The Blackthorne Chronicles

Amidst tangled vines and spiny black thorns, there lays the magnificently gloomy edifice surrounded in a miasma, suddenly enervated with a flash from the storm. Dare you pass through the gates into the recesses of this demented dimension...?

The first spectacle one considers is the amazing cover art, an asylum still echoing ethereal shrieks in the still haunted air, whereupon entering the atmosphere, one is transported into a world of shadowy phantoms who lurk in the darkness of the sanitarium's corridors.

Nox Arcana are the musical wardens of this institution, guiding one via one Dr. Neville Aldritch, who unfurls his nefarious experiments upon the unfortunate residents; veritable so-called 'freaks' and undesirables of society, although each with their own fascinating complications. Cronologuing his progress in journals bedecked with strange occult diagrams, Blackthorn Asylum does carry many secrets... can you decipher their meanings? What you thought could not possibly be begins to reveal itself before your terrified eyes. Take care if you learn too much - for the closer you get to solving the riddles, the closer you reach the threshold of madness...

The experiments begin as dusk settles... the results of sometimes morbid work to reach a new plateau of technology, where sometimes certain "sacrifices" must be made for the evolution of science.

Based upon Lovecraftian idealizations, with a strong From Beyond influence, Blackthorn Asylum also calls to mind the characters of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, and even Dr. Moreau.

Along with the always gracefully aphotic, in keeping with the theme, some of the orchestrations in this opus appropriately tend towards the more atonal at times, pressed with a sense of desperation and urgency.

Also with the splendid introductory and concluding narrations {some of Aldritch's recorded notations} perceived as if from a phonograph, also notable is a segue-way track entitled "Shock Treatment" from the introductory atmospheric impressions, entirely comprised of the sounds of said activity, in a combination of deep pulsations ebbulating electrical currents amidst screams from the patient.

The richly ornate booklet contains stimulating puzzles, clues, and cryptographs depicting arcane theorems such as phrenology, procedures, treatments, and certain historical tools of the trade, manifested in Vargo's distinctive dark art.

Blackthorn Asylum manages to convey an entropically dramatic musical and visual presentation of 'chaos contained', sometimes blurring the lines in the listener's mind. ∞

2-a de jul 2009 @ 11:49

30-a de jun 2009 @ 04:19

Make your pact... and prepare yourself for a psychodramatic journey...

"The infamous writings of Warlock Draconis Blackthorne collected in this tome from several sources including Noctuary & The Devil's Diary magazines, The Blackthorne Chronicles, The Shadowmantium, & various Satanic publications in both print and web.

The 2nd edition is an expanded diabolical compendium segregated into several sections, filled with misanthropy, social commentary, dark observations, Satanic philosophy, polemic, & blasphemous counter-culture thought by the pen used as a literary sword."

* Paperback 383 pages, 8.5" x 11", perfect binding.
* Hard Cover 383 pages, 8.25" x 10.75", casewrap-hardcover binding.

COMING SOON

* Dracomeroth {Opvs Satani}: Greater & Lesser Magic, Philosophy. 2nd Edition.
* Satanic Serenades {Black Heart Poetry}.
* Malefick Media 2nd edition. {Multimedia reviews from a Satanic perspective}.

28-a de jun 2009 @ 13:30

25-a de jun 2009 @ 06:18

23-a de jun 2009 @ 09:12

21-a de jun 2009 @ 06:30

Church of Satan News: Seasonal Greetings, literature, and musical events!

21-a de jun 2009 @ 06:03

21-a de jun 2009 @ 05:25

19-a de jun 2009 @ 20:52

The Eccentric Spotlight: Axel Erlandson, Creator of The Tree Circus.

After a trip to The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, CA {which is essentially a 'gravity hill' featuring tilted buildings and various optical illusions}, his daughter mentioned that people would actually pay to see the results of his tree sculpting skills, which he developed in Minnesota as a farmer, for the amusement of friends and family.

This is a process called Arborsculpture, involving the ornamental pruning, grafting, bending and binding trees to assume a desired shape without the slightest bit of harm, which may be more familiar with Bonsai trees. Erlandson applied his techniques first to sycamores, then eventually several genera of trees such as birch, and others.

Settling in Scotts Valley, CA, he began exercising his imagination by modifying trees {with various designs, eventually submitting two photos to Ripley's Believe It Or Not, where they appeared 12 times. Of particular interest was the Knot tree which was indeed configured into a perfect knot, now named the Ripley's Knot Tree, along with several other creations, including the "Basket Tree", "Cube Tree", Diamond Tree", "Valentine Tree", "Ladder Tree", "Four-Legged Giant", and "Telephone Booth Tree", among many others. He even fashioned a veritable throne comprised of trees, and benches for visitors.

He eventually opened 'The Tree Circus' which became a tourist attraction after also having appeared in Life Magazine. Framing the entrance itself is a "Two Leg Tree", forming a perfect entryway.

The Tree Circus was eventually sold to a couple of afficionados who added dinosaurs to the menagerie affixing The Lost World to the attraction, then resold to a commercial business, but under an eventual threat of being bulldozed, was preserved and transplanted. His tree creations still exist today and are on display at theme park Gilroy Gardens in Gilroy, CA. ∞

Related Sources
* Arborsmith Studios.
* Photo Gallery.

19-a de jun 2009 @ 03:38

* Carnivorous plants. Dionaea muscipula, Heliamphora chimantensis, Darlingtonia californica, Brocchinia reducta, Pinguicula gigantea, Drosera capensis, Utricularia vulgaris, Genlisea violacea, Roridula gorgonias, Archaeamphora longicervia, Catopsis berteroniana, Triphyophyllum peltatum, Stylidium turbinatum, Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Byblis liniflora, Cephalotus follicularis. Amorphophallus Titanum {'corpse plant'; not carnivorous, but releases a rotting flesh scent to attract dung beetles for pollination. Currently blooming at The Huntington Library}. ∞

17-a de jun 2009 @ 20:53

While traveling the other day, I spotted one of those ridiculous little so-called "smart cars" on the road, which quite honestly inspires laughter upon observation.

On the other hand, this idea is not a new one. Economy vehicles became just about a necessity during the WW2 years, with the idea of conserving fuel, money, and materials. These were known as Austin Bantam cars, which essentially appear like charming mini etzels, but with a Hell of a lot more class than these other 'new' ugly clown cars pushed recently.

These have also been used in several films including those of Laurel & Hardy, The Little Rascals, and W.C. Fields presentations. At one point, they became Hollywood de-regeur, with Al Jolson being the first to purchase one as soon as they were made available, Judy Garland {appearance within one in Babes In Arms}, and Walt Disney immediately snapped one up for Mickey Mouse's debut in Disneyland.

Now it is time for some enterprising manufacturer to apply the "retro" style merged with the modern technology and safety features. So if the proposed preference must be an 'economy car', at least make it something interesting to look at, instead of that other eye sore! ∞

17-a de jun 2009 @ 03:35

16-a de jun 2009 @ 05:17

13-a de jun 2009 @ 00:00

Directed by Kurt Neumann. Written by George Langelaan & James Clavell. Starring David Hedison {Andre Delambre; as Al Hedison}, Patricia Owens {Helene Delambre}, Vincent Price {François Delambre}, Herbert Marshall {Insp. Charas}.

11-a de jun 2009 @ 03:44