The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Lantern, "Dimensions"

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Lantern, "Dimensions": By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 10/07/2020 Label: Dark Descent Records “Dimensions” CD//DD/...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Resent, "Crosshairs"

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Resent, "Crosshairs":   By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 01/05/2020 Label: Dry Cough Records | Nerve Altar | Rope or Guilloti...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Paradise Lost, "Obsidian"

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Paradise Lost, "Obsidian": By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 15/05/2020 Label: Nuclear Blast “Obsidian” CD//DD//LP track lis...

A Brave New World

Bizarro-Universe Dystopian Future

A Day in the Life of A Survivor

Time...time was a frail social construct, one so easily tossed aside when shit hit the fan. A pandemic wiped out 4% of the worlds population, and we survivors went into hiding. No longer measuring time by the hands of a clock, but instead, but the sheets or toilet paper left on the roll.

Sitting at my morning constitutionals, I gaze at the final soft sheets of Charmin, the good stuff, and think about that last pop-tart I greedily devoured this morning. Junk food is a precious commodity, almost as sought after as our essential ass-wipes; if we can't get name brand, we are stuck with the junk, and things get messy...and chaffed. The store shelves have been lain barren since the government raised the alarm, which makes sense, as such comforts go hand in hand: intake excessive waste, excrete excessive waste. Aisles of fresh produce swarm with flies, rotting with the shame of undesirability. The situation is so desperate, that farmers' entire crops have become nothing more than extremely well priced fertilizer. Out of spite, they slaughter their livestock, knowing full well they can't compete with the new world's meat cartel discount goods.

Snapping back from my daily realization that we are now living in a post-dystopian world, I acknowledge that it is time to once again go raiding, my family needs supplies, and as the man of the house, it falls on me to ensure their survival. So I call out to my partner to grab me some socks, so I can once again dawn some real shoes, my slippers were making my feet sweat anyway.

The outside world is dangerous, so the children are kept at home in compounds complete with Nintendo Switches to pass the time, and swimming pools to help aide in hygiene (we still have water, but they really hate showers). With the children secure, a raiding party of no more than two bravely set forth to the nearest supply depot, Dollar General.

Wanting to be as thorough as possible to ensure our survival, my wife and I do one final equipment check before departure. In my pockets, I feel for the keys to my 2003 VW Golf, in the other, I make sure I have my cellphone (it gets boring waiting outside while a merchant loads the cart), my futuristic trade currency (the US dollar (now worth slightly less than the Euro)), and of course, my retro style cassette case, complete with newly printed metal albums for the drive.

I check the gas, still full, that's good. Being out of work now for nearly 65 days, ( I can tell because this is our third package of toilet paper), has left me with very little reason to face the barren wasteland that is New Mexico, thus helping to conserve the precious petrol, or as we call it, premium, 95 octane gasoline.

Our raid party's masks sit warming in the sun, the supreme leader of the Free Republic of America said to try drinking Lysol, and inserting sunlight in our veins to fight the pandemic, so we assumed the same approach will work to sanitize our raid gear. On one side, made from the scraps found in our basement, a rainbow unicorn face mask, and on the other Superman. That one is mine. Gloves at the ready, we depart into the uncertain territory that is the Dumbass Dystopia.

Upon arrival we see other raiders must've been nearing the end of their supply cache, yet not a single Mormon in sight. Their community had the foresight to build bunkers stocked for YEARS of survival. What sweet vindication they must feel, I regret mocking them. While their shelves house what may be the last bottles of sanitizer on earth, mine bulge and grain with the weight of the Game of Thrones board game, a relic with high novelty factor, but not particularly useful.

This is our reality now, my wife knows full well what she must do, but it doesn't make her fate any easier to stomach. I offer for her to relinquish this burden upon me, and to let me fight through the five, maybe TEN, other raiders we spot at the supply depot, but she says "no, I hate driving, that's why I do the shopping. Besides, you always mess it up". She's right, I suck at this.

I take a deep breath from the air conditioned confines of our transport, as I see her approach the masses, pressing stop on my deteriorating car's cassette deck in order to hear if she cries out for help. She does not, she's safe, and is truly incredible. Standing six feet between either stranger, she waits in line to be allowed passage. Some idiot encroaches upon another member of the queue, violating her safe space, expecting a fight to break out I brandish my camera, this will be hilarious on Facebook later! Sadly, the man is asked to step back, and though he complies, he grumbles to himself about how stupid the world is.

I wait, for what feels like at LEAST 30 minutes, uncomfortably scrolling through Facebook, sometimes resisting the urge to pounce on an unsuspecting person who expresses a differing opinion than mine, which really chaps my ass. A wandering nomad approaches me in the middle of a political rant, asking if I could spare some food or coin. In the early days of 2020, I would've gladly given the man any change I could spare, but this is about survival now, and I only pay with card. He understands, and steps back to maintain the recommended safe distance, and asks if I could buy him some mouthwash instead. I decline his petition, but before departing he asks if I have any weed, to which I reply "I wish". He laughs toothlessly, and I share a chuckle. I watch him wander off into the dust and haze only to approaches another citizen for aide. This guy is way less chill, and could probably use some weed himself, or mouthwash.

That's when I see her, glaring over her sun bleached mask, glasses fogged from labored breathing, with her tiny hands outstretched, carrying this week's bounty like some angelic martyr. I can't tell if she's filled with apocalyptic fury, or merely can't see because her mask and glasses obscure her vision.

I chivalrously open her doors for her, hoping to avoid cross contamination from her now virulent frame. I douse her in 75% alcohol, CBD based hand sanitizer, and disinfect every surface she has come in contact with. This procedure is necessary for survival, and is repeated upon entry or exit of our wasteland transport. Not doing so could be a matter of life and death, and it isn't worth the risk.

The ride home is a harrowing retelling of her supply acquisition. Apparently some idiot had the audacity to skip the safe distance tape, and place his things on the belt behind hers. She almost kicked his ass, but the sheer ferocity of her tiny being, intimidated the felon into submission. He stepped back, and was lucky, because he avoided what he had coming to him. He grumbled under his breath about how stupid the world is.

The worst part of these excursions, is the sanitation process when reentering our compound. Every item must be doused in Lysol, then wiped down to ensure cleanliness. When this is done, the raiders, my wife and I, take a relaxing, albeit necessary shower. I tell her we need to conserve water, so we should probably shower together, but she is unconvinced. She is sure I have ulterior motives.

This is our reality every day; we have a routine in this new world, and time passes by the replenishment of supplies, punctuated only by the arrival of another Amazon package I can't even remember ordering. I window shop for firearms online, mostly because they are sweet, but I try convince the other members of my commune that its for survival. They inform me we don't need anymore, and that we also have enough tea sets. It is disappointing,but I understand, we must only buy what is necessary if we hope to survive this future...which reminds me, my damn retro cassettes haven't shipped yet!

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Resent, "Crosshairs"

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Resent, "Crosshairs":   By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 01/05/2020 Label: Dry Cough Records | Nerve Altar | Rope or Guilloti...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: The Black Dahlia Murder, "Verminous"...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: The Black Dahlia Murder, "Verminous"...: By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 17/04/2020 Label: Metal Blade Records                            ...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Depravation, “III:Odor Mortis”

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Depravation, “III:Odor Mortis”: By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length   Date Released: 03/04/2020 Label: Lifeforce Records   “III:Odor Morti...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Medium, "Medium"

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Medium, "Medium": By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 06/03/2020 Label: Transcending Obscurity Records “Mediu...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Medium, "Medium"

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Medium, "Medium": By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 06/03/2020 Label: Transcending Obscurity Records “Mediu...

The Toddfather Part II (Quick Take)

Spawn 306 and the Reveal of Raptor

Following the Rebirth event starting in Spawn 267, fans of the long running (and record breaking) series have been treated to not only some of the best, but most consistent writing to ever come out of Image comics. As if history is repeating itself, independent publishers are swooping in to bring refreshing concepts into an otherwise stale industry; picking up where they left off with a return to creator driven storytelling.

Spawn issue 306 sees the return of Philip Tan taking over the role of lead artist, as he and Todd set up the next epic story arc in the Hellspawn's saga, with "Prophecy of Death".  Featuring an all new character, Raptor, McFarlane sets up his hero to take on the very fate of his universe, and a potential showdown between these two forces vying for redemption. Is Raptor a friend, or a foe? What is his mysterious link to Spawn? What events lead to the destruction of Raptor's world, and how can he help Spawn save his own world? This issue is the perfect jump-in point for new readers, as it is captivating and fresh, revealing just enough to hook those curious enough to peak inside while still being satisfying. One sequence is so shocking, you may find yourself looking it over twice just to make sure you read it right!?

They say not to judge a book by it's cover, but when it comes to Spawn, it's hard to ignore the sheer artistry Todd employ with his variants. This is the second issue to feature a cover with The Gunslinger Spawn (D), and unsurprisingly, it's already sold out. Covers A & B are still a beautiful , while (C) is a textless "virgin" print of  McFarlane's work. Inside the book, Tan's wonderful illustrations adorn the pages, reminiscent of the 90's era, Liefeld inspired, works of Jim Lee, with an almost manga style edge; put simply, it's badass! 

The team-up with Tan and McFarlane will be one for the ages you DON'T want to miss, so, run, don't walk, down your favorite local comic shop, and pick it up TODAY! (Unless you're a necroplasmic wielding soldier of Hell, then just use shadow transit).

The Sludgelord: REVIEW: Lychgate, “Also sprach Futura”

The Sludgelord: REVIEW: Lychgate, “Also sprach Futura”: By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: EP Date Released: 13/03/2020 Label: Debemur Morti Productions “Also sprach Futura” CD//DD//L...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: My Dying Bride, "The Ghost of Orion"...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: My Dying Bride, "The Ghost of Orion"...: By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 06/03/202 Label: Nuclear Blast “The Ghost of Orion” CD//DD//...

Top 10 Horror Films of the Decade

The Second Horror Renaissance

Catching up with the times...

While the decade started out slow, finding the conclusion to many film series that should've died off years prior by way of excessive sequels, there was something magnificent happening behind the scenes, that would eventually give way to what some could argue, was the best decade in horror cinema.

Yes, eras like the 70s & 80s brought about many popular horror icons (such as Freddy, Michael, and Jason), but many were shallow, and lacked anything more than cheap thrills. When considering the later years, as horror lost it's popularity, and PG13 fun flicks took the stage, an occasional gem would spring up amidst the cesspool of shallow schlock, but the majority were uninspired carbon copies, or remakes. Films like Scream & The Blair Witch Project worked to keep the industry alive, commenting on the culture that had sprung up around the fandom, and subverting expectations; but it was ultimately not enough to fully resurrected the Golden Age of horror.

As each series progressed, they strayed further and further from the material that made their beginnings so important. Not long after, every horror movie was made with goal of creating a franchise in mind, and it ultimately lead to the dark ages of horror, the LATE 90s, and the first decade of the new millennium. During that time, it felt like every new movie was a budget quick drop, just trying to find an idea that stuck, and when it did, the machine would just pump out as many sequels as it could before the hype died down.

This continued on until sometime around 2013, when the majority of franchises like Saw and Paranormal Activity began to lose the audiences' interest, and tried to end their franchises with nothing more than a whimper. While Hollywood's big names were scrambling to ditch the horror genre, new companies began picking up many avante-garde independent films, and started to treat horror as a legitimate genre deserving of the same respect it's peers received. Blumhouse, Monkeypaw, A24, and a number of small foreign companies began seeing great success in the festival circuit, and it wasn't long, before the industry took notice, with many of their films hitting the big screen.

It was during this time that the line between genres began to blur; combining elements of horror, mystery, drama, and suspense. Horror movies began to transform, and from them, came some of the best titles to EVER grace the screen.

Top 10 of the 2010s

The VVitch (2015)

The Babadook (2014)

Midsommar (2019)

Hereditary (2018)

Us (2019)

Get Out (2017)

Don't Breath (2016)

The Lighthouse (2019)

Suspiria (2018)

Parasite (2019)

25 Honorable Mentions (By Year)

• Black Swan (2010)
• I Saw the Devil (2010)
• Attack the Block (2011)
• Detention (2011)
• American Mary (2012)
• The Bay (2012)
• Cabin in the Woods (2012)
• Rigor Mortis (2013)
• Evil Dead (2013)
• The Sacrament (2013)
• Late Phases (2014)
• It Follows (2014)
• A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)
• Spring (2014)
• Starry Eyes (2014)
• Bone Tomahawk (2015)
• The Nightmare (2015)
• Crimson Peak (2015)
• Neon Demon (2016)
• Raw (2016)
• I am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)
• It: Chapter I (2017)
• The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
• The Ritual (2017)
• A Quiet Place (2018)

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Angellore, “Rien Ne Devait Mourir”

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Angellore, “Rien Ne Devait Mourir”: By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 14/02/2020 Label: Finisterian Dead End “Rien Ne Devait Mourir...

RTSC Art Fest Short Story

Justice League: Aftermath

If life was a movie, this would be my opening sequence for the next chapter. I imagine myself watching my children playing in slow motion, like something from a dream. Shimmering sand careens down around my daughters hair, as she gleefully tosses it into the air, embracing the bright warm day. Winter overstayed its welcome, it’s tenants cold and hunger as well. At this moment, the darkness recedes before us, and I feel something like hope.

Hope, Hope is fleeting but for in these small moments we are at peace. Even if it doesn’t last, my little soldiers are once again children, and I, just a mother. Nothing more, nothing less.

Laughter fills the air, and breaks the silence, as my son plays just within earshot with the neighboring camp children. Our humble sanctuaries don’t lend themselves to much more than survival, let alone social gatherings. Instead, we cower in silence, buried deep beneath the desert sands in our makeshift catacombs, keeping a vigilant watch for predators just like the slithering and creeping inhabitants of the wastelands.

Just beyond the horizon, the smoldering fires of another group rise high into the sky, likely burning the waste, or bodies, from those who did not survive the winter. Beyond that, the sky is clear, it is a welcome sight. 

I had let my guard down. A glint in the distance, and the sonic blast like a gunshot that followed, shatter the serenity, and I realize we have been careless. I can only hope that my family is spared our deserved fate, by the sacrifice of those even more foolish to reveal their location in such unregulated measures. I am grateful that they should die, so my children may live. 

A blast erupts from the nearby camp, but it doesn’t drown out the screams. He is looking for new slaves, new soldiers. Reflexively, my son darts to my side, and I sweep my tiny daughter up into my arms. The sand is soft beneath my steps, and threatens to engulf me, but my will is iron, and my haven is within reach.

The hinges creek and scrape beneath the weight of the door, grinding the glimmering sand as it opens, offering hope of survival to its inhabitants. There is no time to be concerned with stealth, and it’s too late to apply our sound dampening pillows and blankets, instead, we recede deeper still, as the heavy iron door crashes cacophonously closed at our backs, a metallic cry rattling our concrete tomb.

And, as so many nights before, the light dies. My daughter softly extinguishes the candle in an effort to conceal it’s soft glow from escaping the minuscule circulation duct that breathes us life giving air. For a moment, all is still, all, is silent.

Then, like the sound of bunker piercing mortar fire we can hear his fists pummeling away at the thick concrete surface above us. His fists, like sledgehammers chiseling away to find the mysteries contained within the hidden places of our world. When the Devil's herald calls for you there is no resistance against his mighty strength, a Demi-god unrelenting in it’s pursuit, and full of righteous wrath, corrupted by the tendrils of our New Gods that have claimed this Earth as their own; and every king needs subjects, and every god, worshipers.

Like plague locusts, his subjects flutter about the landscape and devour. Once my brothers and sisters, now, nothing more than mindless hordes, those whose minds, and bodies, were distorted into forms from nightmares, and these are the lucky ones. The rest, whom God could find no use for, slave away at the Devil’s furnace, stoking the flames of his engines, and offering tributes of servitude to their king.

Cowering in the dark corner of our bunker, the pounding stops, and the red glow pierces the darkness as molten concrete and lead pour from the wound in the ceiling. His emanating light flits about, as he begins to carve his way into our sanctuary.

Before me, the beast of our damnation, in my arms my children, and to my side, the rifle of our deliverance. I feel the warm tears stream down my face, and the shiver of my babies, and I can no longer bear the thought of mortal servitude to such a monstrosity. If it means their eternal rest at the expense of my own damnation, then my immortal soul for theirs seems a small price to pay. Forgive me Father, and deliver my children to your throne. 

His figure is distorted in my tear blurred vision when he breaks through the barrier, and the trigger is tight and cold in my hands. I’m sure he heard the first two shots, but I’ll never know if he heard the third. 

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Suicide Silence, “Become The Hunter”...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Suicide Silence, “Become The Hunter”...: By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 14/02/2020 Label: Nuclear Blast “Become The Hunter” CD//DD//LP tra...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Lorna Shore, "Immortal"

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Lorna Shore, "Immortal": By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 31/01/2020 Label: Century Media Records “Immortal” CD//DD//LP ...

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Exhumation, “Eleventh Formulae”

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Exhumation, “Eleventh Formulae”: By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 28/02/2020 Label: Pulverized Records “Eleventh Formulae” CD//...

Best Metal 2019

Top 25 (Ranked)

1-10 Reviews

1. Cattle Decapitation – Death Atlas

Cattle Decapitation return with their 7th full length studio album, unveiling to the world, what may be the single most important release of our generation. As the Earth burns, plague descends upon the masses, and species diversity is reduced exponentially, Death Atlas paints a bleak reality in which humankind finally brings the Anthropocene epoch to its tragic end. This is the conclusion to a three part concept focused on the negative impact humanity has had on their ecosystem, and this is every bit the epic finale fans desired. It's a culmination of all their previous albums, and shifts seemlessly between grindcore, brutal death metal, and slam.

2. Abbath - Outstrider

Black Metal ambassadors Abbath once again assault the listener with their frosted blend of Norwegian extreme metal. Featuring all the theatrical sensibility, and catchy riffs one has come to expect from this group, Outstrider is the Black Metal equivalent of hair metal, but with a much more ferocious edge. Every bit as epic as it is brutal.

3. Mayhem – Daemon

The godfathers of "Trve Kvlt" Black Metal, Mayhem return after a long hiatus to once again crawl out from the darkened depths, and weave an atmosphere of "Daemon-ic" terror. Featuring all the expected stylings of a band known for bringing the genre into the mainstream, it's refreshing to find such a familiar sound. Deamon has much higher production value than previous records, but somehow keeps the recorded in a catacomb sound they've come to be known for; a feat only Mayhem can make actually work.

4. Darkthrone – Old Star

Another original contributor of the extreme metal pantheon, Darkthrone make a brutal comeback, but instead of showcasing their old bag of tricks, Old Star livens things up a bit, with an almost Blackened Thrash dynamic. Every bit a headbanger album as it is a dark and grim exploration of occultism and anti-theism, Darkthrone's newest venture is a solid gateway drug for those seeking something a little more on the blackened side.

5. Belzebubs - Pantheon of the Nightside Gods

Speaking of Pantheons, Belzebubs debut album Pantheon of the Nightside Gods is a love letter to many of the other classic bands on this list. Featuring riffs, hooks, and choruses, Belzebubs' unconventional approach to Black Metal has caused a stir in the "trve kvlt" community. Don't believe the negativity, the only people who could hate this album are jaded elitists who simply hate quality song writing, and intuitive production...and maybe cartoons. Every. Single. Track. Could exist as a single, and would fit just as well among the black metal heroes, as they would the extreme metal chart toppers.They have no business being THIS good, but here we are sitting pretty at #5.

6. Sacrilege – The Court of the Insane

Thrash and Heavy Metal veterans Sacrilege are yet another pre-millenial outfit making a return to the charts with the release of The Court of the Insane. Featuring a variety of metal influences, they manage the pacing well; raucous fist pumping head bangers, and driving hard rock jams abide.

7. Wilderun - Veil of Imagination

Boston based "Symphonic/Progressive/Folk-Metal" outfit Wilderun brings a unique approach to folk metal, showcasing their expansive musical influences, and expressing a deeper artistic nature than many may be ready for. With themes of nature, and folklore, Veil of Imagination is an introspective examination of one's self in the universe.

8. Venom Prison – Samsara

If it wasn't clear yet, 2019 was the year of Black Metal. Venom Prison unleash a vitriolic force of feminine rage, and social awareness not usually seen outside the realm of anarchic punk rock, but any dissenters are dared to speak out against this fury. Whether or not you agree with their approach to comparing the female body to a bloody child factory, or assuming that child rearing is a form of enslavement, Samsara is an unrelenting audio assault against the patriarchy.

9. Swallow the Sun - When A Shadow is Forced Into the Light

Poetic from title to composition, Swallow the Sun's - When a Shadow is Forced Into the Light is the type of dreary Melodic Death Doom than fans of emotional gravitas have longed for. Heavy as hell in some sections, Swallow the Sun never sacrifice quality for brutality, nor the other way around.

10. November's Doom – Nephilim Grove

Novembers Doom has a long history of top notch Death Doom releases, and the concept album Nephilim Grove is a narrative woven deeply in the realm of supernatural darkness and death. While rounding out the top 10 list, there are several tracks featured on this record that could easily outshine (shadow?) even the best offering from the rest of the pack. When taken as a complete composition, Nephilim Grove may not be the highest ranking, but it's an absolute favorite.

11-25 List

11. Saint Vitus – "Saint Vitus" (Doom)
12. Vale of Pnath – "Accursed" (Technical Death)
13. White Ward – "Love Exchange Failure" (Experimental/Post-Black)
14. Dawn Ray'd – "Behold Sedition Plainsong" (Black)
15. Fit for An Autopsy – "The Sea of Tragic Beasts" (Deathcore)
16. 1349 – "The Infernal Pathway" (Black)
17. Full of Hell – "Weeping Choir" (Noise, Grindcore/Power-Violence, Death)
18. Nailed to Obscurity - "Black Frost" (Melodic Death/Doom)
19. Devourment – "Obscene Majesty" (Slam, Brutal Death)
20. Nile – "Vile Nilotic Rites" (Technical Death)
21. Grief Collector – "From Dissension to Avowal" (Doom)
22. Cellar Darling - "The Spell" (Progressive/Folk)
23. Abigail Williams – "Walk Beyond the Dark" (Atmospheric Black)
24. In Mourning – "Garden of Storms" (Gothic, Death)
25. No One Knows What the Dead Think – "No One Knows What the Dead Think" (Technical Grindcore)

"Best Metal 2019" on Spotify / Best Metal 2019 on Apple Music

Honorable Mentions (Unranked)

· Lethvm – Acedia
· Signs of the Swarm – Vital Depravation
· Batushka – Hospodi
· Shock Narcotic – I've Seen the Future, and It Doesn't Work
· Helevorn - Aamata
· GROUND – Mourn Innocence
· Yatra – Death Ritual
· Le Chants Du Hasard – Livre Second
· Wormwitch – The Heaven That Dwells Within
· Mystifier - Protogoni Mavri Magiki Dynasteia

Singles, EPs, & LPs (Ranked)

1. Lorna Shore - "This is Hell" Single, "Darkest Spawn" Single 
2. The Dark Prison Massacre – Overtreated Cause Opposited EP 
3. At the Gates – With the Pantheons Blind EP 
4. Man Made God – Man Made God EP 
5. Signs of the Swarm -  "Malevolent Enslavement" Single, "Crown of Nails" Single 
6. OhCult – Occult EP 
7. Beastmaker – Eye of the Storm EP 
8. To Obey a Tyrant – Conjuring Damnation EP 
9. Within Thy Wounds – Demo  
10. Corpseflesh - "Re-Arranged with a 12-Gauge Shotgun" Single, "Grotesque Inbreds" Single 

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Thy Catafalque, "Naiv"

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Thy Catafalque, "Naiv": By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: Full Length Date Released: 24/01/2020 Label: Season of Mist “Naiv” CD//DD//LP track ...

The Sludgelord: REVIEW: Behemoth, "Live At Maida Vale" (EP)

The Sludgelord: REVIEW: Behemoth, "Live At Maida Vale" (EP): By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type: EP Date Released: 24/01/2020 Label: Nuclear Blast “Live at Maida Vale” DD track listing: ...

Top 10 Films of the Decade

2010s, the Second Cinema Renaissance

While every desktop auteur film critic has a list of various titles, there's a handful of directors who absolutely dominated this decade of cinema. Unsurprisingly, many were relatively successful before this point, but still managed to uphold a remarkable level of artistic vision and creativity. A quick search for "Top 10 Films of the Decade" will reveal just how influential directors like Chris Nolan, Zack Snyder, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin Scorsese really are; though of this group, many are facing controversy over their unique approach to cinema.



I have begun a decade in review, and will follow-up this post with some insights about each film individually, as I revisit them with my new #2020Vision.

Top 10 of the Decade 

1. Man of Steel (2013)

Produced by Christopher Nolan, and directed by Zack Snyder, Man of Steel was the first true refresh of the titular character in cinema. Following the critical and box office failure of Superman Returns, a pseudo-sequel to the Chris Reeves era Superman, Snyder sought to bring a more modern and realistic version of the DC Comics character to the big screen. Bold and ambitious, the movie found a dedicated fanbase through complex and emotionally driven storytelling, while also being one of the most visually stunning pictures to this day. Thus cementing Henry Cavill as one of the greatest actors to dawn the cape.





2. Batman v Superman (2016)

Following the success of Man of Steel, one of film's most profitable stand-alone comicbook movies, Director Zack Snyder revealed his plans for a 5 part epic based on classical works like Excalibur, and The Hero's Journey, that would pull inspiration from DC Comics story arcs like Injustice and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, narrating the rise, fall, and rebirth of Superman. The series would start from Man of Steel, followed by BvS, then a 3 part Justice League trilogy. While highly divisive, BvS has garnered a devout following as one of cinema's most groundbreaking comicbook movies ever made; highly ambitious, it was the first time DC Comic's "Trinity" shared a screen, and featured the iconic "Death of Superman". Still talked about to this day, Snyder's penchant for art and literary allusion have left an undeniable impact on the comic book film landscape.





3. Joker (2019)

Much like other directors in this list, Director Todd Phillips was not content with regurgitating the now exhaustive formula of comic book movies, but instead set out to tell a more grounded version of the wildly popular character, and breathed new life into the industry with his fresh take. Emotionally weighty, Joker is not a "fun" movie, so much as a dynamic deconstruction of society and it's treatment of it's more vulnerable citizens. Like many films in this list, it is surrounded by negativity and detractors, but has enjoy an extremely successful rewards season thus far, being universally praised by most major outlets.





4. Mad Max Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max Fury Road is a passion project YEARS in the making. Director George Miller reportedly has an entire world's worth of ideas for tales in his post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, but his unique style, and aggressive defense of maintaining his artistic vision, requires bold studio execs to green light his projects, which usually means extensive delays. Fury Road is told largely from the high octane seat of a twin engine rig, and features sprawling sequences of desert car chase action. The title character barely speaks, but Miller's ability to communicate a deep story through visual story telling, music, and actor chemistry makes this one of the most enthralling movies in the list.






5. Sucker Punch (2011)

Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch is another extremely controversial film in this list; featuring bizarre fantasy sequences, scantily clad women, and complex multi-layer storytelling, Sucker Punch has proven to be a bold defense of feminine empowerment, and psychological escape, while not spoon-feeding the viewer any clues as to what is happening. It is truly a movie that needs to be seen with commentary, or followed up by group discussion.






6. Inception (2010)

Inception is probably the least controversial film of the group, besides Christopher Nolan's other feature in the list. Nolan changed the face of cinema with his 2010 release, kickstarting the decade in a way only a creative like himself could. Visually stunning, and full of mind bending plot threads, Inception STILL draws large media attention amongst vloggers trying to dissect it's complex ideas. Ultimately, it is a film that any movie lover should see, and with it now available for streaming on Netflix, there is no excuse to sleep on this one.





7. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

The decade prior was dominated by the likes of Batman Begins, and The Dark Knight, so it's no surprise the bleed over trilogy closer would show up in this list. While not nearly the timeless classic that TDK was, Rises was one of the most satisfying and epic conclusions to a character's story arc ever to hit the screen. So satisfying in fact, then when offered to continue the "Nolan-verse" with a sequel film series, Christopher Nolan declined, stating he told the story he set out to tell. Drawing from such iconic DC Comics arcs as Knightfall, The Dark Knight Rises really grasped the internal conflict faced by the Dark Knight.



8. The Hateful Eight (2015)

Quentin Tarantino's spiritual successor to 2012's Django Unchained, originally started life as a sequel and novel, before eventually being pitched for film. Shot in Ultra-Wide Panavision 70 format, The Hateful Eight is a breathtaking exercise in film technique, sure to satisfy any cinemaphile. Compound the technical prowess with Tarantino's masterful dialogue, and the result is one of the most interesting features of the decade; which is only ever more strange considering 2/3 of the movie is merely dialogue between characters snowed in a haberdashery. Recently Netflix added the Extended Version on their service, at nearly 4 hours long, it is split into 4 episodic parts, and cannot be recommended enough.





9. The Irishman (2019)

Martin Scorsese dropped some major truth bombs on film twitter, only to follow it up with an example of why he can get away with expressing such opinions. The Irishman has been described as the "Endgame" of the Scorsese era gangster films, and features a massive cast of famous actors from through out his film career. This parallel is great, as it's his opinions of Marvel that got him in trouble in the first place. Even with active attempts to derail his release, Scorsese put out a wonderful end of the decade surprise; while light on action, or excessively grande set pieces, the very human story he tells is undeniable. Even for it's robust runtime of nearly 4 hours, most people would be hard pressed to find themselves losing interest.





10. Django Unchained 

Rounding out the list, is another masterpiece by Quentin Tarantino. It is clear that his passion lies in period pieces and Westerns, and his ability to infuse modern music, or culturally relevant themes into his works, keeps his movies from feeling generic. Hailed for it's bold approach to slavery era USA, he was derided by some for his blunt portrayal of Southern "Culture". Django Unchained doesn't hold back on it's vulgarities, or it's use of racial slurs, but it's part of what makes it feel so real. However, it's not all social and political, Tarantino makes sure to bring his over the top violence into the picture, with one of the best on screen shoot outs of all time.

Honorable Mentions:

Drive
Edge of Tomorrow
Ex Machina

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Deadspawn, "Pestilence Reborn"

The Sludgelord: ALBUM REVIEW: Deadspawn, "Pestilence Reborn": By: Thomas Gonzales Album Type:   Full Length Date Released:   11/01/2020 Label:   Independent