Chelsea Wolfe - "Apokalypsis"

 

In this day and age, it's really hard to be original.  All we can do is make the best art that we can.  If it sounds good, then hopefully that will be enough.  But Chelsea Wolfe has created something so unique, some of us have a hard time to label her music.  And when you can't put something in a box and put a tag on it, then you've created something very original.

The best I can describe Chelsea Wolfe is that it's a cross between folk and doom metal.  Her vocals are very lovely, but also have a haunting feel, thanks to the reverb.  You can also say that there is also a Black Metal influence.  Especially her shriek on "Pale On Pale".

Other than "Pale On Pale", "Demons" is also a great track.  Of course "Demons" is a re-recorded track from Chelsea's first album, "The Grime and The Glow"  I do have to say that I enjoy the "Apokalypsis" version.  "Tracks (Tall Bodies)" is also great.  That's a song I like to put on when I just want to relax.

Of course by now, you've hear many awesome things about Chelsea Wolfe.  Especially since she had some sessions on PBS.  So if you're looking for some new music, I recommend "Apokalypsis" by Chelsea Wolfe.  And if she is coming to a town near you, totally go and check it out.

This album gets "5 Hitlers Punched in the Face"

Gravity (2013)

Gravity may not be horror, but the situation I find to be terrifying.  This was directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Children of Men) and stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.  From seeing the trailer, you know this movie was going to be crazy.  Just the thought of floating in space, all alone, brings chills down my spine.

So the story is about a astronaut name Ryan Stone (Bullock), who is trying to fix a satellite, along with two other astronauts, Matt Kowalski (Clooney) and Shariff.  When Kowalski gets news that debris from a asteroid/satellite collision was headed their way, he tries to pull Stone back to the space station.  But it was too late and pieces of the first satellite begins crashing into the other satellite.  Stone tries to hold on, but soon gets cut off and is now floating in space.  Of course now she's terrified .  She only has few oxygen left in the tank and no way to get to Earth.  Luckily, Kowalski finds her and now they try to make their way to a Russian space station, hoping they can use their pod to get back home.

I really can't say I'm a big fan of Sandra Bullock, but she really made me feel for her character.  And Clooney's character is cool and laid back.  In the beginning of the film, Kowalski is telling his comrades stories from back home, just to entertain and keep their mind off that they're up in space.

I really enjoyed "Gravity" and can see why it got a lot of buzz.  I enjoyed the visuals.  And for some reason I felt like I can feel the darkness and coldness of space.  Like the p.o.v shots made you think you were really there.  Oh and if you get nauseous very easily, then you may want to avoid this flick.  But other than that, Gravity is a very unique film, and I totally suggest checking it out. 

Boardwalk Empire: Season Three (2012)

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I never thought that I would review a TV show, but after seeing season 3 of Boardwalk Empire, I just had to.  To me, season three was a long ride.  Mostly because of the main protagonist.  It was like watching a heel that you hate in a wrestling promotion, having a long title reign.  You just wanted someone to beat him for the title.  Kind of like Gyp Rosetti.  I just wanted him dead in episode 3.  But of course, I had to wait for episode 12.

Now moving along, in season 3, we are introduced to Rosetti, standing in the beach, while his men change a flat tire.  A man pulls over and offers help.  He goes to his car to get some 1040.  Rosetti had no idea what that was.  The man tells Gyp that it's oil.  Rosetti now feels like a fool and bashes the man's face with the tire iron and takes his dog.

Meanwhile, Nucky is having these weird dreams where he sees a little boy.  We later find out that the whole thing with Jimmy in season two has been bothering him.  Anyways, Nucky is hosting a New Year's Eve party and is introduced to Rosetti.  Nucky discusses about who he sells his liquor to and Rosetti is not happy about it.  This of course has Gyp Rosetti stirring up some trouble for Nucky.

Then we have Gillian who is now running a whore house.  Richard Harrow meets a girl and tries to get Tommy (Jimmy's son) away from Gillian.  In the end, there's a awesome shot out with Richard.  Van Alden moved to Chicago with Sigrid and now is a door-to-door salesman.  Margret is involved with the hospital after seeing a woman miscarriage.  And then Eli is trying to get on Nucky's good side after he tried to get Nucky killed/imprisoned in season 2.  Al Capone is awesome in this season, too.  Really enjoyed him this season.

I really enjoyed episode 12.  I wished Rosetti had a much more brutal death.  But it was ok.  I laughed when he was doing his Nucky Thompson impression.  But glad it was all over with.  Bobby Cannavale did a great job at getting me to hate the Gyp Rosetti character.

And those are my thoughts on season three of Boardwalk Empire.  If you haven't seen this series, I highly recommend it.  It's really great to see Steve Buscemi in a lead role.  And for sure check out all the seasons.  Especially since it's been rumored that season five is the last season.  For sure this is one of my favorite tv shows along with Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and Dexter.

The House of the Devil (2009)

Seeing that Ti West new film, "The Sacrement" will be coming out to selected theaters and VOD soon, I figured that I should review his first full-feature, "The House of the Devil".  This movie was brought to my attention to a co-worker a while back when this movie was coming out on dvd.  So on it's release, I purchased it and I have to say it wasn't a bad flick.

The movie is about a college girl name Samantha looking for a job to earn some cash.  She finds a ad for hiring a babysitter.  She calls up the number and a man, who sounds very suspicious, picks up the phone.  The man gives Samantha the gig, so Samantha's friend drops her off to the house.  The owners were going out to see a lunar eclipse and needed someone to look after his mother.  They give Samantha some basic instructions and they take off.  Later on, Samantha hears some strange things.  She goes upstairs to check on the mother and finds something very horrifying.

Now I have to admit that this movie is very slow, but the ending really makes it worth while.  I love the beginning with the 80's throwback intro.  The acting was pretty good.  The script was decent.  But I have to say that the mother was the most scariest thing I've seen in a long time.  So if you enjoyed "The Sacrement", then I would suggest checking out "The House of the Devil".

Code 415 Podcast - Jan. 19, 2014

Today's music is from:

Lights and the Window - "New Day Sun"

Amesoeurs - "Heurt"

Mogwai - "Travel Is Dangerous"

Fucked Up - "The Other Shoe"

Ghinzu - "Blow"

Code 415 Podcast: 1/19/14 by Code415media on Mixcloud

Top 5 Albums of 2013

5. ALTAR OF PLAGUES - "IN TEETH GLORY & INJURY"

"Mammals" was such a killer album.  It made me a become a fan of this band.  Altar of Plagues are one of the bands that really keep extreme music interesting.  So when "Teethed Glory & Injury" came out, I was looking forward to hearing their new material.  And what an awesome album.   The album has been praised by many music publications.  2013 has been great to these Irishmen.

4. WINDHAND - "SOMA"

After hearing Cough, it's great to hear another Doom band from Virginia.  I heard of Windhand from the split they did with Cough.  Windhand bring in more of a traditional Doom sound, which right now is breathe of fresh air.  If you're a fan of early Doom Metal bands, then "Soma" is your kind of album.

3. DEAFHEAVEN - "SUNBATHER"

If you read my review of this album, then you shouldn't be surprise that it made my Top 5.  I really don't know how much more I can give praise to this album.  Everything I loved about Deafheaven, they did it twice as better on "Sunbather"  Their cross of Post-Rock and Black Metal is really amazing.  Totally pick this up for your New Year's Eve party.

2. GHOST B.C. - "INFESTISSUMAM"

Oh, boy.  This album started my 2013 with a bang.  Of course I've been waiting for this album since I've heard their first single "Circular Haze".  And just like the first album, this album is even more catchier.  Seeing that this band is on a major label, I'm glad they didn't water them down.  And even though they've added the "BC", these Swedes will always be Ghost to me.

1. SUBROSA - "MORE CONSTANT THAN THE GODS"

It was awesome when I heard that SubRosa was putting out a new album in 2013.  "No Help From The Mighty Ones" was one of my favorite Sludge albums.  With "More Constant Than The Gods", everything sound more heavier, more catchier, and just more kick arse.  Since it's release, I can not stop listening to this album.  Violins are the best thing to happen in the Sludge genre.  And if these kids from SLC continue to push themselves, then don't be surprise if their next album is #1 on my list again.

Palms - "Palms" 2013

A couple of years ago, I was super excited when I heard the news that Deftones singer, Chino Moreno was forming a band with three members of ISIS.  Of course I was interested in how they will sound.  Would it sound like ISIS with Chino on vocals?  Or would it be a complete different band?

Well, I will say this; Palms sound like a nice cross between Alternative Metal and Post-Rock.  I can hear a bit of Deftones and ISIS.  But it does have a tropical/dream-like feel.  It really does feel like another band.  But of course Chino's vocals are very recognizable.  Hopefully when you're listening to it, you can get past that.  And I have to mention that it's nice hearing Clifford Meyer doing more guitar.

"Future Warrior" starts off great.  With "Patagonia", I just wanted to close my eyes and pretend I'm flying above the clouds.  And from there on, it's just enjoyable.  I don't think this is going to break any new ground.  But I'm pretty sure Chino has done it with the Deftones.  And Aaron Harris , Cliff Meyer, and Jeff Caxide have did get that whole Post-Metal thing rocking and rolling.  So if you enjoy the work of the Deftones and ISIS, I might recommend this.  This was a good record by very creative people.