Win An Autographed Copy Of The Casket Creature's EP She Screams!

The Lunatics from the Sticks.  The Ghastly Ghouls of Gainesville.  Dirty South Frightrock Juggernauts.  Whatever you want to call them, The Casket Creatures are back with a brand new EP called She Screams.   It delivers all of the ferocity and raw terror you’ve come to expect from the reigning kings of Atlanta’s horror rock scene while continuing the evolution of their sonic attack.  After lineup chaos that would cripple most bands, The Casket Creatures have emerged a leaner, meaner beast ready to raise the dead and rock the living.

Throughout their two full length albums and now the EP, you can hear a clear progression.  Like any good band, they continue to evolve and challenge themselves while maintaining their trademark sound.  She Screams sees the Creatures move in a somewhat “punkier” direction.  They’ve shed a few of their more metallic elements without sacrificing any of the intensity.  I think a lot of that lies in the guitar work.  With Jamie’s departure, last axe-man standing Derek Obscura’s signature sleaze/glam punk edge takes center stage.  If I were to compare it to anything, I would say the guitar style sounds sorta reminiscent of a less poppy version of Wednesday 13’s better work.  That’s not to say it sounds the same, however.  Derek definitely has his own style and flair… and damn can that boy write a catchy ass riff!

Where the rhythm section is concerned, new bass monster Cliff Damnage brings a punishing energy to the bottom end.  Wow, that sounded vaguely dirty.  Anyway, nothing against any past member, but Cliff is the perfect fit for the band and his contribution goes a long way towards the gelling of a cohesive sound.   Besides, it’s always a good sign when your bass player is named Cliff, right?  As they’ve had a bit of a Spinal Tap drummer situation going on lately, I can’t really say much as to the drums on the record.  I can say, however, that after seeing new skin basher Brandon Deadly in action live, he’s more than capable of taking up the mantle.

Ryan Cadaver continues to develop the signature “aggro-croon” that makes him one of the most dynamic frontmen in the genre, but the real surprise on this album is in the backing vocals.  She Screams features a LOT of harmonizing.  Remember when harmony was a dirty word in heavy alternative rock until Alice In Chains showed us that it could be damn amazing?  This is the American horror punk equivalent.  The harmonies on songs like Haunted and The Final Night (is it kosher to call horror punk “woah-oh-oh’s” beautiful?) take the role of vocals in this style of music to a new level.

The band definitely maintains their macabre sense of humor on this EP.  The interlude that precedes Zombie Werewolves From Outer Space reminded me of some of the silliness from The Ghastly One’s classic A Haunting We Will Go-Go album.  Graveyard Girl strikes a great balance of light-hearted and heartless, and GKMF revels in giving the world a giant middle finger with a little smirk in its sneer.  Even straight ahead tales of terror like the title track, a botched exorcism ode, and the apocalyptic The Final Night crackle with an element of fun that makes this a great Halloween party album any time of year.

As far as picking a standout track, there really isn’t a weak link in the bunch.  I guess I would have to go with the title track, She Screams.  It stands alongside Lizzie’s Song and A Step Ahead of Death as possibly the best song the guys have ever unleashed.  In fact, the songwriting all around is top notch.  I catch myself singing these tunes in the shower, which I consider the mark of true quality.  I know, the mental picture of me in all of my sudsy, naked glory belting out Zombie Werewolves From Outer Space just made this one a must own.  You’re welcome.

The Casket Creatures, Phantom Troublemaker, and SOC.

By now you’re asking yourself “how do I get this goodness in my earholes?”  Well, She Screams is currently available for purchase on Amazon, itunes, and CD Baby… OR you could enter to win the autographed copy I’m giving away.  That’s right Cellmates; I have one brand spanking new copy, autographed by your favorite horror punk band, to give away to one of you.  Who loves you, baby?  All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below with your email address and your favorite horror-influenced song.  It could be horror punk, metal, some obscure blues song about crossroads demons, an Alice Cooper classic, a country murder ballad, a movie score, Heffalumps and freakin’ Woozles, whatever.  As a bonus, if you go check out The Son OfCelluloid Show (LINK) AND subscribe to the youtube channel, I’ll enter your name twice.  Just make sure you alert me to that in your comment.  The contest ends on April 23, and the winner will be announced on episode 3 of The Son Of Celluloid Show on April 28.  Now get cracking, Cellmates!

Creepmas Horror Tunes Countdown # 22-21: Psychobilly Christmas

#22 Coffin Caddies – Halloween on Xmas

Sample Lyrics –
Candy canes of evil mock

Pumpkin faces in the dark
Santa’s sleigh goes down in flames
Undead Rudolph eating brains


#21 White Coffin Terrors – Silent Night Deadly Night

Sample Lyrics –

Silent Night Deadly Night, The coroner’s puking at the sight

Hung by their ankles and slaughtered with glee
Young little darlings just ripped at the seams
Screaming in agony, screaming in agony

Hey, waddaya know?  Two bands with Coffin in the title.  Sotty guys, no points for originality this time.  These two songs come from a 2011 compilation called Psychobilly Christmas.  While the Coffin Caddies do have a psychobilly flavor, the White Coffin Terrors have more of a straight ahead horror punk vibe.  It doesn’t really matter though, because they’re both great tracks.  The Coffin Caddies give is a little taste of what a Christmas in a much less family friendly Halloweentown would be like.  The White Coffin Terrors tune isn’t actually about the movie it shares a title with.  Instead it’s just a chronicle of a mad Ghoultide slaughter party.  Put on your leather jacket with the studs and Misfits patch, carefully place your Santa hat on top of your meticulously greased pompadour, and rock out!

Download Southern Psycho Vol. 1 FREE

Music has always been a huge part of my Halloween celebration.  The right All Hallow's soundtrack can really make your celebration.  So, in the spirit of the holiday and in my never ending quest to support my local horror scene, I put together this Halloween treat for all of you.  It's a collection of the best horror music the American Southeast has to offer.  This Frankenstein's Monster was stitched together from parts of a myriad of musical cadavers like horror punk (about 80% actually), horrorcore rap, death and doom metal, and rockabilly.  We've got The Casket Creatures, Crypt 24, Stitch Mouth, Rictus Grim, Tripping The Mechanism, Coffin Syrup, The Funeral Davies, Graveyard Boulevard, Nightmare Sonata, After the Nightmare, Boney Fiend, Dead Rites, Sugar Virus, Dead Dick Hammer, The Creeping Cruds, and more.  The best part... it's ABSOLUTELY FREE!  A big thank you goes out to all of the bands for contributing these songs and to The Grockle himself, Frank Browning, for the killer artwork.  So, follow the link below to download the compilation, and have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

DOWNLOAD SOUTHERN PSYCHO VOL. 1 HERE

Note: I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, because you're all smart cookies, but don't click on any of the ads on the download page.  Just put in the capcha and hit "Download Now."

What Halloween Means To Me '13 Day 28: Dead Richy Gein (Bloodsucking Zombies From Outer Space)

The final three days of the What Halloween Means To Me countdown will feature people who are personal favorites of mine and who have greatly influenced my love for horror in some way.  The Bloodsucking Zombies From Outer Space is one of the greatest bands of all time, so sayeth the Son of Celluloid.  They were also one of the bands responsible for my discovery of the modern horror punk and psychobilly that has become an obsession.  I LOVED The Misfits since I was a teenaager, but as a diehard metal guy at the time, I had never really given a listen to other “horror rock” bands.  Then, in 2006, I was searching for music to play at my (now legendary) Drunken Punkin’ Halloween Party.  I discovered three albums at the same time: Leaving the Tomb by The Crimson Ghosts, 1968 by American Werewolves, and A Night at Grand Guignol by BZFOS.  I was hooked, my life was forever changed, and the rest is history.  The Ghosts and The Werewolves are great, but BZFOS is the band I really latched onto.   I’ve loved everything they've ever put out, but Grand Guignol is still my favorite.  It’s part of my Halloween soundtrack each and every year.  One of these days the horrorbilly psychos from Austria (not Australia, right Maynard?) will storm The States.  Until then, I’ll keep rocking out and spreading the word.  It brings me great joy to welcome BZFOS drummer/singer Dead Richy Gein to the blog and the countdown.  So Mr. Gein, what does Halloween mean to you?

"Growing up during the 80's in the deep Austrian countryside, I gotta say that the word “Halloween” had no meaning to me. Halloween simply didn’t exist to me because it was not a part of Austrian culture at the time. Even if the original “Samhain” festival came out of Europe, we kids here first found out about “Halloween” after watching American movies. Of course we also loved the idea of playing “Trick or Treat” while wearing costumes, so slowly it found it's way into our society as well. It is still not as big as in the US, but in the beginning of October the shops are packed with “Halloween” stuff and the kids can’t wait to get into a costume on the 31st and scare the neighbors.

Being in a band like the “Bloodsucking Zombies From Outer Space” means

that around Halloween we are always on tour or at least we play the awaited Halloween show, which is always one of our annual show highlights.

Another thing that immediately comes to my mind when I hear the term

“Halloween” is, of course, John Carpenter’s classic horror movie. As a

horror film-nerd and collector, I truly love the whole series and Michael Meyers was, along Jason, Freddy, Pinhead, etc., one of my best buddies when I was a teenager. I have seen Halloween countless times and it is definitely very high up on my list of best films ever made!

So I will spend the 31st of October by watching at least 3 horror movies(in this particular order: “Something classic,” “Something really gory,” and “Something new”) during the day and play the gig and party with my band in the night. Hope you all have a good one too!"

2 more days ‘til Halloween, Halloween, Halloween.  2 more days ‘til Halloween, Silver Shamrock.

Music Review: The Casket Creatures' new album Sex, Blood, & Rock 'n Roll

The lunatics from the sticks are back!  That's right, The Casket Creatures are proudly carrying the torch for southern monster rock with their new album Sex, Blood, & Rock ‘n Roll.  Their first album, Tales From The Unknown,  announced that this was a band to take notice of.  With Sex, Blood, & Rock ‘n Roll, the boys from Gainesville, Ga have established themselves as a true force to be reckoned with.

Ever since The Misfits laid the groundwork for the genre, certain things have been expected of a horror punk band.  Lyrics based on horror movies and murder.  Sing along choruses.  Fast, powerful riffs.  A heavy backbeat.  Those looking for these tried and true crowd-pleasing elements will find them here.  But, as with bands like The Other, The Crimson Ghosts, Order of the Fly, or The Bloodsucking Zombies From Outer Space, the bands that rise to the top of the genre are those who take those tropes and use them to forge a unique sound of their own.  On this album, The Creatures’ sound has solidified, and the band seems to have found their identity.

The current lineup: Cliff, Ryan, Derek, Jamie, & Dakota

The first thing you’ll notice about the album is how much the guys have grown since their first release.  Tales was a damn good album.  SB&RNR, on the other hand, is a great one.  The level of maturation evident in the songwriting is amazing.  The band has really honed their craft.  Ryan Howard has zeroed in on his signature vocal style, which I would describe as a “crooning growl.”  It’s both melodic and intense, and the backing vocals mesh well on the obligatory “whoa-oh-oh’s.”  The dual guitar attack of Derek Obscura and Jamie Robertson is dead on.  The riffs are outstanding, and the sub-par soloing you find in a lot of horrorpunk bands is replaced by some high energy and inventive leads.  The Brothers Chandler (Drew and Bradley), who have since amicably parted ways with the band, more than hold up the rhythm section’s end of the bargain and provide a sturdy backbone for the beast. 

The second thing you’ll notice is that the production is top notch.  The music sounds fantastic.  Kudos to Ty Watkins (recording) and James Nation (mixing).  It’s very rare to find an independently made album that sounds this good.

The third thing, and what I think really sets The Casket Creatures apart from lesser bands, is the overall atmosphere that comes across in their music.  Far too many bands of this ilk take themselves WAY too seriously.  Aside from the quality of the music, the thing that makes their live shows so exciting is that you can tell the guys are having a blast doing their thing.  That energy and attitude comes across well on the record.  They sound like they’re having a good time without sacrificing any of the aggression of the music, and that makes the album a lot of fun to listen to.

So, what are the standout tracks?  That’s really hard to say.  If the radio was actually relevant enough to play music like this, I think there would be two songs competing for the spot as the big hit single.  “Lizzie’s Song” is the very definition of a brain worm.  It will firmly plant itself in your head and refuse to leave.  You’ll forget about it for a while after listening to it, and then in a calm, quiet moment you’ll catch yourself singing the “Lizzie’s been a bad girl” refrain and bopping your head.  While “Lizzie” is probably the catchiest song on the album, “A Step Ahead of Death” is technically the best.  It’s pretty damn close to being the perfect horror punk song.  Classic movie sample, memorable riff, chorus you can’t help singing along with, awesome solo… it’s just the total package.  Either of these songs easily have the potential to be The Casket Creature’s “Last Caress” or “Somewhere in a Casket.”  If you know what songs I’m talking about, go buy this album immediately just on principle.

It’s tough to single those songs out because there are so many great ones here.  There really isn’t a weak link among them.  "B-Movie Massacre" is a bad-ass tune.  One of the bonus tracks, “Graves” is a Lugosi’s Morphine cover.  Please, for the love of all things unholy don’t tell Lugosi’s Morphine I said this because I love that band, but this version is better than the original.  They infused it with their own style and turned an already great song into a bona-fide anthem.  Every year a big part of my Halloween tradition is making a new disc of holiday related music to listen to coming and going to various haunted houses.  I can’t wait to put their Oct. 31 ode “Devil’s Day” on this year’s edition.  I love “Vulture Eye.”  “Bats, Blood, and Bitches” is the perfect opener.  “Black Widow Bride” is a completely unexpected surprise and a rarity in the genre, a great duet.  Hell, the whole damn album is excellent.

If you put a gun to my head and made me pick a least favorite track, it would actually be a rerecording of “Agnes,” a Casket Creatures favorite.  It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the song itself.  It’s actually the same problem I had when Blitzkid rerecorded “My Dying Bride,” my favorite song by them, on Anatomy of Reanimation. I dig the rawer version of Agnes on Tales From The Unknown so much that I feel the slicker production actually works against the song.  It’s still a great tune, I’m just so used to the original that it sounds weird to me.  If the only issue I had with the album is that one of the songs sounds TOO good, then that’s definitely a rich problem to have.

 To sum it all up, this is the best American horror punk disc I’ve heard in years.  Their sophomore album sets The Casket Creatures on par with the elite of the horror rock scene.  There may be bigger bands, but you won’t find one doing it any better.  I’m not just saying that because they’re members of the extended SOC family either.  Trust me, if it sucked I’d say so.  Sex, Blood, and Rock & Roll is a satisfying slab of sonic sickness that deserves, no... DEMANDS  a spot in any serious horror punk fan’s collection. 

So now that you know you have to own this album, that just leaves one issue to address; how do you get it?  Well, there are several options.  It’s available on itunes.  You could go over to http://horror-punks.com and enter to win a copy during The Casket Creatures’ month long takeover.  You could hit the band up on facebook HERE and inquire about how to get one.  Or, my personal recommendation, you could go see them live and pick one up from them at the show.  Your next chance will be this Saturday at Sweetwater in Duluth, Ga.  If you live in the vicinity, come rock out with the ‘ol Son of Celluloid and your new favorite band.  However you decide to get it, get it quick because when the rest of the world catches on to these guys and they become ghoul rock heroes, you’ll want to be able to say “I was into them way back when.”  
It’s become almost fashionable amongst horror hipsters in recent years to proclaim, “True horror punk is dead.”  I’m calling bullshit.  As long as The Casket Creatures roam the earth, killer rock and roll shot through with macabre madness will continue to ravage your eardrums and provide the soundtrack for all of our killing sprees.