Cannibal Corpse - Evisceration Plague

Cannibal Corpse is a band I have had very little association with over the years. Their career was beginning as I was making my first in roads into music fandom (late for my age) with the hair metal crowd and more notably with grunge. Still, they were a band that when mentioned would elicit a smile and a knowing nod, despite he fact I didn't know. I was acknowledging an association that did not exist and one I was not taking the time to foster. I did have occasional brief interactions as a friend of mine was into heavier music than I at the time. I also recall their memorable cameo in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective playing "Hammer Smashed Face." However, for all intents and purposes Evisceration Plague is my first real introduction to the band.

Prior to getting my hands on the album, I did hear a couple of tracks that were played as part of a Metal Blade podcast along with interviews with a couple of band members, I believe it was primarily George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher. The songs were "Carnivorous Swarm" and the title track, "Evisceration Plague." At that point I new I wanted to get my hands on the album. Unfortunately, it still took a long time after that to actually get it.

Evisceration Plague is a very solid album and I fee I walk away better for the experience, even if there may be a little stagger in my step and a little dried blood in my ear. Something tells me this is a common reaction to their music. Twelve songs are packed into a runtime that comes in under 40-minutes and is packed with a steady stream of ferocious energy that is tight, compact and finely focused on its delivery. This is a band that has honed their skills to a fine blade that they wield with the surgical precision of a baseball bat.



The music offers a bit more subtlety and technique than I was expecting. Let me be honest I expected the baseball bat. I did not expect the skill with which it was used. To use another baseball analogy, I expected a Mark McGuire-steroid enhanced bashing and got an Albert Pujols work blast with class. Yes, I do realize it is a little odd to equate Cannibal Corpse with class. After all, this is the band that has drawn the ire of government officials and parents groups for years over the offensive nature of their lyrical content and cover art.

Do not get me wrong. When the album is over you will feel battered and abused and you will likely need a shower. That said, while there is only one speed, it comes with surprising variety. The riffs are of the heavy skull crushing sort that make you grit your teeth and go along with, but they come with moments of clarity, such as in songs like "To Decompose," "Evisceration Plague," and "Skewered from Ear to Eye." The drums are pummeling, but occasionally break down into something better than the blast beat pace they mostly keep. Perhaps most surprising is the presence of the bass. In most cases I can never hear the bass in this style of music, but here you can here technically sound runs go trough the background on a number of occasions. Finally, Corpsegrinder is generally intelligible if you listen real closely. The man has a good growl to him!

I need to brush up on my Cannibal Corpse after this. This is a solid album from the genre veterans. Up and comers take note, you do not need to copy this, but listen to what is accomplished here. Use that knowledge, go forth, and create! I know this is not a game changer, but there is certainly something to be said for making a solid album that has its own voice.

Bottomline. If you like death metal and do not listen to Cannibal Corpse, do yourself a favor, pick this up, you will not be disappointed. I am sad it took me this long to check them out, I have some catching up to do. This may not be as controversial as prior releases, it still has what I recognize as the Cannibal Corpse feel, uncompromising and intense.

Highly Recommended.

Six Feet Under - Graveyard Classics 3

Originally created as a side project to Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under has become vocalist (I hesitate to use the word "singer") Chris Barnes' primary band. They released their first album, Haunted, way back in 1995 and prior to getting a hold of this release was the only Six Feet Under album I had ever heard. My relationship with Cannibal Corpse follows a similar track, with their recent release Evisceration Plague being the first album I have heard. I admit I got into the game late and missed a lot of stuff, so while keeping up with new stuff I try to play a little catchup with those I have missed over the years. It is a slow process. And yes, I do find it a little odd that my second experience with Six Feet Under is a covers album.

As you can tell by the number three in the title, this is the third covers album the band has done. As I listen to the eclectic song choices, I am confused as if this is supposed to be serious or if there is an element of comedy to be gleaned. Seriously, is this meant to be tongue in cheek? I rather hope that is part of it, or that they were at least just trying to have a little fun with music that has inspired them over the years.

The album is interesting in a couple of ways. One way is musically, the instrumental side of the coin that is. So far as the instrumentation goes, this is a rock solid album that finds the band bringing their own flavor to the songs while allowing them to remain recognizable. This is not about reconstructing the music in their image to fit their style, it is about being true to the source material while allowing a little of their signature sound to influence the final product. In this regard, and bolstered by crystal clear production, this is a phenomenal listen, even on the tunes that don't really work.



Now flip the coin over, leave the instruments behind and lets take a look at Chris Barnes. You would be hard pressed to say he has any range whatsoever. What he does and what he helped pioneer he does marvelously, helping create the prototypical death growl. However, when you take away the gore drenched, blood soaked, and politically tinged lyrics of his own creation, you rob him of his natural element and hit one note delivery is exposed to the harsh light of day. It is not easy to growl your way through songs by the likes of Twisted Sister, Bachman Turner Overdrive, and The Ramones. His growl and occasional high pitched screeches add a comical touch to the proceedings. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't entertained, but it is hardly something that could be termed "good."

The first collection saw them tackling the likes of The Monkees, Savatage, Scorpions, Jimi Hendrix, and Dead Kennedys. This rather odd mix of tracks was unleashed in 2000. This was followed by their complete cover of AC/DC's Back in Black album in 2004. Now, in 2010 they have gone back to the formula of the original Graveyard Classics, that of taking cuts from a variety of artists.

Graveyard Classics 3 gets going with Mercyful Fate's "A Dangerous Meeting." The music sounds really good, I loved the crisp chord progressions and snap in the drum. Then there is Barnes trying to get the marbles out of the way. I am pretty sure it is safe to say that Barnes is no King Diamond!

With the album's opening track out of the way, let's just focus on the better inclusions. At the top of the list has to be "Frayed Ends of Sanity" by Metallica. Six Feet Under give this song a low end that it never had on album before, while also retaining a high level of energy.

My second favorite is Prong's "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck." They bring something interesting to this song, besides getting the chunky heaviness right. The bass has some interesting effects on it and the guitars have a "floaty" quality as they move through the main riff. It works really well.

Right behind them are Twisted Sister's "Destroyer" and Slayer's "At Dawn they Sleep." Chris Barnes muddles his way through while the band delivers solid work that makes you want to rock out to them.

At the other end of the scale are the likes of The Ramones "Psychotherapy" and Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Not Fragile." The less said about them the better.

Bottomline. Hardly a must have unless you are a completist fan. This release seems to be more of an oddity, a treat for fans where the band gets away from the day to day grind of being a death metal band. For sure, there a couple of tracks worth the time, but overall you would probably be better served sticking to their albums proper.

Mildly Recommended.


1. "A Dangerous Meeting" - Mercyful Fate
2. "Metal On Metal" - Anvil
3. "The Frayed Ends Of Sanity" - Metallica
4. "At Dawn They Sleep" - Slayer
5. "Not Fragile" - Bachman Turner Overdrive
6. "On Fire" - Van Halen
7. "Pounding Metal - Exciter
8. "Destroyer" - Twisted Sister
9. "Psychotherapy" - The Ramones
10. "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" - Prong

Tumbl'd Entertainment News For the Week of Feb. 5

Each week the entertainment world is flooded with news. Big news, little news, inconsequential news, and funny news. It flies around the web at breakneck pace and no matter wear you turn, no matter what entertainment site you go to, it all looks the same. Sure, the opinion may be different, but the core piece of information is the same.

Now, I would love to get in on the fun, but I barely have time to read it, much less write it. So, I try to do the next best thing, I send some of the more interesting (to me) stories out across the web on the Critical Outcast Tumblr Blog and then, at the end of the week, gather them together and add some of my own thoughts. Hopefully, you will find this interesting, entertaining, and maybe even worthwhile!

Mad in Italy - Trailer
Slasher film coming out of Italy. It looks like a low budget affair, but it looks pretty good too!


Miramax - Shuttered
It is a sad day for independent cinema as one of its champions has been closed down. It is the next in a line of studio closures as the big studios are closing their vanity labels. We all saw this coming. The warning signs appeared not long ago when Disney announced it would be folding its offices back in with the main Disney office, of course this was seen as the polite way to go as a few films were/are still on the schedule. This closing also leaves a number of films in limbo, locked behind Miramax's locked doors.

Ip Man 2 - Teaser Trailer
I really need to see the first film. These movies tell the story of Ip Man, one of Bruce Lee's teachers. Donnie Yen (Blade: Trinity, Iron Monkey) as the titular character. This teaser hints at a fight between Yen and Sammo Hung!


Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps - trailer
Do we really need this? I wonder how willing people will be to see a movie about Wall Street. It does see Michael Douglas return as Gordon Gecko with a new upstart at his side in Shia Lebeouf. It also features Oliver Stone in the director's chair.


The Planned Muppet Movie Gets a Director
James Bobin, co-creator of Flight of the Conchords has been signed on to direct an update for the Muppets. I understand it is not a reboot or a reimagining, but a new modern-set Muppet movie. I could get behind this, I was always a fan as a kid. It is also possible that Bobin could be directing from a script by Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Nicholas Stoller (director of Forgetting Sarah Marshall). This could prove interesting.

Frozen - TV Spot
I am looking forward to this. Initially it sounds like a silly concept, but I think the execution could prove it a winning feature.


Scout Compton and Halloween 3
Scout Compton, who starred as Laurie Strode in the two Rob Zombie directed features, is caught on a webcam talking about a proposed third film.


Ong Bak 3 - Teaser Trailer
They are not wasting any time, are they? The second film has barely hit store shelves!


In the Mouth of Ubaldo Terzani - Trailer
This looks downright odd. Italian horror film that promises some good bloodshed.


Birdemic - Backstory
Last week I gave yo the epic trailer, now learn a little bit about the story behind the movie.

Severin Acquires All-Rights To "BIRDEMIC: SHOCK AND TERROR" from Severin Films on Vimeo.

Kate Beckinsale in for Fourth Underworld
The fourth entry in the vampires and werewolves series is slated to be produced in 3D, and I have heard rumblings it may be set in space. Aside from that, Beckinsale is in although she does not really want to do it, despite talk that her husband Len Wiseman would be returning to the director's chair.

Lakeshore Developing I, Frankenstein
This looks like it may be an interesting, but at the same time it could prove to be terrible. The story finds the legendary monster protecting humanity from supernatural creatures. It is being developed under the watchful eye of the Underworld producers. Let's just say I won't be holding my breath.

Olivia Wilde Joins Cowboys and Aliens
The House beauty is set to join Daniel Craig, who replace Robert Downey Jr., in this comedic science fiction western for director Jon Favreau. I know little about the project, but I like the small sample of talent involved thus far.

The Bourne Prequel?
A recent interview with Matt Damon revealed that the next Bourne relate project will likely be a sequel with a new cast and crew. We also learn that it would be in theaters before he suits up again. Not sure how I feel about this. I want to say, we have three strong films, if it is without Damon, I a not interested.

The Losers - Trailer
This looks like a lot of fun. An elite military group is betrayed and they have to get to the bottom of it. It looks to have explosive action and a good sense of humor.


A.D. - Trailer
CG zombie film! Look pretty cool, even if it is a small bit.


Transformers 3.... D?
Frankly, I am surprised the idea took this long to come up. Paramount is thinking about shooting Michael Bays third robot flick and leaving the fighting to the robots. I don't really care one way or the other. This just seems to be a studio looking at a potentially bloated bottom line.

Kick-Ass - International Trailer
I am really looking forward to this movie.


Enchanted To Ge a Sequel
A couple of years ago, Disney released this simply wonderful princess come to life story and now they are working up a sequel to it. Does it need one? Probably not. Still, I will surely be there, I only hope the quality is there.

Captain America to begin Shooting in June
The only problem is that they don't have a cast! They say they have some names lined up. I wonder. Who will play Cap? I kind of hope they find an unknown.

Fast and Furious getting a Sequel
It was originally intended to be the final of the series, but making a lot of money can change people's minds really fast. The new film will bring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker back and on the run with all the souped up cars you've come to expect. This slice of beauty is to be called Fast Five. Yuck.

New Movies and Box Office Predictions: 2/5

This week's wide releases -
Dear John
From Paris with Love
Frozen
Crazy Heart

This weekend offers up a few news films hoping to reach the top of the box office and be the first to unseat Avatar, like Lost in Space was for Titanic so many years ago. Do any of them have what it takes? I really don't think so, we will know in a few days. It's funny, for as good as Avatar has been for the box office and for the few good films so far this year, I cannot help but feel a little blah about the year so far. I know the early months of each year are usually littered with cast offs, this year seems particularly off. Odd. Hopefully things will pick up soon.

Dear John. (2010, 108 minutes, PG-13, romance) The latest Nicholas Sparks adaptation is upon us. Channing Tatum is the John of the title, a soldier who meets Amanda Seyfried's Savannah, thus sparking a romance that will be separated by war. The trailer shows them falling for each other very quickly, only to have that love tested by his deployment to the Middle East. I am guessing this deployment (multiple deployments?) keeps the star crossed lovers apart for some time. They stay in each others lives through letters, hence the title. I cannot say I am excited for it, but I do like Amanda Seyfried and director Lasse Hallstrom has been involved in some interesting films over the years.



From Paris with Love. (2010, 95 minutes, R, action) Last year director Pierre Morel found surprising box office success with Taken, the Liam Neeson revenge thriller that had been made a year or two prior. He is seeking to follow up that success with this new action film featuring a bald John Travolta as a wisecracking CIA operative and Jonathan Rhys Myers as a low-level analyst inexplicably assigned to work with him in an attempt to stop a terrorist attack in Paris. It looks like a lot of fun. Not necessarily great or even good, all I want is a fun action romp.



Frozen. (2010, 94 minutes, R, horror) Open Water on a ski lift, Jaws of the sky, both phrases I have seen used to describe this movie and both seem to be accurate. Adam Green, the man behind the excellent slasher Hatchet (and upcoming sequel) has turned his eyes to something a little more realistic and even more frightening. I am not sure something like this could actually happen, but it is scary idea. It centers on a trio of snowboarders who are going up the mountain for a last run when the lift shuts down, the lights go out, and the temperature begins to drop. What would you do?



Crazy Heart. (2010, 111 minutes, R, drama) It has been said that Jeff Bridges performance is a tour de force, a fact proven by his critical wins, including the Golden Globe. I am really looking forward to see if it really delivers while feeling that it will be along the same lines as Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler last year. The movie tells the story of a broken down country singer who has led a hard life on the road filled with drinks and bad marriages. He sees a chance at redemption in a journalist played by Maggie Gyllennhaal. On top of that, I like the music I have heard so far from it.



Also opening this week, but not near me:

• Ajami
• District B13: Ultimatum
• Shinjuku Incident
• The Korean
• Red Riding Trilogy
• Terribly Happy
• Tony

Box Office Predictions
For seven weeks Avatar has ruled supreme. Does it have the strength to take eight? Why not? It has made it this far, well above and beyond expectations, so why not another week? It has already taken the international and national all-time records in its pocket, it can pretty much do whatever it wants! I think the most significant challenge will come from From Paris with Love, although I suspect the R-rating will hold it back it will top off in the high teens.

Here is how I think it could play out:

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	Avatar	$26 million
2	From Paris with Love	$17 million
3	Dear John	$14 million
4	Edge of Darkness	$9 million
5	When in Rome	$7 million
6	The Tooth Fairy	$5 million
7	The Book of Eli	$4.5 million
8	Crazy Heart	$4million
9	The Lovely Bones	$3 million
10	Sherlock Holmes	$3 million

Acheron - The Final Conflict: Last Days of God

The veteran blackened death act does not waste any time in letting you know what they are about. The title is like a call to arms for their long time fans and a calling card to attract the disenfranchised youth. It also happens to share part of its title with a weak sequel to The Omen. Whatever your affiliation with Acheron is, The Final Conflict: Last Days of God is an intriguing slab of anti-Christian death metal with a raw thrashy edge and a veil of black metal. Whether you agree with their views or not, you will throw your horns up and get into the energy thrown around here.

The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/bassist Vincent Crowley, going on to release a number of albums over the past twenty-plus years. During this time Vincent proved he was more than just a front for the anti-Christian wing of death metal. He was ordained a priest in the Church of Satan by Anton LaVey. His views have never wavered over the years, he is as anti-Christian and anti-Religion as ever and is still preparing us for the Holy War that is coming.

I cannot say that I agree with his views and I won't. Acheron's lyrical content comes into direct conflict with what I believe and there are likely a lot of people out there who may like this type of music but cannot get past the subject matter. To that end, all I can say is that it does not affect my beliefs. I can listen to it and enjoy it, it does not sway my beliefs in the least. Let him believe what he wants.

All right, enough about that. I am sure you are more interested in the music anyway. Am I right?



I seem to recall coming across this band at some point but cannot claim to have any knowledge of their past output. For all intents and purposes The Final Conflict is my introduction to the decades old band. It has been a positive if not overwhelming experience. It is an album I can recommend, but it will never challenge for a slot among my favorites.

The Final Conflict begins with the ominously trite sound of an air raid siren (quite original, no?) that goes on for a much too long fifty-seconds before blasting you out with some old school sounding evil thrash. Don't know evil thrash? This is a good example of it, minor chords played with speed combined with snare, kick drum, and ride cymbal to create a sound of impending doom. The speed gives way to a more traditional metal pace with time given to a solo before giving us another dose of speed to go along with lyrics heralding the end. The problem is that the song go on for nearly 7-minutes! It begins to get a little repetitious.

The too long issue is one that threatens the entire album. The majority of the songs land in the 5-minute range and considering the straightforward structure of the album, it does not provide enough diversity. I found the songs begin to run into each other after awhile, never knowing where one ended and another begins. For some albums this works to create a seamless album experience that is patently against the single song bites we are being trained for. However, it does not work here as I have to keep checking to see where I am in the album.

If nothing else, The Final Conflict does not cater to the whims of the audience. Acheron stick to their guns and do what they do best. Whether you like it or not, this is an album that seems to have been completely under the control of the band. Crowley crafted the songs the way he wanted them with little influence from a label or producer. I cannot back any of this up, it is just the album strikes me as being a bit self indulgent and long winded in covering material that has been done over and over again with no one daring step in and say no.

That may sound like damning criticism and I suppose it is, a little. On the other side of the coin, the album has an infectious raw energy that is easy to get behind. I really like the guitar sound, always nice and clear and with their rough edges intact. Plus there are the vocals. Crowley sounds like his throat is attempting to escape his body, yet he can be understood! It is a rarity in this style of music and definitely a highlight, even if the content can never be considered great or even good prose.

Bottomline. While it does run long and would have been more impactful if tightened up a bit, I would be lying if I said this album does not rock. It is death of the classic variety and a breath of fresh air in the world of constant genre mash-ups that bands employ looking to stand out. If you like this style,you know who you are, give this a listen, you may just like it.

Recommended.

Black Dynamite

If there is one way to describe Black Dynamite, I would have to call it ridiculously bad ass. Seriously. This movie is so goofy and over the top, yet played so completely straight that you cannot help but laugh. Think of Austin Powers if it was played straight and was made to look more authentic. Take the spoof nature of the Mike Myers film and blend it with the sensibilities of Grindhouse, particularly Tarantino's Death Proof, and you will have an idea of what Black Dynamite is all about.

Now, what I know about blaxpoitation films you could fit in a thimble. However, even without that knowledge, Black Dynamite is hilarious. It has that 70's grind house vibe. It has an authentic look and feel that hearkens back to low-budget films of the era. The screenplay is intentionally corny, the cuts do not always match, background actors appear in many different roles throughout the film. It is crafted with an eye to the details (well, maybe not) to totally nail the feel of the era while simultaneously paying it homage and poking fun at it.

Michael Jai White stars as the title character, a Vietnam veteran and retired bad ass CIA operative. He is dragged back into the game when he learns that his little brother was killed while dealing drugs. Combine hat with the fact that drugs are being dealt at the local orphanage and it is too much for our hero. He is a man of action and he gets back in the game to settle the score.



The plot is patently ridiculous. I mean, it starts off seriously enough, but then the fun comes as we watch it completely fly off the rails leading to a climactic face off that is utterly ridiculous and totally awesome at the same time. I am not going to get into any of the plot specifics, you really need to see them for yourself. Besides, I don't want to be the guy that ruins the jokes for you. Don't worry about getting the blaxploitation references, you will still laugh at the super serious delivery of corny lines, clothes that look like drapes, awesomely bad staged action, and some of the biggest Afros you'll ever see!

The cast s filled with appearances by familiar faces including Arsenio Hall, Bokeem Woodbine, Miguel Nunez Jr., Brian McKnight, Mykelti Williamson, and Roger Yuan. However, it is Michael Jai White's solid performance that brings it all together. He embodies the bad ass righteousness of the era in which the film is set. This is probably the most charismatic I have ever seen him be in a movie.

Directed by Scott Sanders, the film has a distinct look and a great pace. I was surprised to find this was only his second directorial effort, the first being 1998's Thick as Thieves (starring Alec Baldwin). He has a keen eye for framing here with some great angle to go along with Jai White's Dynamite poses. The movie is in constant motion and always has that old school feel to it. From the transitions to the camera moves, to the film stock used.

The screenplay was penned by Michael Jai White, co-star Byron Minns (he plays Bullhorn), and director Scott Sanders. The screenplay is filled with homages to the films of the era starring the likes of Rudy Ray Moore, Jim Kelly, Richard Roundtree, Pam Grier, and Fred Williamson. At the same time, the film has a sly intelligence, knowing when to stick close to the formula and when to steer into absurdist territory while retaining a steady tone throughout. Very funny stuff.



Audio/Video. The video is presented in a ratio of 1.85:1. I would say that the DVD looks amazing, but I would be lying. Instead, the best way to describe the movie is to say it looks like it is supposed to look. This is not a squeaky clean big budget Hollywood release, this is a low budget look back at the blaxploitation era that attempts to be genuine and accurate to the era, meaning the colors are off, it does not always show great detail, and it looks like an old movie. Think about what Tarantino was trying to do with Grindhouse and you have an idea of the look.

The audio, presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, is the same story as the video. It is always clear and audible, but it has the atmosphere of an old film and therefore is not terribly lively. However, it does the job required of it and it fits the film.

Extras.

• Commentary. The track features Michael Jai White, Scott Sanders, and Byron Minns. It is a good track that finds its participants in a good mood, laughing and having a good time commenting on the film and the production in general. It is a good listen.
• Deleted and Alternate Scenes. More than 25-minutes worth of extra footage. Funny stuff here.
• Lighting the Fuse. This takes you into the development of the film, where the idea came from, how it was developed, casting, and more. It is actually quite interesting, it helps that they are all pretty entertaining guys.
• The Comic-Con Experience. This is the panel held at the convention and moderated by Elvis Mitchell. Again, it is worth watching, you can sense the enthusiasm they have for the project.
• Previews. Trailers for Blood and Bone, The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day, Universal Soldier: Regeneration, Defendor, Bu the People: The Election of Barack Obama, Transylmania, Halloween II, Moon, Soul Power, Michael Jackson's This Is It, Breaking Bad, Zombieland.

Bottomline. Black Dynamite is infinitely quotable, endlessly funny, and one of the best satire/spoofs to emerge in recent memory. It is a real shame that it did not get the opportunity to win fans over on the big screen. This movie has a lot of positive energy, you can tell they had an enormous amount of fun while shooting it. Do yourself a favor, watch this, laugh, repeat as necessary.

Highly Recommended.

Through the Eyes of the Dead - Skepsis

Through the Eyes of the Dead is a band that have heard of but never really had any interest in checking out. It wasn't that I had heard a track I didn't like or anything that could be described as rational. My disinterest was a completely random thing facilitated by my rationale that I cannot listen to everything no matter how much I want to. So, on occasion my brain will make a snap decision as I peruse the shelves and decide what is and what isn't worth my time. In many cases, such as Through the Eyes of the Dead, my decision is made through indifference more than anything else. In any case, my indifference has come to an end as I find a copy of Skepsis in my hands. All I can say is "Wow."

Skepsis is far from being a great album. Still, I am hard pressed to point to something else I have listened to recently that matches its pure ferocity. They go straight for the jugular and do not let up for more than 40-minutes. Through the Eyes of the Dead is deathcore at its most ferocious. They remind me of DevilDriver and The Black Dahlia Murder.

The band seems to be raw and focused as they emerge on the other side of internal strife. I do not know any details, but they have gone through a number of line-ups since they formed back in 2003. In fact, only one original member remains, guitarist Justin Longshore. That could not be to helpful as they made their way through their first two albums. Hopefully now they will find some level of stability.



Now, if you want an album you can sink you fists into, this could fill the bill. Face pummeling double bass, jackhammer in the throat vocals, and some chugging riffs combine in a fashion that allows the music easy access to the grey matter. It does not wait to travel through your auditory canals, why bother when it can just punch its way through your skull?

The album opens with a do-nothing introductory track called "Parasite Thone." I truly believe its only purpose is to ease you into the first actual song, "Dementia." The chord strike and fierce drumming may have proven too much for the faint of heart during their listening tests, necessitating the inclusion of said introductory track.

"Dementia" is a pretty insane track that covers a lot of ground. The song keeps the pace fast throughout, slowing down only slightly for a more traditionally -core sound with headbanging rhythm guitar and blasting double bass before kicking back into the downright speed.

The second song, "No Haven," has an awesome opening. The guitars have this off kilter sound and combine with the vocals that range from high pitched to guttural. The song is not nearly as fast paced as "Dementia," but the energy is there, ready to rip your throat out should you turn your back for even a brief moment.

The most interesting thing about this album is the way the songs nearly blend into each other while each also brings something a little different to the table, it is a fascinating dichotomy. If you are listening casually you will probably find yourself checking every so often to see where you are in the album and wonder how you go there so fast. At the same time, if you are paying a little closer attention, you will hear that each song does bear a similarity to the one that came before, but you will also notice that each song has its own flavor. Differences in speed, the way the vocals are layered, the guitar attack, each song brings with it to add to what the prior had t offer. It is reveals good songwriting and a growth in the band that will continue to develop with each album that comes.

Still, I do not always want to listen for subtle differences in neighborly songs. Sometimes all I want is an album that can act as stress reliever, an album that releases aggression and takes no prisoners. Skepsis is perfect for that.

Bottomline. I am glad to have this experience. It makes me curious about their prior releases but it more makes me look forward to what they are going to offer next. Skepsis is an album that the deathcore fan will want to take note of. Their sound is finely honed example of ferocious aggression, insane double bass, bloody vocals, and guitars, all that want to leave your skull a bloody caved in bowl.

Recommended.

Box Office Update 1/29-1/31: Yes, Avatar Takes Another Weekend

I said it last week and it is true still this week. In a way, I am getting a little tired of seeing Avatar at the top of the chart every weekend. On the other hand, it is awfully exciting to see a movie capture the imaginations of so many people across all demographics. Say what you will about grosses in adjusted dollars, total admissions, and inflated 3D ticket prices. The arguments are valid, but in no way discount the phenomenal success this film has been. Movies do not make $600 million by accident. It cannot be attributed to the fan boys or the sci-fi geeks anymore than Titanic's success can be attributed to teen girls. These movies do this well by striking a chord with the public that crosses party lines and attracts all demographics.

Only time will tell if the film Avatar will be a classic. Personally, I feel it is borderline, but what do I know? What is not up for debate is the box office success it is enjoying is one to be remembered. No film has ever gone seven weekends with a gross more than $30 million. No film has had this many number one weekends in a row since Titanic. The movie is still selling out screenings and creating lines at the box office. The movie is a step away from entering the cultural consciousness, something no science fiction film has done since The Matrix (?), that I can think of anyway.

Coming in a distant second place is Edge of Darkness, the new Martin Campbell directorial effort. This marks the return of Mel Gibson to the big screen in a leading role. It opened to tepid reviews and commercial response. It makes me wonder where Mel goes from here? I saw the film and thought it was pretty darn good. Perhaps it was the bad advertising that kept people away? In any case, the movie is quite good, Gibson still has considerable screen charisma, and the movie is well worth checking out.

Slip down to third place and you will find the romantic comedy When in Rome. A film whose plot is spurred on by the Italian city while spending precious little time there. I recognize it is not a very good film, but it is one that won me over. It has a cute disposition and a winning charm that made me enjoy it. Well, that and Kristen Bell who seems to hold it all together. It is not one I would say you need to rush out and see, but if you are so inclined you could do a lot worse.

The rest of the chart is filled with returning titles that enjoyed relatively small dips in their box office. That is except for Legion, which fell nearly 60% and actually deserved it. That is not a good movie.

Next week will see a bald John Travolta shooting up Paris in From Paris With Love. We also get to see the latest Nicholas Sparks adaptation Dear John, starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried. Also, in much more limited fashion, Adam Green's latest effort Frozen, starring Shawn Ashmore.

Two movies dropped off the list this week: Extraordinary Measures (13) and The Spy Next Door (15).

This Week	Last Week	Title	Wknd Gross	Overall	Week in release
1	1	Avatar	$31,280,029	$595,752,416	7
2	N	Edge of Darkness	$17,214,384	$17,214,384	1
3	N	When in Rome	$12,350,041	$12,350,041	1
4	4	The Tooth Fairy	$9,998,109	$26,104,387	3
5	3	The Book of Eli	$8,908,286	$74,511,765	2
6	2	Legion	$7,176,375	$29,022,786	3
7	5	The Lovely Bones	$4,726,828	$38,005,738	8
8	6	Sherlock Holmes	$4,515,344	$197,601,522	6
9	7	Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel	$3,997,136	$209,294,997	6
10	9	It's Complicated	$3,804,215	$104,111,035	6

Box Office Predictions Recap
With the exceptions of my overestimation of Edge of Darkness and under estimation of Tooth Fairy, this proved to be a pretty good week in prediction-land. This holds true for both sides of the chart. If not for my Tooth Fairy gaffe I could have nailed the top ten. Still, I am more than happy with how I fared against the actuals. I am still in awe of what Avatar has been doing each week. Amazing.

Here is how the field matched up:

Actual	Prediction	Title	Wknd Gross	Prediction
1	1	Avatar	$31,280,029	$28 million
2	2	Edge of Darkness	$17,214,384	$23 million
3	3	When in Rome	$12,350,041	$13 million
5	4	The Book of Eli	$8,908,286	$9 million
6	5	Legion	$7,176,375	$7.5million
4	6	Tooth Fairy	$9,998,109	$6.5 million
7	7	The Lovely Bones	$4,726,828	$5 million
8	8	Sherlock Holmes	$4,515,344	$4 million
9	9	Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel	$3,997,136	$3.5 million
10	10	It's Complicated	$3,804,215	$3 million

DVD Pick of the Week: House of the Devil

Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope this humble column helps you navigate the stacks of new releases each week. My goal is to point you toward titles of interest and warn you away from those films that seek to do nothing but leech away your time and give you nothing in return.

Full disclosure: I have not seen many of these titles, and what follows are not necessarily reviews, but opinions based upon what I know of the titles I pluck from the new release lists I peruse. The opinions I give based on the new releases are my own, and my recommendations are based on my personal interest. In any case, I hope you enjoy and perhaps find something you like or a title to point me towards.

The House of the Devil (also Blu-ray). I have been wanting to see this for some time. Perhaps now is my chance? Written and directed by Ti West, this film tells of a college student who takes a babysitting job for some extra cash. She comes to find her employers plan to use her in a Satanic ritual. It is set in the 1980's and has a very strong 80's vibe. It is so strong, in fact, that I hear if you did not know it was made recently, you'd think it was from the 1980's. To help play up this fact, there is a special edition release that comes with the film on VHS! The film has gotten very diverse reactions, some love it and some hate it. I look forward to seeing where I fall on the scale.

Zombieland (also Blu-ray). You could call this the American equivalent of Shawn of the Dead. It is not exactly the same movie, but it is a horror/comedy and it involves zombies, so you have that. Beyond that, you have a pair of movies that succeed extraordinarily well. Zombieland gives us an intriguing look into a future suffering from a zombie outbreak. It has laughs, action, blood, heart, and is above all other things fun.

Doctor Who: The Complete Specials (also Blu-ray). Instead of a final series, the final year of David Tennant as the Doctor was told in a series of television specials. They are being released individually, but also collected on one box set. I suspect this is the best way to go. I liked Tennant as the Doctor.

Casablanca (Blu-ray). This classic was previously released on Blu-ray in a deluxe box with all manner of extras. This is the first release where you are not required to get the box that you may not want. I have not seen this in some time and think I may like to check it out in high definition. Has anyone out there seen it? How does it look?

Planet Hulk (also Blu-ray). The heroes cannot trust having Hulk around anymore and shoot him into space. He crash lands on an alien world where he follows a Gladiator-like path from indentured slave to ruler while he looks for a way to return to Earth. The comic was quite good, hopefully this is as well.

Ong Bak 2: The Beginning (also Blu-ray). The first film was light on plot but contains some absolutely insane action sequences. All I really want from the sequel is the same. Also, if this s not enough, there is a third film on the way.

Adam. I wanted to see this on the big screen but did not get the chance. It is a quirky romance about a man (Hugh Dancy) with asperger syndrome who attempts to have a relationship with a woman in his building and the complications that come with it. The trailer looks pretty good and I look forward to checking it out.

Universal Soldier: Regeneration (also Blu-ray). Another one? This time they are trying it with Dolph Lundgren. They already did it with Jean Claude Van Damme, now the show is on the other foot. I have heard some positive early buzz. I hope to like it, the first film about the cyborg soldiers was pretty good so there is hope.

Amelia (also Blu-ray). This movie would seem to have Oscar buzz written all over it. Hilary Swank, Richard Gere starring in a historical biopic? How could you go wrong? Don't ask. Who knew the story of Amelia Earhart could be so boring? This is not a good film and not worth your time.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Blu-ray). Here is a veritable classic. Terry Gilliam directed this adaptation of the Hunter S. Thompson gonzo novel with Johnny Depp in the lead. This is an absolutely bizarre film filled with drug trips, lizards, and other absurdities. This is a definite keeper.

Love Happens (also Blu-ray). Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart star in this romantic comedy about a self-help writer who can't take his own advice and a florist who is unlucky in love. It looks all right, but I cannot say I am in any rush to see it.

Triangle (also Blu-ray). I have heard good things about this mystery/thriller by writer/director Christopher Smith. A group of friends off the coast of Florida have their yacht overturned, fortunately there is another ship nearby that they board, but no one is on board. This is where things take a turn. Looking forward to finding out what it is!

A Backward Glance on a Travel Road - s/t

Recently, I was introduced to a band called Hypno5e. That's right, just like hypnose but a 5 in place of the s. The album was called Des Deux L'une Est L'autre and it was a rather amazing experience. The French act delivered an amazingly inventive brand of extreme progressive metal that was, simply put, awe inspiring. Hot on the heels of that experience comes A Backward Glance on a Travel Road, a side project for a couple of Hypno5e members. Could it be possible that this could be an even more extreme album? Or perhaps a more traditional metal excursion? It turns out not that neither of those thoughts were true. I could not have been less prepared for what I experienced.

While Hypno5e's music is extreme experimental metal, A Backward Glance on a Travel Road is an acoustically driven excursion into avant garde soundscapes. The sound is distinctly non-metal. As different as it is from their main group, the music crafted by Emmanuel Jessua and Thibault Lamy seems to be cut from the same cloth.

A Backward Glance Down a Travel Road's self-titled debut album is one of almost ethereal beauty. It is accessible enough to be almost instantly caught up in it, while being so drastically different than anything we are used to hearing to be an utterly unique experience. This is the sort of music that can take you on a journey into your mind with its soul-searching expanse of sound. It is really hard to describe without actually having you listen to it.



What is interesting are the elements that connect the two bands together. Both are interested in creating soundscapes, both make use of spoken word segments in both French and English, and they are both about pushing boundaries while remaining eminently listenable. There is even a journey into Hypno5e territory with "Hier Regnant Desert." Just imagine what an experimental metal track would sound like if played on acoustic guitar. Yes, it is quite different. Still, it sounds right. I know that sounds odd, but while it seems to be derived from an electric guitar driven metal song, it sounds perfectly natural played acoustically.

The album opens with "Regular Barbary." It begins with a cacophony of acoustic guitar strings and abused piano keys before it gets to the groove that leads us through the layered musical nightmare. The guitar is our guide while the voices play with our mind, the piano shocks to keep you focused, before adding in the wailing voice towards the end, all adding up to an experience that cannot be denied.



The opening song leads directly into "Falling." It is an atmospheric piece built on a bed of synthesizers. There is something profoundly sad and morose about this song, especially as the voice comes in saying "Falling... a rainy day." It weighs on the soul as guitar strings are plucked over the synth bed. Everything adds up to a song dense with orchestration, simplistic in appearance yet as deep as an ocean with effect on the listener.

"Johnny Got His Gun" is probably my favorite song. It is a song with frightening implications of a living nightmare from which there is no escape. The guitar again plays as guide through the tragic landscape. The song is inspired by the film of the same name (the same film that also inspired Metallica's "One") about a soldier who wakes up to find he has no limbs, cannot talk, and has no way of communicating. The song includes clips of the films subject speaking (thinking?) about his predicament and his desire to die.

Bottomline. In total, the album is comprised of seven tracks, each one adding something more to the whole, expanding on what came before. It is an impressive work that takes the listener on a journey into the recesses of the mind. The album is an experience that is not to be missed.

Be sure to visit their MySpace page to get the link to download the album for free! That's right, the band is offering the album free to help spread the word!

Highly Recommended.

Stygian - Fury Rising

A fury certainly is rising. It is coming out of Philadelphia and it goes by the name Stygian. This quartet are set to unleash what has been called their "...their best work to date." Are you ready? I have not heard any of their prior works to compare, but I can say that Fury Rising is an intriguing work by a band that is still growing into their abilities. It also seems those abilities are considerable. So, if you like your music straight up, this could be for you.

Stygian provides a different experience amid the slate of heavy/extreme/death metal acts I have been listening to of late. This takes me back to the early 1990's and comes across as a combination of Metallica, Pantera, Alice in Chains, and a liberal dose of Zakk Wylde for good measure. Yes, they have a retro style, but they do it with an energy that gives it a certain amount of freshness.

To give you the short answer, I like Fury Rising. It is catchy, infectious, and brings the familiarity of its influences to bear. It works. It is funny to see how these retro-stylings and familiarity make a band stand out, but it does. Stygian may wear them on their sleeve just don't let that fool you. These guys are the real deal, if still developing.



Toeing the line between hard rock and metal, Stygian is poised to play both sides of the coin, becoming a sort of edge band. They do not seem to be interested in playing party lines by choosing either route, or taking their music to any level of extreme. Syygian knows what they want to do and while they may not be there yet, give them time.

Fury Rising begins "Suffer Patiently," a tune that has that perfect level of hard rock groove with a slight metallic edge to get your head rocking. If you don't, well, I suggest you check for a pulse as something is wrong. This leads into the heavy hard rock title track that begins with a riff spiced with very Zakk Wylde sounding guitar squeals before settling into its chugging surge momentum.

While Stygian is definitely a band with potential and Fury Rising is a strong release, I get a similar vibe to Fallen Martyr. They are both bands that are self-assured and have put out an album that displays their skills well, but they also both come across as bands that have not reached the peak of their abilities. They show signs of promise for things to come. Fury Rising is a good listen, but their next album will be the one to really look for.

I think my biggest issue with the album is that there is not a lot of variety. Yes, each song is different, but they have similar structures and flow. This will improve as they continue to find their voice, refine their sound, and improve their songwriting skills.

The band is led by Frank Leary on vocals and guitar. His voice can carry a good deal of emotion and energy, although it is quite uneven here. Sometimes sounds to be out of key or not quite able to smoothly hit all of the notes he wants, while other times he sounds like a dead-ringer for Load-era James Hetfield. His guitar teams with that of lead guitarist Patrick Hayden and his modified Kirk Hammett stylings to create the albums strongest element, the rock and metal guitar sound. This is where the truly shine with some shredding solos and catchy riffs. Backing these two are Steve Bacchia on drums and Mike Stewart on bass. This duo provides a solid rhythm section that help keep the album's pace up. Solid work all around.

Bottomline. It comes as no surprise to learn Stygian began their life as a Metallica cover band based on their sound here. I am actually eager to see where they are able to take their music as Fury Rising proves they have the raw materials needed for success. I like he album and it is one well worth listening too. Rock or metal fan? Give them a listen, see if you hear what I hear.

Recommended.

When in Rome (2010)

As the release date approached, it became pretty clear that this was not going to be a critical darling. I know, hard to believe right? I knew going in that it was going to be fighting an uphill battle, still I kept up hope that it would not be as terrible as so many wanted to believe it would be. I mean, I like some of the cast members and we can always use a decent romantic comedy. We get so few of them that we have to believe a good one is right around the corner. That leaves the million dollar question, is When in Rome a good romantic comedy or does it deserve the critical drubbing it has been receiving? Believe it or not, the answer is no on both counts.

Romantic comedies are not exactly bursting with high quality creative energy. It seems that they just scrape by on formula and chemistry of the leads. It is not often we get something like Definitely, Maybe or (500) Days of Summer. Granted, they may be a little light on the comedy, but they are very good films that prove the genre still has a little bit of life left in it.

When In Rome does not really reach very high. It does settle on formula. It does rely on star chemistry. No, it is not a very good movie. Still, I found myself enjoying it. The move was cute, the stars had decent chemistry, and I actually liked the story. This despite the fact it was underwritten and predictable.



Wow. Did I just admit that? Yes, I think I did. And you know what? I am not taking it back or apologizing. I will likely forget this movie in relatively short order, but who am I to say how I will react to it down the line? One of the things that makes movies interesting and worth watching, for better or for worse, is the way they make you feel in the moment. Movies cause emotional reactions and these reactions are not always logical or quantifiable. In this case, I found myself smiling while another part of me recognized that this did not make a lot of sense and was not written terribly well.

I decided to just go along with it. My smiling side won out over logic. It does happen sometimes and, just so you know, emotional responses are not as easily dismissed as the logic-hounds would have you believe. It is just as valid a response as any. So, let me say that if your emotions tell you you like something, believe them.

The story centers on Beth (Kristen Bell), a workaholic curator at the Guggenheim museum. She has been hurt by love and has turned her full focus to her work. It was a good choice, as she needs to keep on point lest she draw the ire of her boss, the rather severe Anjelica Huston. Of course, her plans begin to go awry when her sister shows up saying she is going to be married in Rome in two days time.



Off Beth goes to Rome in what will become a trip that will forever change her life. While there, she immediately finds a connection with the groom's best man Nick (Josh Duhamel). However, further disillusionment with love sees her hop in the fountain of love where she plucks out a few coins in hopes of bringing her some love.

This supernatural faux pas finds a bunch of strangers follow her back to New York in hopes of winning her love. Of course, the number of followers does not match the number of people pursuing her, so we are supposed to believe that the final coin belongs to Nick. Now, I do not want to give it away, but how many of actually believe it will turn out to be his? Didn't think so. Considering the lack of mystery with regards to the coin, it is way to see the movie is not terribly well plotted.

With the plot out of the way, I mean there is not much too it so why dwell on it? What makes this movie work is Kristen Bell. I will not say she is the greatest actress in the world, but she has been doing good work ever since I she broke out on Veronica Mars. She has good screen presence, comic timing, and is not afraid looking a little bit silly. Now, the performance is broad, but it still works. There is more to her than what is on the page and you may have to scratch at it to get to it, but it is there. Then there is Josh Duhamel, playing a variation of his Las Vegas role as the lovable lunk. He is fine, but doesn't have a lot to do.



The supporting cast is filled with recognizable faces in small roles. These faces include Danny Devito, Dax Shepard, Will Arnett, John Heder (and his Napoleon Dynamite counterpart Efren Ramirez in the least funny part of the film), and Don Johnson. Mostly thankless roles, but Shepard rings the most comedy out of his time.

Seriously, though, the film is cute and has a sweet disposition. As poorly written and executed as it was, I found myself disarmed by it. We all want to believe in love. We all want to believe that it is unconditional. The problem is that most of us do not recognize it when it is right in front of you. In this generation of me and the unwarranted sense of entitlement that seems to go along with it, it is easy to give up on the idea of unconditional love. I mean, why bother when most marriages end in divorce or when you are constantly worried about infidelity? Despite the lack of good romantic comedies, or romances in general, at least there is still a belief in love and finding the right person on the screen.

Bottomline. No, not a good movie. However, it has an infectious quality that is hard to ignore. I am sure to be in the minority of people talking about this movie, but so what? Give the movie a shot, it is worth it.

Recommended.