THE NECRONOMICON PAGES: STORIES OF THE INFAMOUS, LOVECRAFTIAN GRIMOIRE

Raffaele Pezzella, through Eighth Tower Publications, has just released the latest in The Dark Fiction anthologies, The Necronomicon Pages: Stories of the Infamous, Lovecraftian Grimoire. 

This ambitious curation contains submissions by John D. Chadwick (who bestows a historical intro); Chris McAuley, J. Edwin Buja; Nora B. Peevy, Michael F. Housel, Russell Smeaton, Andrew Coulthard and Sarah Walker (who also edited the edition), with its cover and interior illustrations by the ever mysterious Mr. Zarono. 

The enclosed madness is tied to Abdul Alhazred's fabled text, making for a unique, straight-from-the-source twist on the Lovecraft's literary legacy.

To order either paperback or hardback, visit

https://www.amazon.com/Necronomicon-Pages-Tim-Mendees/dp/B0CFCT1KR9/ref=sr_1_7?crid=32G8LJQQZ7VYP&keywords=dark+fiction+eighth+tower&qid=1693229467&s=books&sprefix=dark+fiction+eighth+tower%2Cstripbooks%2C99&sr=1-7

The Necronomicon Pages will enthrall all Lovecraftian disciples, as it adds another macabre notch to the ever-growing Dark Fiction series. 

DARK FICTION #9: AMERICAN WITCHCRAFT

Raffaele Pezzella/Eighth Tower's Dark Fiction: Vol 9 will be witchcraft oriented.

In actuality, the curation will cater to American witchcraft, and yes, I'm involved, with a story about a mysterious, redheaded Wiccan, whose age remains undetermined. She uses an apple to seduce an awkward young man for a cause that seems both natural yet unnatural, good yet evil, and all on New Jersey turf. Though Snow White and Adam & Eve are referenced (no surprise there), the apple catch isn't quite what one might expect. 

Though the scarlet Wiccan is prominent, another alluring lady intercedes, who reflects a brunette from The Greatest American Hero, Beyond Westworld, The Bermuda Depths and Captain America II, and for those who don't know Connie Sellecca, big-time shame on you!

What does it all mean? How will it connect and how far will it go?

Ah, keep visiting Bizarrechats for further insinuations. 

EIGHTH TOWER PRESENTS MYSTERIUM, INCUBUS ET TERROR (A POE AUDIO HOMAGE)

As part of Raffaele Pezzella/Eighth Tower Records' dark salutes, Mysterium, Incubus et Terror enters listeners' ears as an audio homage to Edgar Allan Poe's macabre tales. 

The tracks capture the author's exotic mystique in a way that surrounds the mind and shackles the heart, creeping forth as follows (first by composer/performer and then by legendary label): 

1) Morgan Wurder Feat. David Strother ... The Masque of the Red Death

2)  Mombi Yuleman ... The Premature Burial

3) Kloob & Onasander ... The Descent Into the Maelstrom 

4) Rapoon ... The Fall of the House of Usher

5)  Mario Lino Stancati ... Ligeia

I have listened to this amazing sojourn several times over, absorbing its anguished sweeps and inebriating echoes, and I still feel drawn to its vast insinuations. It's become an addiction, but then, Poe's haunting works do work that way, especially when filtered by such adroit creators.  

To learn more on this ghoulish tribute, visit

https://eighthtowerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mythos-of-cthulhu

DARK FICTION: EDITING BEGINS ON NECRONOMICON CURATION

Editing has begun on Raffaele Pezzella/Eighth Tower's Dark Fiction: Pages of the Necronomicon anthology (official title pending), thanks to its diligent contributor, Sarah Walker.

My story is called "Spot", a Lovecraft/Shakespeare mashup, which combines components of Macbeth with "The Tree on the Hill". The "Spot" references Lady MacBeth's guilt, and in homage to H.P. Lovecraft/Duane W. Rimel's short story, the tale's "protagonist" is a "tree". 

"Spot" is told in three acts and offers heartwarming appearances by Cthulhu and Yog-Sothoth. 

It's nice to know that Pezzella's dream of publishing horror anthologies has come true, and that the continuation of such doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon. (Check Bizarrechats for further updates.)

 

THE MYTHOS OF CTHULHU: THE GREAT OLD ONES

The Great Old Ones ascend from the Eighth Tower Record depths with a new Outer God, audio tribute: The Mythos of Cthulhu.  

Like the Old Ones' Yog-Sothoth salute (see April '22 post), the Cthulhu submission is an atmospheric feast of forbidden fruit. Its compositions (soundtrack-ish, industrial-esque and on morbid occasion, hauntingly "vocalized") are creeping but sweeping, offering a Lovecraftian renewal that washes over the subconscious in such a way that one will emerge not only renewed, but demonized. 

The terrifying tracks consist of

1) The World of Vhoori

2) Sunken City of R'lyeh  

3) The Tablets of Ubbo-Sathia

4) The Secret Priest of Cthulhu

5) Spheres of Reality

6) Ph'ngliu nglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgh 'gnl fhtagn

7) Awakening Ritual

8) Dreams of Rub Al'Khali Desert

As one can deduce from the H.P.-drawn titles, the Great Old Ones pull no punches in establishing a tapestry that the wretched and regal Cthulhu would appreciate, and the same would apply to the ancient entity's faithful followers, of whom you're no doubt one.  

Purchase The Great Ones' latest conjuring via the link below (and if you have a Bandcamp page, this would be an ideal one to add to your collection): 

https://eighthtowerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mythos-of-cthulhu

YOG-SOTHOTH/DARK FICTION #4 UPDATE:

Visitors of Bizarrechats are aware that Eighth Tower Publishing's Dark Fiction, Vol 4 will cater the H.P. Lovecraft's revered and feared Outer God, Yog-Sothoth.

Per publisher/curator Raffaelle Pezzella, the latest edition is now in the editing stages and holds a projected, July launch. 

My story for Dark Fiction #4 is entitled, "Yog-Sothoth, Beyond the Border". It tells of the deity's descent upon misty Earth and from there, his burgeoning visibility. Yog-Sothoth is an invisible entity by tradition, though his shape has been realized by many artists and storytellers over the years. I've presumed that even The Crawling Eye/The Trollenberg Terror was derived from the Outer God's reputed semblance. 

It's inspiring that Pezzella will have published four volumes in his series as of this summer, all within a tad more than a year. It just goes to show what a true visionary (and a little determination) can conjure. 

Revisit Bizarrechats for additional updates on this Dark Fiction edition, but in the meantime, The Great Old Ones' audio prelude to Yog-Sothoth's literary salute is available from Eighth Tower Records: a potent means to get into the Lovecraftian mood:

https://eighthtowerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/yog-sothoth?fbclid=IwAR2H73AwCex2kn4hPeBlfu8QJUh4HE-5KqKRNid5_l0gSU7QFAent5_HE94

RAFFAELE PEZZELLA PRESENTS THE BLACK STONE: A LOVECRAFTIAN, MUSICAL TRIBUTE

Last month I posted on Raffaele Pezzella/Eighth Tower's short-story salute to H.P. Lovecraft. As a companion piece to his curated, literary compilation (named after a famous, Robert E. Howard homage to Lovecraft's mythology), Pezzella has produced a CD/download in the same sinister vein, spotlighting a variety of captivating artists who supply orchestrated nods to Cthulhu's turf and beyond. The album is called the Black Stone: Music for Lovecraftian Summonings. 

The tracks consist of the following (artists first, titles second): 

1) Mombi Yuleman - Dreaming of Innsomouth

2) Martyria - a light on the hilltops

3) Lars Brondum - The Legend of Dagon

4) Solatipour Reza - The resurrection 

5) Dead Space Chamber Music - Nocturne for Erich Zann 

6) Alphaxone - Futuristic Ritual

7) Mario Lino Stancati - The Color Out of Space

8) M. Cosittini, C. Boca & B. Barbiero - The Haunter of the Dark 

9) Kloob - Providence 

10) Ashtoreth - The Elders 

11) NEW RISEN THRONE - The Whisperer in Darkness

12) Moloch Conspiracy - Red Hook's Church

13) Deofol - Y'ha-nthlei  

14) SILENI - Remain sane to the hideous end

These chilling selections push their discord to unique, melodious levels, often scratched by foreboding screeches, terrifying thuds and crazed proclamations. In fact, the well crafted culmination may prove so virulent that one's very essence might change to something not of this earth!

Indeed, the Black Stone: Music for Lovecraftian Summoning may strike one's ears as scary, but most will agree, it's fun to be scared, especially when Lovecraft comes a-knockin'. 

Summon this entrancing Eighth Tower offering at  

https://eighthtowerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-black-stone-music-for-lovecraftian-summonings