Saturday is known, of course, as the biggest and busiest day at New York Comic Con, which it certainly always is. Knowing this I decided to debut my newest cosplay, Batman villain: the Riddler! But, more on that later.
First let's start by me showing you guys some of my favorite cosplays from that day:
As I said, this would be my first time as Riddler (also by default my first villain cosplay), and I had more fun than I could've ever imagined as him! People were coming up to me asking for pics of me or with me, and that never happens. And, even when it did in the past, it wasn't to this level! As someone who struggles with his self-esteem, it really was a big deal for me. It made me feel great about myself and wish I could do more with it. Anyways, for now all I can do is share some pics of other cosplayers and myself from this day:
Olivia (NJ Harley) was one of the coolest people that I met at this whole con. I went up to her to get some pics with her and her awesome Harley Quinn cosplay. She said sure, but only if she could interview me on camera. I happily agreed and that was fun to do. Though, as of press time, I don't think ;that video is up, yet. It's all cool though cuz, I know how busy life makes us. Regardless, she is a sweetie, and I love the way these pics came out!
Some other sites that caught my attention on this Saturday:
Yes, Taylor Swift has her own official comic-book. So, I don't know if any Swifites read or follow my site. But, if you do, let me know do any of you read this comic? If so what are thoughts on it? I am legit curious to hear them.
Finally, this is the swag I bought on this day: From the TeeTurtle Fandom booth: SpongeBob Squarepants Con exclusive tee And, from that booth that I kept on buying Masters of the Universe Origins figures from, I got double the bad ninjas: MOTU- Ninjor and I finally got a G.I. Joe Classified Storm Shadow (my favorite character in the franchise)!
One more day left for me to do my report on. So to be continued!
The meantime, who amongst you were at NYCC last year on Saturday? What were your highlights from this day? Let me know in the comments section below.
This past year was one hell of a year for horror! Various movies hit it big at the box office, as well as getting critical acclaim, and more! It took me a while to make this list, cuz I was holding off to watch Nosferatu. As neither Strange Darling nor Longlegs are films that I got to catch theatrically nor are they streaming for free, I have yet to see them. But, I couldn't keep waiting any longer to make this list, so here you go!
10. Lisa Frankenstein- This flick from director Zelda Williams and writer Diablo (Jennifer's Body) Cody also gets my pick for most underrated horror flick of last year. The horror/ comedy is highly enjoyable, funny, quirky, wild, and actually pretty romantic. The 80s aesthetic and loving homages to the horror genre further adds to film's charm. The characters are wonderful, too, especially our romantic leads played by Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse. If you ever wondered how to make Newton even hotter, well here is your answer: make her an 80s goth babe! As always Cody writes some lively and really fun dialogue.
9. Arcadian- This post apocalyptic monster movie is another one that didn't get enough love. It felt like everyone was talking about it when it came out but was then completely forgotten. Which is a shame, cuz this flick is engrossing and suspenseful. It does a good job of being a horror movie as well as a heartfelt coming of age flick at the same time. The acting is really good, especially by Nicolas Cage. It also features a really intense climax, an awesome doggy, and some of the fucking weirdest and quirkiest looking monsters that I have seen in ages.
8. Humane- Caitlin Cronenberg (yes, she is, in fact, genre master David Cronenberg's daughter!) gives us a phenomenal directorial debut with this well crafted thriller. She really knows how to build tension and mix it in with bursts of strong violence. The climax had me cheering and on the edge of my seat. It's also well acted and deals with some very timely politics.
7. Nosferatu- I definitely fall under that category of people that find Robert Eggers' The Witch to be overrated and who, mostly, does not care for the so called subgenre that is elevated horror movies. However, I loved his take on this often told Dracula/ Count Orloff story. Sure it is slowly paced, but I remained completely captivated and enraptured by what was going on. It's certainly gorgeous looking, what with its use of saturated colors and heavy shadows (reminding me of the director's version of the amazing 1979 Dracula with Frank Langella). The flick is also creepy and plays homage to both of the earlier movies of the same title, while still being its own horrific beast. We even get some old vampire dick for good and gross measure!
6. Abigail- Oh man, what a fun time this flick was! A great mix of action and horror, it has a really exciting, fast pace. The plot twists are great and the characters lively. We get double the babe factor with Melissa Barrera (man, is the Scream franchise stupid for letting her go!) and Kathryn Newton (that's two Newton horror movies that got ranked here for last year!). The gore is absolutely awesome. But, what I love the most is our title character: little Abigail (wonderfully played by Alisha Weir). She is one of the best villains (especially in terms of vampires) that I have seen in a long time! The result is the best bloodsucker movie of last year. Yes, I liked it more than Nosferatu.
5. Terrifier 3- This wild third entry in this ultra-gory slasher franchise might be my least favorite, but not by much of the three movies, but its still an absolute blast to watch! As expected the splatter is phenomenal and graphic, with the bathroom double chainsaw kill being the best kill of last year. As with the two preceding entries in the series, the movie is deliciously cruel and is filled with jet-black and twisted humor. The gorgeous Lauren LaVera cements her place as one of the greatest final girls ever. Meanwhile, Art is as awesome and evil as ever. I also love the fact that it went out unrated and made a shit ton of money. The movie actually became the top grossing unrated flick ever (on a side note, a Beyonce concert held that top spot earlier. I was kinda hoping it was some cool splatter flick, but nope it's a fucking Beyonce concert film. Le sigh)!
I hope this means that we get more unrated gore movies in the months and years to come. Bonus points for giving us a new Christmas horror movie to add to our annual viewing lists.
4. Late Night with the Devil- Mixing intrigue, suspense, and dark humor the plot of this satanic found footage flick builds up really well. It leads strongly into a great ending that is propelled by a very well done climax, all of which caps off this film perfectly. The directing and excellent acting makes you feel like you are actually watching a real, live broadcast. Without a shadow of a doubt Late Night with the Devil is the best possession movie in ages.
3. Alien: Romulus- This amazing sequel is a true return to form for the long running horror/ sci-fi franchise. Moving at an almost unrelenting pace, it is intense, suspenseful, and creepy. Most of the FX work is very well done, and are supplemented by excellent set design and production values. It also features some very strong acting especially from the leads. Our final girl, played by the lovely Cailee Spaeney, is great and a fitting successor to Ripley. Fede (Evil Dead 2013) Alvarez once again proves that he is one of the genre's best modern directors.
2. Immaculate- Immaculate is a classy yet suitably brutal mainstream take on nunsplotation. Michael Mohan's direction gives us a great looking movie with an intensely white knuckle feel. The flick builds to an edge of your seat climax that leads into one of the most holy shit endings that you are likely to see, particularly in recent memory. It's all held together by an amazing performance by the breathtaking Sydney Sweeny in one of last true year's true examples of breakthrough acting.
1. The Substance- Coralle (Revenge) Fargeat's second movie is beautifully shot with excellent use of close-ups and expertly edited leading to what is, quite simply put, a nightmarish tour de force. And, then there is the blood soaked climax which is even more bonkers than the insanity that preceded it! Which is saying a lot! Yet, as gruesome as this body horror flick is, it is also a deep and thought provoking look at women aging in Hollywood (and by extent the regular world). It's all headed by incredible performance by the gorgeous Margaret (One Upon a Time in Hollywood) Quailey and, most especially by the forever stunning Demi (The Seventh Sign) Moore. She gives the performance of her career. She already won a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical (let's not get into the whole this ain't a comedy or a musical thing, though, and just be happy that she got recognized for her acting), so here is hoping the Oscar's make the same call (and not ignore this cuz its a horror movie). Make no bones about it. this is a true modern masterpiece, that will be worshipped and studied in the years to come.
That's my list. What are your favorite horror movies from last year? Anything that I am missing (like I said earlier I did not see Longlegs or Strange Darling) here? Let me know in the comments section below!
Another year has passed us by and as always we've had some killer tunes, from various subgenres and styles of heavy music, to get us through it. This year gave a wide variety of classic bands (including some comebacks), as well as some younger ones and up and comers. As always, this list took a long time to take its final shape, though number one stayed at that top spot from the moment it came out. That being said I kept pushing this back from posting cuz I kept redoing the order, as I listened to albums more and more. Anyways, let's get to it already!
Honorable Mentions: Opeth- The Last Will and Testament Undeath- More Insane Boundaries- Death Is Little More New Years Day- Half Dark Heart Witch Vomit- Funeral Sanctum
20. Gatecreeper- Dark Superstition- Embracing a more melodic sound, Gatecreeper have achieved yet another winner of an album. Dark, heavy, and, at times quite catchy, this is one I listened to a lot. Especially the track "The Black Curtain", which was one of the best singles in extreme metal last year.
19. Amaranthe- The Catalyst- The reigning kings of symphonic metal return with another beautifully crafted, fun, and catchy work. Great to listen and sign along to it does everything you want a recording like this to do. This one features some of the most enjoyable and beautifully crafted songs of the year.
18. The Black Dahlia Murder- Servitude- After the loss of their front-man Trevor Strnad, I think didn't my all time favorite melodeath band would ever return. So imagine my pleasant surprise when not only did they do just that, but did it so successfully! Servitude is a great comeback, that sounds heavy, dark, and powerful. All the touches that make TBDM so awesome are here, with Brian Eschbach doing an amazing job taking over vocal duties. He gives you that feeling that Strnad did without sounding like a carbon copy or wanna-be, still managing to be his own man. As a matter of fact, every single time I put this one on, I am reminded of just fucking solid a record it is!
17. Necrot- Lifeless Birth- We've been champing death metallers Necrot since the beginning. here at Words from the Master. So. it kinda sucks that they are still so underrated. Especially when you hear how consistently good their output is. Case, in point, this overpoweringly heavy slab of death and gore. From the opening track to the end this one is filled with chainsaw guitars, pounding drums, unearthly growls, and a wonderfully evil feel and atmosphere to the sonic proceedings.
16. Aborted- Vault of Horrors- One of my favorite death metal acts, Aborted never fail to put out a killer release. And, even when I can say that I prefer the last couple ahead of this one, it's still light years ahead of much of the competition. Filled with guest stars galore (Shadow of Intent, Despised Icon, etc), this one revels in the all assault, groove, brutality, and love of gore and horror, that an Aborted album should.
15. Marilyn Manson- One Assassination Under God, Chapter 1- I honestly wasn't sure if Manson would ever return after all the controversary (which I am gonna avoid mentioning here). So, the fact he not only came back but came back with the best album since his classic heyday is one fuck of an achievement. This is honestly the first recording of his in ages where I can enjoy every single track, without skipping. Dark, haunting, evil, and catchy, with its mix if industrial and hook laden gothic metal, this is everything you want in a Manson album!
14. Nails- Every Bridge Burned- Powerviolence/ hardcore band Nails are back motherfucker! And, their return is filled with the most uncompromisingly heavy and brutal music imaginable. This sonic slab of piss and vinegar is one of the angriest fuckers committed to the soundscape of last year. It's mix of grindcore and hardcore punk infused metal shines on songs like incredible "Lacking the Ability to Process Empathy" which hit like a steel tipped kick to the fucking balls. In fact, this album is like 17 min plus ass kicking of the most brutal and vicious quality.
13. Fit For An Autopsy- The Nothing That Is- Fit For An Autopsy continue to prove that they are, with a shadow of a doubt. one of the absolute masters of deathcore. Featuring a heavy, crushing, melodic, and technically sound style, this is one adrenaline charged motherfucker. From the moment the opening track, "Hostage", starts this one will make you want to trash everything in fucking sight. A sure fire way to fuel the mosh pit this is hands down the best deathcore release of last year.
12. Knocked Loose- You Won't Go Before You're Supposed to- This feels like it was the year for groin kicking core music. And, perhaps none hit harder and more pissed off than this barnburner from Knocked Loose. They also had THE biggest and best moment for uncompromisingly heavy music of last year, when they performed their single "Suffocate", featuring the always awesome Poppy, on TheJimmy Kimmel Show. It was an awesome and absolutely ass kicking presentation that combined with the fact that it scared a bunch of housewives, grandmas, and whimps all the more better and legendary!
11. Nile- The Underworld Awaits for Us All- I have admit ably liked everything I have ever heard from Nile. But, I don't think I have really loved anything since Ithyphallic. That is until this fucking bone crushing release. Heavy and brutal, this audio assault is their best since then. Honestly, it really ranks among their best work, period. The single "Chapter for Not Being Hung Upside Down on a Stake in the Underworld and Made to Eat Feces by the Four Apes" gets my vote for not just the best (and certainly longest!) title in death metal (fuck that all of metal) last year but also as one of the best tracks in the extreme metal in 2024!
10. Fulci- Duck Face Killings- If you know me or follow me/ this website religiously you'll know of my love for both death metal and horror master Lucio Fulci. So, it comes as no surprise to anyone that I would love this Italian death metal band, who are inspired by the Italian master of hardcore splatter and horror. I actually only really got into them this year. But, fuck what an album to be introduced to them with! This fun, violent, and heavy as fuck recording is inspired by Fulci's gruesome. controversial, and sleazy giallo/ slasher The New York Ripper. Said flick tells the heartwarming tale of a crazed psycho who slices up women with a straight razor, razor blades, broken bottles and more, all while quacking like a duck! This fucker is every bit as wild and extreme as that flick, and the result is my favorite straight up death metal album of last year.
9. Escuela Grind- Dreams on Algorithms- The latest from Escuela Grind might just be their best. It's crushingly heavy, brutal, and yet, somehow, has some great hooks and grooves that makes kinda catchy. I say kinda cuz this is still an all out assault of driving and angry grindcore and hardcore. It also has what is my most listened to extreme metal song of 2024, in the fucking awesome "Turbulence". With vocalist, Katerina Economou, mixing clean vocals (for what is the first time ever in the band, I think) with her usual deep and menacing growls, really summing up that killer and unlikely mix of catchy and brutal that I mentioned before! Oh and, that guitar tone on it absolutely fucking kills!!
8. Poppy- Negative Spaces- Poppy continues to go further down the metal music hole, and the world is better for it! While there are still songs that fall under the electric pop sound of hers, there is a lot of metal here. Showing industrial, metalcore, and even some deathcore (she even does a blegh in the kick ass "They're All Around Us"!), gives it extra fucking kick to the teeth. She is a great signer, and her screams and growls continue to get more fucking awesome! The overall result is that the music is driving, fun, groove filled, melodic, and gets the blood going. In fact, between this album and her collabs with Knocked Loose and Bad Omens, Poppy was one of the most exciting and most attention worthy stars in all of metal from last year.
7. Body Count- Merciless- Body Count continues their continuous string of absolute fire albums. Merciless keeps that trend going with the added bonus that Ice T sounds pissed off as fuck! This makes for an album whose title fits it like a leather glove! Violent, badass, and a total ass kicking, adrenalized experience, I couldn't stop listening to it after it came out. There is even a fucking thunder and razor fast team-up with Corpsegrinder from Cannibal Corpse, in The Purge, which is inspired by the action horror movies of the same name.
6. Linkin Park- From Zero- The return of Linkin Park was one of the most unexpected and heavily discussed occurrences in hard music this past year. And, while there was a good amount controversy surrounding their new signer Emily Armstrong, who had a monumental task ahead of her replacing the late, great Chester Bennington. But, in spite of it all, they did some shows (with a full tour to come this year) and put out this spectacular comeback album. It mixes elements from many of the band's eras, while leaning heavily on the more metallic sound of the beloved first two records. Some of my absolute fav tracks of the year like "Heavy Is the Crown" and "Two Faced" are included here. And, despite my initial questioning and complaining, I can say that this is on the level of those classic two records. And, let's not bullshit, Emily is a great singer with some nice melodic voice and great screams. Destined to be seen as one of the greatest comeback records ever (cuz it is!), it has definitely returned Linkin Park to their place as one of the biggest bands ever in metal and hard rock.
5. The Warning- Keep Me Fed- The Warning, one of my favorite acts to come down the pike in the last few years, put out their best record yet with Keep Me Fed. The album rocks hard and some amazing hooks. It's filled from top to bottom with great songs that are fun and catchy as hell. Tracks like "Six Feet Deep", "Que Mas Quieres", "MORE", and lots others will ear worm into your head. And, I fucking challenge you to not sign along to just about every freaking song in here! On a side note, I was suppose to see them for a second time last year (my first being two years ago) in Brooklyn, but I got sick. Cuz life loves to kick me in the balls.
4. Lucifer- Lucifer V- I have been a HUGE fan of this band since the beginning. And, it always boggles my mind just how under the radar they remain. Even though every album they put out is a fucking banger. This fifth one is no different. It's catchy, haunting, and filled with great hooks, melodies, and atmosphere. As soon as, I put this one on, I always get totally sucked in. And, with tracks like "At the Mortuary" and "Riding Reaper" how can I not be?
3. Job For A Cowboy- Moon Healer- Look another awesome return, this being the one I anticipated the most! Job For A Cowboy continue their progressive death metal sound that they started on their incredible last release Sun Eater way back in 2014! And, they actually manage to top that master work with this one, which is in my very humble opinion, the best extreme metal release of last year.
2. Chelsea Wolfe- She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She- The runner-up position goes to the latest from the amazing Chelsea Wolfe who continues to be one of the most exciting artists in all of of music. Haunting, dark, and beautiful tunes highlight this release that is yet another complex mix of influences and styles. Dripping in atmosphere and emotion, this is an album that sucks you in from the very second that it starts.
1. Judas Priest- Invincible Shield- And, the top spot goes to the latest from one of the godfathers of metal: Judas fucking Priest! I don't know ow they do it, but at over fifty years of making metal music, they still put out great albums. Not just great, but best of the year great, as is the case here! The songs are catchy, fun, and hard. They get you headbanging and signing along. Soaring riffs, driving drums, and Rob Halford still belting out like no one's goddamn business! Priest top both their contemporaries and the modern flock of metal bands. This is classic Priest at their best! Put it this way. Invincible Shield was my favorite album from the moment I first heard it. And, while many albums moved up and down this list, it always remained at the top spot of my list, with not even an inch of a doubt in my mind.
And, those are my picks for my list. What were your favorite metal and hard rock albums of last year? Let me know in the comments section below.