The song Billions Of Suns is from their new album Afterworld. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In music news today, if you are into death metal, Carcariass recently released a new lyric video from their latest studio album.
This month, French melodic death proggers Carcariass unveiled a brand new lyric video for Billions Of Suns, the third single from their sixth studio album Afterworld, out now. Afterworld is available for purchase via Bandcamp. (Ebony Jeanette, 2023)
“Billions Of Suns evokes a gigantic Intergalactic Empire and its Inquisition, which ensures that the immutable word of the Emperor-God is respected to the very ends of the universe and exterminates all opposition!” – Carcariass
Released in March, Afterworld was recorded and mixed by “Drop” (Samael guitarist) at Downtone Studio in Switzerland. Jens Bogren (Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, Sepultura, At The Gates) mastered the album at Fascination Street Studio in Sweden and produced by GSI Records.
For another taste of Afterworld, check out the first two album singles, No Aftermath and The Hive now.
Carcariass is: Pascal Lanquetin (musical composition and lead guitars) Jerome Thomas (vocals) Bertrand Simonin (drums) Raphaël Couturier (bass) Bob (rhythm guitar for live shows)
Afterworld track list: 01- No Aftermath 02- Billions of Suns 03- Identity 04- Angst 05- Fall of an Empire 06- Black Rain 07- Generational Rot 08- The Hive 09- Machine Kult 10- Afterworld
“Masterpiece!” -METALLIAN
“An album of impressive musical richness and extreme beauty.” -HARDFORCE
“The guitar solos are breathtakingly musical.” -ROCK HARD Magazine
“A highly entertaining listen with the right grooves put in place to demonstrate a keen sense of harmony. – HEAVY MUSIC HQ
The Devil Comes At Night is available on digital and DVD. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The Devil Comes At Night, starring American God’s Adrienne Kress and Ryan Allen (In the Shadow of the Moon), is now out from Uncork’d Entertainment. It is available on digital streaming (Vudu, Prime Video, and Apple TV) and DVD. The film also stars Jason Martorino, Elias Zarou, Shawn Ahmed, Todd Campbell, Dana Fradkin, Ty Andrassy, DL Macdonald, Jeremiah Sparks, and Julie Cohn. (October Coast, 2023)
The Devil Comes At Night – Ben, a washed-up boxer searching for his inheritance, must fight for his life when he is trapped in his deceased father’s farmhouse by a cannibal cult. With the help of Amy, the local librarian, he discovers the cult’s leader, Mason, has been hunting down his family for generations. And now his sights are set on Ben. Together, Ben and Amy come up with a plan to defeat the cult once and for all.
‘Retribution’ is the new novel by Robert McCaw and the fifth in the Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery Series. Photo: Amazon.
Robert McCaw grew up in a military family, traveling the world. He is a graduate of Georgetown University, served as a U.S. Army lieutenant, and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia. Having lived on the Big Island of Hawaii, McCaw’ s writing is imbued by his more than 20-year love affair with this Pacific paradise. In his new novel “Retribution,” the fifth in his Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery Series, Chief Detective Koa Kāne wonders if he might be the real target as people around him come under attack. Other books in the series include “Death of a Messenger,” “Off the Grid,” “Fire and Vengeance,” and “Treachery Times Two.” (Amazon, 2023)
“Retribution” – the story begins as an unknown Muslim man climbs off a Philippine freighter unto a speed boat with one goal in mind: to avenge his brother’s killing. Meanwhile, in the back alley of a bar on the Hawaii Island, a young man is found stabbed to death. When Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne begins investigating the crime, the murder weapon is conveniently recovered only a few feet away from the body. Crime scene technicians find fingerprints on the knife and they are a perfect match for Kāne’s younger brother, Ikaika. Even though his brother has a history of getting in trouble with the law, he has turned his life around, so Kāne is certain he is being framed for this crime. He is warned to stay out of the investigation, but of course he is determined to clear his brother’s name. During the investigation, another crime sends shockwaves through the Hilo police force. A sniper tries to take out Makanui, Kāne’s closest colleague. As Kāne tries to figure out whether these crimes are connected, the sinister force continues the killing spree, threatening him and his loved ones at every turn. Could Kāne be the real target? If so, who is behind this trail of retribution? With his own secret criminal past, he confronts an all-out offensive against those closest to him and his police force to which he has devoted his life. As the bodies pile up, Kāne finds himself the ultimate target of a ruthless adversary and must risk it all to survive.
Someone out there is determined to get to Detective Koa Kāne and is killing everyone connected to him. Not only is he still haunted by a secret he has kept all these years, he is constantly worrying about the safety of those around him but determined to catch a killer who seems to be one step ahead of him. On top of it all, he also needs to clear his brother’s name, and that further increases the conflict he feels between his police responsibilities and family loyalty. Since there are a couple of storylines, it can become challenging to follow along from time to time. The action is non-stop but perfectly balanced by the beauty of the Hawaiian location, which ironically enough, sometimes makes the investigation harder because some of the locations are remote and hard to access. With deeply developed and relatable characters, the story is mostly dialogue driven and flows from page to page until the suspenseful climatic ending. The highlight is Chapter 59 where the killer’s identity is revealed. As with his previous books, the author uses relevant Hawaiian terms and language, and even though he explains them as he goes along, it occasionally slows down the pacing, but it is worth it and readers are rewarded with a thrilling murder mystery filled with one plot twist after another. “Retribution” is another remarkable murder mystery by Robert McCaw and is recommended for fans of Michael Connelly who enjoy action thrillers revolving around terrorists and terrorist organizations. The good thing about this excellent mystery series is that each novel stands on its own and can be read in any order.
“The cave exploded with the roar of the gunshot, and the sound reverberated off the cave walls. Makanui’s bullet hit its mark and exited through the back of Cruz’s skull, leaving a golf-ball-sized hole and splattering Cruz’s brains into the lava tube behind him. His gun and hard hat went flying, plunging the cave into blackness.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Dallas Burrow paints a full circle picture of his home with the first song “River Town” from his upcoming Jonathan Tyler-produced album Blood Brothers. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Dallas Burrow, a Texas-born Americana artist rooted in the tradition of his home state’s songwriting heroes, built a career on both sides of the Atlantic with his 2019 debut Southern Wind. It reached Number 25 on the UK Americana Chart and Number 4 on the US Alt-Country chart, paving the way for a string of cross-country shows alongside fellow road warriors like Charley Crockett. For Burrow—a lifelong explorer who had spent his 20s on the move, chasing his muse across most of America and Europe while rubbing shoulders with luminaries like Bob Dylan and Dr. John—being so far away from home felt natural. Even so, he began missing the stability of his new life back in Texas, where he had built a family and gotten sober. His second album, 2021’s Dallas Burrow, marked both a symbolic and literal homecoming for the songwriter, who recorded the material with modern-day legend Bruce Robison in the rural Texas countryside. His new album Blood Brothers finds Burrow telling the story of his musical roots, his father’s influence on his craft, and his own personal journey as a songwriter; all in his signature, gravely baritone. (IV-PR, 2023)
“River Town,” the opening track from his upcoming album Blood Brothers, rides a pulsing country backbeat and is dressed up with a fiddle, organ, electric guitar, and producer Jonathan Tyler singing harmonies. It tells the true story of Burrow’s small-town Texas upbringing, the leaving, and the coming back to start a family. “After getting in a little trouble, doing a lot of traveling, fast living, and soul searching—and finally meeting my wife and starting to settle down a little—in the end, I realized just what a beautiful area it was to live after all, and the perfect place for us to raise a kid,” he says. The Bluegrass Situation premiered the single, diving more into the backstory.
Fans can hear “River Town” at this link and watch the video for Burrow’s previously-released single, “Out My Window” here.
With Blood Brothers, Burrow wanted to chase something a little more refined and a little more polished than his previous two efforts: Southern Wind and Dallas Burrow. With the creative vision and technical talent of producer Jonathan Tyler, Burrow took everything he had learned from the last two album cycles, plus a lot more experience on tour, and brought a new outlook—not to mention what he calls “some of the best songs I’ve ever written”—into the recording studio, crafting his best work to date. Existing fans of Burrow’s will find his instantly recognizable songs sung in his signature gravelly tone, but there are hints of something deeper afoot. Musically, the pair of Burrow and Tyler chased down new tones influenced by everything from Stax to Muscle Shoals to New Orleans, but lyrically, Burrow’s journey through his own history and influences steals the show. “The songs on Blood Brothers tell about where I’m from, where I’ve been, what I’ve done, and what I’ve seen,” he says.
Blood Brothers track list: River Town Starry Eyes Devil’s Tongue Out My Window Motel 6 A Lot of it Was Only Game in Town Blood Brothers Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold X Old Flames Wild Bill You Go On Ahead True Believer
Catch Dallas Burrow on tour: June 23 – San Antonio, TX – The Lonesome Rose June 24 – San Marcos, TX – Cheatham Street Warehouse June 30 – Houston, TX – The Mucky Duck July 7 & 8 – Red River, NM – Motherlode Saloon July 21 – New Braunfels, TX – Freiheit Country Store Jul 22 – Luckenbach, TX – Luckenbach Dancehall July 29 – Hunter, TX – Riley’s Tavern August 2 – La Grande, OR – Union County August 3 – Portland, OR – Topaz Farm August 4 – Sisters, OR – The Belfry August 5 – Carson City, NV – Nashville Social Club August 6 – Arbuckle, CA – Burgie’s August 7 – Bakersfield, CA – Pyrenees Cafe August 9 – Santa Cruz, CA – Moe’s Alley August 10 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon August 11 & 12 – Lake Havasu, AZ – Jermey’s Juke Joint August 13 – Mesa, AZ – Roosters Country August 25 – Kingsbury, TX – 1281 Sherrill Rd August 26 – New Braunfels, TX – Riley’s Tavern September 8 – Driftwood, TX – Wings Over September 22 – La Grange, TX – Bugle Boy September 23 – Boerne, TX – Salvador DOBBS September 30 – Red River, NM – Motherlode Saloon November 25 – New Braunfels, TX – Riley’s Tavern
Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles proudly presents the free streaming of the film “Como El Cielo Después de Llover.” Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) presents the free streaming of the film “Como El Cielo Después de Llover,” a LACLA Cine Nueva Onda (new wave) selection on June 20 – 24, 2023. (Vesper Public Relations, 2023)
Victor Gaviria is one of Colombia’s most legendary directors. Mercedes, his daughter, returns to her hometown to take part in the shooting of her father’s latest film. As she documents her controversial father at work and goes over hundreds of hours of footage that Victor took of his own family over the years, their two directorial gazes meet. Through the process Mercedes embraces the infinite contradictions of her family and reflects on the role women have in the film industry.
The virtual screenings are available June 20 – 24, 2023 and can be streamed for free.
After the screening watch a special Q & A (in Spanish and English) with filmmaker Mercedes Gaviria, conducted by LACLA Program Manager, Guido Segal.
National Awards Luis Ospina Award, Best National Feature Film Director, Cali International Film Festival – FICCALI, Colombia, 2020
International Awards Youth Award for Best Film, International Film Festival Gijón, Spain, 2020 Young Critics Award for the Best New Latin American film, Special Mention , 35° International Film Festival of Mar del Plata, Argentina, 2020
Festival Participations International Film Festival of Cartagena de Indias, 2019, 35 Rencontres Cinemas D’Amerique Latine de Toulouse March 24-April 2 2023 –Toulouse, France
Virtual Screening The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)’s Doc Fortnight 2021, the 20th edition of its annual showcase of nonfiction films from around the globe.
Guido Segal is the curator of the program. He is the Screenwriter and Program Manager at LACLA, known for his film critiques and screenwriting, he has worked on multiple projects in a screenwriting capacity. Using his talents, L.A based Segal offers his screenwriting prowess through his work as a professor.
Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) is a California non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural exchange through film by screening classic and contemporary films from Latin America and by USA Latinas and Latinos. LACLA also supports the film and media efforts of Los Angeles inner-city middle and high school students with its annual student film festival.
For the past quarter century, LACLA has been championing and screening both feature and short films by LatinX filmmakers from all over the Americas with LACLA’s Cine Nueva Onda showcasing young and experimental Latin narratives from up-and-coming filmmakers.
‘Promise?’ is the thrilling new YA debut novel by Allison Thompson. Photo: Allison Thompson, used with permission.
For readers who enjoy teen and young adult paranormal and fantasy novels, here is a brand new release by Allison Thompson. “Promise?” is available through Amazon and right now, the e-book is available as a free download until Friday June 16 11:59p.m. and afterwards for .99.
Allison Thompson is a special education teacher and mother to two young children. In her debut novel “Promise?,” the ultimate battle between good and evil will unfold. (Allison Thompson, 2023)
“Promise?” – In a small shore town there lives Madison, a determined young woman working at a local pizza shop. Little does she know that her ordinary life is about to be shattered when Marcus, a menacing red demon, sets his sights on her, threatening her very existence. Enter Kyle, a seasoned demon hunter with a sworn duty to protect humanity. Drawn to Madison’s side, he takes on the daunting task of safeguarding her and battling the forces of darkness. Promises will be made and broken.
Lauren, a kind-hearted bookstore employee, crosses paths with the malevolent Marcus. A fateful encounter brings David, a brave demon hunter, into her life. As their bond deepens, they find themselves caught in a dangerous dance with destiny, navigating the perilous line between love and the eternal battle against evil.
Melissa and Michael defy the odds by maintaining a blissful existence despite Marcus’s relentless pursuit. Together, they create a haven of happiness, even as darkness looms on their doorstep.
Each couple must confront their own unique challenges, fighting against the evil that seeks to tear them apart. As their individual narratives intertwine, so does the fates of everyone. Their lives converge in a climactic showdown against Marcus, where the ultimate battle between good and evil unfolds. Love and promises made will be tested.
From Here To Home will be released June 30, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Legendary, Saxon Pub-bred quartet The South Austin Moonlighters were riding high on the success of their 2019 opus Travel Light with top billing on the alt-country charts and festival appearances throughout the U.S. and Europe when the world came crashing to a screeching halt in 2020. Fortunately for the band and their fans alike, the Moonlighters are veterans of Austin’s scrappy, DIY music scene and were never going to let a little loss of momentum stop them. With the help of a wildly successful crowdfunding campaign, The South Austin Moonlighters—Lonnie Trevino Jr., Chris Beall, Daniel James, and Hunter St. Marie—took to the studio with producer Steve Berlin and got right back in the saddle, cutting ten tunes that would eventually become their brand new album, From Here To Home. (IV-PR, 2023)
At its core, From Here To Home is an album of rebirth and acknowledgement. It is a recognition of where The South Austin Moonlighters have been, and a peek at all of the exciting places they are going and want to head towards in the future. “From Here To Home is a journey back to rediscovering why we started doing this in the first place,” Trevino Jr. says, before his co-conspirator helps him complete the thought in a way only the closest of collaborators can: “Because that’s the only thing we want to do–make joyous music.”
The South Austin Moonlighters recently released their first single from From Here To Home, the bouncing, half-time groove of “Make A Livin’”; a deceptively deep, upbeat song about what it really means to make ends meet for a family. “What should we be providing?’’ asks Beall, who wrote the song with his good friend Rodney Black. He expands, “Surely ‘ourselves’ would be the most important thing, and yet there are multiple generations of parents working so much they rarely see their kids. Lots of folks have to work like that, unfortunately. But could there be a ‘line’ that gets crossed when too much is just ‘too much?’ The TV bill, the new car, the nicer house….maybe we should let go of a few of those things and not have to be shackled to the workplace to pay for them.” Packaged within textures of gritty guitars and vintage bass thump, “Make A Livin’” is one of those rare songs that makes listeners dance and think, and that quality is the Moonlighters’ party piece that runs from beginning to end of From Here To Home.
Fans can listen to “Make A Livin’” today at this link and pre-order or pre-saveFrom Here To Home ahead of its June 30 release. The South Austin Moonlighters are back on the road; tour dates can be found below or online.
From Here To Home track list: Nashville Make A Livin’ Long Time Coming Box Of Memories Faded Into Gray Hearts In Parallel From Here to Home Then Away Farewell It’s Only Money (That Makes The World Go ‘Round) Delta Man
Catch The South Austin Moonlighters On Tour: June 16 – Austin, TX – Waterloo Records In-Store Record Release June 23 – Conroe, TX – Red Brick Tavern June 24 – Austin TX – 3Ten – Album Release Show July 1 – Houston, TX – McGonigel’s Mucky Duck August 3 – Estes Park, CO – Listening at the Legion August 4 – Telluride, CO – Mountain Village Summer Concert Series August 5 – Silverton, CO – Columbine Roadhouse Gatorfest August 11th – Dallas, TX – Morton Meyerson Symphony Center (Los Lobos support)
‘I Hope You Dance: Inspirational Quotes to Help You Enjoy the Magic of Life’ by Randa and Nadiath Adechoubou. Photo: Amazon
For readers who like inspirational and self-help books, “I Hope You Dance: Inspirational Quotes to Help You Enjoy the Magic of Life” by Randa and Nadiath Adechoubou is a collection of inspirational quotes and positive affirmations that is sure to lift your spirits.
Randa Adechoubou holds a master’s in business administration (MBA) from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and a BPhil in political science from Northwestern University. When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Randa is exploring or daydreaming about her next travel destination. In her books, she provides practical action plans to help you recognize what is keeping you stuck, as well as the talents and brilliance you can use to move forward —all in a friendly conversational tone. So be prepared to laugh and learn as you will finally find the confidence to let your brilliance shine. She is the author, along with Nadiath Adechoubou, of “I Hope You Dance: Inspirational Quotes to Help You Enjoy the Magic of Life” – a collection of inspirational quotes that will inspire you to live your best life. It is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Bookshop, among others. (Randa Adechoubou, 2023)
“I Hope You Dance: Inspirational Quotes to Help You Enjoy the Magic of Life” – Have you ever wondered why some people can, but others cannot? How some can stay positive when others cannot find the light in the darkest times of their lives? Experiences leave their mark, and for those who have gone through difficult times, they know the tough times never last. They kept going, trusting they would see light at the end of the tunnel. In this book, the authors have created a collection of funny, uplifting, and inspirational quotes to get us motivated. Whether you are looking for that creative spark, trying to find the energy to carry on, or just want to put a smile on your face, “I Hope You Dance” will be your companion. This book is for anyone who needs a pick me up, anyone who has been knocked to the bottom, and anyone struggling to get back up: keep on dancing.
‘The Legend of The Black Shadow’ is a western novel by Elonzo Phillips. Photo: Amazon
Elonzo Phillips is a writer who was born and raised in Wharton, Texas. He started writing when he was 19 years old while in his second semester in college and wrote his first book when he was 21. By the time he graduated college, he had written four books. He wanted to become a writer because he has always excelled at creating stories, both fiction and non-fiction. When he was in school, he was constantly teased for daydreaming and now he has turned it into writing, his favorite hobby, for when he is daydreaming, he is re-writing reality in his head as his own personal multiverse. His favorite author is Stephen King and the movies based on his books, especially Stand By Me, Misery, Pet Sematary, and The Shawshank Redemption partially inspired him to become a writer. His book “The Legend of the Black Shadow” is the story of Bryce Taylor, a young black cowboy out to prove that life can be lived without hate, conflicts, or wars. A reading sample is available on Amazon. (Elonzo Phillips, 2023)
“The Legend of the Black Shadow” – Even as a kid, young Bryce Taylor watched the evil of the West slaughter both his family and his friend. Since then, Bryce has traveled all over the West, feared as the famous mask gunman, known as The Black Shadow, who wanted nothing more than to stand and fight for colored folks and for folks of different ethnicities, proving that all humans are the same and should be treated the same, regardless of color. During his journey around the West, he crosses paths with friends and foes, who hate, fear, and like him.
Colter Wall’s new album Little Songs will be out July 14, 2023. Photo: Google
Colter Wall and his music are from the prairies of southern Saskatchewan, where he lives and works. He is a La Honda Records/RCA Records recording artist and has appeared abroad, including Austin City Limits and most recently at the Ponoka Stampede. “Evangelina” is the first release from Wall’s upcoming album, Little Songs which is due out on July 14 via Wall’s longtime label La Honda Records and new partner RCA Records. On Little Songs, Wall’s fans will find the same hardscrabble voice they have loved over the years connecting the contemporary world to the values, hardships, and celebrations of rural life. The ten-song LP features eight originals inspired by—and written in—Wall’s home of Battle Creek, Saskatchewan, along with a Hoyt Axton cut and a cover of Ian Tyson’s “The Coyote & The Cowboy.” (IV-PR, 2023)
“Evangelina,” originally written and recorded by Hoyt Axton, paints a thirsty picture of longing and half-laid plans to chase down a lost love; all backed up by a band steeped in the traditional sounds of Wall’s prairie homelands. Fans can hear “Evangelina” at this link and pre-order or pre-saveLittle Songs ahead of its July 14 release right here. Wall is also gearing up for two rare live appearances at Denver’s Dusty Boots festival on July 1 and Montana’s Under The Big Sky on July 14. More information and tickets are available online.
With his longtime touring band, Wall returned to Yellowdog Studios in Wimberly, Texas, where he cut his 2020, Billboard-charting album, Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs, to track the ten tunes that make up Little Songs. With co-producer Patrick Lyons, Wall tracked eight original songs and two fan-favorite covers from Ian Tyson and Hoyt Axton. Little Songs is an upbeat, sometimes somber glimpse into the rural work and social life of the Canadian West, and, more so than with previous albums, opens emotional turns as mature and heartening as the resonant baritone voice writing them.
This release of new music follows the recent partnership between Wall’s longtime label La Honda Records and RCA Records, with Little Songs as the first album on the joint venture. Prior to the new album, Wall released two standalone singles—“Cypress Hills and the Big Country” and a cover of Cowboy Jack Clement’s “Let’s All Help the Cowboys (Sing the Blues)”—as well as the 2020 LP Western Swings & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs and Colter Wall and the Scary Prairie Boys’ Live In Front Of Nobody, a 2021 livestream, full-band show turned indie record store, vinyl-only release–a coveted and limited release.
Little Songs track list: Prairie Evening/Sagebrush Waltz Standing Here Corralling The Blues The Coyote & The Cowboy Honky Tonk Nighthawk For a Long While Cow/Calf Blue Yodel Little Songs Evangelina The Last Loving Words
