All posts by Chris Butera

Chris Butera enjoys going to metal concerts, reading and having a cold one with friends.
Music

Sonic Pulse Announce East Coast Tour

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Self proclaimed “Adventure Metallers” Sonic Pulse announced a 16 date east coast tour Wednesday titled the “Party Like Your Dad Before He Had You” tour.

The tour will begin on August 14 at The Wreck Room in Peterborough, NH and commence on August 29 at Sammy’s Patio in Revere, MA – a short distance from the bands hometown of Boston.

The tour is to promote Sonic Pulse’s long awaited sophomore album, “Vs. The Internet,” scheduled to be released sometime in August.

“We’re really excited to finally be back on the road and looking forward to catching up with old and new friends along the way. Be sure to come hang out and party with us like your dad before he had you!” said the band via Facebook.

The tour flyer can be viewed below. Several dates do not yet have venues but have a destination in mind. To help, contact Sonic Pulse at sonicpulsemetal@gmail.com.

Graphic Novels, Music, Podcast

Bonesaw Podcast – Episode 16: E. B. Phillips

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This time around we take a look at underground New York Rapper E. B. Phillips. Phillips is a humble, down to earth character who brings us into his world discussing his roots, love for comic books, and a whole lot more. The featured song is “Third Eye” from Phillip’s album “Visions” which can be streamed and purchased at ebphillipshiphop.bandcamp.com.

Pro Wrestling

WWE Battleground Predictions

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After a much needed five-week break, WWE starts up the second half of its calendar year this Sunday with Battleground.

Taking place at the Scottrade Center in Saint Louis, MO; the event looks promising. Here are our predictions for the evening.

Kickoff – King Barrett vs. R-Truth: Barrett started the year as Intercontinental Champion and became the first King of the Ring in years. To most people this meant big things were on the horizon for the Bare Knuckle Brawler. Creative on the other hand, had other plans. Barrett has become in a meaningless opening cared feud with R-Truth over R-Truth mocking his kingship. While we think Barrett is going over in a decent match, he deserves better.

WWE Tag Team Championships Match – The Prime Time Players (c) vs. The New Day: The two teams have a decent rivalry going and have the full attention of the WWE Universe. If the two teams get decent time they will put on a clinic. It would have been better to see The New Day lose their titles at SummerSlam, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. The Prime Time Players are a hot commodity and are going to successfully defend at Battleground.

Randy Orton vs. Sheamus: Even though this match comes off as filler, Orton and Sheamus will push each other to the limits. Since winning the Money In The Bank Briefcase Sheamus has not really done a whole lot and a win over The Viper would elevate the Irish brawler. However benficial that may be, we think Orton is still going to walk away with the victory.

WWE United States Championship Match – John Cena (c) vs. Kevin Owens: This is the match we’ve all been waiting for. These two modern day gladiators have put on two classic matches and creative have carefully built this beautiful feud. The only concern everyone has is the payoff. If all this was is another Cena “defying the odds” angle, the Saint Louis crowd could riot. For the love of God, win Owens, win.

Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt: The promo work has been better than expected between these two as the Eater of Worlds has chosen to make this feud personal for Reigns. Threatening family and friends, Wyatt is looking to torture Reigns. It would be interesting to see Wyatt walk away with the three count, but it’s a little more likely he will be doing the job after an exciting encounter.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match – Seth Rollins (c) vs. Brock Lesnar: Why couldn’t WWE wait for SummerSlam to pull the trigger on this one? The build has been incredible. Watching Lesnar destroying J and J Security’s car was priceless. Rollins is playing the excellent ass-kissing heel to a t. Paul Heyman has been visceral in his promos. It would have made more sense for this to take place at WWE’s number two show of the year, but we’re getting it a month early instead. Lesnar is going to dominate, but Rollins is going to pull all the stops a-la Ric Flair and win. It won’t be clean, but we don’t see Lesnar repeating his title reign of last year.

Music

Broken Guru: Bent Up Halo Review

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When a band’s motto is “I don’t like my future,” one is unsure what to expect.

That band is New York’s own Broken Guru and their motto is proudly displayed in their blast from the past debut, “Bent Up Halo.”

Notable tracks include the Iggy Pop inspired “Tryin,” “28 Cents” and “Got to be Mean.” There’s a lot going on that can easily channel some dancing, pogoing (remember that?) or just plan shaking a fist in the air.

Arguably the best song is the title track as it not only has a solid rhythm but has early Alice Cooper written all over it.

The three piece from Forest Hills take a number of alternative routes in the last quarter of the album with “My Universe,” “Gimme More” and the closer “Like A Whore.” The Rolling Stones, The Melvins and Sonic Youth have nothing on the laid back in-the-pocket style that Broken Guru taps into.

Broken Guru’s “Bent Up Halo” is a fuzzy punk/garage rock album that takes you back to yesteryear. Had this have been the late 70’s or early 80’s, one could certainly see the outfit playing CBGB’s alongside Blondie and The Ramones on a weekly basis. Blending groovy riffs with a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” attitude, “Bent Up Halo” is an enjoyable 30-minute trip with good vibes and high times.

Graphic Novels, Movies

Trailer Feedback: Suicide Squad

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Last week Warner Brothers Pictures and DC Comics turned heads at San Diego Comic Con when the highly anticipated “Suicide Squad” trailer was revealed to the public.

We are invited to the journey over filet mignon as Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) vaguely discusses her secret government agency A.R.G.U.S’s plans while giving us a brief history of what the Suicide Squad typically is; a random collection of super villains serving as pawns for a covert mission.

Upon Waller’s words we are slowly introduced to the criminals compromising the team with the focus being on Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Deadshot (Will Smith).

While there’s not much dialogue going on after the first third, we see enough action and twists that give us plenty inclination of what to expect next summer.

Throughout the trailer, there are snippets of singer Becky Hanson’s remixed cover version of the Bee Gees 1968 top-10 hit “I Started A Joke” playing in the background – an obvious foreshadowing of what we’ve all been waiting for.

Enter Jared Leto’s Joker, who’s seems to bring his own unique brand of sinister to the character on the big screen.

All we need to hear is that giant, menacing belly-laugh of his and we’re convinced.

Gaming

Trailer Feedback: Five Nights at Freddy’s 4

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In a shocking turn of events, Five Nights at Freddy’s has taken the terror out of the restaurant and into your home.

Not only does the trailer feature horrific jumps and visuals, but it offers a glimpse at new gameplay mechanics. For instance, the player can explore their house rather than being confined to one room.

There is also the case of the animatronics. The nightmare versions from all the teasers on developer Scott Cawthon’s website are the monsters we will be dealing with, including the Freddy minions and the “Plush Trap,” which is another game mechanic all together.

The trailer also begins with several chilling questions: “What is it that you think you see? What game do you think you are playing? What have you brought home?”

Before we compliment Cawthon on a job well done, we have a few questions of our own that must be addressed.

Are we playing a nightmare or reality?

Where are Fredbear and the puppet?

How will this be linked to the franchise?

We’ll know all this and more when the game launches August 8.

Music

AllOne Releases “Cause & Effect” Video

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While on his tour in May, independent rapper/poet AllOne got together with fellow freestyle lyricist D.o.drent in Lone Island, NY to film several videos for their 2014 collaboration EP “Creative Differences: A Split.”

Slowly, the two released video after video with their latest being for the song “Cause & Effect,” the last song from the EP.

While there is seemingly not much going on in the video (which can be viewed below), that is the point; as AllOne and D.o.drent want you to listen to their lyrics through a fisheye lens in a small room adorned with sideways painting and a headless golden mannequin in a t-shirt and skirt.

The videos were shot by friend and artist Angela Newman whose work can be viewed on her site, anjipan.com.

“Creative Differences: A Split” can be both listened to and purchased for six dollars at this location.

Movies

Trailer Feedback: Minions

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This Friday, the adorable, banana obsessed minions from the Despicable Me films are getting their own movie.

These little guys have been around since the dawn of time with all but one purpose: to serve the most evil being in existence. Unfortunately, their clumsiness and naivety contributes to the demise of every boss they have. This includes legendary tyrants Napoleon Boneparte, Dracula and the almighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.

With no cruel creatures left to cater to, the minions lose purpose and become depressed until three highly unlikely minions Kevin, Stuart and Bob strike out on their own to find a new boss. Their travels take them (not surprisingly) to 1960’s New York City when the city’s crime rates were on the rise.

Enter Scarlet Overkill (voiced by Sandra Bullock), the new reigning princess of evil- with plans to become queen after commissioning the minions to steal Queen Elizabeth’s crown.

Somewhere along the way Bob discovers free will and crowns himself king, but those interesting (and hilarious) details will all be revealed July 10th.

Minions looks promising. These little yellow guys have come out of Gru’s shadow and into their own with their cuteness, unique dialogue and incomparable brand of slapstick. The minds behind Universal Studio’s animation team at Illumination may have struck gold. The animation and color scheme’s texture keeps the familiarity and flavor of the Despicable Me series with a new twist that could work for anyone.

In all seriousness, Minions has the potential to be the sleeper hit of the Summer and a guilty pleasure for even the most villainous heel.

Music, Podcast

Bonesaw Podcast: Episode 15 – Karen Stever

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For the first time we go international with Canadian avant garde metal mistress Karen Stever. Stever and our esteemed host Chris Butera go back and forth about a myriad of topics including the art and music of Stever, growing up in their respective areas, hard times, struggles and triumphs in this lucrative podcast that will amaze you.

Check out Karen Stever at karenstever.com.

Random

Bonesaw Update: Thrash, Doom and BBQ’s

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Hi Everybody,

Haven’t posted anything in a few days guys so I figured I should cue you in on what’s been going on.

I’ve been working like a dog at my “joe” job while trying to become a force in publishing. During my days off, I’ve been recording podcasts with a number of fantastic underground artists, writing for Metal Insider and working on some musical projects (which I’ll get to later).

On top of that, I’m still doing some booking for the Thrash Bash BBQ. It’s been a little tricky since we changed the date from August 1st to August 15th so there has been some re-booking issues here and there. I am also waiting for the artwork to be delivered by Paul Motisi. He does work for Moon Tooth and is a fantastic artist. You can check out his stuff here. Once the artwork is taken care of the final flyer will be made and we’ll be going into heavy promotion mode.

I’ve been reading Hardcore Holly’s book “The Hardcore Truth” and my God, is it good. Holly holds nothing back in his tell-all. If you’re the type who enjoys a good shoot this is for you.

On a side note, prepping for my cousin’s wedding this Fourth of July weekend so it’s been hectic. I’m very proud of her and can’t wait to see her walk down the aisle along with friends and family.

Music has been interesting to me lately. Some new artists I think should be taken care of are Gruesome and Temple of Dagon, who are hitting their stride with their new EP titled “Revelations of the Spirit.” Both artists are incredibly talented and deserve a listen. Gruesome’s “Savage Land” album is great. How they managed to nail Death’s “Leprosy” sound is beyond me because this was an effort that took much more than studio magic. There will be some reviews for these pieces and hopefully that will open a few doors.

Saw The Skull the other night at Santo’s Party House along with Sunlord, who’s guitarist Alfonso Ferrazza was a recent guest on the podcast. It’s always nice to meet the people you work with. They had some high energy but no energy was higher than The Skull as singer Eric Wagner was inhaling cigarette smoke and other substances that are legal in some states (but not this one) on stage. If you don’t know The Skull they’re a doom/stoner band consisting of former member of the band Trouble – who are still active with different members. If you don’t know Trouble then check them out. “Plastic Green Head” and “The Skull” are good places to start.

Last but not least, my musical endeavors have begun to start back up. The Zamboni album is sounding great but is still in the early mixing stages. Hopefully it’ll be finished by the end of the year. I’m very proud of it and can’t wait to get my hands on the end result. I have also been working on a blackened doom project with my friend and coworker. I won’t be giving away any details but I will say that it’s instrumental with soundtrack concepts.

Thanks for giving me the time to fill you in on my current events. At some point I hope to bring back the band of the week and throwback Thursdays. If you or anybody you know would be into writing about anything the site focuses on feel free to email me at bonesawzine@gmail.com. We’re always looking for contributing writers. Until then know what you’re worth and fight the good fight.

-Chris Butera