Filthy Review - 'Escape'

Escape (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

The beautiful country of Norway; home to the fiercest of Black Metal, lenient jail terms and of course Roar Uthang. The young director (well, he’s 3 days younger than me) first came to prominence with the superior snow-bound slasher flick Cold Prey (Fritt Vilt) in 2006. The film didn’t deviant too far from the slasher formula, but it was executed wonderfully. He was also on board as a writer for the sequel, which surprisingly surpassed the first film.

Filthy Music Review - 'Dead Aeon: Apostheosis'

Dead Aeon: Apotheosis (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

At the time of writing this review, one of Ireland’s leading dark lights, the mighty Altar of Plagues, announced that they are calling it a day. It’s real shame, although James Kelly will still be delivering the goods in Wife, as they really did push the envelope in extreme music. However, in another corner of the Emerald Isle, Monaghan to be precise, Dead Aeon is making a noise right now; a very loud and intense noise that is nothing short of excellent.

Filthy Music Review - 'Butcher Babies: Goliath'

Butcher Babies – Goliath (2013)

Century Media

Review by Jude Felton

“If these feelings of remorse won’t cut you, I will”. These lyrics are spat out with intense venom during The Mirror Never Lies on this debut album from LA’s Butcher Babies, and they pretty much sum up what you can expect on this platter. Headed up by the dual vocals of Heidi and Carla, this is one angry album, and one that has been on constant rotation here at the Lair for the past few days.

Archstone Distribution set release date for 'A Resurrection'

Archstone Distribution have set the release dates for Matt Orlando's A Resurrection. The film stars the late, great Michael Clarke Duncan and will hit VOD on July 23rd and DVD on August 6th. You can check out the teaser trailer below.

Fantasia 2013 kicking off this week!

Montreal, Canada is playing host to the Fantasia International Film Festival, once again, and it all kicks off this Thursday (18th July) and runs to August 7th. The festival will be showing an amazing 120+ films, which include the world premiere of Joe Swanberg's 24 Exposures (pictured above), The Conjuring, Miike's Shield of Straw and Cheap Thrills. Read on after the break for more juicy goodness.

Filthy Review - 'Grabbers'

Grabbers (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

As is often the case with independent genre movies from back across the pond, Grabbers has taken its time to make its way from Ireland to the States. Now, thanks to IFC, we finally get to see this funky little creature feature, and to see whether it hopefully lives up to its promise.

Grabbers is set on the coast of Ireland and follows the local drunken police officer, Ciaran O’Shea (Richard Doyle) and Lisa Nolan, a hotshot young officer played by Ruth Bradley, who is sent in as vacation cover for the sleepy little town.

Filthy Music Review - 'Manegarm: Legions of the North'

Manegarm – Legions of the North (2013)

Napalm Records

Review by Jude Felton

Legions of the North marks Manegarm’s first album to be recorded in English, after 18 years. Having not been familiar with their earlier work this is not something I was overly concerned with, and as it happens it makes not a blind bit of difference; Legions of the North is a stirring and emotive slab of Viking metal.

Filthy Review - 'Evil Dead'

Evil Dead (2013)

Review by Jude Felton

Few remakes/reboots/re-imaginings have caused so much discussion as the one of Evil Dead. And that was before the damn thing even began shooting. Sam Raimi’s movie is much beloved, and honestly quite unique, and it was always going to cause a ruckus. As is usually the case I approach all films with an open mind, and having seen director Fede Alvarez’s Panic Attack (2009) short, was fairly sure the new version of Evil Dead was in safe hands. Also, with Raimi, Bruce Campbell and Robert Tapert overseeing the movie, in their roles as producers, I was convinced we’d all be okay.

Filthy Music Review - 'Abysmal Grief/Backyard Mortuary/The Slow Death'

Feretri - Abysmal Grief

(Terror from Hell Records – 2013)

Italian Doomsters, ABYSMAL GRIEF, certainly take their time about things. Around since 1995, they’ve only three full-length releases under their belts: 2007’s debut Abysmal Grief, their sophomore outing, Misfortune, in 2009 and this year’s Feretri. Their music’s in little hurry, too: an epic/ funeral hybrid with the odd death vocal thrown in if the mood takes them. It’s mostly slow and plodding and not particularly heavy. Swirling Hammond-esque keys drive the album, lending a strong vintage feel.

Filthy Concert Review - 'Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest' Toyota Pavilion, Scranton, PA (7/13/13)

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival – Toyota Pavilion, Scranton, PA 7/13/13

Review by Jude Felton

Due to a few little hiccups prior to heading out for the day, Steph and I got to the festival site a little later than we had planned. Plus, there’s a hell of a walk from the parking lot to the venue itself. However, the weather played ball, with the forecast storms not happening, and all was set for a rocking day of metal. Not even the shitty prices, $11 for a domestic beer and $13 for a specialty, could dampen this day. So, complete with t-shirt purchases in hand, we made our way down to the smaller stages.