Movie Review “Chemical Wedding”
Posted on September 15, 2008 by Oxking in the Film category
Ok technically this is not a new movie, however since it slipped well under the radar of most mainstream cinema outlets it’s been left till last week before anyone could really see this film, with it’s release on DVD.
Ok firstly, if you haven’t heard of the protagonist of this story, British author and occultist Aleister Crowley, then stop reading right now because you will NOT enjoy this film the way it should be enjoyed. Basic premise of the story is that Cambridge professor Haddo (Simon Callow) takes part in an experiment involving a supercomputer which, through the aid of an Aleister Crowley enthusiast, allows the spirit of Crowley to possess the body of Haddo, bringing him into the 21st Century to wreak havoc, and allow him to attempt one of the greatest occult rituals in history, The Chemical Wedding. Crowley’s antics in the early 20th century outraged pretty much everyone, wrongly dubbed Satanic due to his precocious sense of humour and penchant for pissing off the masses in any way he could, he formed the term “magick” and dedicated his life to uncovering the mystic secrets of the universe, as well as creating his own religion (although he would have HATED to call it by that name) “Thelema”. He was also a drug addict, chronicling many of his experiences in the excellent book “Diary Of A Drug Fiend”, chess player extrodinaire as well as an accomplished mountaineer and writer. So, history lesson over, back to the film. I only mention these aspects of the Great Beast’s life (as he tended to call himself) because they are what make the character so interesting, and while the film does touch upon a lot of these traits, Crowley, played by the excellent Simon Callow, is more represented as a horror villain towards the end of this movie than as a character of many levels. Bruce Dickinson (who wrote the script), took all the questionable aspects of Crowley’s character, such as the drug addiction, penchants for urination, defacation and ejaculation on the strangest of places, without delving at all into the mind of the man and questioning why he did these things.
Although it is very clear the budget for this film was very minimal, the acting in this film is fantastic, which is good because of the blatant silliness of the story, if the actors were piss poor this would have been awful to sit through. Simon Callow is clearly having the time of his life as Crowley, shaven head, moobies and all, bringing this English Gentleman with an evil streak to life with style and aplomb, delivering a very powerful and hilarious performance that makes you think this film could not have been done without him.
Bruce Dickinson has also done his homework with Crowley, never once painting him with the “Satanic” brush which in life Crowley was wrongly accused of to this day, and clearly has a lot of respect for the guy, delivering lots of information about his magick rituals, knowledge and history which does cover a lot of ground. The biggest problem this film has is that the plot involving some supercomputer, parallel universes and the uncertainty principal all gets quite confusing, especially towards the end, which leaves little time to fit in all the aspects which make Crowley such an interesting character.
As an introduction to the “Wickedest Man In The World” Chemical Wedding is a good, solid thriller which introduces a lot of Crowley in a short space of time, but not enough. Aside from the terribly confusing ending the film serves to entertain, and it does so very well indeed. But read up more on the man after watching. Bruce Dickinson deserves credit for writing Crowley well, but hopefully a film with a bigger budget will come along soon, and allow for more room to explore the life of one of the most interesting Brits of all time.
[Oxking]
Movie review “Pineapple Express”
Posted on September 9, 2008 by Oxking in the Film, News category
Necromag was lucky enough to catch a very early preview of the new film to come from Judd Apatow’s wallet and Seth Rogen’s brain this week. Pairing up Rogen and James Franco is an inspired endeavour which pays off really well because the natural chemistry which flows between the two is pretty much the only funny thing about this movie. Rogen once again plays the loveable stoner type, Dale Denton who witnesses a murder while smoking the titular Pineapple Express type of weed. Tossing the joint he flees the scene not realising that this exteremly rare type of skunk is the only thing linking him and his dealer Saul (James Franco) to the crime, and so the bad guys start to chase the two.
Franco is absolutely brilliant and plays the friend/dealer character with a great deal of playfullness and childlike innocence, while Seth Rogen plays, well, Seth Rogen, the loveable hero who you like but arent quite sure why you like him, and there are enough cameos from other Apatow endeavours which make the film instantly likeable, but absolutely shallow enough to warrant a one time only viewing. Some memorable moments include a spectacularly OTT fight between the two heroes and Red (Danny McBride), a few swear words in unexpected places and a car chase sequence that seems like the only thing they spent money on in the whole film, including, unfortunately, a decent script which for all its sort-of-half-funny moments, doesnt match at all the sweetness or hilarity of Knocked Up. There is some fun to be had in the half-baked-isms, epecially if you know what its like to be high as a kite talking shit to your friends at 3am. Not that we condone that type of behaviour. But all in all, this film isn’t that great.
Sorry guys.
It’s the little things in life that count……
Posted on September 7, 2008 by Oxking in the News category
Like finding constant reminders of how drunk you were at Leeds fest…
Peace, love and sideburns….
[[OxK]]
Featured band; Esoterica
Posted on September 5, 2008 by Oxking in the Music, News category
These guys are a UK hard rock band which, after releasing their debut in 2005, are on the verge of breaking through into the big time after playing Bloodstock festival this year. With talks of their second album “The Riddle” hopefully being released next year, now is a good time for a mini feature on these guys.
Debut album, produced by John Fryer (with NIN and White Zombie on his CV), “The Fool” was released in 2005 and gained the band a lot of attention with Tool/Perfect Circle fans because, well, they kinda sound a lot like Tool and A Perfect Circle! Frontman Tobias has a very distinct voice which carries a dark, sexy and edgy quality. . Lead single “Don’t Rely On Anyone” is as catchy and brilliantly anthemic tune with vocal hooks to die for. “Salvation” and “Life Is Lonely” are also fantastic hard rock tracks which carry a lot more weight and ideas than most mainstream bands in the UK today. This album has just been released in the US with open arms and it looks like they will have a lot to look forward to in the next year if their second effort carries as much of a punch as this album does. Themes of religion, sex, drinking and relationships drench this collection of deliciously gothic songs and while the album does tend to rely on the Maynard and Howerdel sound a bit too much, if you’re going to be influenced by any band…..may as well be one as good as APC. According to a recent interview with Total Rock (here), the second album will hopefully bring this very talented young band into their own a bit more, but the first album is still definately one we at NecroMag would recommend if you want to support an underground British band with a lot going for them. Fuck Fightstar. Check Esoterica out here.
Album review; Bilocate “Sudden Death Syndrome”
Posted on September 5, 2008 by Oxking in the News category
Sudden Death Syndrome
Bilocate are an unsigned Jordanian metal band with a penchant for the dark and brutal. They class themselves as a Dark Oriental metal band and there are certainly a lot of influences from black and progressive death metal in their music without plagarising any of their influences too much. Compared to bands like Opeth for the technicality of their songs, Paradise Lost and Katatonia for the gothic influences and My Dying Bride for the sheer brutality, their middle eastern influences are what make this band unique.
The opening song off their sophomore album “Humans & the Dark Affiliation” brings in this truly unique feel, introducing a heavy darkness that carries through into “Blooded Forest”, a 17-minute epic song which is where the Opeth comparisons will inevitably be drawn. This song carries the brilliant musicianship of this band up on high, switching from dark, chugging riffs to speedy solos, Paradise Lost-esque piano breakdowns and a lenthy outro, with Ramzi Essayed’s impressive death metal vocals sounding like the roar of a bear after 20 years of smoking Marlborough Reds, without every feeling too lengthy. Track three “The Dead Sea” is a quirky number, a cheeky piano ditty/guitar playoff leading into a very fucked up evil sounding track. The doom influences are well and truly established by here and then “Ebtahal” comes along to bring some relief to the brutality. A very creepy instrumental intro leads very uneasily into a spoken word section before Ramzi comes along and again brings the brutality to a 9 minute long doom-laden track. “Inocluate” is where the middle eastern influences really shine through 2 minutes in, and make this band unique because of the way they blend and distort eastern and western musical influences together in such an interesting way, technical metal heads should scratch their noodles at how this works, but it does indeed work. Very well. Outro “The Stone Of Hate” is a very moody instumental piece that eases off the chaos and closes the album brilliantly on a fittingly dark note. There is a fantastic trance-like quality to this song which makes the journey complete.
Bilocate aren’t going to win around people who don’t like or at least have an interest in blackened progressive death metal. A lot of heavy metal fans might find this hard to digest at first, these guys are taking no prisoners at all. Sudden Death Syndrome is a very dark, heavy and brutal album, not radio friendly in the slightest. But if you are interested in a band that are definately very talented and truly unique, check these guys out at their myspace and their website.
[[OxKing]]
Album review “Cover Your Heart and the Anvil Pants Odyssey” by Black Light Burns
Posted on September 5, 2008 by Oxking in the Music, News category
Wes Borland returns with his Black Light Burns project in a most-a perculiar way. half an album of cover songs and the other half rare tracks from the “Cruel Melody” sessions. Would you expect anything less from the king of odd? While we tentatively wait for album number two proper, this EP has some very cool surprises, covers of “Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran and “Lucretia My Reflection” by Sisters of Mercy, have a surprising amount of weight behind them. 
BLB is a fantastic band on record, and the mix of guitar and synth give them an edge which Wes Borland embraces with his unique personality to create some fantastic covers. Ill admit it, I haven’t heard half of the originals, it’s Wes doing songs he wants to do. The gems for me are the end of the album, the instumental beauties sounding a lot like ambient Aphex Twin are what make the album worth listening to, that is if you are familiar with the band already. If not, visit them here and make sure you get well aquainted. After Wes works with Marilyn Manson album number two is on its way.
[OxKing]
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