Winter Calling: As Darkness Falls Review

Winter Calling is a progressive metal band from Florida, but you’d never be able to tell with their widely influenced brand of music on their self-released debut, “As Darkness Falls.”

The album (which can be streamed, bought and shared though the bands official website)  is an emotional journey spanning accross 11 songs, including a unique piano-based cover of Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years.” Highlights include the opening track “A World I Can Feel,” the power-groovy “Forever” and the single “The Stand” (for which the video can be viewed below).

“As Darkness Falls” contains complex ballad-esque arrangements backed with ambient keyboards that uniquely provide the foundation for the music. “Forever,” “Make it Rain” and the “Wasted Years” rendition largely reflect on this rarely traveled route.

Although Winter Callings vocals and guitars are a hybrid of Queensryche, early Helloween, and Dream Theater, that’s not to say they aren’t unique. Ian Medhurst (guitars) and  Chris Hodges (vocals) sonically feed off of each others energy throughout their debut – a prime example of what a guitarist and singer pairing should be.

“As Darkness Falls” is a solid debut from an independent band trying to make a name for themselves in Winter Calling. While the slower pace is not for everyone, it is a calm, refreshing offering for the wandering spirit in all of us.

Bonesaw Podcast – Episode 17: Chris and Frank Shoot on WWE Battleground 2015

In the words of WWE Hall-of-Famer Pat Patterson, Chris and Frank “go banana” on WWE Battleground and the current state of affairs regarding Hulk Hogan and the untimely death of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (for whom this episode is dedicated to). The boys are also joined briefly by former college roommate Marques “Box” Younger for his thoughts on the subjects in this no-holds-barred podcast.

Mark Hamill To Reprise Joker Role for Animated Feature

Mark Hamill’s Joker is coming out of retirement for one last laugh.

It was announced Monday the artist formerly known as Luke Skywalker will voice Mr. J once again for DC’s Animated version of “The Killing Joke.”

Plans to finally make an animated feature of Alan Moore’s classic graphic novel had been unvelied earlier this month at San Diego Comic Con.

While he had retired The Joker in 2011 after voicing the Clown Prince of Crime in the “Arkham City” video game, Hamill had reportedly expressed interest in returning to the role if “The Killing Joke” were to be made into an animated feature.

Not only did Hamill and fans alike get their wish, but according to Collider, Hamill has already recorded his voice for the feature.

The film will be released direct-to-video next year.

Who’d have thought something so awesome could come from a story revolving around one bad day?

Bonesaw Comiccast – Episode 4: Will Smith’s Supermantastic Suicidal Ant-Venture (and Daredevil)

The boys are back in town for a long overdue installment of the Bonesaw Comiccast. Fresh off of the heels of this year’s San Diego Comic Con, Chris and Jon sound off on new trailers for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad. They also discuss Marvel’s Ant Man Daredevil along with other nonsensical banter.

WARNING: SPOILERS

Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 Releases Early

Contrary to popular belief, developer Scott Cawthon pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes Thursday when the long awaited Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 became available on Steam.

“Ok, so as many of you already know, I’m bad with release dates. The game is finished,” Cawthon said in a Steam Community group post

The survival/horror game was initially scheduled for a Halloween release, but was then pushed forward to August 8 several weeks ago upon the launch of the game’s trailer.

The restaurant based franchise has now taken a new form with not only moving the game location inside a house, but with “nightmare” incarnations of the beloved spine-tingling animatronics.

The game can be purchased here for $7.99.

An expansion is planned for a Halloween release, but it’s a safe bet that we’ll be getting that early as well.

After all, Cawthon is “bad with release dates.”

Sonic Pulse Announce East Coast Tour

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.

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.

WWE Battleground Predictions

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.

Broken Guru: Bent Up Halo Review

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.

Trailer Feedback: Suicide Squad

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.

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