Phantasm is a cult horror movie every genre fan should be familiar with. Despite its excellent reputation, this movie and franchise are still somewhat underestimated if compared to the Halloween franchise for example. If compared to other horror movies of yore, Phantasm has aged surprisingly well and still sends shivers down your spine nearly four decades after its initial release.

One key element for the film's success is its twisted, mysterious and creative story that isn't always easy to follow because it isn't obvious what's dream, imagination and reality. The movie revolves around mysterious events happening around Morningside Cemetery in an American small town. After the mysterious death of a young man and the awkward behaviour of the grim undertaker known as the Tall Man, curious teenager Mike and his older brother Jody who have recently lost their parents in a tragic accident start investigating the strange morgue. They soon realize that they are opposed to villains with malevolent intentions and supernatural abilities and must risk their lives in order to save their town.

Another element that makes Phantasm stand out is that the low budget production relies on amateur actors and actresses who really behave like boys and girls next door without any pretense. Some of the dialogues might lack wit but one can easily identify with the grounded characters and root for them. It's obvious that everyone involved in this project poured their hearts and souls into this film.

The movie comes along with a creepy, ominous and psychedelic atmosphere that goes beyond some efficient jump scares. The mysterious antagonist is particularly memorable and quite scary because his true intentions remain mysterious. Angus Scrimm's acting performance is intense and inspired by iconic early American horror actors such as Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Vincent Price. The creepy settings including the dark cemetery and the mysterious morgue look very intriguing. The otherworldly sequence in the final third drifts into the realm of science-fiction and adds yet another twist to the tale. The few special effects might look slightly dated today but look surprisingly well for such a low budget production. The scenes with the mysterious finger are still very efficient by today's standards. These effects aren't overused but rather employed with care in small but efficient doses. The ominous soundtrack blends in perfectly and is one of the best horror movie scores ever written.

With a length of one and a half hours, Phantasm doesn't overstay its welcome and is entertaining from start to finish. If you care for horror cinema with a mysterious touch, Phantasm is a must-see as it represents one of the very best examples of this genre. The remastered edition looks sharp but hasn't lost the amateurish charm of the original film. Enjoy this creepy trip down memory lane and give this movie the credit it deserves. I prefer this movie over the popular Friday the 13th, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street franchises anytime.

''Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?'' (lyrics from ''Sermon'')

This is the first of a series of reviews revisiting influential records of the past that walk off the beaten path. I rediscovered Drowning Pool's Sinner when I recently found the album in a used record store for twenty-five cents and was ultimately able to purchase it for free with two other albums. Obviously, this nu metal milestone that was recently reissued as Unlucky 13th anniversary deluxe edition is worth far more than the fee I ended up paying for it. Read on to get to know more.

Nu metal is a genre that has shaped rock and metal music in the beginning of the new millennium just like industriual metal in the mid-nineties, groove metal in the early nineties and extreme metal in the late eighties. These genres weren't immediately accepted and discussed quite controversially but they brought some fresh inspiration to a more and more diversified genre. Today's successors in spirit are Japanese kawaii metal bands with its combination of idol pop music, eclectic commercial music and melodic metal influences. Nu metal featured simple yet syncopated guitar riffs, a syteady rhythm section, aggressive vocals performing emotional lyrics and usually short and aggressive songs flirting at times with unusual genres like funk, grunge and hip hop.

Drowning Pool was one of the first and important bands of this genre along with KoRn, Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park. The band's debut release Sinner was a huge success more than seventeen years ago and convinced with concise songwriting, brutal instrumentation and emotional lyrics. Several songs were fittingly used by World Wrestling Entertainment while others were used in the Dragon Ball Z series and the popular The Scorpion King movie.

Despite being unexpectedly successful, Drowning Pool's Sinner is also related to the band's greatest tragedy from which it never truly recovered and which explains why Drowning Pool hasn't become as popular as KoRn, Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park in the long run. Charismatic singer Dave Williams who performs angry shouts, unchained screams, uplifting melodic lines, mantra-like chants and even uses lower register vocals died of cardiomyopathy while touring with his band in support of this breakthrough record.

Sinner is his testament to the world and it's an diversified, emotive, entertaining, passionate and powerful heritage. The short and concise opener ''Sinner'' comes around with memorable chorus, inspired lyrics and powerful riffs in less than two and a half minutes. The sinister yet energetic ''Bodies'' about the brotherhood of the moshpit is still one of the most popular nu metal songs ever released. The greatest song on this record might be the melancholic ''Tear Away'' with its discordant industrial riffs cointrasted by passionately melodic vocals. These are only the first three songs of the record but instead of getting weaker, Drowning Pool's Sinner convinces from start to finish with ten clever songs and a concise running time of thorty-seven and a half minutes.

This consistent nu metal milestone hasn't lost any of its creativity, emotions and energy. It has stood the test of time and can be remembered as a monument of the nu metal genre in a time when this type of music has become less important. Revisiting this record is a violent fun ride and emotional trip down memory lane. Crank up the volume and enjoy it to the fullest.

Seventeen years ago, Stratovarius released Intermission, a compilation consisting of new and rare material, to celebrate its seventeen years of existence. Now the time has come to celebrate another seventeen years with Enigma: Intermission II. Just like the first release, this one features brand new songs, rare bonus tracks from the previous four regular studio albums and an experimental section with orchestral versions of four songs.

Opener and new track ''Enigma'' is a potent and powerful song that would have been a highlight on the average previous studio album Eternal. There are also a few pearls among the rare tracks. The atmospheric ''Second Sight'' would have been a highlight on the disappointing Polaris record. ''Giants'' is an epic power metal anthem with intellect and emotion. ''Old Man and the Sea'' is a simple and smooth ballad that unfolds its warm atmosphere after several spins and sounds like no other song the band has ever released. The rearranged orchestral songs focus on classical instruments and soothing vocals, giving vivid tracks like ''Unbreakable'' and ''Shine in the Dark'' a completely different identity, showcasing the band's large set of inspirations and its open mind to walk off the beaten path.

Obviously, such a compilation is lacking the coherency, fluency and quality of most regular studio records. A few of the rare tracks are average at best as they fail to leave a deeper impression. The overlooked instrumental ''Endless Forest'' with its simple yet atmospheric approach reminding me of video game music of the nineties which was included on the Japanese version of Eternal sadly didn't make it onto this compilation.

Still, Stratovarius fans should pick this diversified release up and will get sixteen mostly good songs with a generous running time of seventy-five minutes. In addition to the songs, the record convinces with yet another gorgeous cover artwork and a detailed booklet. Fans of European power metal with some creative twists here and there should wait and pick this release up for a reduced price.

Final rating: 75%

Ladies and gentlemen,

After having visited all provinces of Eastern Canada, I would like to introduce you to the ranking of my favourite and least favourite cities in this wonderful country that is Canada. You can find more information about my visits to these places on my blog and on Google Maps.

The most beautiful cities in Eastern Canada

1. Halifax, Nova Scotia

2. Saint John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

3. Quebec, Quebec

4. Ottawa, Ontario

5. Les Escoumins, Quebec

6. Kingston, Ontario

7. Toronto, Ontario

8. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

9. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

10. Saint John, New Brunswick

 

The least beautiful cities in Eastern Canada

1. Saint-Bruno, Quebec

2. Saint-Prime, Quebec

3. Cornwall, Ontario

4. Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador

5. Moncton, New Brunswick

Ladies and gentlemen!

It's this time of the year again! Please let me introduce you to my favourite movies and music of 2018.

 

Greatest records released in 2018:

1. Grimskunk - Unreason in the Age of Madness

2. Voivod - The Wake

3. Amorphis - Queen of Time

4. Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs

5. Leviathan - Can't Be Seen by Looking: Blurring the Lines, Clouding the Truth

6. Bloody Tyrant - Hagakure

7. Ice Nine Kills - The Silver Scream

8. White Wizzard - Infernal Overdrive

9. Therion - Beloved Antichrist

10. Barren Earth - A Complex of Cages

11. Judas Priest - Firepower

12. Vallendusk - Fortress of Primal Grace

13. Omnium Gatherum - The Burning Cold

14. Black Label Society - Grimmest Hits

15. Loudness - Rise to Glory -8118-

16. Crematory - Oblivion

17. Skinflint - Skinflint

18. Leaves' Eyes - Sign of the Dragonhead

19. Grave Digger - The Living Dead

20. Bleeding Gods - Dodekathlon

 

Greatest extended play (EP): Nine Inch Nails - Bad Witch

 

Greatest compilation: Amorphis - Legacy of Time

 

Greatest live album: Ayreon - Ayreon Universe: Best of Ayreon: Live

 

Rediscovered gem of the year: Drowning Pool - Sinner (2001)

 

Greatest songs of the year:

1. Grimskunk - Dead Before You Start

2. Amorphis - The Golden Elk

3. Voivod - Sonic Mycelium

4. Loudness - I'm Still Alive

5. Crematory - Immortal

6. Skinflint - Tokoloshe

7. Stryper - Sorry

8. Éric Lapointe - La nuit

9. B.A.R.F. & Mononc' Serge - Fade Out

10. Judas Priest - Spectre 

11. The Foreshadowing - Paranoid Boyd

12. Dimmu Borgir - Interdimensional Summit

13. Beyond the Black - For the Godless

14. Anvil - Nanook of the North

15. Augury - Anchorite

16. Chthonic & Denise Ho - Millennia's Faith Undone

17. Ragoût - Pain de viande

18. Les Trois Accords - Corinne

19. Sigh - Homo Homini Lupus

20. Babymetal - Distortion

 

Greatest music video of the year: Alien Weaponry - Kai Tangata

 

Greatest movies of the year:

1. Champion

2. A or B

3. Tomb Raider

4. Bad Times at the El Royale

5. Big Brother

6. Peppermint

7. The Nun

8. Ready Player One

9. Criminal Squad

10. Mandy

11. Isle of Dogs

12. A Simple Favor

13. Mission: Impossible - Fallout

14. Maze Runner: The Death Cure

15. Unsane

16. The Commuter

17. The Island

18. Europe Raiders

19. How Long Will I Love U

20. Golden Job

 

Best television movie: Im Wald

 

Best television series: The Terror