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Sunday, September 28, 2014

Cartoon Sunday: Ghost Hunt

How's it going lurkers? Last week, I learned that American Dad will no longer be airing on Fox. WTH? Seth MacFarlane's American Dad has been a part of Fox's Sunday night programming, since 2005.

Starting October 20th, American Dad will NOW  be premiering on Monday nights at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central on TBS. 

I wouldn't have much of a problem with the relocation had it been relocated to Adult Swim. I watch Adult Swim at least twice a week (mostly on Saturday and Sunday nights).

Because Adult Swim nightly airs American Dad, it would've been more logical to air the cartoon's premieres on Adult Swim rather than TBS. I do NOT  watch TBS regularly. 

Usually, I watch the network for the 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story. I use to watch syndicated episodes of Married With Children on TBS because I missed its last few seasons, from the mid to late '90s. Otherwise, I do NOT  watch TBS.

That reminds me, American Dad will now be running against Sleepy Hollow. This sucks! Now, I will have to watch newer American Dad episodes on Adult Swim in syndication.

I am sorry but right now, I love watching Ichabod on Monday nights more than American Dad. Thank you Fox, for once again screwing over your audience!

Why didn't Fox remove Bob's Burgers or The Simpsons from the block?

I quit watching The Simpsons before I was a teenager, and I have always HATED Bob's Burgers. Those are 2 cartoons, that can be canceled or relocated to TBS. Once Desperate Housewives ended on ABC 2 years ago, I started to regularly watch Fox for American Dad and Family Guy on Sunday nights.

Speaking of Adult Swim, I briefly visited its Toonami sub-forum and voted in some of the polls. Based on us Adult Swim voters, most of us want to watch Black Lagoon's OVA's, Roberta's Blood Trail. I have already seen the OVA's. However, that does NOT  mean every viewer has seen it.

Roberta is by far my favorite Black Lagoon character. Then again, she is quite popular. This would explain why she has 5 OVA's dedicated to her. 

Roberta gives every character a run for their money, including Revy. Oh, how I love Roberta. I can't STAND Revy!

Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail OVA Roberta Goes Psycho Scene (2010)

Here is something I have been meaning to ask lurkers. 

Should I share Anime in Japanese with English subtitles for Cartoon Sunday?

 There are some really nitpicky Anime fans, who only watch them in Japanese with English subtitles. Then, they are those, who will only watch Anime dubbed in English.

Do you prefer to watch Anime in Japanese or in English?

I watch them both in English AND in Japanese. If it's poorly dubbed in English, I will only watch the Anime in Japanese with English subtitles. So, I have an English dubbed episode of Ghost Hunt.

Ghost Hunt is a Shojo Psychological Supernatural Horror Mystery Drama Anime. It begins with high school freshman, Mai Taniyama and her friends exchanging ghost stories. As she and her friends exchange ghost stories, they are introduced to Kazuya Shibuya.

Kazuya is the 17-year-old, Paranormal Researcher/Manager of the Shibuya Psychic Research Center. He, a few psychic mediums, and exorcists are sent by Mai's high school principal to investigate an allegedly haunted school building.

While they investigate the haunted building, Mai ends up getting into a dangerous situation. A bookcase nearly falls on her. Kazuya's taciturn assistant, Lin Koujo rescues Mai.

Lin becomes incapacitated in the process by the falling bookcase, and she accidentally destroys their expensive camera equipment.

Since he is incapacitated and because Mai destroyed their expensive equipment, Kazuya makes Mai repay her debt by making her work for his company. Mai later nicknames him "Naru."

"Naru" is her short Japanese nickname for Kazuya, which means "narcissistic."

Rather than explaining the entire beginning episode, here's the link to Ghost Hunt in English.

Ghost Hunt: "File 1: Evil Spirits All Over!? Part 1" (2006)

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Song Saturday: Alien Vampires [Double Dose]

How's it going lurkers? For this Song Saturday, I have Alien Vampires. Alien Vampires is an Industrial/EBM band from England and Italy that formed in 2000. 

Aborym's Nysrok Infernalien and Nightstalker wanted to blend the sub-genres, Psy Trance, Industrial, EBM, and Metal. That's basically Alien Vampires' sound, in a nutshell. 

The English-Italian band has recorded 1/2 dozen albums and collaborated with various acts such as Depeche Mode, Suicide Commando, In Slaughter Natives, and Noisuf-X. This is only naming a few.

Several years ago, I was introduced to Alien Vampires' music through the compilation, Industrial Megamix Volume I. If you have never listened to Industrial Megamix Volumes I and II, I suggest listening to them. 

Listening to those compilations helped expose me to more Industrial-Electro from this recent decade. It sucks that Industrial-Electro is no longer popular in America. 

Most younger Millennials and Gen Z'ers have no exposure to Industrial-Electro compared to us Gen 'Xers, Xennials, older Millennials and Gen 'Zers. 

During the '90s, Industrial Metal, Industrial-Electro, and Electronica were more mainstream. Now, all 3 sub-genres are barely acknowledged in America compared to Europe.

It appears that more European countries (mostly Germany and German-speaking countries) are filled with Industrial-Electro. Almost every time I hear an Industrial-Electro song, it is in German.

Why does this particular sub-genre appeal more to the audiences in European countries compared to the American audience?

The more I think about it, the more I realize, that today's American Top 40 Pop and R&B singers have RUINED  Trance, House, and every Electronica sub-genre in general.

2 decades ago, Pop and R&B singers did NOT  use Electronica or Dubstep to sell records. They also did not use auto-tune, in order to sell their albums. Well, at least not to my recollection. 

Overall, Electronica in America sounded much better, during the '90s. This CANNOT  be said for today's Dubstep.

I miss the times when listening to The Prodigy, Fluke, Keoki, The Crystal Method, Daft Punk, KMFDM, Lords Of Acid, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Nine Inch Nails, Stabbing Westward, and Gravity Kills (to list some examples) existed.

Sure, some of these Electronica and Industrial Metal groups, that I mentioned are not American. However, at least they were aired on traditional radio stations.

Daft Punk still gets some airplay. Although, it's only because of Pharrell Williams and the latest sell out, hipster artist, who happens to collaborate with them. Otherwise, Daft Punk would be discarded.

Well, that's enough ranting for now. I will leave you with a double dose of Alien Vampires. Their song titled, "Humans = Cunts" reminds me of Slipknot's "People = Shit."

1) Alien Vampires "Hell S.D." No One Here Gets Out Alive (2007)

 
2) Alien Vampires "Humans = Cunts" No One Here Gets Out Alive (2007)

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Song Saturday: The Pioneers Of Horrorcore Rap

How's it going lurkers? I have been meaning to share more Rap Music but I always end up doing the opposite. Today, I have some Horrorcore Rap.

Horrorcore is a Rap sub-genre based on Horror-themed lyrical content with Horror movie scores and dark imagery. This music sub-genre derived from Hardcore and Gangsta Rap groups such as Geto Boys, Gravediggaz, and Flatlinerz.

Gravediggaz and Flatlinerz made the term, "Horrorcore" popular. Horrorcore primarily focuses on Horror-influenced topics. This can include the controversial topics such as cannibalism, self-harm, suicide, murder, torture, rape, Satanism, and supernatural themes.

Most Horrorcore lyrics are inspired by Horror movies over "moody, hardcore beats."

The sub-genre is also considered to be the Death Rap version of Death Metal because of its lyrical content.

Horrorcore rapper, Mars stated, "If you take Stephen King or Wes Craven and you throw them on a rap beat, that's who I am."

The sub-genre supposedly originated 34 years ago with Jimmy Spicer's 1980 single, "Adventures Of Super Rhyme." In the song, the rapper recounts his experience of meeting Dracula.

When I heard the song, I visualized Bauhaus' Peter Murphy performing "Rapper's Delight" over some Disco. I wonder how many people did The Electric Slide to "Adventures of Super Rhyme" in the clubs.

I barely learned about Horrorcore, 2 decades ago. It seems like this particular Rap sub-genre gained more prominence, during the early to mid-90's. 

I remember MTV News' Kurt Loder briefly reporting about the Horrorcore sub-genre in 1994. There were several Horrorcore rappers releasing their debut albums that year.

Debut albums by Flatlinerz and Gravediggaz both released in 1994.

The more I think about it, those were probably the 2 Horrorcore Rap groups that Kurt Loder interviewed, 20 years ago. 

Based on what I have read about this Rap sub-genre, rappers have debated WHO coined the term "Horrorcore" and who founded it. Some say it was Jimmy Spicer.

According to Insane Clown Posse's (ICP) Violent J, Geto Boys' song, "Assassins" (from their debut album, Making Trouble), introduced Horrorcore Rap.

Meanwhile, Kool Keith claims HE  "invented" the sub-genre. Horrorcore Rap never became a mainstream sub-genre. This is highly understandable given the sub-genre's lyrical content.

However, Detroit, MI's ICP and Twiztid have sold well as Horrorcore rappers. 

Eminem is not an actual Horrorcore rapper but he wrote SOME Horrorcore songs like "Cleaning Out My Closet," for example.

Since I'm currently on the topic of Detroit, MI rappers, there is a super show called Wickedstock, that is held annually.

Since Halloween 2003, Horrorcore rappers unite internationally online and release free compilations of Devilz Nite.

Supposedly, Horrorcore Rap is doing well over the Internet. It started having a massive American and European following in 2004. 

There are various Horrorcore and Non-Horrorcore rappers, who have contributed to the sub-genre. The following are additional rappers, who have contributed to Horrorcore Rap:

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Big L, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Brotha Lynch Hung, Cage, Dana Dane, Necro, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Esham and Natas, Insane Poetry, King Gordy, Kung Fu Vampire, Prozak, Swollen Members,Tech N9ne, Three 6 Mafia, and Tyler, The Creator

Listening to Horrorcore is rather interesting. The sub-genre automatically reminds me of the movie, Tales From The Hood.

Tales From The Hood Trailer (1995)

 
Speaking of the movie, Tales From The Hood, Gravediggaz was featured on the soundtrack. 
 
Well, today is a lengthy block mostly because of Jimmy Spicer's song. Therefore, I'll leave with some of the pioneers of Horrorcore Rap.

1) Jimmy Spicer "Adventures of Super Rhyme" Single (1980)

2) Ganksta N-I-P "Horror Movie Rap" The South Park Psycho (1992)

3) Flatlinerz "Satanic Verses" U.S.A. [Under Satan's Authority] (1994)

4) Gravediggaz "Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide" 6 Feet Deep (1994)

 
5) Three 6 Mafia "Mystic Stylez" Mystic Stylez (1995)

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Song Saturday: My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult Block

How's it going lurkers? What a week it has been. Since it is Song Saturday, I have some Thrill Kill Kult for today.

The band is actually called, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. They are an Industrial Disco band that originated from Chicago, IL circa 1987. 

Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), which was co-founded by Tipper GORE, objected to Thrill Kill Kult's humorous and satirical references to Jesus, Satan, and sex in their lyrics. 

By the early 1990's, the band changed their music to a more disco-oriented sound because of Tipper and the PMRC.

The Crow fans like yours truly may remember that Thrill Kill Kult was featured, during the shootout scene; They performed "After The Flesh" on stage, during Top Dollar's meeting/shootout with the late Eric Draven.

Today, the band continues to make music. So far, my favorite albums by Thrill Kill Kult are 13 Above The Night and A Crime For All Seasons. 

Rather than giving a long history lesson about the band, I'll let you listen to some of my favorite songs by them.

1) Thrill Kill Kult "Delicate Terror" 13 Above The Night (1993)

 
2) Thrill Kill Kult "China De Sade" 13 Above The Night (1993)

3) Thrill Kill Kult "Dimentia 66" 13 Above The Night (1993)
4) Thrill Kill Kult "After The Flesh" (Sinister Mix) Sinister Whisperz II: The Interscope Years (1992-1996)

  

5) Thrill Kill Kult "Blondes With Lobotomy Eyes" A Crime For All Seasons (1997)

6) Thrill Kill Kult "The Twilight Web" A Crime For All Seasons (1997)

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Cartoon Sunday: Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) "His Butler, Able"

How's it going lurkers? I have another Anime for Cartoon Sunday. Today I have Kuroshitsuji. It's also known as "Black Butler" in English. I would've shared a YouTube video, but Funimation Entertainment [cough, cough], the monopoly of the Anime Industry restricted it. This means, you will have to watch Black Butler in English through Vimeo.

Black Butler is a historical, dark humored, Shonen Supernatural Mystery Anime with a smidge of Action, set during The Victorian Era in London, England. 

However, I will say the target age demographic is debatable. Kuroshitsuji is usually rated as a Shonen but some say it is a Seinen. 

Considering that in a later episode, Sebastian, the demon butler himself, has sex with a nun, it definitely gets rated a Seinen in my book.

Most Shonen don't have any sex in the comic books and animation, especially when the protagonist is immature and oblivious to a female character's attraction to him.

Seinen, on the other hand, has a better chance of having sex in the comic books and animation but not necessarily to the extent of Hentai or animated pornography.

So, what is Black Butler's plot?

On Ciel Phantomhive's 10th birthday, he was captured as a fire torched his mansion and killed his parents. As the noble family's mansion burned, Ciel formed a contract with the demon, Sebastian Michaelis. In exchange for Ciel's revenge, Sebastian is to take Ciel's soul. Their contract resulted in Sebastian becoming Ciel's butler.

Sebastian's main purpose is to serve and protect Ciel, until their deal is completed.

A month later, Ciel returned with Sebastian, disguised as Ciel's butler. All the while, Ciel became the head of The Phantomhives. The heir handles Funtom, which is a toy factory business. Ciel is also the Queen of England's watchdog and solves crimes in London.

I need to re-watch Kuroshitsuji because it has been years, since I last watched it. On July 10th, Japan premiered a new season. I have been so busy on and offline, that I haven't found the time to watch it. Anyway, here's Black Butler's pilot episode.

Kuroshitsuji [Black Butler] Pilot "His Butler, Able" (2008)

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Song Saturday: London After Midnight's (LAM's) Psycho Magnet Block

How's it going lurkers? To help get into the Halloween Spirit 1 montth early, I have some London After Midnight (LAM) for you.

I have been listening to London After Midnight for nearly 10 years and was originally exposed to the "project" via LAUNCHcast. I could give you the origin of LAUNCH.com, but that's a topic for another time.

London After Midnight is a Goth Rock/Industrial Electro "project," which has existed for MANY  years. The "project" originated in 1988 and is fronted by Sean Brennan.

LAM has an international cult following and has toured with Green Day, The Cure, Rammstein, Soft Cell, and HIM.

Speaking of HIM, the band considers London After Midnight to be a musical influence. LAM's most notable album is Psycho Magnet. Their 2nd album surprisingly released on my 14th birthday in 1996, which was also my Golden Birthday (Damn, I feel old!).

However, Psycho Magnet was re-released TWICE  in 2003 and 2008 with bonus tracks. My favorite re-released track is "The Bondage Song (Unchained Mix)."

London After Midnight currently has a total of 4 albums and 1 EP.

Violent Acts Of Beauty is the latest album by the Goth Rock band. It was released in America, during fall 2007.  

Originally, Violent Acts Of Beauty was supposed to have been released during the spring or summer 2007. During that same year, vocalist Sean Brennan criticized current mainstream music, the overall music scene, and MySpace users. In 2007, Brennan ranted:

"All the [music] counter-cultures that existed have been corrupted; especially Goth and Punk, they're gone, they don't exist anymore. The kids [of today] care more about their MySpace pages, their image...and bullshit vanity."

Even though MySpace is NOT  as popular as it was YEARS ago, Sean Brennan's statement still holds true for today's biggest attention whores; Extremely vapid and attention-seeking Millennials on social media.

I personally know parents my age, who believe they can still party like they are still teenagers YET they barely raise their own crumb snatchers.

Brennan's comment especially applies to more recent social media site users, as well as the Goth and Punk sub-cultures. Nowadays, people use being a social outcast as "trendy." It's really sickening.

Those pretentious assholes were NEVER ostracized and did NOT take shit for their eccentricities, throughout their youth. They're ONLY embracing certain sub-cultures to put on a facade because they want to seem "cool."

It is pure bullshit at its finest. Don't even get me started on those fucking hipsters! Those posers wear glasses without real lenses in them! 

Meanwhile, some of those same privileged, "wanksta" ass, brats are buried in a gajillion tattoos and body piercings, as they scavenge for plants as their food and act like "political activists." They believe they are being "trendy," too! 

People of that ilk are so delusional, that I seriously feel humiliation for them. To make it worse, both younger Millennials and Generation Z's entertainment, ESPECIALLY their music, have been politicized and dumbed down for them.

As the days progress, I am convinced there is no hope for the human race. Rather than publishing a long rant, I will let you listen to these songs from London After Midnight's album, Psycho Magnet.

1) LAM "Psycho Magnet" Psycho Magnet (1996)

2) LAM "Kiss" Psycho Magnet (1996)

3) LAM "Shatter [All My Dead Friends]" Psycho Magnet (1996)

4) LAM "The Bondage Song [Unchained Mix]" Psycho Magnet (2003)

5) LAM "Carry On... Screaming [Ruins]" Psycho Magnet (1996)

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