Colors of the Dark

Requiscat in Pace

2011-01-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

Merry Christ... OH SHIT!!!

2010-12-24T12:46:00.003-05:00

Colors of the Dark will be on Holidaze break until sometime next week. In the meantime enjoy this warm and cozy little bit of seasonal cheer...

BloodShop!

2010-12-22T00:43:00.004-05:00

BloodLust!, one of the best sources for noise / power-electronics / experimental drone, now has an online store... BloodShop! (Click for link)

Here are some of their recent items:

Nightmares - T-Shirt (Pre-Order)

Atrax Morgue - Omicido 7" Vinyl EP

Mark Solotroff - Archive 05 CD

Locrian - Territories CD

Shintaro Kago - Two New Animations

2010-12-20T00:50:00.006-05:00

Click here for Kago's official website (NOT WORK SAFE).

Human Nature

2010-12-17T09:44:00.001-05:00

Out Now! Daikichi Amano "Human Nature" released by Bongout Berlin (RELEASE PARTY TONIGHT!)

Click here for our previous post on the art of Daikichi Amano.

Here's a description from Boungout... In his photographs, Daikichi Amano (b.1973 in Japan), enfant terrible of Hokusai, does not shun even the most impossible types of embraces.

In his monstrous orgies—elaborate and disturbingly sensual encounters of otherworldly beauty that flirts with the abject—angel-faced women frolic with snakes and earthworms, elegantly contorted and interlaced eels slipping into every orifice of the human body. Live toads are sucked-on gluttonously, cockroaches, larvae and other invertebrates embrace, interweave, absorb and suck on each other until they lock into a hybrid body moving as one under the waves of a new kind of irresistible sensuality.

Each animal possesses its own secret beauty – Amano has made it his calling to reveal their graces: smooth undulating eels, shiny and transparent octopuses arranged in precious and enthralling compositions. Despite being disturbing to the point of nausea,
Daikichi Amano’s works are celebrated internationally. He composes new kinds of tableaux with the bodies of actresses, animals and insects, translates his nightmares and visions into frozen images, portraits of an almost surreal beauty.

Amano pursues this photographic enquiry into the bizarre realms of erotic imagination with an obsessive and perfectionist eye for detail, inspired by the Dutch still-lives painters as well as Japanese mythology and the great Ukiyo-E woodcut masters of the Edo period and in particular the erotic Shunga prints.

Textures, surfaces and bodies weave themselves into abstract compositions in his photographs, with flesh, scales and skin taking on the colours of jewels. The abject becomes sublime. This is Amano’s great talent: to reevaluate death not as sterile horror, but as an aesthetic resurrection. He takes up the ancient idea of beauty as ineluctably doomed to wilt, condemned to eventually disappear and thereby aligns himself as an artist in a thousand-year-old poetic tradition that sings of all things fleeting and ephemeral.

Click here for ordering info and images from the book (NOT WORK SAFE).

Hush / Joka Exhibition Opens Saturday in Philly

2010-12-15T00:26:00.001-05:00

Artist Hush was featured on Colors of the Dark previously here. You can see more Joka here.

Click here for The Toothless Cat Gallery blog.

vidnaObmana 1987-2007 Chasing The Odysee

2010-12-13T11:58:00.003-05:00

(Click photo to view larger. Photo by Patrick Ceuppens)

Coming in January, a very special box set for one of the greatest ambient / experimental artists the world has ever known...

vidnaObmana - 1987-2007 Chasing The Odysee (8LP, Tonefloat)

From the vidnaObmana newsletter: This is arguably the biggest project ever released on tonefloat. first announced as early as 2006, Chasing The Odyssee comprises 37 tracks on eight vinyl discs and an oversized 24-page booklet featuring exclusive liner notes. Covering the years 1987 to 2007 and following in the footsteps of an earlier set dedicated to the project’s obscure tape years, it documents Dirk Serries’s gradual development from an industrial sound sculptor to an artist equally at home in the world of electronica and contemporary composition.

Over the course of these 20 years, he would influence the gradual growth of ambient from nothing but a fleeting idea by Brian Eno to an established and challenging genre, sell 10,000 copies of his classic The River Of Appearance, write a soundtrack for the giant aquarium of the Antwerp Zoo and work with the likes of Steve Roach, Steven Wilson and a symphonic orchestra. Most of all, he would efficiently demonstrate that stylistic limitations are purely rooted in a lack of imagination.

To make these developments and changes transparent, Chasing The Odyssee has been divided into four chapters. While two records present a selection of pieces recorded and originally released before 2000, four sides have been reserved for a variety of previously unreleased Justin K. Broadrick remixes and live tracks providing for a hands-on impression of how powerfully the vidnaObmana studio sound studio sound translated to the stage. Meanwhile, highlights from two unique cycles make up the extensive middle section of the box: the Dante Trilogy, a collaboration with ground breaking extreme metal label Relapse, as well as Serries’s Opera For Four Fusion Works, an uncompromising stint into the world of the avant garde. Many of these pieces have long been out of print, but merely compiling oddities is not the aim of Chasing The Odyssee. Rather, it intends to present the music on the format they would have been released on in an ideal world in the first place and at premium acoustic quality – vidnaObmana has certainly never sounded better.

Rather than resting on his laurels for the rest of his career, Serries decided to end the journey at its peak. Now, you can relive the experience.

From the liner notes: “listening to these records from beginning to end will take you on a personal journey, which, despite its occasional twists and turns, is devoid of stereotypical cliches and mythical transfigurations. Chasing The Odyssee is not just a collector’s item. Cinematic, evocatively physical and full of memories, it is a perfect representation of everything that vidnaObmana has stood for over the last 23 years.”

Chasing The Odyssee, pressed on eight 180 grams black vinyls discs, is packed in a hardback box with lid, and comes with 1 24-page booklet.

The release date for the box (which is limited to 400 copies) is January 24, 2011, and is available for pre-orders from the tonefloat store at the introductory price of only 49.99 euros (plus postage). CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER.

(Click image to view larger)

Also, last year Vinyl On Demand released the vidnaObmana "1984-86 testament of tape“ box set. Click here for more info on that release (scroll down).

For more on the work of vidnaObmana and Dirk Serries check out the following links:
vidnaobmana.be
dirkserries.com
3secondsofair.com
fearfallsburning.be
microphonics.be

Valhalla Rising

2010-12-11T00:19:00.004-05:00

Yes, Colors of the Dark is a tad behind on this one... so sue us.

Valhalla Rising is not a five star movie. It drags at times and it's use of CG Blood means we take off one star automatically (ha ha). In spite of these blemishes, there hasn't been a film released recently that exemplifies COLORS of the DARK more than this one. The cinematography is right up our alley.

Also, the soundtrack is amazing - beautifully dark, drony, and multi-layered. Only Lustmord could have done better.

Here's an excerpt of the soundtrack isolated with film stills:

The music is by Peter Kyed and Peter Peter. Sadly there has been no soundtrack release yet.

We recommend you watch the film on a good surround sound setup. It's well worth it.

Here's a behind the scenes featurette (don't watch if you haven't seen the movie yet):

Nac/Hut Report

2010-12-09T16:39:00.000-05:00

Nac/Hut Report is an electronic duo from Poland. As they put it "Tortured guitars and Kollaps-ed melodies on cheap electronics and concrete noises... Everything Mix-ed up together for no obvious reason... The worst kind of post-modernism..."

They have been kind enough to offer their latest single as a FREE DOWNLOAD - get "142 Drugs Report" here.

You can read a brief interview with them and grab an older EP over here at the Puke Skywalker Blog.

And if you have the patience to deal with the SUCK that is MySpace nowadays you can hear / learn more on the group at myspace.com/nachutreport

William Lustig (Maniac / Blue Underground) Interview

2010-12-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

This was brought to you by one of the best places on the internet for film reviews... AV MANIACS as well as The CineFiles.

December Album of the Month - BLACKS

2010-12-01T10:36:00.001-05:00

BLACKS is a punk rock band from Wilmington, NC and Colors of the Dark is pleased to feature them as our Album of the Month.

Check out their debut album in the player on the top right of this page. It is also available as a limited to 100 CDR (click here for details).

You can see video of them performing and read about what they're up to on their blog.

Fredox - Kawaii 731

2010-11-30T10:51:00.000-05:00

French collage artist Fredox has recently released a book of his work via Le Dernier Cri.

You can buy it and see images from the inside (NOT WORK SAFE) over at The Timeless Shop.

Be sure to check out the entire Timeless Webstore. As you will see there are MANY amazing items for sale. All your naughty Holiday shopping could be handled in one fell swoop.

Martial Canterel - You Today

2010-11-28T00:18:00.000-05:00

Martial Canterel - "You Today" Video (Stereogum Premiere) from stereogum on Vimeo.

You can get this brand new Martial Canterel single from Wierd Records on 7" Vinyl or as a Digital Download.

R.I.P. Peter Christopherson

2010-11-25T11:23:00.000-05:00

Good-night! good-night! as we so oft have said
Beneath this roof at midnight, in the days
That are no more, and shall no more return.
Thou hast but taken up thy lamp and gone to bed;
I stay a little longer, as one stays
To cover up the embers that still burn.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

More from The Quietus.

The very first installment of "Colors of What the FUCK?!?!?"

2010-11-24T00:35:00.003-05:00

"These spoons are history that you can hold in your hand and were once in the hands of the German history makers of the 3rd Reich era. As the years pass, the 3rd Reich era will move from the monster of history to just plain history as did the Napoleonic era and like Napoleon collectibles, there is increasing interest in acquiring 3rd Reich collectibles, although understandably relatively modest in our lifetime. Thus, this book should be of interest to the collector and educational for the casual reader of history."

We kid you not. Really. Honest Injun. You can get your own copy of this book on Amazon.

United Monster Talent Agency

2010-11-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

Check out this fun little short dedicated to classic horror films. "United Monster Talent Agency" was written and directed by one of Colors of the Dark's favorite people Greg Nicotero.

Yeah, we should have posted this weeks ago but hell... it's Halloween 365 days a year around here.

NOTE - Sorry about the ad before the short starts. Trust us, "United Monster Talent Agency" is worth the wait.

Jerome Deppe - Art Opening & Music Performance

2010-11-18T13:22:00.001-05:00

This Saturday night Cohn Drennan Contemporary Gallery (Dallas, TX) will be hosting the opening reception for Jerome Deppe's "Showtunes for the Damned" exhibition.

From the invitation:

Join us this Saturday, November 20th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for the opening reception of Jerome Deppe/Showtunes for the Damned, the world's first graphic novel with accompanying sountrack. Showtunes contains 13 stories with 13 songs and Jerome will be coming from Baltimore to perform 6 of his compositions at 8:00 pm.

On November 20th, the gallery will be converted into an oversize graphic novel. Viewers will essentially walk into the world of Showtunes for the Damned, an impressive graphic novel and CD package by Jerome Deppe and Gentlemen Obscura. Jerome Deppe has been a longtime musical collaborator of David E. Williams, and Showtunes For The Damned is his fourth solo release. Deppe's lyrics provide the narrative of the book and offers a psychological sketch of the disenchanted and the alienated, and serves as a damning indictment of contemporary living.

Simon Collins of Judas Kiss Webzine describes Showtunes for the Damed as "...a tour-de-force of dark pop, rising above the gravitational pull of its obvious 80s industrial, goth and post-punk influences to offer a stark, unflinching commentary on living in the end-times."

Jerome Deppe, Showrunes for the Damned, the Buzzing, 2009, graphic novel and sountrack. To listen to The Buzzing, click below:

jeromedeppe.bandcamp.com/track/the-buzzing

For more info go to cohndrennancontemporary.com

Happy Seventh Birthday WIERD!

2010-11-17T15:24:00.002-05:00

Colors of the Dark wishes to extend very rare birthday wishes to WIERD!

Tonight's event features a performance by the mighty Xeno & Oaklander at Midnite! If you are anywhere near New York City you should be there.

Here's the official word from Wierd founder Pieter Schoolwerth:

It was this week almost to the day back in the fall of 2003 that the Wierd World was born at the legendary Southside Lounge in BK, and now 7 years and 400+ parties later less than a mile away, every single week, we're still going strong. So it is with pleasure this Wednesday evening that the WIERD proudly invites you all out to a celebration of this amazing, invisible, incredibly fragile sculpture we've all built together in our Refuge Underneath the frozen cold world in a time in which more and more bringing people together to revel in the fleshly bliss of real space and time is truly becoming Very Rare, we truly thank you all for your continued support. We're wrapping up and soon will be unleashing the long-overdue, and entirely updated massive invitation archive thats years behind at this point its been quite a labor of vague froide love I assure you, so you'll all be able to relive and VRemember all the wild nights at last!...stay tuned...

It only makes sense somehow that our beloved in-house heros XENO & OAKLANDER will be taking the stage on this momentous occasion. Sean and Liz will indeed be making this performance extra special they tell me as they will be debuting a whole new set of trax off their forthcoming second album on the way next year. This will be one for the VRecord books, can't wait to see you all [tonight]! VRp.

This week's party will also be an unofficial NYC launch party of sorts for the new issue of ANP Quartely which includes perhaps the most erudite and radically ambitious epic feature on the Wierd World to date by the great Ethan Swan of Silk Flowers - so many pages of photos, interviews, anecdotes etc. We'll have as many boxes of the monster oversize print edition as we can jam into the little sputtering Wierdmobile to drivem to the club tomorrow on hand, so arrive early if you'd like a complimentary copy. This excellent ad-free bi-annual not-for-profit publication is crafted with care and won't be out there for long so grab one before, like all precious things, they become...VR.

Glenn Maryansky, Anarexia, and Frankie Teardrop Spin the History of the WIERD!
Wednesday November 17th, 2010 - 10pm-4am!
(Very Rare Performance by Xeno & Oaklander at Midnite!)
WIERD @ Home Sweet Home
131 Chrystie St. at Delancy, NYC
Info:(212)226-5708
wierdrecords.com

Coming Soon to the WIERD Party:
Wed Nov. 24th: Wierd Presents Veryrarealyn's Birthday Party with guest DJs the forever-fabulous coldwave queen of new England herself Ms. Jeralyn Mason and Hi-Fi Hillary!
illwearanycoloraslongasitsblack.com
Wed Dec. 1st: WIERD Presents the debut Live Performance by THE PSYCHICS (featuring Jay Chase!!!)

White Ring

2010-11-17T00:54:00.013-05:00

WHITE RING "IXC999" from ∆ ∆ ∆ on Vimeo.

White Ring are an excellent dark electronic duo from New York. They have even better songs than the one in the above video. Check out their MySpace page to hear for yourself.

You can still get their "Suffocation" single here.

The Anatomy Murders

2010-11-13T00:58:00.000-05:00

From the Pennsylvania Hospital Newsletter of the Friends of the Historic Collections (Philadelphia):

Please join us on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 5:30pm in the Zubrow Auditorium for our last lecture in a series highlighting our exhibition, From Pastels to PDA’s: Medical Education from the 18th c. to the 21st. c. Professor Lisa Rosner (Stockton College) will discuss her book The iAnatomy Murders: Being the True and Spectacular History of Edinburgh's Notorious Burke and Hare, and of the Man of Science Who Abetted Them in the Commission of Their Most Heinous Crimes (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009).

On Halloween night 1828, in the West Port district of Edinburgh, Scotland, a woman sometimes known as Madgy Docherty was last seen in the company of William Burke and William Hare. Days later, police discovered her remains in the surgery of the prominent anatomist Dr. Robert Knox. Docherty was the final victim of the most atrocious murder spree of the century, outflanking even Jack the Ripper's. Together with their accomplices, Burke and Hare would be accused of killing sixteen people over the course of twelve months in order to sell their corpses as "subjects" for dissection. The story of their misdeeds would become the basis for chilling fiction and film.

Professor Rosner will talk about the art and science of anatomical dissection that created the demand for these grisly murders, and a world in which a dead body can be far more valuable than its living owner.

Please RSVP by Dec. 7th stacey.peeples@uphs.upenn.edu or 215-829-5434.

You can purchase the book over here at Amazon.

Tearist

2010-11-11T00:04:00.002-05:00

For more on the band go to myspace.com/teariststst

Hospital Productions Shirts

2010-11-08T16:18:00.004-05:00

Hospital Productions is a New York City noise / black metal label and store. They have released albums by none other than Wolf Eyes, Prurient, Burning Star Core, Sutcliffe Jugend and many more. You can learn more about the label at hospitalproductions.net

Now they are selling official shirts, hoodies, bags and more. Click here for the full line of Hosptial Productions Merch.

Homunculus

2010-11-07T00:14:00.000-04:00

Homunculus from HUMBLE TV on Vimeo.

Bleak Compilation (Free Download)

2010-11-03T09:26:00.002-04:00

"Why be Blake when you can be Bleak?" is a compilation featuring not only netlabel artists, but also contributions from renowned artists from the Industrial/Experimental genres, and plain legends from the early 80's Industrial scene.

The compilation strives to provide a "cause and effect" overview of Avantgarde art, especially from the viewpoint of Industrial/Experimental and Electronic music.

All artists have agreed to provide their tracks for free download, which is very uncommon these days, given the fact that non-mainstream artists probably suffer the most from illegal file sharing, and usually hesitate to give away albums for free.

The result is a download package in the size of a 3CD-compilation, containing early unreleased tracks as well as exclusive versions of new material.

The list of contributing artists is a mixture of Industrial dinosaurs and young or new obscure artists from all over the world.

Proving that original, or "old school" Industrial is still as influential and exciting as it has been since the very beginning in the late 70's and early 80's, The Bleak Compilation continues the tradition of compilations like "The Elephant Table Sampler", "Three Minute Symphony" or "Ohrenschrauben/Ohrensausen", presenting a mixture of difficult, at times disturbing and confusing music, totally apart from any mainstream intentions.

The painting on the cover is by Jonathan Canady, an american musician and artist, whose work is so close to what Bleak stands for that we couldn't resist asking him, and we are happy he agreed!

The list of artists who agreed to contribute is nothing less than amazing:

Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words, Konstruktivists, Attrition, Mushy, Cultural Amnesia, SLEEPCHAMBER, The On/Off Corporation, Wave Tank, John Zewizz, Perikomo, Josco, Das Fleisch, FRzO, MRT, Portion Control, The Altai Chamber Orchestra, Coil, Choronzon, r.A.C.K, Cultural Amnesia, Red Chamber, Bath feat. OROBL, 53, Nocturnal Emissions, Background Projection, Paluch Y, Josco, Critical Theatre, Pure, Josef Nadek, Job Karma, Firnwald, Sean Derrick Cooper Marquardt, Cezary Gapik, Stormhat, Dr. Nachtstrom

Download "Why be Blake when you can be Bleak?" here.

November Album of the Month - Interlard "Tyrol"

2010-11-01T09:43:00.001-04:00

Interlard is a "noisy experimental (mainly noisy) twosome from Birmingham, UK."

They have made their fourth album "Tyrol" available as a FREE download on their Bandcamp page.

You can learn more about Interlard over at their MySpace page.

Many thanks to Wes for offering up this delicious slab of gristle to Colors of the Dark.

ATTENTION!

2010-10-31T16:16:00.003-04:00

Now that I have your attention...

Starting tomorrow you may notice slightly fewer posts here at Colors of the Dark.

Never fear, this blog will continue. Posts will just be less regular.

Think quality over quantity.

Want to see more posts?

Well, PLEASE help!

Make a suggestion, submit some appropriate art, music and/or video. Tell your artist / musician / misc creative friends about the blog and have them get in touch. See something (anything) that fits the Colors of the Dark mold? Drop us an e-mail.

This blog thrives on your contributions.

Got it?

Good.

Now we return to our regular scheduled program.

Happy Halloween from Wretched Worst

2010-10-31T00:00:00.003-04:00

Wretched Worst - Face of Flies from Coleman Guyon on Vimeo.

Pieter Schoolwerth - Portraits of Paintings

2010-10-29T15:02:00.002-04:00

A very special art exhibition begins tomorrow night at the Miguel Abreu Gallery in New York City:

Pieter Schoolwerth - Portraits of Paintings

October 30 - December 23, 2010

Opening Reception Saturday October 30th, 6 - 8 pm

For further info and to see much more of Pieter's work go to miguelabreu.com

Note: I couldn't manage to get an image of one of Pieter's new works for this post. The above painting is an earlier work in the same series - I don't believe it is part of this exhibition.

William S. Burroughs: A Man Within

2010-10-28T00:13:00.006-04:00

Finally, there may just be a proper documentary on William S. Burroughs. There was "Burroughs" from 1983 that was good, but a little disjointed and incomplete (here's the best bit). Let's hope this new documentary, "A Man Within," fills in the blanks.

There have been screenings all over and the film will be at the IFC Theater in NYC starting Nov 17th.

For more info check out the official website at burroughsthemovie.com

Cyclobe

2010-10-27T07:24:00.002-04:00

Out now, "Wounded Galaxies Tap at the Window," the long-awaited new album by Cyclobe (featuring Stephen Thrower, ex-Coil, current UnicaZürn, etc, and Ossian Brown, also ex-Coil and Current 93 collaborator). If you are unfamiliar with this group they make exquisite and complex dark experimental music of the highest order. The previous releases by Cyclobe are pretty much the soundtrack to the Colors of the Dark universe. The limited edition LP is available now at cyclobe.com and the CD version is coming soon.

You can read a review and listen to an MP3 sample over here at Brainwashed.

Last but certainly not least, check out that beautiful artwork by Fred Tomaselli (you can see more of his work here).

Tutti Box v1.0

2010-10-24T12:02:00.001-04:00

Tutti Box v1.0 from Chris Carter on Vimeo.

For you slow folks the Tutti is Cosey from the mighty Throbbing Gristle.

Maniac 30th Anniversary!

2010-10-21T09:04:00.002-04:00

One of the greatest horror films of all time is now 30! To celebrate Blue Underground is releasing a special edition with a new uncut transfer and hours of new extras October 26th.

You can read more, watch the trailer, and order Maniac at the following links:

Maniac standard DVD version

Maniac Blu-ray DVD version

Also check out this news from the Blue Underground Facebook page...

In celebration of MANIAC’s 30th Anniversary, Blue Underground is proud to announce MANIAC’s theatrical re-release in select cinemas across North America! Blue Underground has partnered with Grindhouse Releasing for this exciting endeavor. The new release of MANIAC begins Oct. 29 & 30 at the Egyptian Theatre in Seattle. Director William Lustig will introduce screenings in Los Angeles (Nov. 5, Nuart Theatre, presented by Bloody-Disgusting.com), New York (Landmark's Sunshine Cinema, Nov. 19 & 20), and San Francisco (The Castro Theater, Dec. 10 & 11). Visit grindhousereleasing.com/maniac for additional info and a complete list of play dates as they are confirmed.

Acts of Contrition (zine)

2010-10-19T00:49:00.000-04:00

Acts of Contrition (zine) from Terence Hannum on Vimeo.

Michael Perry

2010-10-17T15:07:00.000-04:00

Michael Perry is an up and coming designer / sculptor with a unique style.

You can see much more of his work at thegrayhouse.net

What you missed Wednesday night...

2010-10-15T10:46:00.004-04:00

Philadelphia Film Fest - The Graveyard Shift

2010-10-12T16:26:00.001-04:00

The 19th Annual Philly Film Fest begins this week. Check out the official site at pff10.org

You Colors of the Dark readers will be particularly interetsted in their program "The Graveyard Shift" (click here for schedule).

They are also showing THIS amazing little gem as part of their "From The Vaults" category.

Paul McCarroll - Animus Unhinged Book

2010-10-10T13:12:00.000-04:00

Irish artist / designer / musician Paul McCarroll has just had a beautiful book of his work published.

Here's a few words from Paul about it:
It's been over two years in the making and under my hat for most of that but I'm now proud to announce that my first artbook 'Animus Unhinged', from the good people at Speedlines Publishing is available to buy now. It's a 23cm square format hardcover edition with gold foil graphics. Over the 170 pages there is very little text. I wanted to present the art as cleanly as possible and have removed all graphic elements such as titles and logos from cover art and design that I've done for bands over the years. So a lot of things look a bit different. There are also some new and old unseen works included and some works from as far back as 1990. Foreword is by my Scald comrade Pete Dempsey and the endwords have been eloquently penned by Martin Walkyier.

To see more images / or to order "Animus Unhinged" click here.

To see the previous Colors of the Dark feature on Paul's work click here.

Tape 211

2010-10-08T10:26:00.003-04:00

Unearthly Trance / Jonathan Canady / Suma / Batillus - Live in Philadelphia

2010-10-05T12:37:00.003-04:00

A very special show will be taking place in Philly next week:

Unearthly Trance
Jonathan Canady (who will be joined by Unearthly Trance during his set for an onstage collaboration)
Suma (from Sweden)
Batillus

Wednesday, October 13 at 8:00pm - $10 - 21+ w/ID

Kung Fu Necktie
1250 North Front Street
Philadelphia, PA
Tickets and info at kungfunecktie.com

Le Dernier Cri in Tokyo

2010-10-05T00:16:00.001-04:00

As always, you can see more at lederniercri.org

Matthias Lehmann

2010-10-03T00:24:00.001-04:00

(Artwork ©Matthias Lehmann - click image to view larger)

Matthias Lehmann is a very talented artist and illustrator currently residing in France.

You can see more of his work at blocmatthias.blogspot.com

Heavy Metal Picnic

2010-10-01T00:10:00.002-04:00

Check out heavymetalpicnic.com for more info.

Thanks to Roach for the indirect suggestion.

Jerome Deppe & Chuck Van Zyl

2010-09-29T13:15:00.002-04:00

("The Evil Thief" by Jerome Deppe - gelatin silver print - click image to view larger)

Here's a highly recommended event for you Philly people...

Jerome Deppe & Chuck Van Zyl

Photography Exhibition

Opening reception this Friday, October 1 · 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Germ Books & Gallery

2005 Frankford Avenue

Philadelphia, PA

germbooks.com

("Graceland" by Chuck Van Zyl - gelatin silver print - click image to view larger)

The show will be up through the end of November. Don't miss it!

Also be sure to "like" Germ on Facebook here.

("Dragonfly Memento Mori" by Jerome Deppe - waxed cyanotype with tannin - click image to view larger)

Sky Burial

2010-09-26T00:29:00.006-04:00

For a much more detailed look at a Sky Burial click here (NOT WORK SAFE).

Thanks (yet again) to Michael Hensley for the suggestion.

Must See Philly Triple Feature SUNDAY NIGHT!

2010-09-24T12:54:00.002-04:00

Colors of the Dark co-conspirators Isaac Williams and Ed Ballinger will be showing their cinematic work this Sunday as part of The Philadelphia Film and Music Fest.

Isaac will be screening "Paying the Price" as well as the sure-to-be-amazing making-of called "Maybe We Can Go To Hollywood?" AND Ed will be screening "The Secret Door." (Click titles for trailers).

Here are the pertinent details:

This Sunday 9/26/2010

7:30pm at

The Media Bureau

725 N. 4th Street Philadelphia, PA 19123

no advance tickets so come earlier

$8 - cheap

Forgotten Places

2010-09-23T21:15:00.002-04:00

Forgotten Places from →Zac Boyet← on Vimeo.

Jerome Deppe

2010-09-21T12:14:00.007-04:00

Verge of Light just released the digital version of Jerome Deppe’s excellent album “Showtunes for the Damned.” This was originally released in 2008 as a CD and Graphic Novel (which is still available here).

Here's an excerpt of a review by Simon Collins, from Judas Kiss Webzine:

“Showtunes For The Damned is the fourth solo album from Baltimore-based musician Jerome Deppe. In addition to being a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, and playing guitar for David E. Williams as well as recording his own music, Jerome is a painter and photographer, and Showtunes… is a multi-media showcase for his plethora of talents. [… the album] is a tour-de-force of dark pop, rising above the gravitational pull of its obvious 80s industrial, goth and post-punk influences to offer a stark, unflinching commentary on living in the end-times.”

You can listen / purchase this over at bandcamp (or in the player below). The album is also available through iTunes America will be for sale via Amazon MP3 shortly.

<a href="http://jeromedeppe.bandcamp.com/album/showtunes-for-the-damned">Showtunes for the Damned by Jerome Deppe and Gentlemen Obscura</a>

As you can see on the right, "Showtunes for the Damned" is the first Colors of the Dark Bandcamp Album of the Month. If you know a release on bandcamp that you think would make a good Album of the Month please email us a link to check out.

Lorna The Exorcist / Seven Doors Hotel

2010-09-17T15:54:00.004-04:00

Now THAT my friends is a DVD cover.

"Lorna The Exorcist" will be coming soon on the fine Mondo Macabro DVD label.

In slightly unrelated news, something wonderful has just come to our attention:

One of Colors of the Dark's all-time favorite writers and musicians, Stephen Thrower, has a blog.

Why should you care about yet another blog?

This man is known for recording music under many names including Cyclobe, UnicaZürn, Coil, and Possession AND is responsible for three of the best books on cult cinema (The Eyeball Compendium, Nightmare USA Vol. 1, and Beyond Terror: the Films of Lucio Fulci). He's also finishing up a book on the director of the above film Jess Franco.

Check out Stephen Thrower's Seven Doors Hotel here.

Big Bang Big Boom

2010-09-17T00:12:00.001-04:00

BIG BANG BIG BOOM - the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Hobo With A Shotgun

2010-09-15T12:47:00.003-04:00

Colors of the Dark hasn't been so happy to learn about a new movie in ages. Why? Here's three reasons...

1) Rutger Hauer FINALLY got a decent starring role for the first time since the 80's (we keep his bio on our coffee table).

2) The title.

3) Did you SEE the trailer? You need to watch the unrated trailer here.

For more on the movie you can read a little piece Fangoria did and visit the official website.

Thanks to Michael Hensley for the heads up on this movie.

Epee Du Bois

2010-09-12T11:51:00.000-04:00

Epee Du Bois Live @ Wierd 2.24.2010 from WIERD Records on Vimeo.

You can check out more from Epee Du Bois on his MySpace page.

For info on who is playing Wierd in NYC soon click here.

ASIATROMA

2010-09-10T10:59:00.001-04:00

Le Dernier Cri's latest Hospital Brut excretion is "ASIATROMA" and it looks amazing.

To order go to lederniercri.org and click "DC Shop" in the upper right corner.

Here's their (translated) official blurb:

ASIATROMA/ HOPITAL BRUT SPECIAL JAPON
RELEASED FOR SEPTEMBER EXHIBITION IN TOKYO / FUKUOKA ....
TRIBUTE TO YOKAI AND MORE !!!!!

WITH : Keiichi OTA, Sekitani, Ichiba Daisuke, Nemoto, Les Frères Guedins, Bolino, Julien Rictus, Stu Mead, Fredox et Laetitia, Andy Bolus, Valparess, Matthias Lehmann, Antoine Bernhart ,Moolinex, Martes Bathori, Nuvish, Matti Hagelberg, Marcus Nyblom, Craoman, Dave2000, Brecht VandenBroucke, Tommi Musturi, Mathieu Desjardins, Anne Van Der Linden, Brinkman, Gary Panter , Guillaume Soulatges, Judex,Michel Goyon, Albert Foolmoon, Liquide de la tete, Clark Walter, Franck Omer, Timothy Georgarakis, Maki , daniel cantrel, tomahawk, Vero, Zven, Maite Grandjouan, mathieu jiro, Sophie guerrive, Reijo Karkkainen, Helge Reumann, Clark Walter, marie Valentine, Zeami, Leo, celine Guichard, Andreas Marchal, Pit, Klaus Theuerkauf, george tourlas, Yokogaga, Luke ramsey, JM Bertoyas, Marcel Ruijters, valium, Marc Brunier Mestas Nina Bunjevac, Isao Moutte, Dennis Tyfus, Pierre Marty, Jonathon Rosen ,Reinhard Scheibner, shannon freshwater, Pegui, charles papier,Alkbaz, ciro, thomas Bonin, Romain Lamy, Richard Bawin, Quentin Faucompre, Maija Kurseva ,John Broadley , Lilas, Quicky, Giraud ,DDB , Jo 99, Camille Girard et Paul Brunet, Remi,Ludovic Levasseur, Mikko Kallio , didier progeas, Bald eagle, Olaf Ladousse, Franck Omer , Keenan Marshall Keller, Yann Taillefer, Stephanie Lucas...

22x30cm + various interior formats
200 pages, screen and offset printed
Cover 5 color passes
600 copies
40€ (at this moment = $51 USD)

Talk Normal

2010-09-08T00:39:00.003-04:00

Check out Talk Normal at myspace.com/talknormaltalknormal

Unearthly Trance - V

2010-09-06T12:47:00.002-04:00

(Photo by Jimmy Hubbard - Click image to view larger)

Unearthly Trance gets a lot of airplay at the Colors of the Dark corporate offices. In fact, we've had their music piping thru the PA system, on 24 hour repeat, for the last 93 days.

The new album, titled "V," will be available for sale thru Relapse on September 28th. You can pre-order the LP or CD and order killer new merch here. There will also be a cassette version available from Humanless Recordings soon.

You can hear three preview tracks here. As you will soon experience, UT just get better and better with each new release.

Check out the amazing album cover by Glyn Smyth.

(Click image to view larger)

You can read all about the process of creating the art on Glyn's blog here.

The band will start an East Coast tour on September 29th. The Philadelphia show on October 13th will be a special collaboration with UT and Jonathan Canady.

For more on Unearthly Trance go to their official website.

Gone With The Pope / Grindhouse Releasing

2010-09-04T00:01:00.004-04:00

This film was screened in a few U.S. cities earlier this year. Let's hope that means there will be a Grindhouse Releasing DVD soon.

You can read all about "Gone With The Pope" here.

Here's a Grindhouse 2010 promo video (WARNING: this is not even slightly work safe)...

And you can see many more excellent Grindhouse Releasing trailers on their YouTube Channel.

Relay for Death

2010-09-03T09:20:00.004-04:00

Out now on Hanson Records, Relay for Death - "Birth of an Older, Much More Ugly Christ" LP (limited to 300 copies).

Here is the (amazing) description of this album by Hanson proprietor Aaron Dilloway:

This shit is DARK… and I’m not talking about some fucking “I sleep during the day” dark…I’m not talking some “Cannibal Corpse shit - I’m a fucking mutilator” dark….And I’m not talking “I’m a noise dude into black metal” dark… I’m talking total fucking END OF THE WORLD shit…like…everyone is going to die and it’s gonna be fucking TERRIBLE.

Recorded in 2009 by sisters Roxann and Rachal Spikula while in a hospital doing some fucked up health study where all they could drink was Shasta for like 2 weeks. NO JOKE! Master tape arrived wrapped in a duct taped hospital gown with my address written on it in sharpie.

Side A: The tape becomes unpaused and kicks in with a menacing organ drone that mutates into the lo-fi skree of an empty room, eventually becoming a swirling abyss of tape hiss and the sound of nothing happening in a hospital… Distant creaks, buzz, and hums littered with hiss and garbage sound layered into a very unsettling frenzied drone.

Side B: A crunchy noise inferno that eventually leads us to what sounds to me like being in outer space watching the earth exploding. As you watch everything we know of destroyed, a saddening descending synth wave appears, buried by blasts of destroyed earth. It ends… and you are disturbed.

Limited to 300 copies. Pitch black vinyl with pitch black labels. Heavy duty black and silver silkscreened covers with the ‘Hanson Droll Flaps’

Take a break from yer most recent mediocre synth bliss out tape and take a trip back to the real fucking world…where everything fucking SUCKS.

------------

You can hear / download MP3 excerpts of this release here and here.

Go to the Hanson Records website to order.

Diamond Cult & Failing Lights

2010-08-31T09:16:00.004-04:00

Available now, Diamond Cult & Failing Lights “Altlast im Neuland” C-62 cassette (hand numbered limited edition of 45). This is a rock / noise / drone collaboration between Jonathan Canady and Mike Connelly (Wolf Eyes / Hair Police).

Click here for info on how to order.

You can hear excerpts from this release right here:
<a href="http://diamondcult.bandcamp.com/album/altlast-im-neuland">Altlast im Neuland (Edit) by Diamond Cult</a>

The Descendent

2010-08-28T11:40:00.003-04:00

The Descendent from Robert Glickert on Vimeo.

Thanks yet again to Rennie Resmini for the suggestion.

Colors of the Dark likes suggestions and submissions but rarely gets them. Hint hint.

Mister Fuckhead has been busy...

2010-08-25T00:38:00.001-04:00

...new tape releases, a tour (video below), CDr reissues oh my.

You can keep up with all Mister Fuckhead is up to at nopartofit.blogspot.com

Hush

2010-08-23T16:09:00.001-04:00

(Click images to view larger)

Hush is a very talented illustrator / adventurer currently living on the road and in Philadelphia.

You can see more of his work at hushillustration.blogspot.com

[SNIP]

2010-08-19T09:59:00.000-04:00

SNIP [HD] from SilentZen on Vimeo.

This video is NOT WORK SAFE.

Thanks to Rennie Resmini for the recommendation.

The Guggenheim is Haunted

2010-08-17T13:13:00.002-04:00

It seems the contemporary art world has finally caught up with Colors of the Dark (tee hee).

Learn more about this very creepy exhibition here.

You only have a couple more weeks to check out the show so act fast.

If you miss it, or can't get to NYC, there's also a very nice catalog available.

I Spit On Your Grave (2010)

2010-08-15T16:56:00.001-04:00

(Click image to view larger)

Remakes seem to be pointless about 50% of the time. Thankfully, it looks like this one may be among the good ones. It will be in U.S. theaters in October.

You can see the trailer here (not work safe).

Here's the official movie website.

And you can read some promising reviews over at imdb.com

Grave Babies

2010-08-13T09:22:00.008-04:00

Vice called Seattle's Grave Babies "lo-fi, goth, industrial" but they're much better than that description lets on. Check out more on MySpace.

You can read an interview with them here.

LATE ADDITION (8/29/10): You can download the first Grave Babies tape release "Deathface" over at nopaininpop.com. And you can buy the limited edition "Gouge Your Eyes Out" 7" at skrotup.blogspot.com (scroll down for order link).

BTW - The source for their video is the infamous first installment of the Guinea Pig series called "The Devil's Experiment." You can see the trailer over at Unearthed Films. It looks as if the DVD is out of print but you can still get it on Amazon here.

Amebix

2010-08-10T10:38:00.004-04:00

The Amebix "Redux" 12" vinyl arrived at the COTD corporate headquarters yesterday and it's a purty thing indeed.

One would have thought a "free patch" included with your vinyl purchase would be one of those silk screened threadbare punk rock deals. Oh no my friend. This is a BEAUTIFUL 5 x 6" pro-embroidered patch and it kicks much ass. To top it off, you also get a free digital download + a bonus track with your MLP.

Amebix are also selling a limited edition screen print (below) that looks very nice.

AND they have announced they will be releasing a live album and DVD. Could there be a glimmer of hope for a new Amebix LP in the future? Their website makes it sound like it.

You can learn more and purchase the above items directly at Amebix.net

A Serbian FIlm

2010-08-08T00:15:00.025-04:00

This movie was just screened at the Colors of the Dark compound.

Yeesh!

Good thing there's a shower here.

"A Serbian Film" is by no means perfect but it is certainly one of the most extreme movies ever made. It's the kind of experience Toetag Pictures wishes they could achieve.

Check it out if you have a strong stomach and think you've seen it all.

Click here for the uncut trailer (long version).

This Aborted Earth

2010-08-06T12:27:00.000-04:00

Colors of the Dark can't be serious all the time...

There's more to see at thisabortedearth.com

Exhumed Films 24 Hour Horror-Thon

2010-08-04T00:12:00.014-04:00

Tickets for the Exhumed Films 24 Hour Horror-Thon are on sale now.

The event is in Philadelphia - SATURDAY, OCT. 30TH TO SUNDAY, OCT. 31ST 2010.

The word is they are already over 1/3rd sold out so if you want to go - get on it.

For all pertinent info and to order click here.

You Weren't There

2010-08-01T15:26:00.002-04:00

I just watched this doc this weekend and it is really amazing. I would go so far as to say it is essential viewing if you like punk at all.

AND if you act fast you can watch the whole thing for free over on Pitchfork.

You can also buy the DVD/LP combo right here.

Kickback

2010-07-31T12:32:00.010-04:00

I first met Stephen, the singer of French hatecore band Kickback, at the last official Deathpile show back in 2004. I was already a fan of their release "Les 150 Passions Meurtrières" so it was great to talk a bit in person, and we've stayed in touch since.

Kickback are to modern hardcore what Peter Sotos is to modern literature - the most extreme there is, but crafted with quality and razor sharp focus.

A perfect way to experience Kickback for the first time is their video for "No Surrender" over here on their Facebook Page (epileptics beware).

Stephen and GSR Music were kind enough to send me their latest CD, "No Surrender," which is a major leap forward from their previous work. This album features the next step in Kickback's seriously controversial subject matter, along with a face ripping guitar tone, and some of the most pissed-off vocals I've heard since the early Brainbombs singles. All done with perfect studio production. The CD was released in two editions, the uncensored one (above) and a more elegant package, that avoids some of the extreme imagery, but is quite excellently designed as well.

You can pick up "No Surrender" and various other merch from GSR Distro here.

Stephen just informed me that "we have just finished writing a new CD and that we will record soon!" Great news.

I hope Kickback will be ruining the show for many years to come.

Tristan Shone

2010-07-28T12:27:00.002-04:00

Tristan Shone, Author&Punisher (LIVE-> 2008-2009 Highlight Reel) from Tristan Shone on Vimeo.

There's much more to see at tristanshone.com

Thanks to Rennie Resmini for the recommendation.

"Synth Pop Not" show photos

2010-07-26T13:30:00.003-04:00

(Diamond Cult - Photo by SQ)

Saturday nights show was a lot of fun. Many thanks to D.V. Nikt and MFM for playing. Also thanks to the kind folks that braved the heat to see the show and Dave / Germ Books for hosting.

You can see all the photos from the show in this set on my Facebook page.

(D.V. Nikt - photo by Jonathan Canady)

(MFM: Morose Freak Machine - photo by Jonathan Canady)

Shintaro Kago

2010-07-25T21:06:00.001-04:00

There are several more of Kago's animation works here: http://www.youtube.com/user/shintarokago

Lunchmeat #5

2010-07-22T00:17:00.003-04:00

(Click image to see larger)

Issue #5 of the VHS cult / horror movie zine Lunchmeat is on the way to the printer right now and will be out very soon.

Check out Lunchmeat on Facebook and MySpace

Exhumed Films 1997-2007

2010-07-20T00:10:00.003-04:00

I got the chance to give back to good old Exhumed Films by helping them upload this ten part video document to YouTube. I was an honor as they have allowed me to enjoy scores of great 35 mm cult film screenings.

Please go to exhumedfilms.com for more info on past and future events.

Bindrune Recordings

2010-07-18T00:11:00.001-04:00

A while back my friend Scott Candey was kind enough to send me a stack of discs from the underground Black Metal label Bindrune Recordings.

I enjoyed everything I heard but two bands in particular stood out:

Blood of the Black Owl (above is their cover for the album "A Feral Spirit") and Wodesnthone (below is the cover for their album "Loss").

Blood of the Black Owl has a new release called "A Banishing Ritual" - I will have to check that out for sure.

Make sure to explore all the Bindrune Recordings releases (they even have some "name your own price" digital releases). Everything you need is at bindrunerecordings.com

Anatomy of Habit - "Torch" (Excerpt) Live

2010-07-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

This is from the Anatomy of Habit show with Wolf Eyes from this last weekend. For more info on the show click here.

I don't know about you, but I am certainly eager to hear Anatomy of Habit's upcoming vinyl release.

Nightmare coming to DVD

2010-07-14T11:03:00.004-04:00

(Click image to see larger)

Thanks to Code Red DVD the slasher classic "Nightmare" is finally getting a proper DVD release. You can read all about the trouble they've had to contend with to get this done over at the Code Red Blog.

I have loved this movie for years and even got to see a 35mm print a few years ago thanks to Exhumed Films. "Nightmare" was screened with no less than Bill Lustig's "Maniac." What a combo!

The beginning of the "Nightmare" screening was particularly memorable because the projectionist accidentally had the volume WAY too high. One of the very first sounds in the film is the lead actor screaming his brains out. It was like having my head ripped off it was so loud (ha ha). Good times.

Check out the trailer here.

Automelodi

2010-07-12T09:33:00.004-04:00

“Schéma Corporel” is the first video from Canada’s Automelodi. Their self-titled debut album comes out July 13th on Wierd Records.

Wierd Records is proud to present the self-titled debut LP from Montreal's Automelodi. Lead by vocalist and songwriter Xavier Paradis who has long garnered a cult underground following with his solo minimal synth project Arnaud Lazlaud active in Canada since the late 90's, the band was formed in 2006 and is a welcome new addition to the international wing of the Wierd Records community in Brooklyn. Like labelmates Led Er Est and Frank(just Frank), Automelodi combines guitars with synthesizers and drum machines, drawing from a mixed palette of minimal electronic sounds. Highly unique to a North American band in 2010, the songs proudly embrace the infinitely rich ground of French pop musical history to create an undeniably idiosyncratic, and cerebrally sophisticated truly 'complete album' of feverishly pleasure seeking, yet elegant and coolly restrained music that will be a refreshingly welcome shot of cold wave energy into the ears of both contemporary rock and electronic music fans worldwide!

You can get the new Automelodi LP and CD [as well as the new Frank (Just Frank) release] over at Wierd Records.

I Love Sarah Jane

2010-07-08T00:18:00.001-04:00

I Love Sarah Jane from armavox on Vimeo.

I caught this on IFC recently and thought it was great. Although I think we've finally arrived at the point that zombies are becoming a bit too cliché. I think this Windows ad may have been the last straw (at least they used Fulci).

Please ignore the Vimeo credits above... "I Love Sarah Jane" was actually directed by Spencer Susser of Blue Tongue Films.

You can get more info here.

Mongo Pony

2010-07-06T13:51:00.003-04:00

Check out the new (and hilarious) art blog / digital zine from Nicola Vinciguerra and friends... MONGO PONY!

It's what evil little girls want for their birthday.

Some recent(ish) movies I recommend...

2010-07-04T13:56:00.004-04:00

Noise Trap! Photos

2010-07-01T14:34:00.002-04:00

(Pharmakon)

Here's some of the pics from last weekend's Noise Trap! show at Germ Books in Philly.

You can see the rest of the photos here over at flickr.

(The Urge Within)

(Sweeping the Noise Floor)

(Sexual Assault Rifle)

False Bloods

2010-06-29T00:13:00.002-04:00

False Bloods (zine) from Terence Hannum on Vimeo.

A beautiful new art book is now available from Locrian's Terence Hannum. You can take a very giallo flip through by just clicking "play" above.

Everything else you need to know is at terencehannum.com

Pharmakon Live @ Germ Video

2010-06-28T10:52:00.002-04:00

Pharmakon - live @ Germ Books 06-26-2010 from Breathmint on Vimeo.

I'm very happy this set was documented. Enjoy it.

BTW - I'm the asshole that's taking all the photos (those will be coming later this week).

Philly's Danger After Dark Mini-Film Fest

2010-06-27T00:06:00.000-04:00

Sometimes living in Philadelphia is depressing. The whores, skunk pussies, buggers, queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal. Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets.

Ahem... sorry. For a minute there I lost myself.

Anyhow, SOMETIMES Philly is a great place to live. One of those sometimes is coming up shortly thanks to the Danger After Dark Mini-Film Festival!

"We have a gorgeously ultra-stylized homage to the Italian giallo mysteries of the 1960s and 70s (Amer); a high-voltage Japanese gore-comedy starring strippers with large breasts (Big Tits Zombies 3-D); a seemingly idyllic small town suddenly transforms into a breeding ground for violence and paranoia (Deliver Us From Evil); three adults who have been raised since birth entirely within the enclosed family estate have their hermetic captivity horrifically shattered (Dogtooth); a mind-blowing journey into the afterlife, as filtered through the neon-bathed Tokyo underworld (Enter The Void); an outrageous, long-lost 1970s American grindhouse bombshell that is now completed and released for the first time (Gone with the Pope); a traveling band of anarchist pornographers venturing into snuff filmmaking (The Life and Death of a Porno Gang); a harrowing character study of loneliness and violence among young lovers in Texas (Red, White and Blue); one of the most deliriously over-the-top Japanese action/science fiction/comedies imaginable (RoboGeisha); a factory manager finds his grip on everyday life spiraling into a chaos that is terrifying…and darkly funny (The Temptation of St. Tony); and a French chef takes on the triads with revenge on his mind (Vengeance)."

Oh yes. Philly can be good.

All the pertient details on the fest are at dangerafterdark.com

Ten Suicides

2010-06-24T00:11:00.001-04:00

Ten Suicides at Reckless Records (6/20/10) from Bullart. on Vimeo.

Ten Suicides is a collaboration between members of Eyehategod and Bloodyminded. There's much more on this very special performance over at the Bloodlust! Blog.

Mater Suspiria Vision

2010-06-20T00:01:00.002-04:00

I stumbled across this over at the Actual Pain blog. Very cool stuff.

You can see much more on the Mater Suspiria Vimeo page (for uncut videos), their YouTube Channel and myspace.com/matersuspiriavision

Aeron Alfrey

2010-06-18T11:53:00.004-04:00

(Click images to see them larger)

Aeron Alfrey creates unique imagery inspired by strange fantasy worlds filled with monsters magic and death. His art has been published in numerous books and shown in galleries around the world.

You can see much more of Aeron's artwork at skeletoncave.blogspot.com

He also runs one of my all-time favorite blogs: monsterbrains.blogspot.com

Watain

2010-06-15T12:06:00.004-04:00

(Click images to see larger)

I am pretty skeptical about Black Metal. However I do enjoy a few exceptional bands in that style. I just recently started getting into Watain and I got my hands on and advance copy of their new album "Lawless Darkness."

Fuck.

This is some seriously amazing work. In fact, this is the best metal album I've heard in years. I can't recommend it more strongly if you're into Black Metal.

If you go over to the Season of Mist website you can learn more about this release and even grab a free MP3 (scroll down).

As you can see above the artwork is amazing as well. I have the deluxe edition CD and the entire package is nothing short of excellent (it even has a very nicely executed die cut).

Oh yeah, and these guys look EVIL. The part of my brain that is still a teenage metal head thinks their promo photos are bad ass.

Philly Tonight - OZPLOITATION DOUBLE FEATURE!

2010-06-11T11:28:00.002-04:00

Exhumed Films Presents...

OZPLOITATION DOUBLE FEATURE!
2 Rare 35mm Prints
Friday June 11th, 2010
Doors at 7:30 / Films at 8:00pm $10 at the door

Road Games
1981 / Australia / Dir: Richard Franklin / 35mm

Stacy Keach is Pat Quid, a lone trucker who plays games to keep his sanity on longhauls through the desolate Outback. Jamie Lee Curtis is a free-spirited hitchhiker looking for excitement with a game of her own. And somewhere up ahead is a maniac in a van whose game may be butchering young women along the highway.

Director Richard Franklin (Psycho II, Link) packs plenty of Hitchcock-like twists and suspense into this sly shocker that was nominated for four Australian Film Institute Awards and remains one of the most surprising thrillers of the '80s. (Synopsis courtesy of Anchor Bay)

Patrick
1978 / Australia / Dir: Richard Franklin / 35mm

After violently murdering his mother and her lover, Patrick (Robert Thompson) lays comatose in a private hospital. When a pretty young nurse (Susan Penhaligon) begins working at the hospital, Patrick tries communicating with her, while others in her life are being hurt and killed in mysterious ways. (Synopsis courtesy of Synapse Films)

International House / 3701 Chestnut St / Philadelphia, PA

More info at exhumedfilms.com

Bill Tong

2010-06-09T06:59:00.004-04:00

(Click images to see larger)

My friends at The Museum of Porn in Art are now sharing the recent Bill Tong exhibition on their website.

PLEASE NOTE: Most of Bill Tong's photos, and the rest of the MOPIA website is not work safe.

You can take a tour through the exhibit and view many more of Tong's beautiful photographs at the MOPIA Website: porninart.com

Here is a direct link to the virtual tour, and here's a direct link to view the other included photos.

You can also see much more from Bill Tong at his official website.

R.I.P. Dennis Hopper

2010-05-29T14:09:00.002-04:00

Here's the full story from BBC News.

Happy Birthday COTD

2010-05-28T00:00:00.007-04:00

Colors of the Dark is one year old today.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all contributors, followers and readers.

New Book Teaser

2010-05-28T00:00:00.006-04:00

5.5 x 8.5" book with reproductions of all 20 paintings from the "Cases & Composites" show. Signed and numbered limited edition of 50.

These will first be available for sale at my opening reception. Remaining copies will be for sale the next day online. I'm not reserving any until that time (sorry).

J. Canady Art Show Reminder

2010-05-24T09:05:00.004-04:00

Sorry I have been posting a little less recently. Things are really crazy right now. Too much going on.

I do have some good things to share here once I have time to put them together. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, check out my art show preview over at Flickr or Facebook.

The opening reception is next Friday night in Philadelphia. Click here for the details.

Japanorama - episode Kaidan (Scary Stories)

2010-05-22T13:23:00.003-04:00

Japanorama was a BBC TV series that ran from 2002-2007. The above video is just the opening but I ran across an entire episode on YouTube dedicated to horror-related themes. Embedding was disabled but you can watch all three parts of the show by clicking on the links below:

Japanorama - Kaidan Part 1

Japanorama - Kaidan Part 2

Japanorama - Kaidan Part 3

Cut-Throats Nine remake

2010-05-19T00:05:00.002-04:00

My all-time favorite Spaghetti Western is being remade and it sounds very promising so far.

Click here for the article over at Variety.com

The original version of "Cut-Throats Nine" is in dire need of a proper DVD release (click here for the trailer). There was a pretty horrid bootleg version released by "Eurovista" in 2001 but I don't recommend paying for it.

Never fear, you can get a DVDr copy of the movie from Shocking Videos here. I have not seen their print of "Cut-Throats" but all the previous DVDrs I have bought from this company have been excellent quality. Shocking Videos is always the FIRST place I look for movies that do not have proper DVDs available. In fact, owner Mark Johnston quoted me on the front page of the site (ha ha).

Many thanks to Shade Rupe for giving me the heads up about this remake.

The Secret Door (full HD short feature)

2010-05-17T00:01:00.001-04:00

The Secret Door from Edward Ballinger on Vimeo.

As I mentioned a while back, I contributed a little analog synth noise to the recent short horror movie "The Secret Door." I am happy to report it is now available for viewing online, uncut and in HD (above).

In addition to me, the soundtrack also features: Richard Hoak (Brutal Truth / Total Fucking Destruction), Kevin Hufnagel (Dysrhythmia / Byla), David Graham (Requiem), and many more.

If you like this movie, please share it with your friends.

For more on the work of Ed Ballinger go to his Vimeo page and punkmonkeypictures.com

The Human Centipede

2010-05-15T00:33:00.002-04:00

I saw the above trailer last weekend and was incredibly amused / confused. So much so, I had to watch it twice.

There seems to be quite a bit of controversy over wether this movie is good horror or total crap. So, I asked film writer Shade Rupe (who's opinion I totally trust) and he gave it a thumbs up. That's good enough for me. I will be checking out the film as soon as I am able.

"The Human Centipede" is in select theaters now as well as on Comcast Cable OnDemand. Here's the IFC page with more info.

Here's an interview with the director and two cast members: