"Mara" DVD (directors: Kondrup-Hedberg-Gustafsson)

Sexy Swedish horror

In ancient Scandinavian lore, a "mara" was a night-time demon that inspired bad dreams. Hence, we now use the word "nightmare". This Swedish-language film (with English subtitles) is a well-done horror/thriller with something to offer, even though it has nothing to do with the film's story or script. But more on that in a moment.

Starring the voluptuous and busty Swedish supermodel Angelica Jansson, "Mara" follows her character from a troubled childhood to adulthood, where she finds herself staying with some friends in the house where she, as a youth, witnessed her own mother murder her father. Needless to say, there are some ghosts still residing at that residence.

Jansson does a reasonable job here as the lead, but it's her shower scene makes it all worthwhile. Seriously, this is the most memorable part of "Mara"!  The cinematography is solid, but with a pedestrian script and predictable finale, it all falls apart. I give credit to the directors and effects people, as there are some moments of genuine tension and dread here, but it's not enough to save a fairly forgettable "OK" film. 

MVD Visual

Pathogen - "Miscreants Of Blood Lusting Aberrations" CD

Filipino old-school death metal

This is pure death metal brutality from the Phillippines, and it's a raw listening experience. But that's not to say that this sounds bad or amateurish, just that it's produced dryly, and sounds like there were a minimum of studio effects utilized. 

Opening with the old-school death metal of "Atrocity Exhibit", Pathogen's take on metal isn't about technical virtuosity or complexity. On the contrary, theirs is a punk-like bare-bones attack, with a retro kind of vibe. "Monolith" is reminiscent of classic Slayer, complete with lightning solos. Other cuts are in a similar vein -- pure death metal with a crusty punk edge. It's all good here -- nothing too unique or noteworthy, but these lads' heads are in the right place.

Dunkelheit Productions

Pathogenbook

Vodka: Salute American Vodka

SALUTE American Vodka (Better Brands Beverage Co) - 80 proof (40% ABV)

Salute is a strictly American-made vodka, using only "American-made corn and wheat grains from the heartland". And if that doesn't sell you, how about the fact that $1.00 from every bottle sold is donated to US Veterans' charities, helping our servicemen and women re-adjust to civilian life. More details can be found at their website:

Salute American site

All that aside, how does Salute stack up as a premium vodka? Well, at under $20 a bottle, it's got value on it's side. As with most vodkas, it pours clean and clear. The aroma is definitely very much in the expected realm of grain alcohol, which is pretty standard for a vodka. In a warm tasting, I get hints of mint and licorice, which is definitely a step above many similar drinks I've tasted. 

As an ingredient in the common screwdriver (orange juice + vodka), Salute fared very well, added a subtle alcohol presence, and was easy to enjoy and finish.

I also sampled the vodka straight from the freezer, and as a shot, it went down much more smooth. In fact, I'd recommend chilling this well before enjoying. 

So, my final verdict is that Salute American Vodka is a solid, all-American spirit that competes well with international brands that cost much more. I say give it a try when you're in the league for some premium vodka.

Thanx to Aaron at Ro-Bro for the chance to try this fine vodka!

"The G-String Horror" DVD (director: Charles Webb)

Convoluted and confused z-horror

Hmm. A curiousity, this one. On one hand, it's a poorly-scripted and amateurish ultra-low budget trash film. On another hand, it's tied into a real-life ghost story/haunting. The director Webb (himself a veteran of adult film production dating back to the early 70s) weaves a tenuous tale around the reportedly haunted and historic Market Street Cinema in San Francisco. He combines both staged footage (rather uninteresting and badly scripted/acted by actual strippers at this now-closed club) with real-life ghost-hunting footage and interviews with the famous strip club's employees. It ends up a confusing mess posing as a surreal experience.

The attempt to join these worlds just doesn't work. It all ends up being quite unbelievable and false in feeling. The most interesting part of this failed experiment is the retrospective look at filming alongside an episode of "Ghost Adventures", as the popular supernatural/ghost-hunting crew filmed a night at this same club, with the employees/"actresses" featured. 

But don't expect Zak Bagans and crew to make any cameos, as it seems even they wanted some distance from this convoluted and ham-fisted project.

Apprehensive Films

Blaze Of Perdition - "Towards The Blaze Of Perdition" CD

Strong Polish occult black metal

This is a reissue/remastering of the Polish black metal act's first full-length album from 2010, and it's a solid offering of evil, mid-tempo metal in the vein of Watain. 

"Misterium Kliffoth" is solid but pretty typical black metal -- highly aggressive and intense, yet with an underlying air of sorrow. The guitar leads and rhythms are strong, to say the least, and the vocals, though they don't deviate much, are raw and effective in the context of the music. "The Scarlet Woman" is a thunderous assault, and includes some Aleister Crowley recordings as part of it's intro, so score a few points there.The rest of the album is just as good, though.

Production is superb, leaving plenty of room for all instruments, with deep lows and crisp highs. "Towards The Blaze Of Perdition" is a well-done album (especially for a debut), and if occult black metal ignites your fires, this is easily recommended.

Redstream Org

Blazebook

"Octaman" DVD (director: Harry Essex)

Silly monster movie

This 1971 drive-in horror/sci-fi certainly epitomizes the low-budget side of the genre as well as anything. "Octaman" is the tale of a research crew visiting Mexico who discover a new species of baby octopus, and subsequently find themselves tangling with the little beasties' mother -- a human-size octopus-human hybrid. The creature itself is a person in a silly rubber costume. Which is tons better than another SyFy channel CGI-fest, right?

It's an absolutely silly movie, still, but there is one tragic twist. This was the final film for the beautiful Italian star Pier Angeli, who overdosed on barbituates during filming at the age of 39. And, as a bit of trivia, the monster was the first film creation for future make-up and effects legend Rick Baker. Beyond that, it's a by-the-numbers sci-fi/horror crossover, definitely in a "radiation makes the mutation" theme.

Fans of classic, ultra-quickie C-grade cinema should check into this. Serious genre fans may want to steer clear.

Cheezy Flicks

Darkall Slaves - "Abysses Of Seclusion" CDS

Potent technical death metal from France

A short, limited-edition 3-song single from this new French blastbeat/death metal act, this all begins with the atmospheric "Intro". The frenzied "Mindless Damnation" follows, and is a raging assault of distortion, ferocious riffs, insane rhythms, and gutteral vocals. The title track brings a similar sound, with some unusually odd and complex structures (reminiscent a bit of Meshuggah) and another breakneck pace.

It's all produced very well, with clean highs and lows, and this is some really well-done technical death metal with a precise, almost mechanical assault that reminds a bit of Fear Factory, which works well. Highly enjoyable, but at only 10 minutes, all too short.

Kaotoxin

Darkallspace

Darkbook