96-Year-Old Man Finds Dead Rat in Birthday Cake

February 25, 2014, 11:00 am

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People across the country have been discovering some pretty horrifying things on and inside of their food lately, from a severed snake head in a bag of veggies to a bunch of dead worms in a fast food salad. But neither story was as revolting or nausea-inducing as this next one, which is guaranteed to make you think twice, next time you find a slice of birthday cake in front of you.

The Huffington Post reports that Long Island, New York resident Joseph Vallenti was celebrating his 96th birthday this past weekend, a celebration that included a German apple ring cake from the bakery of a local supermarket. As soon as Vallenti took a bite of his birthday cake, he knew that it didn't quite taste the way his favorite cake typically does, and it wasn't long before the family discovered chunks and pieces of a dead rat baked inside of the cake, including its tail. Perhaps most disgusting of all, the dead and dismembered rat was literally bleeding into the cake.

Not surprisingly, the senior citizen became sick after consuming the rat-infested cake, suffering from stomach pains and diarrhea. The supermarket released a statement saying that there are no known rodent issues in the bakery, and that all apple ring cakes are currently undergoing a thorough inspection.

Check out a video report of the horrifying find, courtesy of Newsy.

Family Says It Found Dead Rat Inside Birthday Cake

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Ten Great Horror References from '90s Cartoons

February 25, 2014, 12:00 pm

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The '80s and '90s brought us some of the best cartoons ever made, but one thing that made '90s cartoons so special is how irreverent and pop-culture oriented they were. Suddenly we were inundated with shockingly adult innuendos and obscure movie references that flew over the heads of most children watching these cartoons. Horror films were no exception - these show-runners loved to drop references to everything from horror classics to '80s slashers. Here are ten of my favorites:

 

 

The Critic - "Miserable" (1994)

 

The Critic was short-lived but beloved by fans for its hilarious movie parodies that lampooned everything from Orson Welles to Ace Ventura. The most memorable horror spoof was entitled "Miserable" wherein titular critic Jay Sherman gets kidnapped by his biggest fan in an obvious parody of Misery (1990). Even the gruesome woodblock/sledgehammer scene makes an appearance.

 

 

Bobby's World - "Adventures in Bobby Sitting" (1990)

 

In this episode from season one, Bobby and Derek watch a scary movie while under the care of a babysitter and end up being chased by the movie's villain, a hockey-mask wearing killer named "Mason."  "We've seen all 13 Mason movies," Derek tells the babysitter. Mason also wears a blue jumpsuit (presumably a reference to Michael Myers) and, like Jason, just won't die!

 

 

Tiny Toon Adventures - "Night Ghoulery" (1995) & "Love Disconnection" (1991)

 

Tiny Toons special "Night Ghoulery" was a parody of the series Night Gallery, with individual segments referencing a variety of horror films including Night of the Living Dead,An American Werewolf in London, and Spielberg's first film, Duel. For another funny horror parody, check out the episode "Love Disconnection" wherein Shirley the Loon gets fruit punch spilled on her and goes all Carrie in the "Amazing Three" segment.

 

 

Johnny Bravo - "The Man Who Cried Clown/Johnny Real Good/Little Talky Tabitha!" (1997)

 

Johnny Bravo enters the "Zone Where Normal Things Don't Happen Very Often," which of course is a parody of The Twilight Zone. All three segments reference famous TZ episodes including spoofs of "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" and "Living Doll" (with Talky Tina). [Fun Fact: "Johnny Real Good" was actually written by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane.]

 

 

Pinky and The Brain - "The Pink Candidate" (1996)

 

One of the more subtle and random horror references came in this political episode of Pinky and the Brain, where a mysterious man offers his services to scandalize presidential candidate Pinky. It is of course a parody of Quint's first scene in Jaws, where he offers to kill the shark for money, right down to him getting everyone's attention by dragging his nails down a chalkboard. 

 

 

The Simpsons - "Treehouse of Horror" (1990) & "Treehouse of Horror V" (1994)

 

Over the years, The Simpsons'"Treehouse of Horror" series has referenced many horror films, but my favorite parody segments are "Bad Dream House" from the original ToH and "The Shinning" from Treehouse of Horror V. The former is a spoof of Poltergeist (with a touch of The Amityville Horror) where the Simpsons' new house, built on an ancient Indian burial ground, possesses them. "The Shinning" is hardly a subtle parody - it is practically a scene-for-scene recreation of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining:"No TV and no beer make Homer go crazy."

 

 

Eek! the Cat - "The Eeksorcist" (1994)

 

Eek's dog/friend Sharky is possessed by a figurine and becomes unbearably adorable. The episode opens with an archeological dig in the Middle East; Sharky is tied to a bed and his head spins around, and tubular bells play throughout the episode. There is also a running gag where the exorcist is repeatedly splattered with pea soup (the infamous stand-in for Regan MacNeil's vomit). Sorry, no crucifix masturbation on this kid's show - what do you think this is, Ren & Stimpy?

 

 

Animaniacs - "The Boids" (1993)

 

Animaniacs' resident New York pigeons "The Goodfeathers" become stunt birds on Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. They, along with a lot of crows, harass Tippi Hedren in some of the most famous scenes (like the phone booth scene). As a bonus Hitchcock gag, there is even a production assistant named Norman who looks a lot like Anthony Perkins, Psycho's Norman Bates.

 

 

Reboot - "To Mend and Defend" (1997)

 

This episode is loaded with references to Ash and Evil Dead 2 specifically. Inside the "Malicious Corpses" game, the user's avatar is a big-chinned hero with a white streak in his hair, a chainsaw in place of one hand, a shotgun in the other, and he only says, "Groovy." When he appears, he is surrounded by what looks like gnarled trees and the torn up bridge from ED2. There is a "Manual of Mortality" with missing pages, and a log cabin complete with tape recorder, talking deer, and cellar door. A deadite even floats above the ground and chants, "Undead before dawn!" The references could not be laid on any thicker here! There are also fun allusions to Elvira and Michael Jackson's Thriller. 

 

 

Freakazoid - "Hero Boy" (1996)

 

Freakazoid, much like the other WB animated comedies, was full of pop culture references. This one in particular seemed to have even more obscure cult film references, like one episode where Freakazoid quotes Glen or Glenda/Ed Wood ("Pull ze string!"), or "The Cloud" which is entirely a parody of 1958's The Crawling Eye. But my favorite horror reference was in "Hero Boy" where cloaked villain Armondo Guitierrez puts his face and wig on, then plays the organ - a clear reference to Vincent Price in The Abominable Dr. Phibes.  

Exclusive Interview: Kristina Klebe Talks 'Nymph' (With New Poster)

February 25, 2014, 12:30 pm

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Genre actress and fan-fave Kristina Klebe sat down with us over the weekend to talk about her role in director Milan Todorović’s upcoming "murderous mermaid" flick (and more), and since she’s all sorts of awesome, you’ll read this.

 

Multi-talented Klebe, best known to horror audiences for her roles in Rob Zombie’s Halloween, Zack Parker’s buzzed-about Proxy and Lucien Förstner’s Bela Kiss: Prologue, added yet another notch to her genre belt last year by re-teaming with Zone of the Dead director Todorović for Nymph (a.k.a. Mamula), a feature which revolves around two young American women who go on a Mediterranean vacation, only to uncover the watery lair of a killer mermaid hidden beneath an abandoned military fortress.

 

“Two things attracted me to Nymph,” stated Klebe of the seemingly Thale-esque project, which was penned by Barry Keating from a story by Marko Backovic, and which additionally stars Franco Nero (Django Unchained), Natalie Burn (Bloodrayne: The Third Reich), Mina Sablic, Dragan Micanovic and Zorana Kostic Obradovic (as the titular character).

 

“One, that my friends Milan (Todorovic) and Marko (Backovic), with whom I worked on Zone of the Dead, were involved, and two, that it was shooting in Montenegro. I have a rule for doing super low-budget films. The movie has to fulfill one or hopefully more of these things: amazing script, great character, great location and/or friends doing it.” 

 

 

As for her character of ‘Kelly’ in Nymph, Klebe offered: “She’s a workaholic journalist who goes on her first vacation in a while, not expecting the adventure she gets. It also just so happens she doesn't care for water too much, but she quickly has to get over that fear.”

 

Of the shoot: “It was very difficult,” she stated.

 

“There were long hours, difficult conditions given the water, and sea sickness. During our finale, we lost power for almost twenty-four hours due to a storm, and the whole finale takes place either in the sea or in a rowboat on the sea at night; so yes, it was challenging. However, Montenegro and the people I met there were gorgeous, warm and generous. I also was inspired to write and direct a film that takes place there, but we'll see how that evolves.”

 

 

Not content with solely acting, the actress has as of late branched out into not only philanthropic work (she supports woman struggling with breast cancer via Busted Foundation and The Horror Starlets) but into the field of directing.

 

“FEARNET itself just picked up my short film As Human As Animal for distribution on all its platforms!” effused Klebe, “and you can look for that short, which stars Diamond Dallas Page, starting in March.”

 

Regarding the completed Nymph, she said of what she believes genre fans may expect: “My guess is that it will be a fun, action-packed monster movie with elements of a love story, though I haven’t seen the final film. I do know that the film’s ingredients include beautiful locations, women in bikinis, lots of action, some body-part slop, Franco Nero being awesome and a freakin’ hot mermaid. And while the gore factor is no Hostel or Saw, the SFX should be amazing.”

 

As for what’s next on her plate: “I have a two-episode arc on the series The Following that airs around March 24 and 3, I think, and Proxy comes out theatrically on April 16, Easter weekend. I also just collaborated with Bret Easton Ellis for his new YouTube channel, which drops early April. That was epic.”

 

 

For more, stay up to date with all things Klebe by following her on Twitter @KristinaKlebe.

DIY Monster Makers: Dragon Claw Gloves from Medieval Fashion

February 25, 2014, 1:00 pm

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Texas-based artist Chris DeSmith just might beat Freddy Krueger at his own game with these excellently creepy handmade gothic claw gloves, sold through the Etsy shop Medieval Fashion.

 

 

Where Freddy's weapon of choice was tipped with metal blades, DeSmith's leather and metal gauntlets are instead enhanced with some evil-looking dragon talons.

 

 

There's a wide selection of styles and colors available, from the basic black model to steampunk variants, and even some elegant red and white leather versions for the glamorous horror cosplayer.

 

 

The gauntlets feature fully adjustable straps and buckles to accommodate most hand sizes, and most models sell for under $60. Browse the entire collection at Medieval Fashion.

 

If you really want to go all the way with your Medieval-style horror cosplay, these might make suitably creepy accessories for your Plague Doctor costume...

Exclusive: Actress Devanny Pinn Talks ‘Dead Sea’ (With New Clip and Two Stills)

February 25, 2014, 1:30 pm

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Look, bad things happen in the water. Kids pee in pools, ocean-dwelling, antisocial sharks eat... well, you know that story, and in the upcoming flick Dead Sea, an overgrown lamprey spends considerable time munching on lake-dipping, scantily-clad people’s bits. We caught up with the film’s star Devanny Pinn recently, who dished on the Brandon Slagle ‘blood and bikini’ feature.

 

 

Written and directed by Slagle, who previously helmed the feature The Black Dahlia Haunting, Dead Sea stars (in addition to Pinn) Alexis Iacono (The Penny Dreadful Picture Show), Britt Griffith (Syfy's Ghost Hunters), James Duval (Donnie Darko), Chanel Ryan (Bad Kids Go to Hell), Candace Kita (Nip/Tuck), Tawny Amber Young and KJ McCormick, and revolves around a marine biologist who reluctantly returns to the town she grew up in, only to encounter the violent paranoia that has overtaken its locals as they prepare for the return of a serpentine creature said to appear every thirty years to feed.

 

Creature effects are provided by Adrian Marcato (Hatchet III) and Phil Nichols of Facades FX Lab (Arlington Road, Boggy Creek, and the upcoming Bigfoot Wars).

 

 

As for what attracted burgeoning "scream queen" Pinn to the Origin Releasing and Micro Bay Features project (she’s appeared in a slew of genre flicks, including Nude Nuns with Big Guns, Jessica Cameron’s Truth or Dare and the upcoming Scream Queen Campfire): “I am a big fan of creature features!” she stated.

 

“Jaws is one of my favorite horror films, and the script for Dead Sea had that feel to it. I had been involved with Piranha 3D, and also Asylums' 2-Headed Shark Attack, and both were a lot of fun! However, I really wanted to do Dead Sea, because it’s more of a character-driven, serious take on the current 'Shlock' craze. I think it sets the film apart from others like it.”

 

 

Shot in May of 2013 in Big Bear, Niland and Salton Sea, California, Pinn recalled of the latter location: “I am an advocate for the Salton Sea [writer’s note: it’s a shallow rift lake located on the San Andreas fault, whose salinity has been increasing exponentially] and the movement to restore and preserve it. It is our hope that this movie will shed light on the area, and showcase some of its natural beauty! They are film-friendly that way too, and it made for great production value.” 

 

As for her character: “I play Auriel Servus,” offered Pinn. “She’s a local to the small town in which the film takes place. In her town, a giant lamprey, which is the origin to legends such as the Loch Ness Monster and Oogopogo, visits every thirty years and feeds on everything in the lake until all the fish are dead and the town is barren. In order to make the serpent move on to its next feeding ground, a local resident must sacrifice themselves. Auriel is partying on the lake with friends when she experiences just how dangerous the situation is. When a scientist is called in to investigate the large numbers of dying fish, she tries to save her from being an offering to the creature by the local military veterans who enforce the sacrifice.”

 

Regarding what genre audiences may expect: “They will get their fix of everything they expect in a creature feature; boobs, blood and a giant aquatic predator!” said Pinn.

 

“However, you also get some pretty incredible characters, some action elements and with the exception of 1989’s Leviathan, the first-ever film to feature lampreys. Not only are they terrifying, but they are in most lakes in the United States, and are currently overpopulated to the point where entire plants have been built just to attempt to control the growth! So, don't go in the water.”

 

 

As for what’s next on the actress’ plate: “I am days away from beginning my next film with the Dead Sea team. It is a biographical thriller about Charles Manson. I am portraying Susan Atkins, who received fame after being convicted of killing actress Sharon Tate and her unborn child. The script is fantastic, and the cast that was tapped is just perfect. Brandon (Slagle) is directing, and I cannot wait to show you what he does with this story.”

 

For more on Dead Sea, visit and like the feature's Facebook page.

 

 

The Horrible History of Arizona's Legendary Lost Dutchman Mine

February 25, 2014, 3:00 pm

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While the existence of the fabled “Lost Dutchman” gold mine has never been proven, that hasn't stopped thousands of fortune-hunting prospectors from searching the desert for it every year... even though many of them have died trying.

 

Photo: Chris C. Jones

 

Named after immigrant miner Jacob Waltz (who was German, not Dutch), the mine is believed by many to be located east of Phoenix in the Superstition Mountains (shown above), which may have earned their name from the myths and legends surrounding the Dutchman's alleged fortune. Dozens of separate but similar legends have grown together over the past century, but Waltz is the one referenced most, and many tales surrounding the mine consider it to be cursed – by Waltz himself, or by Apache tribes whose territory Waltz violated – while others claim its location is carefully guarded by people or groups whose names remain a mystery.

 

Photo: Above the Norm

 

Multiple stories suggest a prospector named Miguel Peralta found rich gold deposits in the Superstition Mountains, but was tracked down and killed by Apaches for looting their lands. A group of engraved stones is believed to represent directions to the mine carved by Peralta, but no one has been able to properly decipher them, and some were proven to be fakes.

 

Photo: Desert USA

 

In 1931, an explorer named Adolph Ruth disappeared while searching for the mine, basing some of his information on the Peralta stones; his body turned up six months later... with two bullet holes in the skull. Many more have died or disappeared since then – even as recently as 2010, when three hikers vanished while searching for the mine and were never seen again.

 

The history of the American West is filled with tales of abandoned, cursed and haunted mines... like Bodie, California, which is just as spooky, but a bit safer to visit!

Museum Houses Replica of World's Largest Snake

February 25, 2014, 4:00 pm

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It was over 60 million years ago that the world's largest snake slithered the earth, during the Paleocene epoch. Measuring 42-feet long and weighing an astounding 2,500 pounds, the long extinct species of mega snake has been dubbed Titanoboa, and so massive were these reptiles that they were capable of sucking down crocodiles in a single gulp. Yum.

Through September 7th, a life-size replica of the famed Titanoboa is on display at the University of Nebraska State Museum, reports Roadtrippers. The replica was built based on fossils of real Titanoboas that were discovered in Columbia, and it was erected in the school's museum this past weekend. Those fossils and bones will also be on display, as part of the nightmare-inducing exhibit.

For more awesome snake art, check out France's 425-foot long serpent skeleton, which hangs out on the European shore!

Nine Inch Nails & Coil: 'Recoiled'– EP Review

February 25, 2014, 5:00 pm

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About a month ago I shared some awesome news about the return of a rare, nearly forgotten collaboration between two giants from the golden era of industrial music: the EP Recoiled, featuring tracks from the classic Nine Inch Nails albums Broken and The Downward Spiral, retooled with ominous intent by occult-themed experimental music pioneers Coil. Recoiled was finally picked up for official release via UK label Cold Spring, who released it to hungry fans this week.

 

 

Described as “a rambunctious alchemy of magical Coil sensibilities and hi-tech (circa '90s) home mixing techniques,” the remix sessions that would eventually spawn Recoiled first reached fans' ears as a bundle of four tracks, offered via NIN fan forums as the download-only EP Uncoiled. They involved raw tracks from the original Spiral and Broken mixes recorded by NIN's Trent Reznor, who delivered them on DAT tape to Coil's Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson (also of UK industrial pioneers Throbbing Gristle) and Danny Hyde. The pair then conjured up their own mixes before reteaming with Reznor for final creative input. Though less closely involved, Coil co-founder Jhonn Balance (who, along with partner Christopherson, is sadly no longer with us) made some memorable contributions to the sessions as well.

 

 

The results of these sessions reflect the chilling, abstract and occult-based musical sensibilities that led Clive Barker to approach Coil in 1986 about composing the original Hellraiser soundtrack – demos of which Barker later rejected... for being too unsettling. That last sentence should tell you all you need to know about the ultra-dark terrain this project explores (unless you also want to consider Christopherson's previous collaboration with Reznor, the controversial found-footage promo for Broken, made to resemble a serial killer's home movies). The new mastering process was overseen (along with Gregg Janman) by another industrial icon (and FEARNET fave), Martin Bowes of Attrition, at his own Cage Studios.

 

"Closer," unquestionably the most popular track from The Downward Spiral, is thoroughly transformed via the “Unrecalled” remix; it's not the one from David Fincher's SE7EN, as I'd mistakenly thought (that's the more widely available "Precursor" version, also remixed by Coil), and it's slightly less urgent, but no less chilling:

 

 

The sole track from Broken appearing here is “Gave Up,” via the “Open My Eyes” remix; where the EP's original was a direct sonic rage-attack, this version is an abstract kaleidoscope of fragmented screams beneath thudding, crushed beats, with the song's gritty main guitar riff swirling around the mix like shark-infested waters. Spiral cuts include the eerie “Gilded Sickness” mix of that album's title track, which discards the original's climactic rhythms in favor of a light and loose tonal beat layered with Reznor's time-stretched vocals. We also get two interpretations of “Eraser”: the terrifying “Reduction” version, which sounds like a whirlwind of tormented souls, and the amazing “Baby Alarm Remix,” in which the original song's pile-driver rhythms are further distorted by Jhonn Balance's cavernous, coarse and hyper-metallic sound design into a hellish landscape.

 

 

It's pretty much a given that Recoiled belongs in any serious NIN and/or Coil fan's collection, and while I wouldn't go as far as to kick my download of Uncoiled to the curb just yet, the excellent mastering on this release marks it as the superior version of the two, and an excellent time capsule for the wildly experimental days of early '90s industrial music. Recoiled is available now from Cold Spring Records in CD digipak and vinyl versions, or as a digital download, so check it out... and don't forget our review of Nine Inch Nails' return album Hesitation Marks, which also made FEARNET's Top 13 Albums of 2013 list.

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Gwar Decapitate Australian Prime Minister Live on Stage

February 26, 2014, 11:30 am

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When it comes to music, there's no band that appeals to us horror fans more than Gwar, a rambunctious thrash metal band known for their whacky costumes and over the top on-stage antics. This past weekend, at Melbourne, Australia's annual Soundwave Festival, the band engaged in a particularly brutal and controversial stage show, which saw the faux decapitation of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

As reported by Tone Deaf, a man dressed as Abbott made his way on stage during the show, telling the members of the band to "go the hell back to Antarctica." In a shocking display, vocalist Oderus Urungus (who also stars in FEARNET's own Holliston!) responded by picking up a massive sword and slicing the Prime Minister's head clean off his shoulders, which resulted in fountains of blood shooting out into an audience of cheering fans.

Thankfully, someone captured the violent theatrical display on video, which you can check out below!

Prime Minister of Australia gets killed by GWAR.

Not surprisingly, a group known as the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy were not happy about the show, calling it "an extraordinary breach of good behavior and standards." The band has even received several death threats as a result of the gory display, which also saw them chopping off the breasts of Britain's Queen Elizabeth.

All press is good press, right?!

Dinner Turns Horrifying When Squid Shoots Babies into South Korean Woman's Mouth

February 26, 2014, 12:00 pm

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Here in the states, squid is typically cut up and deep fried, forming the delightful dish known as calamari. Over in South Korea, the preparation is a little bit different, and as one unlucky woman just found out, a deep fryer is probably the best way to go, when it comes to sucking down squid.

UK's Daily Mail reports that a 63-year-old South Korean woman was recently dining on a semi-cooked whole squid when her mouth was hit with an incredibly strange and painful sensation, followed by the feeling of what she described as 'bug-like organisms' filling up the inside of her mouth.

Rushed to the hospital, doctors discovered twelve strange pods attached to her tongue, cheek and gums, which they formally identified as squid spermatophores. Without grossing you out too much, what that essentially means is that the squid literally tried to impregnate the woman's mouth, shooting sperm sacs into her oral cavity when she bit into it. Yea.

All twelve pods were removed from her mouth, and thankfully no human-squid hybrids will result from this most revolting of ordeals.

Over in Japan, a fisherman recently caught himself a massive 13-foot long squid. Check it out!

Meet the New Guests Checking In to 'Bates Motel'

February 26, 2014, 12:30 pm

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A new season and a motel full of guest rooms to fill... Take a peek at the new guest stars who will be check in to season two of Bates Motel.

Christine is a member of the upper-crust of White Pine Bay who takes Norma under her wing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

George is a sensitive, kind and handsome divorcee and Norma's new love interest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cody is a tough teenage party girl who gets to know Norman and bonds with him over dysfunctional family issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norma's estranged brother whom she hasn't seen since her youth. At once menacing and heartbreaking, Caleb is looking for something he doesn't even understand.

 

 

 

 

 

Jodi is the beautiful and mysterious head of the drug family. She is a woman trapped in denial and in a family business for which she is not emotionally built.

 

 

 

 

 

Nick is the soft-spoken but terrifying head of the rival drug family in White Pine Bay - and Miss Watson's estranged father.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An ex-con who comes to take over the drug family, Zane is an emotional land mine with an all-or-nothing sensibility when it comes to control.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bates Motel premieres on March 3rd at 9pm on A&E, and will be followed by an after-show, Bates Motel: After Hours.

Prepare for season two by catching up on Psycho mythology that was changed for the TV series. You can also check out our preview of the new season and find out what you need to know before checking in.

Canadian Sculptor Carves Everyday Objects Into Macabre Works of Art

February 26, 2014, 1:00 pm

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The intricate carvings of Montreal artist Maskull Lasserre have a chilling, transformative quality – morphing everyday objects like pianos, tools, furnishings and books into surreal skeletal creatures, human body parts, giant insects, bizarre hybrid weapons and more.

 

All Photos © Maskull Lasserre

 

The artist's latest collection, entitled Fable, was exhibited last month at Toronto's Centre Space gallery and is now being featured on the art & design site Colossal, where the artist explained the concept behind the carvings:

 

“When the remnants of life are imposed on an object... it infers a past history or a previous life that had been lived,” Lasserre said, “so again where people see my work as macabre, I often see it as hopeful, as the remnants of a life... by imparting these bodily elements to inanimate objects it reclaims or reanimates them in a virtual way.”

 

 

You can see many examples of Lasserre's work at his website, including images of the artist at work on the Fable pieces and other haunting collections.

 

 

For an interesting contrast, check out the work of artist Francesco Albano... instead of revealing organic creatures within everyday objects, he sculpts furniture and clothing that looks like it's made of human flesh.

TV Recap: 'Supernatural' Episode 914 - 'Captives'

February 26, 2014, 2:00 pm

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Supernatural Episode 914
“Captives”
Written By: Robert Barens
Directed By: Jerry Wanek
Original Airdate: 25 February 2014

In This Episode…

Flickering lights and shadowy apparitions mean only one thing in Sam and Dean’s line of work: the bunker is haunted. The place is warded like crazy, so it would have to be haunted by someone who died inside the bunker. Since Dean and Sam have been there, that has only been one person: Kevin. They pretty much just have to wait until Kevin figures out how to break through the veil and speak to them.

When he finally figures it out, it is like he is answering Dean’s heartfelt apologies and professions of guilt for his death. He appears, flickering, still getting the hang of this “being dead” stuff. Dean is surprised that he isn’t in heaven, but Kevin reminds them: “Heaven is closed for business.” He and a zillion other ghosts are stuck in the veil, waiting. But he wants a favor from the Winchesters: multiple sources have told him that his mom is alive. He wants the boys to go to Wichita, summon a ghost named Candy (who swears she was locked up with Ms. Tran a week ago, when she was murdered) and find out the truth.

So the boys head to Kansas and set up in the forest. Sam can’t believe he is waiting for a ghost named “Candy.” But sure enough, she “appears” in the form of a voice over a radio. There are three of them - Jerome and Linda (Ms. Tran) - all in “boxes” that sound like storage units. She describes two men keeping them chained up, one of which is definitely Crowley, who insisted that she was worth more alive than dead. (A subsequent internet query revealed that Candy was the trophy wife of a rich and influential politician.) Crowley stopped coming around, and she tried to escape. She was caught in the woods by Crowley’s lackey and killed.

Ms. Tran seems to have been alive a week ago, so the Winchesters pursue the lead and check out local storage facilities. They come to one, which Sam realizes has three units separate from the others. Dean finds a rental listing under the name Daniel Webster (as in, “The Devil and Daniel Webster”) which has to be Crowley’s pseudonym. He has another unit on the other side of the complex, which the clerk, Del, takes Dean to while Sam breaks into the other units. He finds Ms. Tran in the first one. She is relieved to see him, and hopes that Kevin isn’t with him. Sam sets about monkeying with the electrical panel to get the door to open. Ms. Tran is annoyed and pushes him out of the way. She learned a little something from all of Kevin’s engineering clubs. Sam can’t hold back any more. When he takes Ms. Tran’s hand, she knows what is happening - she doesn’t need to hear the words. Her anger fuels her and they get the door to roll open. Just as quickly as it opens, it stops….

…because Del is actually Crowley’s minion, and he is controlling the units from his phone. Dean realizes this unit doesn't belong to Crowley, and Del knocks him out before Dean can do the same. Del is a disgruntled minion, so when Dean comes-to, he is tied up and forced to listen to Del rant and grouse about how he isn’t “learning” anything from his “internship,” and that Crowley hasn’t let him kill anyone, which makes him whiney. Del hopes that catching the Winchesters will make Crowley proud, so Dean drops a truth bomb: “Me and Crowley are tight now.” This coincides with the time that Crowley disappeared, so he decides it is time to kill Dean. Sam has managed to break out of his unit (Del was too busy complaining to notice his captives escaped) and gets Del in demon handcuffs. He saves the honor of killing Del for Ms. Tran - who does so with bleak relish. They all go back to the bunker and Ms. Tran goes through Kevin’s belongings until she finds her late husband’s ring. Kevin took it as a reminder of the father he lost when he was a baby, and Ms. Tran knows that if his spirit is stuck to something, this is it. She and Kevin go home.

Also: Castiel visits the funeral of a girl who had been possessed by an angel named Rebecca when she died. Rebecca was leading a penitent group who wanted to restore heaven peacefully. Bartholomew and his men killed her. It is no surprise that a couple lackeys abduct Cas and take him back to Bartholomew.  Good ol’ Bart promises he is not looking to kill Castiel; he wants them to join forces to find Metatron and fix heaven. He has the infrastructure and tech to prove he is serious. Rebecca’s faction had to be nullified to prevent them from becoming a threat in the future. Castiel is cautious about this sudden chumminess, and with good reason: Bartholomew has one of Rebecca’s lackeys, whom Castiel saw at the funeral, and he tortures information out of him. He swears he is the last of her followers, and Bartholomew turns the dagger over to Castiel. Castiel won’t kill the poor man, and he and Bartholomew fight. Bart instructs his men to stand down - this is between him and Cas - but Cas gets the upper hand. Rather than slitting Bartholomew’s throat, Cas chooses to walk away. “There can be no peace without bloodshed,” Bartholomew tells him. Castiel takes that as his cue - and kills Bartholomew. The lackeys let him by. Later, when he is at the girl’s/Rebecca’s grave, one of the lackeys approaches. He wants to join with Castiel, fight Castiel’s way. And he brought a couple friends.

Dig It or Bury It?

Okay, I’m confused. All the promos for tonight’s episode advertised Snooki from Jersey Shore, but I didn’t see her in the episode. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t like Snooki; I have never even watched an episode of Jersey Shore. But I don’t like being lied to.

Other than that, this was just another middle episode. It was nice to see Kevin again, and nice to know Ms. Tran is alive, but other than that it was just “meh.”

Sibling Rivalry

Kevin says his goodbyes to the boys, and he wants them to “get over it.” He has seen all the drama between the Winchesters and tells them it is not worth it. They promise, and Kevin and his mom leave. Dean turns to Sam, pondering and clearly ready to make amends - but Sam, without a word, is already headed back to his room. Dean sighs and does the same. They aren’t over it (or at least Sam isn’t).

Prophecies?

Ghostfacers are back!!

Mondo Announces Newly Mastered 'Omen' Vinyl Release

February 26, 2014, 2:23 pm

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Thanks to companies like Waxwork Records, Death Waltz Recording Company, One Way Static Records and Light in the Attic, the once dead vinyl format has been experiencing a big time resurgence in recent years, and the ears of us horror fans are seriously reaping the benefits of the unexpected revival. There's just something about records that makes them so much more enjoyable to listen to than CDs and digital downloads, as the consistently impressive releases from the aforementioned companies have proven.

Another company who has dipped their toes into the vinyl format is Mondo, known for their incredible alternative posters for fan-favorite movies, both new and old. As reported exclusively by our friends over on Bloody Disgusting, Mondo is next setting their sights on a vinyl release of the eerie Omen soundtrack, which is headed our way next month.

Jerry Goldsmith's Oscar-winning score comes home on a newly mastered vinyl, featuring tracks that have never before been released on the format. Housed inside of packaging that features an incredible piece of art from Phantom City Creative, the record will come pressed on black vinyl, with randomly inserted 'Mark of the Beast Translucent Red' variants - the latter of which are limited to just 200 copies.

Check out the full track listing on Bloody Disgusting and be sure to bookmark Mondo's website, where the record will be available for purchase on March 4th!

A Review of 'Jamais Vu: The Journal of Strange Among the Familiar,' Issue #1

February 26, 2014, 2:30 pm

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Jamais Vu: The Journal of Strange Among the Familiar is a new horror magazine on the scene. Issue #1 hit the shelves (and Internet) in January and features a mix of fiction, poetry, non-fiction, comics, reviews, and a featured essay from legendary author Harlan Ellison.

 

In his introduction, editor Paul Anderson discusses the origin and goal of the magazine, how it is similar to British television, and the theme of this issue, which is “aftermath…dealing with the past and/or the choices we've made.” Stories and poems by Gary A. Braunbeck, Michael Kelly, Jessica McHugh, Max Booth III, Adam-Troy Castro, Bruce Boston, Marge Simon, Stephanie Wytovich, and others explore this from various angles and with varying degrees of success, but the quality of the writing (both fiction and non-fiction) is surprisingly high for the first issue of a fledgling publication.

 

The issue kicks off with “Photo Captions” by Gary A. Braunbeck, who turns in the strongest story of the magazine, about a man driven to desperate ends as his family disintegrates. It is vintage Braunbeck, full of heart, subtlety, and will not be easily forgotten. The second story I want to spotlight is “Bait” by Michael Kelly. Kelly is one of horror’s finest and especially adept at atmospheric horror. In “Bait,” he uses that skill to imbue everything with a feeling of dread and menace. The ending comes suddenly, but not unexpectedly.

 

The final story I want to give attention in this review is “Video Nasties” by Max Booth III. It is, as shown with the two essays that accompany it (“Twisting Our Values: Culture and the Medium that Shapes It” by K.T. Jayne and “Medium as a Mirror” by Lydia Peever) and the editor’s introduction, clearly intended to be the centerpiece of the issue. I had a mixed reaction to this story. It is undeniably powerful and one of the finest explorations of societal insouciance that I've ever read, but as a horror story it is lacking, relying on authorial intrusion to give it more depth and story than “torture porn.” While it wasn't my favorite story in the issue, it was the most powerful and memorable and important story in the issue and a fitting choice on which to build it.

 

The other stories, poems, reviews, and non-fiction are all of a very high quality, especially “Shiva” by Cameron Suey, “Eventually, You Become Immune” by Stephanie Wytovich, and Harlan Ellison’s remembrance of the night he spent with Whitey Bulger.

 

Jamais Vu will appeal to fans of Black Static and Shadows & Tall Trees, as well as fans of the Borderlands anthology series, and this reviewer looks forward to many more issues.

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12 Things You May Not Know About Wes Craven's 'Scream'

February 26, 2014, 3:00 pm

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As horror fans, we make it our business to know the most obscure details about our favorite films. We watch the bonus features on the Special Edition releases of our favorite DVDs; we read retrospectives and interviews in support of our most beloved titles. But even the most diligent fan is bound to miss something along the way. So, to help you get the lowdown, we're launching a new segment that rounds up some lesser-known trivia from your favorite horror films. For this installment, we're setting our sights on the 1996 Wes Craven classic Scream. 

 

 

Scream is one of the most commercially and critically successful slasher films, and the thirteenth-highest grossing horror film of all time. There is a wealth of interesting information surrounding the film’s production, as you'll soon discover...

 

1. The Michael & Janet Jackson Song of the Same Name Inspired the Film’s Title

 

Scream was originally planned for release under the title Scary Movie (a title which wound up attached to another Dimension release) but the title was changed after Dimension's Harvey Weinstein heard the Michael & Janet Jackson single "Scream" played on the radio. 

 

2. Drew Barrymore Was Originally Slated to Play the Role of Sidney Prescott

 

Barrymore thought that people might assume that she was the lead character, and killing her off first would catch the audience of guard. Not only did this surprise the audience, it also assisted in the revitalization of Barrymore’s career after a series of underappreciated films. 

 

3. Molly Ringwald Was Reportedly Offered the Lead

 

Former teen star Ringwald is said to be a favorite of screenwriter Kevin Williamson. But Ringwald turned down the role because she thought she was too old to be playing a teenager at 27. One has to wonder where Ringwald’s career would be today if she had taken the part, or if the film would have connected with audiences in the same way?

 

4. Craven Took Unconventional Measures to Ensure Barrymore Was Acting the Part

 

The director told Barrymore true stories about animal abuse and cruelty to keep her looking sad and scared throughout the filming of her scenes. 

 

 

5. The Part of "Ghostface" Was Inspired by a Real-Life Killer

 

The character was loosely based on Danny Rolling, also known as "The Gainesville Ripper," who preyed upon college students in the Florida area. Four of his confirmed victims attended The University of Florida. 

 

6. Caller ID Usage Tripled After the Film's Release

 

This is probably due in part to the gradual reduction in cost of the technology as well as the expansion in availability, but it’s safe to say that the use of the telephone as a tool of harassment didn’t hurt the growing demand for caller ID services after the release of Scream.

 

7. Courtney Cox Took the Gale Weathers Role Because She Wanted to Shed Her "Nice Girl" Image

 

Cox reportedly wanted to avoid being typecast in parts that paralleled the one she portrayed on the ultra-popular series Friends. (Actress & comedienne Janeane Garofolo had previously turned down the role.)

 

8. The Killer is Not Actually Using a Voice Distorter in the Film

 

The gravelly voice of Ghostface is actually that of voice actor Roger Jackson.

 

9. Ghostface Was Originally Set to Appear in a White Robe

 

The color white was chosen to make the killer look more ghost-like. It was eventually changed to black in order to avoid any comparisons to the garb warn by members of the Ku Klux Klan. 

 

10. Linda Blair Has a "Blink and You’ll Miss It’ Cameo

 

The Exorcist star plays a small role in the film as the reporter who screams the line about people having "a right to know." Her name does not appear in the credits. 

 

 

11. Matthew Lillard and Neve Campbell May Have Been Romantically Linked During Production

 

The pair’s alleged relationship seems to have flown under the radar in light of Courtney Cox and David Arquette’s much more publicized off-screen romance. 

 

12. Scream Was Originally to be Shot at Santa Rosa High School

 

The school determined, at the last minute, that the film was too violent; school representatives said they thought Scream was to be a comedy and not a horror film. There is even a reference to this in the credits: “No thanks whatsoever to The Santa Rosa City School District Governing Board.”

 

If you enjoyed this piece, Ryan Turek’s documentary Still Screaming: The Ultimate Scary Movie Retrospective is a great resource that covers a lot of things you didn’t know about the film. Also check out 10 Things You Might Not Know About Trick 'r Treat and 10 Things You Might Not Know About Rosemary's Baby.

God Module: 'False Face'– Album Review

February 26, 2014, 4:00 pm

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The diabolical creation of dark electronic artist Jasyn Bangert, God Module often sits apart from the conventions of horror-themed gothic/industrial music thanks to Bangert's personal approach to songwriting – which taps into the artist's childhood nightmares – coupled with a looser, more freestyle genre blend. With the debut of the band's sixth full-length album False Face, Bangert makes a relatively bold move by incorporating more pop elements and melodic hooks than all of his previous releases combined. 

 

 

As counter-intuitive as that approach may seem for a band known for its grim, macabre sensibilities, it turns out to be just the shot in the arm needed to take the music to a compelling new level. That's not to say that False Face isn't every bit as dark and ominous in tone as the band's excellent 2011 release Séance; this is seriously spooky and intense stuff, tapping once again into Jasyn's childhood experiences... or in one specific case, stories passed down from his family. The album's title, shared by one of its most intense and chilling tracks, is a noteworthy example.

 

 

“My grandmother grew up in the rural Appalachian mountains of North Carolina and told me when she was young that when kids would dress up for Halloween, create and wear masks they called them False Faces,” Bangert explains. “That always stuck with me.” For the title track, that image becomes a metaphor for the false, deceitful and superficial “masks” worn by some of those Jasyn has encountered in his professional career. “You meet a lot of these people in everyday life, but you meet even more in the music industry,” he adds.

 

As always, Bangert's skill with tight, simple and often overdriven beats and bass lines gives a raw, breathless urgency to memorable cuts like "Black and Blue," and the ghostly synth line that floats through "Hating How We Love" captures just the right balance of aggressive dance beats with the pensive, haunted lyrics, delivered by Jasyn with the kind of gritty texture that characterizes gothic aggro-tech artists like Wumpscut. The synthpop-style vocals of System Syn's Clint Carney glide sensuously over the buzzing, shuddering bass of "Through the Noise," and the jagged rhythms of "The Mark" create one of the most frantic and danceable tracks. Another definite standout is "Destroy the Day," which rolls briskly along a chattering bass pattern, punctuated by vibrating metallic stabs.

 

 

While the sonic intensity of False Face is dialed down a bit from that of Séance, it's still an excellent evolutionary step in the God Module sound, proving that accessible melodies can click nicely into place among dark, hyper-aggressive and heavily distorted beats, provided there's a strong emotional core to anchor the material... and Jasyn's lyrical themes rise to the task admirably. 

 

Photo: Schizophrene Photography

 

False Face is available now as a digital download from Metropolis Records; the CD version (with the same tracklist) is slated for release on March 11th. God Module is also currently touring through May (mostly North American venues, with a couple of European stops), and you can find the updated list of dates and cities on their Facebook page.

TV Recap: 'Face Off' Episode 607 - 'Open Sesame'

February 26, 2014, 5:00 pm

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Face Off Episode 607
“Open Sesame”
Original Airdate: 25 February 2014

In This Episode…

The contestants each choose an ornate wand and must create a wizard to match.

The Creations

Cat created an orange Earth mother wizard. I mean, she was really orange. Glenn loved the wings - but that was it. He found the sculpt detracts from the beauty of the model. Ve had the best line ever: she looks like a refugee from a craft store.

Chloe tried to tie her creation into the filigree of her wand. The makeup was mostly relegated to a messy chest piece that extends to the chin - but stops abruptly and leaves a subpar beauty makeup. Ve liked the concept, but found it was heavy handed and wanted to see the filigree in the face. Neville thought she bit off more than she could chew, and Glenn found the breastplate a confused, meandering pattern.

Corinne did a very simple, straightforward shaman. Glenn thought she did a hell of a job with the execution - simple is fine if you do it flawlessly. Ve thought the paint job was stupendous. Neville loved the large, Peruvian skull and thought it was well handled.

Tyler made a moss creature. Ve thought he did a great job blending everything together. Neville sees that Tyler has clearly spent time in the woods - his tree man feels authentic. Glenn simply thought it was “tremendously successful.”

George made some kind of a metallic samurai wearing a skin mask. It was cool, but I wish I could look at it closer. Ve thought the paint blend from metal to skin was stunning. Glenn saw the concept resonate throughout the gorgeous piece. Neville simply said: “it’s fucking gorgeous.”

Niko had a lot of trouble coming up with a wizard. He made a horrible robot monster whose metal “skin” is uneven and messily sculpted. Glenn pointed out that he failed in creating a metal surface. Ve said his lack of knowledge of the subject was evident. Neville simply said there was “so much wrong with this.” 

The Verdict?

George wins. Cat goes home.

Dig It or Bury It?

Blah, what an utterly bland episode. There was nothing “extreme” about it (and this season is supposed to be all about extremes). But it was as simple as: “here’s a wand, go make a wizard.” That was it. There was no thought behind the challenge. 

Prophecies?

The team is flown out to Japan for their next challenge. Now that’s “extreme!”

Johnathan|Christian: 'Beautiful Hideous'– Album Review

February 27, 2014, 12:00 pm

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Johnathan|Christian, the haunting new transatlantic project from American composer Johnathan Mooney (The New Creatures) and Swedish dark-rocker Christian Granquist (The Atom) have produced not one but two impressive debuts: the full-length album Beautiful Hideous arrived late last year, earning major props across the gothic, industrial, darkwave and other alternative music press; the band followed up that success this month with a remix of the single “I Walk This Earth Alone,” featuring the talents of Danish industrial music legend Leæther Strip (a.k.a. Clause Larsen), and the two records combined represent some the best of old and new gothic rock/darkwave styles, strongly reminiscent of early death-rock legends Christian Death and '80s goth icons Sisters of Mercy, but with a modern production sheen. 

 

 

The band's songwriting doesn't seem to be designed with the dance floor in mind, but rather as a kind of dream soundtrack to an extremely dark thriller or doomed romance; Mooney confirms that this approach comes partly from his background as a composer: “[W]hen I come up with an idea for a song, it’s not just a song – it’s a vision,” he explains. “I’m actually hearing a whole storyline in my head like scoring to a film.” Granquist, who writes the lyrics and supplies the lead vocals on the album, refers to this “quasi-cinematic ambiance” as the foundation for his words:  “Lyrically I seek inspiration in pretty dark themes,” he says, which include “conflict, separation anxiety and death.”

 

 

"I Walk This Earth Alone," the album's lead track and single, is the perfect capsule of this band's sensibilities, bringing together classical instrumentation (mostly samples, but well-arranged) with surprisingly warm guitar riffs, harmonized vocal layers and organic drums. The Leæther Strip remixes (available as a stand-alone EP) open up the song to new interpretation; Mooney was creatively inspired by Larsen's 1997 album Self-Inficted, and is thrilled to bring the artist onboard to take a stab (so to speak) at the track, which Larsen calls nothing less than “pure sex.” A pretty accurate description, I'd say.

 

 

The tragic chords of the title track also get the remix treatment, taking on a more robotic tone, and we also get an exotic new spin on the ultra-gothy “Haunted” by Martin Bowes of UK gothic/industrial legend Attrition, who puts his distinctive avant-garde stamp on it, with surreal effects and a sliding bass line reminiscent of Bauhaus's more experimental albums like Mask. As its title suggests, the grandiose "Before The Dark (Avant que l'ombre)" features a mix of English and French lyrics by Granquist, which plays to the melancholy romanticism of Moody's arrangements.

 

The same rich textures come across in the fairytale choirs of "The Sweetest Betrayal," which again plays the Bauhaus card (consciously or not) as Granquist channels the dulcet tones of Peter Murphy. The instrumental “Just to Ease The Pain" begins on a subdued note, expanding to include sweeping prog-rock passages before returning to earth with a solemn piano coda; heavy guitars come back into play for "My Private Room," which closes on an epic rock opera vibe. Serious Duran Duran fans may recognize traces of that band's obscure track "The Chauffeur," which gets a certain dark cabaret spin here with talk-sung lyrics and a soaring conclusion.

 

 

Both Beautiful Hideous and I Walk This World Alone are graced with amazing cover art by Alex McVey (whose horror credentials include book covers for Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, Ramsey Campbell, Joe R. Landsdale, Jack Ketchum, Brian Keene, Joe Hill and many more), who set out to capture the themes of painful, violent emotions and barren landscapes of the soul. It's the perfect wrapping for a heavy, moody and thoroughly angst-ridden package... and if you're a fan of romantic death rock, '80s gothic and darkwave, you'll be surprised at how much new blood (ahem) Johnathan|Christian injects into those genres. 

 

Both releases are now available for digital download via Bandcamp.

 

What Exactly is This Weird Amphibian Monster from Loveland, Ohio?

February 27, 2014, 12:30 pm

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Depending on who's telling the tale, it's either called the “Loveland Lizard” or the “Loveland Frog”... but one thing all the sightings have in common is the description of a squat, greenish creature with leathery skin and webbed hands & feet that's said to be lurking in the woodlands around Loveland, Ohio.

 

Image: Scary for Kids

 

The first sighting of the Loveland Monster (or monsters, plural) is dated 1955, from a man who glimpsed a family of small, squat humanoids with wrinkled skin and frog-like faces huddled beneath a bridge; the man also said the creatures secreted a mucus-like substance, and one of them carried some kind of weapon that emitted sparks.

 

The next significant sighting came in 1972, when police reported seeing a similar creature roughly three or four feet tall, but resembling a lizard more than a frog; also the beast was said to be covered in matted hair and possibly had a small tail. After firing on the creature, officers said it escaped by diving into the Little Miami River.

 

 

More history of the Loveland Monster can be found in the book It Came From Ohio: True Tales of the Weird, Wild, and Unexplained by James Renner.

 

Of course, if you prefer more traditional mystery monsters, you'll want to check out this recent Bigfoot sighting in Canada.