Who Are The 13 Yule Lads Before & During Christmas In Iceland?

How's it going lurkers? Happy Yule/Winter Solstice to all my Pagan friends and subscribers! 

Sorry there wasn't a Song Saturday or Cartoon Sunday for last weekend. I have been extremely busy this month both on and offline with family, friends, helping them, and others who have been in need of help this month.

During the month of December, I am usually not this busy. Honestly, I CANNOT  believe how fast this December has gone. It was just December 1st. Now, it's December 22nd (Winter Solstice). In 3 more days, it will be Christmas. Yay!

Since it is Yule/Winter Solstice, I thought I would discuss the 13 Yule Lads. The 13 Yule Lads are a part of the Icelandic folklore. An Icelandic poet named Jóhannes úr Kötlum published a poem in 1932 called "Jólasveinarnir." The Icelandic society in Iceland was reintroduced to the Yuletide folklore by the poem, "Jólasveinarnir."

During the last 13 nights before Christmas, the 13 Yule Lads, which were normally depicted as being mischievous and criminal pranksters, love to wreak havoc. They wreak havoc by supposedly coming from the mountains to scare naughty Icelandic children before Christmas.

The 13 Yule Lads are similar to Saint Nicholas and his evil sidekick, Krampus. The 13 Yule Lads either reward good children like Saint Nicholas, or PUNISH naughty children like Krampus.

Nearly a decade ago, I learned a little about the 13 Yule Lads, while watching IMF. The network's abbreviation stood for International Music Feed. 

I enjoyed watching that music channel a lot more than MTV, MTV2, and VH-1 combined at the time.

IMF exposed its viewers to both mainstream and underground music videos from around the world. A favorite show of mine, which aired on IMF was Hello World.

Hello World helped to educate viewers about other countries and random facts about them. This was along with learning about entertainers from those countries.

Not only did the network air Hello World, but there were also brief segments during commercial breaks on IMF, which helped viewers to learn more about other ancient folklores. 

Had it not been for International Music Feed, I would've NEVER discovered the 13 Yule Lads.

During the last 13 nights before Christmas, each Yule Lad arrives and departs on certain dates.

The 13 Yule Lads:

1) Stekkjarstaur (Sheep-Cote Clod)- During December 12th-25th, this stiff and peg-legged Yule Lad harasses sheep.

2) Giljagaur (Gully Gawk)- During December 13th-26th, he hides in gullies, while waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and steal milk.

3) Stúfur (Stubby)- During December 14th-27th, this abnormally short Yule Lad steals pans to eat the crust left on them.

4) Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker)- During December 15th-28th, this malnourished lad steals Þvörur to lick. Þvörur is a type of a wooden spoon, that has a long handle.

5) Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper)- During December 16th-29th, he steals leftovers from pots.

6) Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker)- During December 17th-30th, he hides under beds and waits for someone to put down their 'askur' (a type of bowl with a lid used rather than dishes). 

Then, he steals it.

7) Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer)- During December 18th-31st, he loves to slam doors, especially during the night.

8) Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler)- During December 19th-January 1st, this Yule Lad has an affinity for skyr, which is like an Icelandic strained yogurt.

9) Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper)- During December 20th-January 2nd, he hides in the rafters and grabs sausages, that are being smoked.

10) Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper)- During December 21st-January 3rd, this voyeuristic Yule Lad looks through windows in search of things to steal.

11) Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer)- During December 22nd-January 4th, this lad with an abnormally large nose and an acute sense of smell, sniffs for laufabrauð or an Icelandic bread, which is normally eaten around the time of Christmas.

12) Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook)- During December 23rd-January 5th, he uses a hook to steal meat.

13) Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer)- During December 24th-January 6th, this last Yule Lad follows children, in order to steal their candles. 

In ancient times, candles were made of tallow (fat from cattle and sheep), which made them edible.

Since we are on the topic of the 13 Yule Lads and because there wasn't a Song Saturday last weekend, it's only appropriate to have a festive song by the Icelandic singer, Björk.

Björk "Jólasveinar" How The Juice Stole Christmas (1995)

Song Saturday: Scott Weiland Christmas Block

How's it going lurkers? Throughout the week, I meant to publish some other blogs but it's that time of the year when everyone's busy shopping for mostly Christmas gifts. That's along with our house FOREVER undergoing construction and scheduling doctor's appointments.

Throughout this past week, I have been so busy that I have been too tired to function properly. As if being sick the last 2 months wasn't miserable enough, I went from having allergies to another cold.

Aside from having a hectic week, I managed to listen to 1 of Scott Weiland's cover albums yesterday. 

Last weekend, I mentioned that the late Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver lead singer released his own Christmas album. It's titled, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.

Since I have NOT  kept track of songs written and performed by Scott Weiland over this last decade, I had no idea that he released his own Christmas album in 2011, until he died more than 1 week ago.

I CANNOT help emphasizing how incredibly sad and disappointing it is to learn, that another talented musician died from substance abuse.

Out of the 3 dead Grunge vocalists (Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, Alice In Chains' Layne Staley, and Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland), Scott Weiland was definitely the most talented Grunge vocalist, who died from hardcore drugs. Scott and Layne had more singing versatility than Kurt Cobain in regards to musical talent.

Like I said before to others, I don't discredit Kurt Cobain for having talent. Honestly, I believe that Kurt Cobain was extremely talented, when he illustrated his own art. 

Have you ever seen any of Kurt Cobain's paintings? They were phenomenal!

However, Scott Weiland was a unique frontman. He had the ability to sing in more than 1 musical genre and sub-genre, which was highly underrated about the man. 

While listening to Scott's Christmas cover album, I became really depressed. This was especially when listening to Scott Weiland cover the late Bing Crosby's "I'll Be Home For Christmas." As somebody said on YouTube, listening to him singing the song is a "sad, twisted irony."

Now that Scott Weiland is dead, he will NOT  be home for Christmas with his current wife and children. We as Scott's family, friends, bandmates, and fans wish that he would've went to drug rehab and stayed long enough to get clean for us all.

This is the 2nd Song Saturday in a row that features music from the late Scott Weiland. I just stumbled upon at least 3 music videos/live performances of him covering Christmas songs.

Scott Weiland's live performance of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" debuted on Jay Leno, nearly 10 years ago. Out of the 3 songs for today's Song Saturday block, it is my favorite cover.

1) Scott Weiland "The Christmas Song" [Nat King Cole Cover] The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (2011) 

2) Scott Weiland "I'll Be Home For Christmas" [Bing Crosby Cover] The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (2011)

3) Scott Weiland "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" [2006 Judy Garland LIVE Cover] The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (2006)

Cartoon Sunday: Happy Harmonies' Alias St. Nick

How's it going lurkers? Yesterday was Saint Nickolas Eve otherwise known as Krampus Day. Today is Saint Nicholas Day. 

Hopefully, dear old Saint Nick left you something special in your stocking.

It's only fitting to have a festive animated short. After all, the holiday has fallen on Cartoon Sunday. 

Earlier, I stumbled upon an old rare gem. Some of you may be familiar with MGM's Happy Harmonies. Happy Harmonies was before my time. 

It was the name of a 36-episode cartoon distributed by MGM, which was produced by Hugh Harmon and Rudolf Ising between 1936 to 1938.

According to what I have read, Happy Harmonies cartoons were very similar to Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies. 

Like I said earlier, these cartoons were before my time. Therefore, I can't comment based on either franchise's cartoons. I can only say I stumbled upon a rare gem by MGM.

Earlier, I finished watching Happy Harmonies' episode, "Alias St. Nick." Through the eyes of a 33-year-old woman, I thought it was a cute yet ANCIENT classic. 

"Alias St. Nick" reminded me of Tom and Jerry except from 1935.

Actually, Tom and Jerry was created in 1940. That cartoon is the same age as my grandmother. Wow! As dated as the cartoon is, I thought Happy Harmonies' "Alias St. Nick" was cute. 

I am bound to be biased, since it was a house with a bunch of cute little mice. The main mouse was awfully "naughty." He kept saying there was no such thing as Santa Claus and continuously tried to prove everyone wrong.

Don't you just hate those die hard skeptics? 

They have to ALWAYS find a way to prove that someone's "wrong" about any little thing in existence, when they refuse to acknowledge that THEY themselves DO exist. It's so annoying.

Anyway, here is Happy Harmonies' "Alias St. Nick" for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Happy Harmonies: "Alias St. Nick" (1935) 

Song Saturday: RIP Scott Weiland!!!

How's it going lurkers? Before I forget, you may recall that last weekend for today's Song Saturday, I mentioned sharing more Krampus songs. Unfortunately, that will not be the case for today. 

In case case you missed the previous Krampus Day themed Song Saturday blogs, here they are once again at the following:

Song Saturday: Krampus + More About Saint Nick's Evil Sidekick (2014)

Song Saturday: Midnight Syndicate's Night Of The Krampus (2015)

Earlier this week, I was just thinking about Scott Weiland. Now, I learn that he's dead. 

Even though it really should not be a surprise to much of anyone, especially to us veteran fans (He's been in and out of drug rehab, since the mid-90's), I was shocked, disappointed, and sad.

Yesterday I learned that the former lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver died at 48 years old.

This is mostly devastating news for veteran Stone Temple Pilots fans. These last 3 months, I have not been keeping up with the latest news in Rock Music. So much has been happening both on and offline that I have been spreading myself too thin.

Nearly 2 years ago, I published a Song Saturday blog about Linkin Park's Chester Bennington being Scott Weiland's replacement for Stone Temple Pilots.

Song Saturday: Scott Weiland VS. Chester Bennington? You Decide! (2014)

Because Scott Weiland of both Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver died 2 days ago and since STP was a major part of my youth, it is only fair to share at least 2 songs from them for Song Saturday.

Most people don't know that Stone Temple Pilots was originally called, "Mighty Joe Young." Not only were they Mighty Joe Young, but they were also featured on The Crow Soundtrack in '94. Originally, the band meant to release their song, "Only Dying" for the soundtrack.

Mighty Joe Young a.k.a. Stone Temple Pilots "Only Dying" [DEMO] (1990)

 

"Only Dying" was created 3 years before The Crow movie and soundtrack (both based on James O'Barr's comic book, The Crow) were released.

At the last minute, Mighty Joe Young now turned Stone Temple Pilots refrained from releasing the song. The band felt it would've been disrespectful considering that Brandon Lee was suddenly killed, DURING the making of The Crow in 1993.

STP replaced "Only Dying" with "Big Empty" for The Crow Soundtrack. "Big Empty" can also be found on the band's 2nd album, Purple from 1994.

Out of all the Stone Temple Pilots songs, "Atlanta" is 1 of my dozens of favorites by them. This song can be found on their 4th album, No. 4.

Stone Temple Pilots "Atlanta" No. 4 (1999)

RIP SCOTT WEILAND ON KRAMPUS DAY!!!

Song Saturday: Midnight Syndicate's Night Of The Krampus

How's it going lukers? Several nights ago, I created a Google+ profile, joined some group pages, and I am following a few.

Judging from its interface, Google+ feels similar to being on other social media sites. Luckily, my news feed is not being flooded with selfies, politics, and house cats.

Well, now that Thanksgiving is over, I thought I would share another blog about Krampus. Over these last several years, Krampus has been getting a lot more exposure in the good ol' U.S. of A.

In fact, a PG-13 rated Horror Movie is being released in the movie theaters about Krampus on December 4th. 

December 4th is literally 1 day before Krampus makes his appearance to punish naughty children and 2 days before Saint Nicholas is supposed to give presents to nice children.

Krampus Official Trailer (2015)

 

I love how the filmmakers play on coulrophobia (fear of clowns) with the Jester Clown being a monster.

How many kids play with or have toy clowns in today's era? Aren't they too busy playing with video games and other electronics?

Since we are on the topic of Krampus, you may recall that I published a few blogs about him over these last 2 years. 

Next week, I will re-share at least 1 of those other blogs for December 5th because that is the day, when Krampus appears and punishes naughty children. Sometimes he even banishes them to hell!

Meanwhile, it is Song Saturday. Last night, I stumbled upon this duo of Gothic Horror Fantasy Instrumental composers. They are Midnight Syndicate.

I am currently following them on Google+ and alerted them about me sharing their song, "Night Of The Krampus."

The song can be found on their new album, Christmas: A Ghostly Gathering. Anyway, here is Midnight Syndicate for today's Song Saturday.

Midnight Syndicate "Night Of The Krampus" Christmas: A Ghostly Gathering (2015)

Cartoon Sunday: Blue Exorcist Bloopers

How's it going lurkers? Earlier, I finished watching Parasyte -The Maxim-, Michiko & Hatchin, and Naruto Shippuden. I must remind myself NOT  to eat anything, while watching Parasyte. 

It is incredibly disgusting staring at an alien inside the protagonist's hand walking, talking, and killing people. Just gross! By no means am I squeamish about Parasyte -The Maxim.- 

However, watching this Seinen SciFi Horror Action Anime spoils my appetite, whenever eating something. Normally, I am hungry around 12 am and begin scavenging around the house for food/snacks. Therefore, watching Parasyte while eating is typically a disgusting experience.

Meanwhile, Michiko & Hatchin has only 4 more episodes left to premiere on Adult Swim. I have been asking around the board about what could be the series' replacement. It appears that no one knows anything yet. Hopefully, it will be something else worth watching. Otherwise, I will have to re-adjust my morning TV schedule.

Lately, I have been re-watching Naruto Shippuden on Adult Swim. I am far behind on watching Japan's premieres of Shippuden and there is no telling how many seasons. 

Episode 286 was the last episode I remember watching, which was several years ago. The other night, I read this article on Anime News Network about the Naruto franchise. Call me crazy, but I believe an old Carthage College classmate published this article. The name of the site's journalist reminds me of a past Creative Writing, Asian History, and Japanese classmate of mine; Her name is VERY familiar.

Anime News Network: The Neverending Debate Over The End Of Naruto (2015)

Supposedly, Naruto and Hinata are really married to each other. Sasuke and Sakura are a couple as well. Honestly, I enjoyed the original series of Naruto much better than Naruto Shippuden, so far.

Naruto was a lot funner to watch, until the entire franchise became Sasuke Uchiha centric!

You know, as much as I really like the name Sasuke, I never liked the character, SASUKE Uchiha. Personally, I always favored his older brother, Itachi and was pissed that the Mangaka, Masashi Kishimoto, killed Itachi.

The last time I streamed the Japanese premieres of each episode, I was especially disgusted to learn that popular heroes and villains were killed in Naruto Shippuden. 2 of The Legendary Sanin were killed, which was ridiculous. 

So, we are supposed to believe that Sasuke Uchiha killed Lord Orochimaru and his older brother, Itachi Uchiha (a former double agent/rogue ninja)?

Technically, Sasuke did NOT  kill Itachi. Itachi literally fought him to death and sealed all his powers into Sasuke because he knew, that he was dying but Lord Orochimaru is another issue.

I NEVER understood Kishimoto's obsession with his character, Sasuke Uchiha upstaging his protagonist Naruto. The Sasuke Centricism ad nauseam started to repel other Naruto fans.

Even though Sasuke is a popular Naruto character, Lord Orochimaru, Itachi, Asuma, Jiraiya, etc, etc. were just as popular characters, if not MORE popular than Sasuke. 

Last year, an Adult Swim friend said that Masashi Kishimoto "blows Sasuke too hard." His comment was hilarious and very true. I believe most of us Naruto fans continue reading and/or watching the franchise because we all want to know, if Naruto Uzumaki EVER becomes Hokage. 

A number of us seriously do not care about Sasuke being the usual Emo brat that he has always been.

Luckily, Japan canceled Bleach. As much as I really enjoyed watching Bleach more so than the Naruto franchise, Bleach ran its course with us fans. 

In regards to this particular series, the following article is another article from Anime News Network.

Anime News Network: Whatever Happened To Bleach? (2015)

I cannot help agreeing with this journalist. Tite Kubo definitely should've ended Bleach once Ichigo Kurosaki defeated Sosuke Aizen. 

Instead, Kubo chose to spread out his Shonen Jump Action Anime and Manga like they were turkey meat with filler arcs rather than focusing on the main arcs.

Aside from the preceding Shonen and Seinen Action Anime, I thought it would be nice to revisit Blue Exorcist with some bloopers. 

Last year, I frequently mentioned this Shonen Jump Supernatural Action Anime. Blue Exorcist is about the protagonist, Rin Okumura being Satan's bastard son. 

Rin's foster father sacrificed his own life to protect Rin from the demons of Gehenna. Eventually, the protagonist studies to become an exorcist.

Today I found some Blue Exorcist Bloopers, which were shown at an Anime Expo Panel, 2 summers ago. The line about rolling papers had me cracking up.

Blue Exorcist Bloopers (2013)

Song Saturday: Type O Negative On Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, LURKERS!!! Like I have already said, I have been working really hard on my Adult Scare Music Playlist Thread on Adult Swim, since last weekend. I'm quite surprised at how far it has gotten. The thread is currently 6 pages long.

Right now, I am trying to get more posters to give me more feedback about what music genres and sub-genres with a Halloween or Horror theme they mostly want to hear. I plan on sharing more Metal but I want there to be a little something for everybody.

Since there is very little feedback, I will keep doing what I have been doing. It's really hard to know what Adult Swim posters want, when most will not respond.

More and more, I am starting to believe posters are more interested in seeing how far I "push the envelope" in regards to sharing uncensored music in [Adult Scare] on Adult Swim.

Speaking of music, Song Saturday fell on Halloween this year. How convenient, right? 

Last spring, I shared a Song Saturday blog featuring Type O Negative. It's only fitting to have more Type O Negative on Halloween.

Lately, I have been noticing that more people are treating Halloween like it's the new Christmas. 

Has anyone else noticed this besides me? 

In a way, I believe some people are celebrating it more than usual because so many stores, radio stations, and Christian zealots cram Christmas down everyone's throat.

Don't get me wrong. I am not somebody, who would turn down a Christmas present, but what's the big rush? 

Christmas is in December for most of us Christians yet the holiday upstages every holiday 2 months or so in advance.

Anyway, rather than complaining about the overkill of Christmas, I have 2 Halloween songs from Type O Negative for today's Song Saturday.

1) Type O Negative "Black No. 1" Bloody Kisses (1993)

2) Type O Negative "All Hallow's Eve" World Coming Down (1999)

[HALLOWEEN BONUS]

John Carpenter "Halloween Main Theme Title" Halloween Score (1979)

Cartoon Sunday: Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart (1954)

How's it going lurkers? Last Sunday, I mentioned giving you a double dose of Edgar Allan Poe, if you may recall.

In that last Cartoon Sunday blog, I briefly summarized his short story, "The Cask Of Amontillado." This was followed up with a 3-D animated version of Poe "narrating" it.

We have the classic 1954 animated adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" for today. The story's about deranged boarder, who SLAUGHTERED his landlord supposedly because he was possessed an "evil eye."

A "boarder" is someone, who pays to live and have meals daily at another person's house or at a school. 

In other words, a boarder is like a tenant, in case you are unfamiliar with the term.

The boarder (narrator) did not murder his landlord out of greed in "The Tell-Tale Heart." The narrator is psychotically OBSESSED with his landlord's so-called "evil eye" and begins rationalizing, that he is not.

In reality, the boarder is more deranged than he wants to accept. He is being haunted in his house by the heartbeats of the man he murdered over his (landlord's) eyes. The more I think about "The Tell-Tale Heart," it somewhat reminds me of Octavio Paz's "The Blue Bouquet."

You should read "The Blue Bouquet" by Octavio Paz, in case you haven't already. Rather than explaining every little detail, here is Columbia Picture's animated adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Edgar Allan Poe: "The Tell-Tale Heart" (1954)

Cartoon Sunday: Edgar Allan Poe's The Cask Of Amontillado [OMG! HE TALKS!]

How's it going lurkers? Before watching Parasyte- The Maxim, Michiko & Hatchin, and Naruto Shippuden earlier this morning, I spent most of last night searching for animated adaptations to Edgar Allan Poe's stories.

I don't know about anyone else, but Edgar Allan Poe helps me get into the spirit of Halloween. This especially applies to this very moment.  

After witnessing a few getting their just desserts, I am somewhat in a celebratory mood. Last week, a YouTube vlogger friend shared a quote on her wall by David Avocado Wolfe. According to Wolfe: 

"Revenge can be bittersweet, but if you sit back and watch, KARMA can be pure entertainment." 

The man wasn't lying in the slightest. As much as I LOVE swearing vengeance, I love whenever lowlife scumbags get their just desserts. 

This especially applies when they constantly ruin other people's LIVES and burn bridges with so many people. I would confront those scumbags, but I have decided to sit back and watch the bridges burn.

Speaking of Halloween, there won't be a Cartoon Sunday considering that Halloween falls on Saturday. Therefore, next Sunday will be THE END of sharing more Halloween themed Cartoon Sunday blogs.

These next 2 blogs, you will be getting a double dose of Edgar Allan Poe. When I say "double dose," I mean I am sharing a 3-D animation of "The Cask Of Amontillado." Next Sunday will be "The Tell-Tale Heart."

As I was saying earlier, I spent most of last night hunting for an animated version of "The Cask Of Amontillado." I really hoped to find an animated classic version of Poe's short story. However, there was no such like. I just managed to stumble upon a 3-D animation of Edgar Allan Poe. 

Obviously, somebody is voicing the dead author, while reading "The Cask Of Amontillado." Watching somebody voice the author in 3-D is creepy-looking in itself. It actually made my skin crawl a little.

It has been nearly 20 years, since I last read "The Cask Of Amontillado." In fact, it was a short story we had to read for English Class my high school freshman year. I mostly enjoyed Poe's "The Cask Of Amontillado" because it's a story about revenge.

Yes, my family, friends, and even a few subscribers on other sites will tell you, that I can be a very vengeful person.

Whenever something bad happens, guess who gets the fingerpoints?

Sometimes I will be minding my own business and I will still get blamed. It is highly convenient for others, including the real villian, who loves hiding behind innocent people to do his/her dirty work.

Not that I'm doing the dirty work, but there are other scumbags doing the dirty work for an 8-headed snake. Then, enters the bitch, Karma!

When it comes Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Cask Of Amontillado," Montresor swears his revenge on Fortunato. It's ironic that the villain's name is Fortunato.

He ends up in a very UNFORTUNATE position.

Fortunato has a history of purposely hurting the protagonist/1st person narrator, Montresor. Montresor purposely isolates him. 

This is in order to get Fortunato drunk enough to bury him ALIVE in the catacombs. Montresor's family has a history of swearing revenge on those, who have wronged them.

His family's motto is "Nemo me impune lacessit," which translates to "No one attacks me with impunity."

Rather than explaining the entire story myself, it is best to allow you all to watch this creepy 3-D animated video of Edgar Allan Poe. He'll tell you the story of "The Cask Of Amontillado" for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Edgar Allan Poe: "The Cask Of Amontillado" (Short Story Published In 1846)

Song Saturday: Arch Enemy Block

How's it going lurkers? So, last night, I browsed around and realized that I've NEVER published a Song Saturday blog for Arch Enemy! In the past, I've shared a few songs and music videos for Arch Enemy with both Angela Gossow and Alissa White-Gluz as the band's vocalists, but never an entire block. Well, better late than never, right?

Over the years, I sometimes thought about the fact that the Death Metal band was originally fronted by the Swedish frontman, Johan Liiva. 

By 2000, Arch Enemy replaced Johan with Angela Gossow. She retired in March 2014.

Last March, Angela retired from the Death Metal band as their frontwoman and "handpicked" The Agonist's Canadian vocalist, Alissa White-Gluz, as her replacement. Angela Gossow is now Arch Enemy's manager.

It feels somewhat strange, now that Angela has taken the backseat. This German frontwoman had released 7 albums and 3 EP's with this predominantly male Swedish Death Metal band. 

Now, Angela Gossow is the band's manager and Alissa is fronting Arch Enemy, years later. Whichever works I suppose.

Even though Arch Enemy has been through a total of 3 different vocalists from 3 different countries, I will always be more of a fan of Angela's. I cannot help being automatically biased.

Compared to Johan Liiva and Alissa White-Gluz, Angela Gossow has THE MOST  history and vocal experience with Arch Enemy. Angela also continues to play a major role with the band, considering that she is now their manager.

With that being said, I have chosen 8 songs from Arch Enemy. Half of these songs consist of Angela Gossow doing the vocals. Johan Liiva and Alissa White-Gluz are both acknowledged for today's Song Saturday, as well.

1) Arch Enemy [Vocalist Johan Liiva] "Diva Satanica" Stigmata (1998)

2) Arch Enemy [Vocalist Angela Gossow] "Enemy Within" Wages Of Sin (2001)

3) Arch Enemy [Vocalist Angela Gossow] "Dead Bury Their Dead" Wages Of Sin (2001)

4) Arch Enemy [Vocalist Angela Gossow] "I Am Legend/Out For Blood" Doomsday Machine (2005)

5) Arch Enemy [Vocalist Angela Gossow] "Skeleton Dance" Doomsday Machine (2005)

6) Arch Enemy [Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz] "You Will KNow My Name" War Eternal (2014)

7) Arch Enemy [Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz "As The Pages Burn" War Eternal (2014)

8) Arch Enemy [Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz] "Stolen Life" War Eternal (2014)

Song Saturday: Gravediggaz & N.G.N. From Tales From The Hood

How's it going lurkers? I updated my previously published blog on Thursday night about the pioneers of Horrorcore Rap that was published last year.

In addition to the preceding blog, today's Song Saturday consists of Horrorcore rappers that were featured on the Tales From The Hood Soundtrack. 

It has been 20 years, since the time of the movie's release. Tales From The Hood is the equivalent of Tales From The Crypt except it's about lowlife criminals in the ghetto.

The Tales From The Crypt movie is in homage to the Tales From The Crypt Horror anthologies from the 1940's and 1950's.  

Meanwhile, Tales From The Hood is about 3 drug dealers from South Central LA, who are called to collect a stash of drugs from a funeral parlor.

The creepy funeral director, Mr. Simms greets the 3 thugs and shares 4 "moralistic tales of terror" about recently killed people in his parlor. 

Every moralistic tale the funeral director shares with them, the more terrifying the tales become.

Tales From The Hood really wasn't a Horror movie. It's more of a Horror Comedy about drug dealers from the ghetto. Personally, I didn't have a problem with the movie and appreciated it for its ghetto twist on Horror.

When people really think about it, real life incidents are always MUCH MORE appalling than what is shown in a Horror movie.

I believe that watching the Slasher Horror sub-genre is scarier than the cliche vampires, zombies, werewolves, etc. because serial killers actually DO exist. 

Turn on local, national, and/or world news and you will hear about a sociopath or a serial killer being on the loose and in a town near you.

Aside from the movie Tales From The Hood, I have 2 songs from its soundtrack. Both songs are by Horrorcore rappers. It's only fitting to have Horrorcore Rap on a Horror Comedy soundtrack about ghetto drug dealers. Don't you think?

If you ever have the opportunity and feel like watching something a little different, you should watch Tales From The Hood. So with that being said, here's another song by Gravediggaz and a song by N.G.N. featuring Killa for today's Song Saturday.

1) Gravediggaz "From The Dark Side" Tales From The Hood Soundtrack (1995)

2) N.G.N. [Featuring Killa] "The Grave" Tales From The Hood Soundtrack (1995)

Song Saturday: Thrill Kill Kult's Sexy Sucker (Juicy Mix)

How's it going lurkers? I seem to be experiencing a bit of deja vu. You may recall that I published a Song Saturday blog last year, featuring music from the Industrial Disco band, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult.

Earlier, I did a blog search on the band and noticed something interesting. If you look at the date of that previously published blog, I published it on September 13, 2014. Wow!

Today's Song Saturday blog is another blog about My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult except today is September 12, 2015. Uncanny, isn't it? I think so.

Today I was also finally able to locate another remix of the band's song, "Sexy Sucker." It's the "Juicy Mix."

I have always enjoyed listening to "The Juicy Mix" version off  The Thrill Kill Kult's 1997 album, A Crime For All Seasons. The title of their remix is slightly different.

Rather than being called "Sexy Sucker (The Juicy Mix)," it is called "Sexy Sucker (Suck It Mix)."

My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult reissued their 1997 album, A Crime For All Seasons in 2000. The band's 1997 reissue included a remixed version of "Sexy Sucker" and it was "The Juicy Mix."

"The Juicy Mix" is by far the best remix of the "Sexy Sucker" single, which also happens to be my favorite. Anyway, let's revisit My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult 1 year later for this Song Saturday.

Thrill Kill Kult "Sexy Sucker [Juicy Mix]" A Crime For All Seasons (2000)

So Long, Wes Craven!

 RIP Wes Craven

How's it going lurkers? I know I am late publishing this blog, but I just wanted to say a little something. On Sunday night, I mostly spent time watching the 2015 MTV VMA's.

After watching the VMA's, I learned that Wes Craven died from Brain Cancer. He just turned 76 years old on August 2nd. An old college friend shared the news on my wall on Sunday night.

The Verge: Horror Movie Legend Wes Craven Dies At 76

This is such TRAGIC news for his family, friends, and Horror fans. Without Wes Craven, Johnny Depp probably would NOT  have landed his big break in A Nightmare On Elm Street and be a famous actor 31 years later.

Earlier this morning, I updated a Halloween blog, which I had published last year. I shared the documentary, SCREAM: The Inside Story.

In memory of  Wes Craven, let's revisit last Halloween's blog about the documentary, SCREAM: The Inside Story.

SCREAM: The Inside Story (2014)

Cartoon Sunday: Tokyo Ghoul Trailer

How's it going lurkers? These last several weeks, I have mentioned Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday block. 

Throughout last week, I searched for an official confirmation of whether or not Chiller TV canceled Anime Wednesday. 

I went as far as messaging the network. Chiller TV never responded back on Stalkbook. Facebook. 

While conducting Google searches, I only saw people on Chiller TV's social media accounts, YouTube, Anime News Network, Adult Swim, and other forums and social media sites claiming, that Chiller TV canceled Anime Wednesday. I also stumbled upon my very own Cartoon Sunday blog from last week.

Type into Google "Is Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday Canceled?" and scroll down the page. In case you missed the link to my blog on Google, the link is below.

Cartoon Sunday: Black Blood Brothers (2015)

As I was saying, there is no actual confirmation directly from Chiller TV. I read on another blogger's page, that Anime Wednesday tanked in the ratings. 

Supposedly, Anime Wednesday had ZERO ratings. I have always hated The Nielsen Ratings.

The Nielsen Ratings System is extremely inaccurate. Every TV viewer doesn't sit around documenting every little show we watch. I have never done The Nielsen Ratings because it's rigged and very biased.

Contrary to Chiller TV's so-called "zero" ratings, those of us Horror and Anime fans with Direct TV and Dish Network watched Anime Wednesday. There are several reasons why Anime Wednesday tanked.

Why Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday Tanked In Viewership:

1) Extremely niche- Only Direct TV and Dish Network have Chiller TV. It's not on Time Warner or any other provider. This is mostly what hurt Anime Wednesday's viewership.

2) Terrible advertising- I had no idea that Chiller TV started airing Anime again, until I just happened to be channel surfing the same night Anime Wednesday premiered. The block barely got any on and offline announcements.

3) Terrible scheduling- Anime on late Wednesday nights was already a bad idea. Had the block aired, during the early evening/primetime slot, Anime Wednesday would've gotten more viewers. Honestly, if Chiller TV would've premiered Anime on Fridays, during more reasonable hours, that could've improved its viewership. It most definitely could've rivaled Adult Swim's Toonami block.

4) Integrity- Much like NBC, Syfy, and Chiller TV's other sister stations, it lacks integrity. A nice chunk of Chiller's programming is a hub for Syfy's failbag shows. Before Chiller TV premiered ITS version of the Ani-Monday block years ago, I sometimes watched the channel for the late '80s Horror Anthology miniseries Freddy's Nightmares. 

Just when Chiller's Anime Wednesday block had a chance, the network POSSIBLY yanked the block.

5) Ignorant & Extremely Immature Horror Fans- On Chiller TV's Facebook page, I saw some middle school brats throwing their tantrums about a cheesy and highly censored PG-13 rated Horror channel airing "Japanese cartoons." I'm willing to bet that 1 particular brat was the same bratty, pompous ass, YouTube vlogger, who degraded and mocked Anime fans.

There is a wannabe hoodrat YouTube vlogger, who believes he is superior to Anime fans. Apparently, he's better than Anime fans because he's not (insert homophobic slurs), a "virgin," or an Anime fan since he has a sex life. HA! Yeah, right? 

Over compensate much? Hmm... Sounds like a 7th grade Incel trying to act cool to me!

Oh, how I love when bratty middle schoolers who still watch The Nickelodeon Channel condescend to viewers about Horror Anime on a PG-13 rated Horror Channel. What a joke!

I would've shared his vlog but I refuse to have my IQ drop even more, after listening to that over compensating, wannabe hoodrat failing at trying to sound "intelligent." Besides, he does not need anymore viewership. The poser needs to crack open a book and get a real education. Then, he can better articulate himself in his YouTube vlogs.

Generally speaking, Chiller TV doesn't know how to communicate with its Horror and Anime fans. This really doesn't help anyone. 

If the network wants to maintain its current viewers, having integrity, organization, better advertising, and showing consistency with its schedule would immensely help everyone.

Chiller TV needs all the help it can get because it is highly unwatchable for the most part. I get the impression that most of NBC Universal's networks are being run by a bunch of flakes, that ride on The Hot Mess Expresss Train.

It sounds a bit harsh to say, but I can't help it. Chiller TV really has potential for both Horror and Anime fans. Although, the people in charge of it obviously have no idea of how to run it, which is highly visible to its viewers.

Well, at least Chiller TV aired Funimation Entertainment's trailer for the Seinen Horror Action Anime, Tokyo Ghoul. I have heard about Tokyo Ghoul at least several times. Eventually, I will have a chance to watch it.

I still have yet to watch the entire series, Tokyo Majin (no relation to Tokyo Ghoul). It doesn't seem like Chiller TV will be resuming to Anime Wednesday anytime soon. Therefore, it is better to watch both Tokyo Majin and Tokyo Ghoul independently.

According to Anime News Network, Tokyo Ghoul is about a college student named Ken Kaneki. 

The protagonist meets a girl his age, named Rize at a cafe, who he frequents and quickly bonds with her. Ken Kaneki doesn't know, that Rize is a ghoul. 

Hunting and devouring human flesh is how Rize survives. 

After The Red Child (Rize's special organ) is transplanted into Kaneki's body, he becomes a ghoul and is trapped in a warped world where humans are not at the top of the food chain. Anyway, here is the trailer for Tokyo Ghoul for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Tokyo Ghoul Trailer (2015)

Cartoon Sunday: Black Blood Brothers

How's it going lurkers? It was already stated in yesterday's blog, that Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday block is triggering LOTS of controversy over these last few weeks online. 

Some Adult Swim posters have been complaining about Anime Wednesday. In fact, last week, someone from the Toonami sub-forum had a massive spazz attack. 

The rabid fangirl went as far as to assume, that Anime Wednesday has been canceled.

Just because Chiller TV didn't air the block last week, doesn't necessarily mean that it has been canceled.

Then again, I really should NOT expect much from the Shonen Jump Action Anime crybabies. 

This sounds like I'm being patronizing, however, I have interacted with YouTube vloggers over the last 3 years and have SEEN the way Toonami sycophants and zealots react towards other fans, who don't share their views. 

The Toonami fandom is extremely divided about the current programming, which is why those same vloggers stopped doing YouTube vlogs about Toonami.

The tards are extremely fixated on cartoon ratings and their childhood nostalgia. They believe it is a requirement to listen to Steven Jay Blum voice a talking CGI robot, in order to enjoy watching their favorite Anime.

TOM Gives His Patronizing "Life Advice" To His ADULT Toonami Viewers (2012)

Before Adult Swim rebranded its Anime programming as "Toonami," there was more diversity in the Anime genres and sub-genres being aired. Toonami is an Action block, which limits what can now be aired on the network.

As I was saying, the Toonami  Tards, that can get Chiller TV on their Dish Network and Direct TV packages are flipping their shit because Anime Wednesday wasn't aired, last week. 

I had to remind the biggest spazz from Adult Swim's Toonami sub-forum, that Syfy and Chiller TV's programming were always inconsistent. 

Both networks love changing their schedules on a whim. Therefore, viewers shouldn't automatically assume, that Anime Wednesday is canceled. I have not read anything online about the block being canceled yet the Toonami zealots are jumping to conclusions as usual. 

I also reminded Anime fans that even if Chiller TV did cancel Anime Wednesday, it's not the end of the world. We are NOT  living in the 1980's and early '90s, when Japanese animation was scarce.

We live in the 21st Century. We have the Internet and have more access to Anime than ever both legally and illegally. Not that I'm condoning illegal downloads and streams, but you get the point. Where there's porn online, there's Anime.

Watching Anime on TV is the most convenient for us all.

Meanwhile, I went back to Chiller TV's fan page on Stalk Facebook. Some Horror fans threw temper tantrums about Anime being aired on the network. Some Horror fans dislike the fact, that a PG-13-rated Horror network is airing "Japanese cartoons," again. This makes me roll my eyes and laugh.

When Chiller TV originally launched in 2007, I mostly watched it for Ani-Monday. As much as I enjoy Horror, Chiller TV's programming is censored. It mostly airs the worst movies and shows just like its sister station, Syfy. Chiller TV should be a premium channel like Encore and Starz, for examples. I will watch Horror movies on premium channels, before Chiller TV most of the time.

Anime and Horror are 2 of the most demonized forms of entertainment. 

Since I have always been an Anime and a Horror fan, I will tell you that BOTH fandoms are viewed as outcasts and have been treated as outcasts because we are usually negatively depicted by the media as being deranged serial killers and heavily medicated mental patients. 

Horror and Anime can both go hand in hand with each other, when it comes to content. I believe that Chiller TV is more willing to attract both Horror and Anime fans at once time, right now. The network has the ability to bridge the gap by uniting both Anime and Horror fans.

Chiller TV is also exposing Horror fans, who are unfamiliar with Anime to Japanese Animated Horror. Honestly, I commend them for putting Horror Anime back on the lineup. It would be fantastic to see the average Horror fan embrace some Japanese animation. 

Shonen Jump Action Anime is marketed the most to the Western audience. There are numerous Anime genres and sub-genres than Action meant to attract teenage boys. 

Most average people don't know more about Japanese animation unless they are exposed to Anime and have knowledge about Japanese culture and entertainment.

When it comes to Japanese animation, there's a little bit of something for all age groups, genders, sexual orientations, sub-cultures, etc.

Since this is another blog about Horror Anime, it's only fitting to share another Horror Anime from Chiller TV's current Anime Wednesday block. Today, I have Black Blood Brothers for Cartoon Sunday.

Black Blood Brothers is more of a Supernatural Action Dramedy. In order to give a better understanding, the Red Bloods are humans. 

Meanwhile, there are at least 3 elite vampire clans.

3 Elite Vampire Clans:

1) Old Blood- Vampires that have lived at least 100 + years. Their abilities are much greater than the average vampire.

2) Black Blood- Jiro and Kotaro are 2 examples. They have superhuman strength, can turn humans into vampires, survive wounds that would normally kill humans and don't age. Technically, Jiro is an Old Blood, that can survive being impaled by silver. Most vampires are vulnerable to silver. Although, Jiro can't handle sunlight or exposure to water.

3) Kowloon Children- Their lineage was founded by the 9 Dragon Kings and they are hated by other vampires. The Kowloons only need to suck the blood of humans and other vampires. Whenever they attack both humans and vampires, their bloodline is spread. 

Humans and other vampires can also be turned into Kowloons by drinking their blood. Then, Kowloon victims will fall under their control, which starts a chain of other vampires.

Now that you have learned about the 3 main vampire clans, here is Black Blood Brothers.

Black Blood Brothers Episode 1 "Black Blood Brothers"[English Dub] (2006)

Cartoon Sunday: Tokyo Majin

How's it going lurkers? I meant to share this 2 weeks ago but as usual, a lot has been happening both on and offline. Once our Dish Network boxes and satellite dish were upgraded, I discovered that Chiller TV began re-airing Horror and Supernatural Action Anime.

If you have either Direct TV, or Dish Network as your provider, Chiller TV now has the Anime Wednesday block. The network is premiering English Dubbed Anime from Funimation Entertainment.  

Anime News Network and Chiller TV both published their articles about the schedule.

Anime News Network: U.S. TV Channel Chiller Runs Anime Block On Wednesdays

Out of Chiller TV's current Anime Wednesday block, I watched Black Blood Brothers, Devil May Cry, and Is This A Zombie? online years ago. However, Tokyo Majin was an Anime I never had the chance to watch, until recently.

Over the last 2 years on Xanga 1.0 and It's Not All Gumdrops & Unicorns, I mentioned that Adult Swim should have acquired Devil May Cry. It appears that Chiller TV beat Adult Swim to the punch. The network's Anime Wednesday block appears to be a hot topic on Adult Swim.

Some Adult Swim posters are currently insulting Chiller TV's block. Their criticism is somewhat necessary. I have to agree with some posters. 

Because Devil May Cry is the most popular Anime out of the 4, it SHOULD be the opening Anime Wednesday series. At the same time, I'm somewhat annoyed with them complaining about Black Blood Brothers and Is This A Zombie? being aired. 

Granted, Is This A Zombie? is more of a Supernatural Comedy, but at least Chiller TV is trying to expose Horror fans to other Anime genres and sub-genres. 

Most people lack knowledge about Anime. There is much more to Japanese animation than Shonen Jump Action Anime. Everybody doesn't know about Anime except for most casual Cartoon Network and Adult Swim viewers from over the last 10-20 years. However, Anime Otakus know more than casual viewers hands down.

Anime existed before, during, and after Cartoon Network, Toonami, and Adult Swim were launched. Younger Gen Xers and older Millennials were watching Anime long before the existence of most of today's cable and satellite networks.

I cannot help feeling annoyed, whenever I have to deal with Anime fans, who consider Cartoon Network's Toonami and Adult Swim to be their so-called "Gateway To Anime."  

Younger Millennial and Gen Z viewers act as if Cartoon Network and Adult Swim are their Bibles and believe they know everything about Japanese animation.

Yes, the Toonami block on Cartoon Network helped "pave the way" for most American Anime viewers years ago. At the same time, those same viewers were only exposed to Action Anime. There is more to Anime than Action yet Action Anime is supposedly what sells better to the male American Anime demographics.

Within the last decade, younger Anime fans had and still have access to more Anime genres and sub-genres streaming online than us older Anime fans ever had growing up.

During the '80s and '90s, us 30 and 40-something-year-olds rented and bought Anime from local video stores like Blockbuster Video. Otherwise, we shopped at Japanese stores that sold imported products or got bootleg versions of Anime.

I hate sounding like an old lady, but today's younger generations have it made.

Since today's blog is mostly about Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday block and because everyone does NOT  have Chiller TV, it is only fair to share at least 1 of its shows. Here is Tokyo Majin for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Tokyo Majin Episode 1: "Moment Of The Demonic Encounter" English Dub (2007)