, Dying Victims Productions, released a phenomenal doom split on September 27^th featuring Italy’s Bottomless and Brazil’s Witching Altar; the aptly-titled Graveyard Thunder. This 39-minute, 6-track doom masterpiece is a perfect listen for the Halloween season. From top to bottom, the two bands each deliver a masterclass in old school doom. Italian trio Bottomless gets the top half with three gloomy tunes: the atmospheric horror-themed opener, “Burning of the Vampire”, followed by the first single, the haunting earworm “Lightning in the Realms of Death” to the epic guitar-driven with a side serving of organ, “Shadows Call.” Brazilian duo Witching Altar get their side rolling with chugging riffs and Peter Murphy-inspired vocals with “The Sadness”, followed by the second single, the memorable “Silence at the Cross”, to close things out with a 9-minute plus slow-burning gothic doom epic that channels Bauhaus at times titled “The Crypts Below.” I declare Graveyard Thunder the best doom album of 2024, it’s that awesome. An easy contender for the Top Ten Albums of the Year list. Fans of Candlemass, Witchfinder General, Pagan Altar, and vintage Sabbath will worship this record.

Dying Victims Productions’ Bandcamp page for Graveyard Thunder: https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/graveyard-thunder

Bottomless on Bandcamp: https://bottomlessdoom.bandcamp.com/

Witching Altar on Bandcamp: https://thewitchingaltar.bandcamp.com/music

Second, supergroup Slower will release their sophomore album, Rage and Ruin, on November 1^st, a little over nine months since their awesome self-titled debut record which paid tribute to the music of Slayer. This time around, they’ve shaken things up a bit. They initially wanted to cover Slayer’s Haunting the Chapel EP in its entirety but found that not all its tracks wanted to be slowed down. So, what they did is they covered the title track and “Chemical Warfare” and came up with four original songs to complete this 6-pack of doomy metal tunes. Also, a slight change in the lineup with Amy Tung Barrysmith handling all vocal duties this time around. Once again, she played bass while mastermind Bob Balch played guitars with Esben Willems on drums and percussion. The result is a heavy and hypnotic affair that surpasses their debut, in my opinion. Barrysmith’s vocals are entrancing as always and her throbbing basslines paired with Bach’s guitar prowess and Willems’ pulse-pounding drumming are absolute gold. Doom metal and Slayer fans alike owe it to themselves to add this gem of a record to their collection.

Heavy Psych Sounds Records’ Bandcamp page for Rage and Ruin: https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/slower-rage-and-ruin

Third, Wizard Tattoo, one-man band Bram the Bard’s always evolving project, continues to be prolific and will drop another stellar EP on November 1^st titled One of These Knives. This EP contains what might just be the most eclectic mix of genres Wizard Tattoo has released thus far. In a short span of four tracks, we go through a cycle of seasons’ worth of musical variations from the visceral opener, “Varsak of Man”, to the drastic shift of the elegant female-fronted “A Wizard's Blade”, extending to the guitar-driven Thulsa Dan sequel from the debut EP with “My Second Knife Fight”, to close out with my personal favourite, an instrumental piece with classical leanings titled “Edge of Reprisal.” One of These Knives is a magical blend of grungy metal and doomy prog rock fused with inspired storytelling showcasing the musical dexterity of multi-instrumentalist Bram the Bard. I’d say, if you like any type of heavy rock or metal music, you should definitely take this EP for spin.

Wizard Tattoo on Bandcamp: https://wizardtattoo.bandcamp.com/album/one-of-these-knives

Fourth, Florida’s power metal quartet Seven Kingdoms will unleash a fantastic new EP titled The Square on November 8^th via the powerhouse metal label that is Reigning Phoenix Music. I’d never heard of Seven Kingdoms before but now I’m a big fan. From the catchy first single title track to the second single, the melodic riff-heavy “Through These Waves”, Sabrina Cruz’s vocals are a thing of beauty. The woman’s got a ton of talent and loads of charisma. We even get a cool old school ballad complete with weeping guitars in “Wilted Pieces”; a harmonious banger with prog tendencies in “The Serpent and the Lotus”; and a superb rendition of the classic 1985 song “Kyrie” from Mr. Mister which is so great that it’s my favourite tune of the EP. Seven Kingdoms have a searing-hot EP in their pocket with The Square. It’s chock-full of highlights and metal goodness, fronted by a terrific lead singer. They’re now part of RPM’s all-star roster and I can’t wait to hear what their next LP scheduled for 2025 will sound like. Fans of female-fronted metal and power metal in particular will relish The Square.

Seven Kingdoms on RPM Records: https://sevenkingdoms.rpm.link/thesquareWE

Fifth, RidingEasy Records will release ‘70s-inspired hard rock/acid rock Magick Potion’s self-titled LP on November 8^th. I don’t normally select an album for the HKP unless I’ve listened to it, but judging by their Early Works EP and the first single alone, “Never Change”, this is a band that is not to be missed and I have the utmost confidence that the Baltimore, Maryland trio’s LP will deliver the goods aplenty. It contains a great psychedelic track from their debut EP titled “Ultraviolet.” I swear, this band feels like they were making music in the ‘70s and somehow tripped into a time portal to land in present day. Their sound, their approach, and musical style (and that album cover says it all!) is a throwback to the glory days of Blue Cheer and Budgie with a pinch of a modern vibe added to make them stand out even more. I can’t wait to dive into Magick Potion’s heavy psychedelic brand of hard rock and so should you!

RidingEasy Records’ Bandcamp page for Magick Potion: https://magickpotionband.bandcamp.com/album/magick-potion

Magick Potion on Bandcamp: https://magickpotionband.bandcamp.com/

And that’s all I’ve got, folks! Issue number four of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks is in the books. I hope you’re enjoying this wonderfully dark and colourful fall season we’re having and that these picks will complement your autumn moods. Tune back here at the end of November for the next issue. Until then, stay safe and enjoy the tunes!

Amok the Powerful: Back Cover & Synopsis Reveal!!

Happy Friday! Another piece for my upcoming book, Amok the Powerful; this time around focusing on the back cover art and synopsis. I kept the synopsis short and sweet: it goes straight to the point. I left an empty spot for the UPC bar code on the bottom right. If you love Conan and Dungeons & Dragons with a weird twist, I’m pretty sure you’ll dig the adventures of my red-maned barbarian Amok. The book will be published on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 and will be available in print as a paperback and electronically on Kindle. Edits are going really well and I should be done by Halloween and ready to send out review copies into your realm. Stay tuned and long live Amok! 

Amok the Powerful: Cover Reveal!!!

Happy October! At long last, I present to you the cover artwork for my upcoming book, Amok the Powerful, to be published on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 if all goes according to plan. It’s a lovely oil painting by my girlfriend, 4IN. 

The manuscript revisions are going well; I’m almost at the halfway mark. The book will be available in print as a paperback and electronically on Kindle. I’ll have a synopsis up and more details in the weeks to come as we get closer to pub date. Stay tuned! 

Harbinger’s Killer Picks – September 2024

Howdy! Last Saturday of the month, folks, so it’s time for the September issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks! Autumn is here and with it comes a truckload of killer music releases. So, without further ado, here are my top five picks of what stood out the most for me in September in chronological release order.

First, ExpiatoriA, the heavy doom band from Genoa, Italy released on September 6^th a live record of their debut album Shadows from 2022. One of the reasons for recording a fresh new live version of their first LP is because many of the band’s members have departed since their debut’s release, including the lead singer. AngeleX is now fronting the band and to be honest, I find his vocals fit the band better. The band sounds raw and the atmosphere is gloomy throughout: the perfect conditions for a live record from ExpiatoriA. Some of the highlights for me include the catchy “When Darkness Falls”, the ultra doomy “7 Chairs and A Portrait”, the gorgeous instrumental “The Asylum of the Damned”, and the slower and more retro tune “Krieg (My Last Song)”. If you’re looking for a great live doom metal LP, Shadows – Live is bound to satisfy your craving.

ExpiatoriA on Bandcamp: https://expiatoria-official.bandcamp.com/album/shadows-live

Second, New Jersey’s hard rock/heavy metal legends Skid Row, with the help of former H.E.A.T lead singer Erik Grönwall, unveiled their first live album, Live in London, last week. It’s hard to believe it took this long for the band to record a concert album but it was well worth the wait. It’s a bittersweet affair; this show was recorded in the fall of 2022, and at the time of release, Erik is no longer part of the band, having left due to health reasons. The band plays tight and Erik’s vocals are a thing of beauty, reaching all the high notes. It’s great to hear him sing the classic Skid Row songs. They cover all the hits from the band’s first two records—Skid Row (1989) and Slave to the Grind (1991)—and even do a cover of The Ramones’ “Psycho Therapy” which they’d initially covered back in 1992 on their B-Side Ourselves EP. They also perform three tracks from their sole LP with Erik, The Gang’s All Here: "The Gang’s All Here”, “Tear It Down”, and “Time Bomb”. If you’ve ever been a fan of Skid Row and even if you’re not familiar with Erik as a frontman, you owe it to yourself to take Live in London for a spin, it’s ten shades of awesome!

Skid Row Online: https://www.skidrow.com/

Third, Thrasherwolf, a kick-ass thrash metal band from London, England will unleash their sophomore LP, Inside the Sickened Mind, on October 4^th. What an absolute blast this album is! A super fun and catchy as all hell record! From the blistering earworms that are the two first singles, “Final Act of Aggression” and “Gratuitous Bodily Harm”, to horror movie-worthy tunes like “Scream till Death” to the epicness of “Haunted” (my personal favourite) and the title track, there isn’t a dud on here. The striking cover art perfectly represents the type of package you’re getting from this talented band. This is old school thrash metal done right. Shades of vintage Metallica abound, chock-full of fun lyrics, cool vocals, melodic guitar solos; Inside the Sickened Mind has it all! It certainly gets my vote as the best thrash album of 2024 and a strong contender for the Top Ten Albums of the Year list.  

Thrasherwolf’s Bandcamp page: https://thrasherwolf.bandcamp.com/album/inside-the-sickened-mind

Fourth, High Reeper, the doom/stoner metal quintet from Wilmington, Delaware will release their third and most ambitious album yet, Renewed by Death, on October 4^th. I’ve always liked High Reeper’s music, but I didn’t love it. On their previous records, I always thought they came close to making a memorable record, but there was always something missing. Renewed by Death is that notable LP I’ve been seeking. It feels more polished, the band is in top form, and the songs deliver on their promise to kick your ass. From the riff-heavy title track to the outstanding single “Alluring Violence”, to the violent “Broken Upon the Wheel”, the excellent, more subdued combo of “Jaws of Darkness” and “Smoldering Remains”, to the relentless “Torn from Within”, the boys have cooked up one hell of a solid record. New and old fans alike will really dig High Reeper’s latest offering.     

HPS Records’ Bandcamp page for High Reeper: https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/high-reeper-renewed-by-death

Fifth, Aeternal Chambers, a new instrumental trio formed by three of the guys from prog/psychedelic band Obiat, will release their self-titled debut EP on October 14^th. Comprised of four lengthy tracks and running 31 minutes in length, it’s a solid beginning for this new band/project they’ve got going. Each piece has a unique identity of its own, evoking a diverse range of emotions. From the opening track, “Husk of Mortal Despair”, which perfectly sets up a melancholic atmosphere, to the heavier “Drive Me to Ruin”, to the more reflective “Paved with Gold”, to my personal favourite, the dreamy yet powerful closing track, “Glitch in the Mist”. At times heavy, other times quiet, but always melodic, this set of instrumentals really puts the listener through an aural journey that’ll stick with them long after the record’s stopped spinning. Close your eyes, hit play, and let the music do the talking.  

Aeternal Chambers on Bandcamp: https://aeternalchambers.bandcamp.com/

And that’s all she wrote! The third issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks is in the books. Let me know, dear readers and listeners, if you like this new format for reviews. Share your comments here on the blog or on the Harbinger of D.O.O.M.’s Twitter/X page. I’ll see you at the end of October; till then, stay safe and enjoy the tunes! 

Harbinger’s Killer Picks – August 2024

Greetings! It’s the last Saturday of the month so it’s time for the August issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks! Summer is winding down but the good music isn’t, as you’ll see in this second issue of this new column. So, here are my top five picks of what stood out the most for me in August.

First, Orden Ogan, the German power metal titans released their eighth studio album titled The Order of Fear (which also happens to be what “Orden Ogan” means in English) on July 5^th. I must apologize as this was a huge oversight on my part and should have been featured in last month’s issue of HKP. You see, having never heard of this tremendous band before, for literally months now, I kept seeing emails about them in my inbox and for whatever reason, I was certain that they were a black metal band. So, the emails/EPKs/DL links went straight to the recycle bin. Then I stumbled upon their latest single, “Conquest”, on YouTube and I was like, “They’re not a black metal band??” And I finally gave their LP a spin and was blown away! Moral of the story: Don’t browse through emails; read them carefully. Also, there are way too many death/black metals bands out there and I don’t care for it. Anyhow, from melodic hooks, harmonious vocals, superb guitar solos set against an atmospheric backdrop, The Order of Fear is a phenomenal record from top to bottom. So, do yourself a favour and give this band/album a spin—it’s another home run from the still very new German metal label Reigning Phoenix Music who are on a roll and releasing stellar LPs on all fronts.

Orden Ogan online: https://ordenogan.rpm.link/theorderoffearWE

Second, British thrash metal legends Solitary return to celebrate their thirty-year career on September 6^th with their fifth full-length record, Embrace the Darkness, on the heels of a short but ferocious live album, Live at Bloodstock, in 2022. This is their best album in fifteen years in my opinion. It pulls no punches, the lyrics are raw and in-your-face, the music fast and unforgiving, and the overall results are simply stunning. The quartet knows how to do thrash metal and the tracks go by at breakneck speed. They haven’t been the most prolific band but when they’re on, they’re a pleasure to listen to—although their songs are far from being joyful or upbeat. If you’re not familiar with Solitary, think of a British version of Slayer and Testament. The two first singles give you a good indication of what to expect throughout the LP—the brutal “Settle Scores the Old Way” and the brilliant “Filtering Hindsight.” My only gripe is that the album is already short enough but two of the songs won’t be included on the digital release as “Divided and Demented” is a vinyl-only bonus track while “Beat the Bastards” is a CD-only bonus tune. That’s a bit of a bummer for fans, but otherwise, Embrace the Darkness is a solid bare-knuckle affair without any hint of a dull song.

Solitary on Bandcamp: https://solitary94.bandcamp.com/

Third, New Haven, Connecticut doom/stoner metal trio Curse the Son will unleash their fifth LP, Delirium, via the mighty Ripple Music on September 6^th. Man, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this album this much! I was familiar with Curse the Son, but their music hadn’t particularly clicked with me thus far. The first single off of Delirium, “R.I.P.”, a Witchfinder General cover, was fantastic so it got my full attention. More greatness awaited inside Delirium once I gave it a spin with the likes of “Deliberate Cruelty”, the title track, and the closing track “Liste of the Dead” among others. It’s a dark and gloomy album and one that sees the band in full control of their musical gifts. The father-son duo of Ron and Logan Vanacore, on vocals/guitar and drums respectively (a 14-year old phenom!), is in perfect harmony with the pounding rhythm of Dan Weeden on bass. There are a few instrumentals scattered throughout the record and they don’t feel tacked-on to simply fill the void as is often the case with bands who do it to pad the album’s runtime/add an extra track. Delirium is the perfect album to listen to with autumn being just around the corner and as we inch closer to Halloween. And that creepy album cover is ten shades of awesome, by the way.

Ripple Music’s Bandcamp page for Curse the Son: https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/delirium

Fourth, straight from Birmingham aka Sabbath City, heavy psych/doom quartet Alunah returns on September 20^th with their third album on Heavy Psych Sounds Records (and 7^th LP overall) titled Fever Dream. This band keeps topping themselves with every new album. Ever since the arrival of Siân Greenaway on vocals in 2017, they’ve been experimenting, constantly evolving, and fine-tuning their sound. Sadly, it was announced last week that it would be Siân's final album with Alunah. It’s already been over two years since the release of their masterpiece, Strange Machine, a record that has aged like the finest of wines. Fever Dream sees the quartet delving further into psych and less into doom, much to my delight. Once again, we are treated to gems and future classics with earworms like “Never Too Late”, “The Odyssey”, and “Far from Reality.” Melodic, catchy, and full of dazzling musical craftsmanship, Fever Dream may very well be their best LP to date, only time will tell. Siân is one of today’s greatest vocalists, all genres confounded, in my opinion, and I can't wait to see where and when we'll be able to hear her next. Alunah continues to impress and reinvent themselves as they keep going strong even after fifteen years in the game. Hopefully the next chapter in the band's life will be just as exciting as this one was. Fever Dream is absolutely worthy of a spot on the Top Ten Albums of the Year list.

HPS Records’ Bandcamp page for Alunah: https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/alunah-fever-dream

Fifth, another new discovery for me courtesy of, once again, Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), Swedish symphonic metal warriors Tungsten will release their fourth album, The Grand Inferno, on November 8^th. Another band I’d never heard of who had me at hello with their single “Vantablack.” It’s probably the album I’ve listened to the most in August and it just keeps getting better with every new spin. Tungsten deliver a good balance of more aggressive tracks and softer tunes with some cool electronic effects sprinkled throughout the record. Their latest single, “Lullaby”, gets my vote as my fave song on this excellent collection of eleven kick-ass tunes. Catchy with pop tendencies and melodious to the max, The Grand Inferno’s got a larger-than-life sound. I’m really starting to get into power and symphonic metal, discovering bands that have been around for over a decade but that are new to me. Whether you’re a novice to this musical genre or a seasoned listener, I can’t imagine someone not appreciating The Grand Inferno; it’s an outstanding record from beginning to end.

Tungsten online: https://tungsten.rpm.link/grandinfernoWE 

And on that note, the second issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks (HKP) comes to a close. I’m really enjoying writing/sharing my thoughts on albums in this fashion. How about you, the readers and listeners; do you like the new format? Share your comments here on the blog or on the Harbinger of D.O.O.M.’s Twitter/X page. Until next time, stay safe and enjoy the tunes!

Short Story Time: The Paradigm

The first Saturday of August is here, so it’s Short Story Time! We’ve also arrived at my last novella/short story after fifteen months! And we’re ending on a strong note as this month’s feature is titled The Paradigm, my personal favourite of the novellas I’ve written. It's a noir mystery with a hint of supernatural and it stars my favourite character, Jim Coffin. Here's the nitty-gritty on The Paradigm:

“First published as part of Alan Draven's 2012 collection Spooky Showcase, now a stand-alone novella: The Paradigm.

In the tradition of Mickey Spillane and Donald E. Westlake comes a noir mystery set in 1984 with a hint of supernatural. Upon investigating Detective Harry Graves’ disappearance, private eye Jim Coffin finds himself on the trail of an odd bunch of characters, including a drop-dead gorgeous dame, a mad scientist, and a man who claims to be immortal. Along the way, Coffin begins having bizarre dreams about his own demise—could they be a foreboding of something sinister?”

You can download it as a free PDF right here. If you’ve missed the previous installments of Short Story Time, you can download each tale at the links below. Next month I’ll start talking about my upcoming Sword & Sorcery book, Amok the Powerful, which will be published in October.

“Vengeance Is Mine” is a novella about the Jack the Ripper murders—with a twist! London 1888. Jack the Ripper leaves a trail of mutilated bodies as he terrorizes the district of Whitechapel and baffles the authorities. From beyond death, one of his victims returns to haunt him and shows him the meaning of living in fear.

“The Dark Emissaries” is a novella about a girl named Harmony who returns to Bitternest for a friend’s funeral. She encounters a strange man who only goes out at night that tells her there are dark beings sucking the life out of Bitternest’s inhabitants and turning them into stone. They are called the Dark Emissaries and a sign that they are but a taste of much worse things to come. Harmony will learn that she has a bigger role to play in the fight against the Dark Emissaries.

“Cellar Door” is a novella about a court proofreader who picks up white noise on the recording of a transcript: A girl says ‘Help’ and ‘Find Cellar Door’ on it. He begins to dig deeper and discovers troubling details about a little girl that went missing in Bitternest. He embarks on an investigation to uncover the truth and answer the ultimate question: ‘What is Cellar Door?’”

“A Madman’s Atonement” is a story about a serial killer in Bitternest. That’s all I’ll say about it. It’s become a fan-favourite over the years and I’m damn proud of this one.

"Beyond the Doomed Cave", is a Bradburyesque Gothic coming-of-age tale about a witch in a churchyard.

“Silently It Creeps” is a short and nasty, creepy little tale about the monster under the bed.

“The Chilling Hour” is a tale about Nick Kubrick, a horror DJ who investigates and debunks supernatural myths in his spare time in the foggy city of Bitternest, Louisiana. He would go on to star in his own novel, Nocturnal Offerings, a few years later.

“The Errand” is a tale about a man who goes through the woods of Bitternest to run an errand and will see the course of his life altered forever.

“Hershell’s Motel” is a strange tale about an unusual motel where, you guessed it, bizarre things happen.

“The Rattling Man” is a coming of age Halloween tale. Do you believe in the bogeyman? Do you believe in the Rattling Man? Find out who or what he is!

“Crimson Nightmares” is my take on the “Halloween” movie series. Written and initially published digitally back in 2011, this 106-page novella picks up 33 years after the events of the second "Halloween" film from 1981, the night when Michael Myers terrorized Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) and the residents of Haddonfield, Illinois. It follows little Lindsey Wallace, the little girl Laurie Strode babysat in the first “Halloween” (1978) film, who is all grown-up now and bears the scars of that terrible night to this day. She has moved to my fictitious town of Bitternest, Louisiana to get away from her past and has been leading a quiet life, that is until something inside Michael Myers snaps and he comes looking for her on Halloween. Add to that a killer clown with an agenda of his own and it’s a Halloween you won’t soon forget. It’ll be a showdown for the ages when Michael Myers comes to the eerie city of Bitternest.

“The Bypassed Mind”, a romantic suspense/fantasy story with some hypnosis thrown in for good measure that was directly inspired by the late, great Richard Matheson's novel Bid Time Return also adapted as the film "Somewhere in Time".

“Breaking and Entering”, the story of a man who enters people’s homes just for kicks, never stealing anything, just to see what goes on behind closed doors. One day he’ll stumble upon something that will change his life forever…

“Scapegoat”, a tale about the Curse of the Cubs, the love of baseball, some time travel, and a whole lot of nostalgia. Even if you're not into baseball, this fantasy tale filled with mystery is sure to entertain you.

Last but not least, fans of Conan and Dungeons & Dragons can also download a PDF of the first two tales of the ongoing adventures of my Sword & Sorcery character AMOK right here. 

Harbinger’s Killer Picks – July 2024

With half of the year in the books, I’m shaking things up a bit going forward. Welcome to the first edition of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks. Similar to what I used to do for the Bandcamp Friday Roundup, on the last Saturday of every month, I’ll give you my thoughts on five picks of what I consider are the best albums I’ve encountered during that month. It’ll consist of recently released and upcoming records. This column will replace the Musings and Rapid-Fire Reviews columns. I will no longer do lengthy reviews of specific albums. Anyway, does anyone ever read those entirely apart from the labels/bands/PR firms who submitted the albums? Instead, I’ll share my opinions and comments with you in one concise paragraph. It’ll be like a monthly magazine presenting you its picks for the best upcoming records with links to purchase the LP on Bandcamp, when available, or other platforms. So, without further ado, here is the first issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks!

First, Flat Black, Canadian guitarist Jason Hook’s new band, just released their debut LP, Dark Side of the Brain, last week. Hook is best known as the former lead guitarist of heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. I’ve never been a big fan of FFDP, but based on the handful of singles I’d heard from Flat Black in the last couple of months, I was hooked, no pun intended. Jason Hook is an underrated guitarist and he put together a stellar band. Dark Side of the Brain is a banger of an album featuring thirteen awesome hard rock and metal tunes, with a few slower-paced numbers and even a ballad of sorts. Singer Wrex Horton shows a lot of promise as the lead vocalist and the band sounds tight. Strangely enough, the only song I didn’t care too much for is “Nothing to Some” featuring Corey Taylor of Slipknot fame. Chock-full of arena-ready anthems, this is a solid album from top to bottom and it keeps getting better with every new spin.

Flat Black on Bandcamp: https://flatblackmusic.bandcamp.com/album/dark-side-of-the-brain

Second, Wizard Tattoo, the Indianapolis-based prog metal project by multi-instrumentalist one-man army Bram the Bard, is back with a new concept EP titled Living Just for Dying which was released yesterday. It continues in the same vein as his debut LP from last summer, Fables of the Damned. I love the vibe of the project, the artwork that goes along with it, and how great in every aspect of the craft Bram actually is. This four-song collection is just as great as the previous album. The only song I didn’t care for—and this is based on my personal preference—is “Tomorrow Dies”, a black metal song. In the span of four songs, we go through acoustic classic rock style to prog rock to metal by way of grunge to deliver a very eclectic EP.

Wizard Tattoo on Bandcamp: https://wizardtattoo.bandcamp.com/album/living-just-for-dying

Third, the mighty Ripple Music, as part of their “Beneath the Desert Floor” series, has seen fit to re-release Fireball Ministry’s third LP, Their Rock Is Not Our Rock, on August 9^th. Believe it or not, I’d never heard of this band before and what a fine surprise it was to plunge head-first into this nearly twenty-year old LP without prior knowledge of any of the songs. The big hit on this record back in the day was “The Broken” which was featured in the video game WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006, and I can tell you that it’s not even the best song on the album. So, you’re in for a treat if you dug that song. It’s a strong LP from a kick-ass band, and it actually made me curious to hear their previous efforts. Fireball Ministry’s entire catalogue does not disappoint and this particular LP is a great pick for a re-release and serves as a perfect introduction to this talented stoner metal quartet.

Fireball Ministry on Bandcamp: https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/beneath-the-desert-floor-chapter-4-fireball-ministry-their-rock-is-not-our-rock

Fourth, All For Metal, a phenomenal six-piece heavy metal/power metal band—or heroic metal as I like to call it—will unleash their sophomore LP, Gods of Metal (Year of the Dragon), on August 23^rd. All For Metal absolutely blew me away here! Hailing from Germany and Italy, the dual vocal threat of Tom “Tetzel” Schmidt and Antonio Calanna are a force to be reckoned with. If you enjoy bands like Manowar, you’ll have a blast with this record. I’ve been listening to it non-stop ever since it dropped in my inbox and it’s even cracked my Top Five favourite albums of the year list. Full of melodic anthems, catchy choruses, fiery guitar solos, infectious energy, and a larger than life sound, Gods of Metal is a bona fide metal masterpiece.

All For Metal Online: https://allformetal.rpm.link/godsofmetalWE

Fifth, Black Sites, a prog metal trio out of Chicago, Illinois, will release their fourth LP titled The Promised Land? on September 6^th.  Black Sites perform a cool blend of prog metal, hard rock, and old school metal. They draw inspiration from Voivod and Black Sabbath and it makes for a great sound. I haven’t heard their previous records, but this one is a polished affair featuring a crop of seven top-tier songs. If you enjoyed their first two singles, the excellent, galloping “World on Fire” and the darker, proggier “Descent”, then it’s safe to say you’ll have a good time with The Promised Land?. It’s a very diverse record that showcases just how skillful this trio is.

Black Sites on Bandcamp: https://blacksites.bandcamp.com/album/the-promised-land

That’s it, folks! The first issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks comes to an end. I hope you like the new format and that it’ll make you discover some awesome albums over the months to come. See you next month, and in the meantime, crank up the tunes!

Short Story Time: Vengeance Is Mine

It’s the first Saturday of July, so it’s Short Story Time! This month’s novella is widely considered to be my very best one: Vengeance Is Mine. I spent a couple months researching everything about Jack the Ripper prior to writing it and my attention to details, times, locations, and names of the victims make this one historical fiction. Here's the lowdown on it:

“First published as part of the multi-author novella collection Creeping Shadows in 2009 and reprinted in Alan Draven’s 2012 collection Spooky Showcase, now a stand-alone novella: Vengeance Is Mine.

Alan Draven’s classic re-telling of the Jack the Ripper murders—with a twist! London 1888. Jack the Ripper leaves a trail of mutilated bodies as he terrorizes the district of Whitechapel and baffles the authorities. From beyond death, one of his victims returns to haunt him and shows him the meaning of living in fear.”

You can download it as a free PDF right here. If you’ve missed the previous installments of Short Story Time, you can download each tale at the links below. Until next month, stay scared!

“The Dark Emissaries” is a novella about a girl named Harmony who returns to Bitternest for a friend’s funeral. She encounters a strange man who only goes out at night that tells her there are dark beings sucking the life out of Bitternest’s inhabitants and turning them into stone. They are called the Dark Emissaries and a sign that they are but a taste of much worse things to come. Harmony will learn that she has a bigger role to play in the fight against the Dark Emissaries.

“Cellar Door” is a novella about a court proofreader who picks up white noise on the recording of a transcript: A girl says ‘Help’ and ‘Find Cellar Door’ on it. He begins to dig deeper and discovers troubling details about a little girl that went missing in Bitternest. He embarks on an investigation to uncover the truth and answer the ultimate question: ‘What is Cellar Door?’”

“A Madman’s Atonement” is a story about a serial killer in Bitternest. That’s all I’ll say about it. It’s become a fan-favourite over the years and I’m damn proud of this one.

"Beyond the Doomed Cave", is a Bradburyesque Gothic coming-of-age tale about a witch in a churchyard.

“Silently It Creeps” is a short and nasty, creepy little tale about the monster under the bed.

“The Chilling Hour” is a tale about Nick Kubrick, a horror DJ who investigates and debunks supernatural myths in his spare time in the foggy city of Bitternest, Louisiana. He would go on to star in his own novel, Nocturnal Offerings, a few years later.

“The Errand” is a tale about a man who goes through the woods of Bitternest to run an errand and will see the course of his life altered forever.

“Hershell’s Motel” is a strange tale about an unusual motel where, you guessed it, bizarre things happen.

“The Rattling Man” is a coming of age Halloween tale. Do you believe in the bogeyman? Do you believe in the Rattling Man? Find out who or what he is!

“Crimson Nightmares” is my take on the “Halloween” movie series. Written and initially published digitally back in 2011, this 106-page novella picks up 33 years after the events of the second "Halloween" film from 1981, the night when Michael Myers terrorized Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) and the residents of Haddonfield, Illinois. It follows little Lindsey Wallace, the little girl Laurie Strode babysat in the first “Halloween” (1978) film, who is all grown-up now and bears the scars of that terrible night to this day. She has moved to my fictitious town of Bitternest, Louisiana to get away from her past and has been leading a quiet life, that is until something inside Michael Myers snaps and he comes looking for her on Halloween. Add to that a killer clown with an agenda of his own and it’s a Halloween you won’t soon forget. It’ll be a showdown for the ages when Michael Myers comes to the eerie city of Bitternest.

“The Bypassed Mind”, a romantic suspense/fantasy story with some hypnosis thrown in for good measure that was directly inspired by the late, great Richard Matheson's novel Bid Time Return also adapted as the film "Somewhere in Time".

“Breaking and Entering”, the story of a man who enters people’s homes just for kicks, never stealing anything, just to see what goes on behind closed doors. One day he’ll stumble upon something that will change his life forever…

“Scapegoat”, a tale about the Curse of the Cubs, the love of baseball, some time travel, and a whole lot of nostalgia. Even if you're not into baseball, this fantasy tale filled with mystery is sure to entertain you.

Last but not least, fans of Conan and Dungeons & Dragons can also download a PDF of the first two tales of the ongoing adventures of my Sword & Sorcery character AMOK right here. 

2024 Mid-Year Top Ten

The first half of 2024 is already history! I think it goes by faster with every passing year. These first six months have been absolutely phenomenal music-wise and it’ll be hard to top that for the second half of the year. So, as I did last year, I thought I’d do a Mid-Year Top Ten to see where we’re at. Some albums that I ranked really high upon the first couple of listens dropped down a bit in the rankings and vice versa. Essentially, these are the ten LPs that I keep going back to, week in, week out. Each album listed features a link to its respective review.

10. Blaze Bayley – Circle of Stone

9. Freeways – Dark Sky Sanctuary

8. Tonnerre – La Nuit Sauvage

7. Castle Rat – Into the Realm

6. VAZUM – Western Violence

5. Ace Frehley – 10,000 Volts

4. The Mercury Riots – In Solstice

3. Bruce Dickinson – The Mandrake Project

2. Sebastian Bach – Child Within the Man

1. Judas Priest – Invincible Shield

And those are my picks! What are your favourite albums of the year so far? Hopefully my list will make you discover an album you’d overlooked or that you just found out about for the first time. Summer’s in full swing so enjoy your weekend and listen to music! 

Double Dose of Reviews - Thunder Horse & Dream Evil

Greetings! Here’s another double dose of reviews for you. First off, the San Antonio, Texas quartet Thunder Horse will release their first live album via the mighty Ripple Music on July 14^th titled Dead Alive in TX. They’re going the classic route KISS and other ‘70s rock bands took of putting out a live album after three studio LPs. I must say, I wholeheartedly endorse this wonderful initiative. Over the last couple of years, Thunder Horse has become one of my top three favourite bands from the Ripple Music roster. Dead Alive in TX features songs from their self-titled debut from 2018, their now-classic sophomore effort, Chosen One, from 2021, and of course, their masterpiece from last summer, After the Fall, which I reviewed exactly a year ago today, strangely enough.

Man, what a kick-ass record this is! This album sounds crisp and crystal clear from beginning to end and there isn’t a dull moment to be found. Stephen Bishop’s vocals boom over each song while Todd Connally’s blistering guitar, and the thundering rhythm section of Dave Crow on bass & Johnny Lightning on drums unleash crushing doom goodness on our senses. From the heavy and doomy “Let Them Bleed” to the anthemic “New Normal”, the entrancing “Song for the Ferryman”, to a reinvigorated “Chosen One”, closing the set with a breakneck rendition of the Motorhead signature song “Ace of Spades” that would make Lemmy proud, Dead Alive is nothing short of perfection in terms of a live album. My only gripe is that I wish it would’ve been longer, with three or four more songs. Was this recorded at a festival where they performed a shorter set or is this an abbreviated show for the purpose of fitting it all on a single vinyl? In any case, I’d love to have a full, one-hour plus live album from Thunder Horse the next time around.

A perfect gateway to the band for newcomers, Dead Alive in TX is a riff-loaded “Best Of” of the band’s greatest tunes as well as a testament to just how powerful they sound in a live performance. I hope they’ll continue the tradition and release another live LP in about five or six years once they’ve put out album number six. Pre-order/add this one to your Wishlist on Bandcamp ASAP—it’s required listening for all fans of doom/heavy psych/classic rock.

Ripple Music’s Bandcamp page for Thunder Horse: https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/dead-alive-in-tx

Next up, hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, heavy metal band Dream Evil will be making a comeback with their first album in seven years. The legendary Swedish metal group celebrates their twenty-fifth anniversary this year and their latest LP, Metal Gods, will see the light of day on July 26^th via Century Media Records. The quintet has put together a stellar album perfectly tailored to their long-time fans and devotees of old school metal in general.

It’s a record chock-full of highlights, with the anthemic opening title track and first single—an homage to the gods of metal like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. “Chosen Force” with its catchy chorus and harmonious synths. “The Tyrant Dies at Dawn”, a battle song with superb guitar playing. “Lightning Strikes” is a melodic gem while “Fight in the Night” is a kick-ass tune with heavy riffage. The slower-paced, bass-driven “Masters of Arms” is a beauty, and “Born in Hell”, a song that feels like the spiritual twin of “Metal Gods”, is equally great and Priest-like in execution.

Dream Evil are back in a major way. Metal Gods is a breath of fresh air and shows that the quintet hasn’t lost a beat after all these years. If anything, they sound rejuvenated here. Masters at crafting melodic metal hooks, riffs, and guitar solos with pop sensibilities, they deliver hands-down one of the best metal LPs of the year with Metal Gods. Whether you’re new to the band or have been following them for the past twenty plus years, there’s plenty to love on Metal Gods. Join the celebration and pre-order this collection of gems at your earliest convenience.

Century Media Records’ Bandcamp page for Dream Evil: https://centurymedia.bandcamp.com/album/metal-gods-24-bit-hd-audio