This week, we are pulling an episode from the Patreon vault. Evan Hopper of the Quell and I do these types of episodes from time to time called Hollywood Babylon where to get into “interesting films”.

Taxi Driver is an iconic film, a masterpiece by legendary filmmakers Martin Scorcese and Paul Schrader . Its influence can be seen all over the last several decades of film.  Lurking in the shadows you will find God’s Lonely Man, pretty much a sleazy rip off, a movie that most may dismiss as pure exploitation, but for some reason, we can’t seem to stop thinking about this mid-90’s study in loneliness and depravity.

Intro:  “Hollywood Babylon” – Evan Hopper

Paul Aloisio of Restless Spirit joins us this week hot off their tour with The Obsessed. Paul and I discuss the tour and touring with one of his musical influences.  This episode drops right before Halloween, so we talk about the spooky season, movies and books we dig and other related tangents.

Intro:    “All of the Dark Things” – Mike Hill

Outro:  “Cascade Immolator” – Restless Spirit

Tune in for another riveting discussion of Karl Edward Wagner’s sword and sorcery icon Kane.  This month, we start our dive into the novels with BLOODSTONE first published on January 1, 1975 by Warner Books. We’re going to break the 200 page book up into section. This month we will hit the Prolog through Chapter 6.

Intro / Outro:     “Darkness Weaves” – Mike Hill

We have a One from the Vault this week.  We’re going back to 2019; back then, I was hosting Metal Matters, the official Gimme Metal podcast.  Cradle of Filth was gearing up to hit the road and Dani Filth was making his rounds doing press so I was able to have this sick chat with him.  Dani was one of my favorite guests from that era.

Intro:    “All the dark Things” – Mike Hill

Outro:  “Funeral in Carpathia” – Cradle of Filth

The somber days of Autumn are upon us so I invited fellow horseman Karl Haikara of SOL NOX on to discuss out 31 Days of Halloween watchlists and reflect on our favorite time of the year. Karl and I collaborate on DARKNESS WEAVES, a sub-series where we explore the work or Karl Edward Wagner, a relatively obscure author of weird fiction, dark fantasy and horror.

Intro:    “All the Dark Things” – Mike Hill

Outro:  “Ghost Walking” – Mighty Sphincter

Dana Schechter or Insect Ark and Swans joins us this week.  We spend a lot of time talking about “Raw Blood Singing” the new Insect Ark album, a record that I can say right now, will figure prominently on my year end list. Since Dana plays in one of my favorite bands, Swans, the conversation naturally meanders into working with Michael Gira, Brooklyn in the early part of the century and the subtle passage of time.

Intro:    “All the Dark Things” – Mike Hill

Outro:  “Youth Body Swayed” – Insect Ark

Toby Poser and John Adams of the Adams Family / Wonderwheel Productions return to us this week.  It’s always a pleasure when these guys are in the house.  This time around, we talk about their adventures in Eastern Europe while making Hell Hole, their most recent film currently streaming on Shudder.

Intro:    “All of the Dark Things” – Mike Hill

Outro:  “Three Nights” – Black Flag

My brother Ralph Schmidt returns this week. Ralph has played a big part in the development of this podcast and more importantly, our friendship has spanned over two decades.  This week we discuss the Metaphysics of Smiling and the perceptions of emotion, manipulation and menace that can all be projected by a smile.  Naturally, there are a multitude of tangents that we explore.

Into:      “All of the Dark Things” – Mike Hill

Outro:  “ When You’re Smiling, the World Smile with You” – Frank Sinatra

My friend and artist Seldon Hunt joins us this week.  If you are a listener of Necromaniacs, you will know him as one of the co-hosts of Mayhem Down Under, our exploration of grim Australian films.  This week, we talk about the legendary AC/DC, another iconic Australian export to the world. Our analysis is mostly dedicated to the late great Bon Scott, and that transitional period around 1980.

Intro:    “All the Dark Things” – Mike Hill

Outro:  “Problem Child” – AC/DC

This week, Randy Larsen returns to the podcast! Randy is the founding member of Cable, put in time as a touring bassist for Tombs and have been  a co-host of mine on Metal Matters as well as here at EWB. He has taken some time off from podcasting to put some time and effort into his new venture as co-owner of Little Lost Records, a new eclectic record store based in Stofford Springs, CT.

Our friendship has spanned decades, so conversion flows freely!

Intro:    “All the Dark Things” – Mike Hill

Outro:  “The Friends of Rock ‘n’ Roll” – Easy Action