Full Length Review: Ted Axe "Sex Horror Violence" (Elipse Records) by Dave Wolff

Artist: Ted Axe

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Country: Canada

Genre: Punk, rock

Full Length: Sex Horror Violence

Format: Digital album

Label: Elipse Records

Release date: January 1, 2019

As we know there’s always a band pooling the influences of their youth and delving into the time their favorites created something new when it was most needed. Ted Axe seems a contender in today’s saccharine pop with its overused millennial whoop. Since the days he blew off high school to see Alice Cooper’s “The Killer” tour, Ted Axe has had an unquenchable thirst for wanderlust and creativity that spills over into many different mediums, including drawing, painting, sculpting, and writing music. Channeling Cooper, Marc Bolan, David Johansen, David Bowie, and James Brown on his first solo effort after a decade of working with Sister Hyde, he finds a new outlet for his demons/angels he hopes will grow enough to make a lasting impression on classic and contemporary punk fans. I should also mention Guns N Roses since the vibe of “Sex Horror Violence” representing the seedy, unlovely underworlds of London, Los Angeles, and Seattle is quite similar to the attitude GNR brought to the 80s MTV generation. Instead of having moved to L.A. from a small town, however, Ted Axe writes and plays like he was spawned from beneath the dirty sidewalks of those cities, giving validation to the shady, unsung characters he introduces you to. This is no romantic depiction of the typical rock star dream, it’s a testimony to alcohol and drug abuse, toxic relationships, danger, violence, revenger, and who knows what else. It’s been long since I’ve heard the term “provocateur” applied to an artist, and as I listen to “Sex Horror Violence” I begin to realize there hasn’t been an artist deserving of such a title since Marilyn Manson happened upon the mainstream twenty five years ago. This album’s appeal lies in the duality between rawness and relatability, between reality and catharsis. This is not college-oriented pop-punk in any sense of the term; it shows life at its most brutal and unforgiving, leaving you with a sense of being unraveled from within by remorseless people who drain you of everything and move on without looking back. It hardens you in a way that slaughters all good intentions while hardening your heart in preparation for whatever comes your way next. If you’re looking for frank and honest, swagger-driven punk rock and roll without hubris, you should seek this album out. –Dave Wolff

Lineup:

Ted Axe: Vocals

Marcel “Marz” LaFluer: Lead guitar

Jules “Julio” Biafore: Rhythm guitar

Corrado Bartolo: Bass

Stefan Ford: Drums

Track list:

1. Get Out of Rehab

2. Death Us Do Apart

3. My Own Worst Nightmare

4. Nuthin at All

5. Sex Horror Violence

6. Femme Fatal

7. I Don't Want To

8. Hurt People

9. Heaven

10. Mother's Day

11. T.M.i.

12. Insatiable

Full Length Review: Token Drew the Legend "LuSoGo: Collector’s Edition" (2516844 Records DK) by Corban Skipwith

Artist: Token Drew the Legend

Location: New York City, New York

Country: USA

Genre: Rap, hip hop

Full Length: LuSoGo: Collector’s Edition

Format: Digital album

Label: 2516844 Records DK

Release date: February 13, 2021

Welcome back everyone, it’s time again for another album review and boy oh boy do we have a treat for you! Because this is another new artist to me but after this one I guarantee I’ll be nothing but keeping a watchful eye on his progress! Let me introduce you to

Token Drew and his album ‘LuSoGo: Collector’s Edition’

So to my knowledge this is the debut album by rap artist Token who as I said above is a new artist I discovered through Facebook and when I was given the opportunity to review his album I jumped right on it and let me just say I was FAR from disappointed!

First thing I want to discuss is the lyricism and vocal performances by Token! See in this album I see something that you just don’t see very often (at least not anymore) and that’s 4th-5th verses! See on this album there are plenty of songs that surpass the 4 minute mark and some that even go past 5 and within that time span he doesn’t waste any times with layering one verse after another between a sweet and to the point chorus and hook!

See, in today’s era it’s mostly common for people to have 1-2 verses per song as the attention span of listeners have dropped and I suppose the artists today don’t care to put in that extra effort for extra verses for whatever reason they might have and so we are left with a hip hop normality of short and sweet songs.

But here he’s following the late 80’s and 90’s route of 3-4 verses per song! It’s actually a great sign of his intellectual capabilities as well as his passion for the art to put this much thought into his lyrics and flow!

If there’s one thing negative I will say about this album (and it’s not even that big of a deal) but if there was anything I would say is that I feel the song lengths some times can be ‘too’ long, not that I don’t appreciate the effort as stated above I think it’s amazing he’s doing what he’s doing but at the same time songs don’t need to always be that length and I just felt some of them were dragging but if shortening the tracks meant sacrificing the lyricism, flow or wordplay then I would happily keep the length)

The biggest surprise for me on this album was the production! I was blown away with the diversity he brought to the table. Every song had it’s own unique style and flare to it! Take the intro track for example which had this larger then life vibe with the choir in the background sounding like something out of a superhero movie!

Then on some tracks you have this strong Electronic/Dubstep vibe, there’s also some tracks with heavy Punk/Rock vibes, Hip Hop vibes, 2000’s Rnb vibes, Studio Rnb I mean this album is all over the place (In the best way possible!)

It got to the point where after each track finished I was waiting in anticipation for what the next track would bring fourth, as if I was playing a fun guessing game with myself over what I can expect to hear next.

Not too often do you get albums that really provide such a pallette of different sounds and textures like this one does, I can tell you one thing If you don’t find a style you like within this album then your lying because apart from maybe country music he literally has it all here and I’m so happy I got to be a part of that experience!

I feel personally this is a very strong representation of things to come, on one hand you could be pessimistic and say he revealed all his cards by pulling out all the stops so early in his career but I’m going to remain on the optimistic side and say that this is just the tip of the iceberg for Token and that he’s a creative mind that has a lot more to offer and present to us and I honestly can’t wait to be here waiting and watching!

I highly recommend everyone listen to this album! It’s got everything you could want from a Hip Hop album and more! So please go check this guy out, subscribe to all his stuff, follow him and most importantly check out the music! -Corban Skipwith

Track list:

1. Collector’s Anthem

2. Jackie Kennedy (feat. Fame Yno and Steezo Crooks)

3. LuSoGo

4. Want The D (feat. Primal)

5. Smokin’ With Token

6. I Want It All

7. Spazz Out

8. Devil In The Details (feat. Kryptik T)

9. Price Tag

10. Final Form (feat. Primal)

11. Real Shit (feat. Kryptik T)

12. Green Eggs N Spam (feat. Primal)

13. Tales Of Chaos (feat. Kryptik T)

 

This review can also be read at Skipwith’s Facebook group Relentless Reviews With Corbz. Reposted with permission. -DW

Full Length Review: The Stone "Kosturnice" (Immortal Frost Productions) by Jorge A. Trejos

Band: The Stone

Location: Belgrade

Country: Serbia

Genre: Black metal

Full Length: Kosturnice

Format: Digital album, jewel case CD, LP (several colors)

Label: Immortal Frost Productions

Release date: March 26, 2021

It's no wonder these Serbs are so adept at the dark arts of Black Metal. You can tell since “Kosturnice” (which translates ossuaries) is their album number nine. This quartet has been around since 1997, first under the moniker of Stone To Flesh and given birth to a couple of demos plus a full length. Although, it seems to be something that did not fit or work with the first name of the group, because, in 2001 they shortened it to The Stone. Well, as any fan of the genre would want, this music pretty intense, sharp as the edge of a scythe, but at the same time melodic and contrived. A lethal dose of Black Metal, pack with a leather bell of eight bullets with cyanide on the tip. This album includes only two songs in English: “Tremors Beneath the Ground of the Charnel House” and “Engulfed by the Abyss”, listen to the latter because it featured such a killer riff that y'all might not want to hook out with him in a dark alley at two minutes to midnight. The rest of the songs are in the native language of the Balkans, a territory that once was crush by civil and political wars. Now I understand why The Stone sounds like ten war tanks heading to battle. Produced by the Belgian label that has thrown the house out of the window, giving the treatment on vinyl in three different colors, also on CD and limited digipack. –Jorge A. Trejos

Lineup:

Glad: Vocals

Kozeljnik: Guitar

Demonetras: Rhythm guitar

Vrag: Bass

Honza Kapák: Drums

Track list:

1. Pramaglina

2. Okamenjen

3. Kosturnice

4. Tremors Beneath the Ground of the Charnel House

5. Ime koje su razvejali vetrovi

6. Engulfed by the Abyss

7. Omnicid

8. Jebes pero, dodaj mac

Full Length Review: MNHG "Mundare" (Immortal Frost Productions) by Dave Wolff

Band: MNHG

Location; North Rhine-Westphalia

Country: Germany

Genre: Black n roll

Full Length: Mundare

Format: Digital album, jewel case CD

Label: Immortal Frost Productions

Release date: February 26, 2021

MNHG is a German black-n-roll band comprised of ex-members of Thyrgrim who disbanded in 2017. Black-n-roll may seem to be a limitation filled genre, but this band takes a step toward broadening its range. After playing black/pagan metal for about twelve years they strip extreme metal to its basics for their debut full length “Mundare”, a Darkthrone-meets-The-Road-Warrior soundtrack to the Book of Revelations-foretold Apocalypse. Here the Beast of Revelation is stepping in to complete the job humanity started by launching World War III, striking when all is ruins and nomadic gangs struggling to claim what’s left. Remember when Prince promised to party like it’s 1999? Well MNHG go ahead and do so, knowing what’s coming with a drive to revel in life right to the bitter end, indulging in their figurative last celebration for all it’s worth. If Thyrgrim was the distant gone-but-not-forgotten past, MNHG is a future where everything is on the brink of ending. I listened to some of Thyrgrim’s old material while reviewing “Mundare” (go to Spotify if you’re interested). It’s a far cry from what they’re doing now, leaning closer to epic themes and exploring traditions of centuries past. While MNHG as a separate entity is less intricate and more direct, with raunchier guitars, the band is still in the practice of cramming many riffs and conflagrant guitar solos into their songs. In some ways “Mundare” is a darker album (understandable considering the subject matter) but the darker qualities are uplifting and it isn’t necessary for you to be nihilistic or misanthropic to be put into a good mood while you’re listening. Their black-n-roll tag is fulfilled to the fullest by drawing on the dirty, gritty qualities of 90s black metal and black/thrash metal without wasting energy trying to convince you to have fun. I quit drinking years ago but their redirected energy and razor sharp bite invite you in for a couple beers, inspiring me to get a natural buzz. Just one track is persuasive enough to make you want to hear more. Most 80s arena bands couldn’t have hoped to recapture the penetrating animation the band preserve from Thyrgrim, without party rock’s masochistic, self-destructive excess. If you saw the convivial spirit in Venom’s early albums, you should give this a listen sometime soon. –Dave Wolff

Lineup:

Kain: Vocals

Irrsinn: Guitar

Berath: Bass

Max Scheefeldt: Drums

Track list:

1. Introduction

2. Blasphemic Warfare

3. The False Prophet, Rise

4. Babylon, The Whore

5. Praise The Beast

6. Reborn In Suffering

7. Ride For Me

8. I.N.R.I.

9. The Darkest Strain

10. Here Comes The Truth

11. Revelation

12. Transition

  

EP Review: hororhaus "evocation" (transmigration records imprint) by Dave Wolff

Project: hororhaus

Location: Woodstock, New York

Country: USA

Genre: Blackened hauntwave

EP: evocation

Format: Digital album, compact disc (limited to 50 copies)

Label: transmigration records imprint

Release date: March 5, 2021

“evocation” is the second EP from this one-man project, now described as blackened hauntwave by founding member Scott Harris. Following his July 2020 debut “entrance”, it again evokes haunted attractions and horror classics with shades of supernatural horror movies like “The Exorcist” and “Suspiria” for additional effect. This EP is a seven-part Pink-Floyd-meets-King-Diamond tale of a nameless soul who feels compelled to contact entities on the other side through an Ouija board. She does this on her own, without a medium or other participants. Once whatever she contacts takes hold of her mind and soul, they tell her of a mysterious grimoire by which she will achieve power in this world and beyond, under the condition they take exclusive possession of her. Her desires become an obsession as she becomes increasingly isolated until… you’ll have to read the lyrics to find out what happens in the end. With the proper parties involved this would work as a horror film or miniseries, or at the least an internet horror movie or a DIY independent feature like those sold by local companies at fan run conventions. Any medium would work. and if this EP was added as a kind of soundtrack it would likely be a slick feature like “Friend Request” or “#Horror”. There is also the potential for original ideas to be shown in the scriptwriting and cinematography, and with more fan movies being made for Youtube and other networks this is a distinct possibility to launch a career if done the right way. The instrumentation and atmosphere Harris brings to the EP provides some chilling effects in this regard, especially the conclusion of the story which is more or less guaranteed to raise the hair on your arms even if you’ve listened to goth, darkwave, funeral doom or ambient for a long time. “evocation” brings back that old popcorn horror complete with slow build-up and penetrating scares that give you nightmares for days on end. –Dave Wolff

Lineup:

Scott Harris: Music, lyrics, vocals, programming

Track list:

1. Conjuring

2. Ouija

3. Grimoire

4. Possession

5. Trancendence

6. Deathhaunt

7. Aftermath

Full Length Review: Tjolgtjar 'Vruguun" (Independent) by Danny M. Ryan

Band: Tjolgtjar

Location: Kenney, Illinois

Country: USA

Genre: Black metal, Black n’ roll

Full Length: Vruguun

Format: Digital album

Label: Independent

Release date: April 30, 2017

First off, I like to say from personal experience that Rev Preston's music gave me a voice when I first burst onto the scene with my own raw black metal project, Strings Of Distorted Doom.

I can sit here, and name countless influences. Friends of mine I made music with from their own bands or projects. Bands that are well known in the black metal scene and beyond. But Tjolgtar was the first Raw black metal band, I read about through online research of such bands from the states when I was deciding what to do musically with my limited experience doing music by myself while getting ideas listening to the late somewhat great, Seth Putnam band, Impaled Northern Moonforest, for fun. Prestons music was on the top of the list and eventually, I got contact with him personally after he heard my music amongst other bands I am associated with within the underground. His musical output is massive and his discography is a lot to go over. If anyone wants to get into TJOLGTJAR before playing anything by him, this is the first one they should get.

His album VRUGUUN is not his latest album, it is from 2016 but the only album I own so far by him in my collection of albums I own from many types of artists I have collected. He is a reserved guy that carries that Illinoisan Thunder. I can kind of put Rev in the same category in personality as my musical friend Dan Klyne of Appalachian Winter. Expect they are both their own type of out in the woods mad man from different states!

Rev here has great songs on this beautifully crafted album of his that is a two-disc collection. The first disc with 13 songs and the other with 12. All the art inside and on the back is personally drawn by Rev himself. It has very creepy and primal tones to it. Absolute madness. Does it remind me of what some album's artwork on the inside looked like in the 90s? Cover art is done by Athanor Arts and co-produced by Matt Comerford.

The vibes you get from this album are not exactly 90s. They come across as over-the-top classic hard rock n roll musically & vocally but still have the powerful presence of BM throughout. The guitar manship here is well crafted and composed. Hypnotic, and draws the listener in with the cult magic touch that is spoken of in it.

Then you get a whole other feel from it, that hard country feel, that, MOUNTAIN feel. Remember the guy from the band Mountain? He was a SCARY looking dude and was sort of an Andre The Giant type from looking at his physique. I have a Mountain record, I opened up the gatefold and that dude looked like a bear that was a frontier. Climbing!!!

That is what I get when I hear that 70s sounding vocal presence on most of his songs. It has a flavor to it only listeners of Mountain, Hank III, and even 80s metal music only has. It relates to a lot of different music genres on many levels. All wrapped up into a cosmic gift that is VRUGUUN.

The consistent theme throughout the album is simply one thing, SATAN.

I understand the topic is a touchy-feely one for most, but what the Rev pulls off here is a tribute to the man himself. Many bands in the past that have gained notoriety have also gone into this territory, The Rolling Stones, with Their Satanic Majesties Request...and even with Kiss - Hotter Than Hell. In his own personal way, he puts the nails in the coffin here. His own master of reality.

Also, his songs are covering other topics from other things that have to do with outer space, women, science, personal demons, rebellion, and much more. Just the whole trip that is humanity in itself through one's life.

If I had to choose one song from each disc that is my personal favorite, disc 1 would be Hearing The Voice Of The Devil, and on disc 2, Oh, Jupiter.

This is a long-overdue review too since I do not do my own zine anymore but better late than never. JR Preston captures all the things I am looking for when it comes to music that I grew up to, grew to enjoy, and also enjoy playing myself. An interview between him and I was made not too long ago which also will be linked here. Preach Rev!

Side note, I wish I knew what he is saying in the tray art with words like EMMEEDEEAA ISJTJAT JMANNJEEAJ but if I had to put it in my own words... it is the chant of his own black ritual under the party moon.

Get your hands on this great escape, while you still can...because Tjolgtjar is a tuxedo & black metal is a pair of brown shoes.

This one is for you, J.R. –Danny M. Ryan

Lineup:

The Rev. J.R. Preston: Vocals, all instruments

Disc 1

1. A Great Escape

2. Call of Holnijimnjok

3. The Dancing Satan

4. Then She Let Me See

5. Inside the Holwling Moon of Vruguun

6. A National Astronaut

7. Mars as a Fixture in Planetary Science

8. The Internal Arts of Ballal

9. Hearing the Voice of the Devil

10. Through the Pororium

11. Rjelmjinn Telminosz

12. Satan, Woman of Desire

13. I Am the Black Ritual

Disc 2

1. Lair of Skuul

2. Your Daughter

3. Until the Monsters Take You

4. Lustful Spirit

5. Oh Jupiter

6. Our Father

7. The Earth Immortal

8. 7 Lonely Demons

9. Flight of Ikarik

10. She's a Cannon

11. A Forgotten Oath

12. Party Moon

Poem: "Dream Ghazal" by Alison Stone

Dream Ghazal
by Alison Stone

An only child’s a receiver of dreams.
Is the boy flushed from sun? Fever? Dreams?
Two shawls she brought from the old country. Three
dresses, red ribbon, a meat cleaver, dreams.
Love opens wounds, turns us children. Which spouse
is worse, honest drunk or deceiver? Dreams’
code -- Bees signify sex, a desk means fear.
It’s lucky to meet a beaver in dreams.
The orange pill offers chance of a cure.
Granter of time. Retriever of dreams.
My grandmother sews with thread in her mouth.
I burn herbs to Maya, weaver of dreams.
Lost selves visit at night. The king’s a slave,
the slacker an overachiever in dreams.
Call me scarred optimist, fool who should
know better. Battered believer in dreams.

Article: "10 Amazing Vampires and why you should know them" by Deacon Gray and Madame X

10 Amazing Vampires and why you should know them.

Deacon Gray and Madame X, 2014 Dec 14th, © Graveyard Press

Thanks to Goddess Rosemary of Temple House Sahjaza for contacting the authors. -DW

There are a lot of amazing people in this world, and our community is no different. Recently I went into a few forums and asked the members there who they thought were some of the most amazing people in the community. I Have to admit that there are many circles in the community, and not everyone is known everywhere regardless of how amazing they are.

The outpouring was pretty wonderful, and a lot of people made the list. So I started out with the top five, then realized I couldn’t limit the selection so easily. How do you pick five people when there are so many amazing people out there?

So I decided I would take the top ten people who had inspired enough people to be frequently mentioned. Some of them I knew well, some of them I don’t know well at all. But with a little help from some good friends, we put together a list of amazing people you should know in the community.

Evan Christopher Nightside Productions LLC

“It has been a pleasure to consider Evan Christopher as a personal friend for 2 decades. He is first, and foremost a Gentleman and Renaissance man. Jovial, approachable, compassionate and tempered, Father Evan Christopher is a remarkable role-model and teacher for the Nightkind Community.

His warm welcome to individuals in his local area speaks volumes about his altruistic identity. Father Evan is one of the very few individuals who are perfect for the public eye; he is savvy, well-spoken, charismatic and good-looking which transmits a very favorable image, not just for himself, but for the whole Nightkind Community.

His community involvement is clearly his passion, not being limited to his long-standing event in Tampa’s Lighting Bay as a Master Fang smith, but it extends to the hearts and lives of everyone local or not that he interacts with.

If you have not had the opportunity to meet Father Evan Christopher, do so. You will walk away with a fuller spirit.”- Madame X

Madame X: Founder of the House of The Dreaming

Madame X is the creator of The Collective interview series. She is the Co-founder of the new Iron Garden Court of New Jersey, and the champion of the movement to allow Ronin Vampires into the Courts.

Tenacious in her desire to help the Vampire Community develop, her consistent activity in the community has made her a large influence but kept her close to ebb and flow of the community. In her time in the community she has founded many projects, too many to list, but one thing is certain, she will never stop.

Matriarch, writer, creative figure and spokesperson for the community Madame X demanded I remove her from this list, which of course I agreed to, and then did what I wanted. –Deacon Gray

Belfazaar Ashantison: House of Mystic Echoes

A key figure in the New Orleans Vampire Alliance, Voodoo Priest, and community celebrity, “Zaar” as he is known by his friends has more accomplishments than there is space to detail.

He has a kind nature, and often helps community members in New Orleans when they are down on their luck, but he is not one to be taken advantage of easily.

He is held in high esteem for his longevity in this community, though perhaps he is best loved for his outreach to the poor on the holidays. It is widely known that Zaar goes out on Christmas and Thanksgiving to help the needy, an act that is truly inspirational to everyone”.–Deacon Gray

Lady CG: Founder of Smoke and Mirrors

“The Author of Practical Vampyrism for Modern Vampyres, she is a prolific writer for the vampire community. Lady CG has been an inspiration for many vampires with in the community that have become common respected names to know. Whether working to bring people together in the Voice of the Vampire Community, or simply engaging in conversations, she is an enduring member of the community who is loved by many.

Whether you know her as Lady CG or Barbara Kammerer, knowing her is a pleasure. I personally see her as a mentor and friend, which can endure even when we disagree.”- Deacon Gray

Merticus Stevens: Suscitatio Enterprises LLC

“A member of the Atlanta Vampire Alliance, Voice of the Vampire Community, and the Vampire Community News are all things known about Merticus. He defines himself not by his deeds, but by his actions, and has become the ‘go to guy’ for scholars and media due to his release of the VEWRS and AVEWRS Statistical Surveys.

Merticus will not tell you a lot of about himself as an individual, but if you want to “friend” him he is always open to it.”- Deacon Gray

Anya Rakoczy: House Rakoczy

She is the Ambassador to the Dark Nations, Nocturnal Grove and New Orleans Vampire Association. Anya is well known for being a published author of fiction, a business owner, and sorceress with a thriving practice. She is a self-proclaimed fashionista with a real drive to assist newcomers in the community.

While not the most senior member of the vampire community, she has a developing legacy as a woman with ambitions toward kindness and education.”- Deacon Gray

Michelle Bellanger: Writer, Medium, paranormal investigator and TV Personality

“Who in the Vampire Community has not heard of Michelle Belanger? She is a renowned author, researcher, paranormal specialist, television personality, and is ‘the’ leading authority on vampires in fiction, folklore and modern culture.

Michelle is more than just a spokesperson for the Vampire community. She is a font of inspiration and our biggest resource, particularly when it comes to ancestral knowledge.

A dynamic go-getter, it is Michelle’s charismatic appeal, intelligence and sharp-wit that make her the center of attention, no matter where she is. Back in the mid 90’s before we even knew each other, Michelle and I were both working independently in different corners of the United States on two very similar literary projects designed to draw out others who shared our Nightkind identity.

When we finally met about 20 years ago, I immediately recognized her as a spiritual sister. I consider myself quite blessed to have the opportunity to interact and socialize with Michelle in person and certainly look forward to next.”- Madame X

Octarine Val Valur “Founder of the South African Vampire Alliance

She is the Founder of House Valur, Magister of Mintaka Halo, and she helped to develop the Totum Lex Vampyrica (community guidelines for South African Vampires)

Few can match her contributions, and none can honestly say that they started the fire for an entire community’s development throughout a country. “Val” to her friends is known for her commitment to her projects and her drive to bring the SAVA to the forefront of the Vampire community.

If you don’t know Val, I suggest you meet her. Very seldom do you meet people as motivated and yet kind.”- Deacon Gray

Rosemary Sahjaza: Founder of House Sahjaza

“Some may know her as Goddess Rosemary, others as Silky Rose; I call her Sister with a capital S. Goddess Rosemary is the loving sister and mother figure for countless many in our community. Humbly, she offers encouragement and advice with a warming embrace.

Goddess Rosemary’s greatest desire for the community is its development and growth, so that all with in it have a safe place to learn and grow. However, don’t mistake my Sister’s warm compassion for malleability. She may be flexible, but it is her strength of character and unwavering candor that has upheld her integrity and maintained Temple Sahjaza strong for decades.

Hailing from the same roots of the ‘NY coven days’ and of underground fetish parties, Goddess Rosemary and I share many friends and have many interesting stories to tell, but by far the most remarkable story is the one told by all the individuals whose lives have been transformed just by heading Rosemary’s loving wisdom and guidance.”-Madame X

Shaolin Asura-MacPhee, Abani House Sabretooth MacPhee of Clan Elysium

A founding member and 2nd chair Elder of House MacPhee. He is the author of Gotham Vampyre Archives, and member of the Gotham Court. Known for his reasonable consideration of issues, love of music, and his drive to complete worthy projects, he is a warrior that follows a path of Blood and Dharma. There is not enough time to detail all the good works and worthy projects Lord MacPhee has put his mind to, but we always know it will be worthy, and not sugar-coated.” -Deacon Gray

So this is ten, of many, I know not everyone will agree, and that’s ok. Our community is big, our population is diverse and prettying amazing. Over the years many others will be included in their ranks, and we can hope it results in a better community for us all. -Deacon Gray

Poem: "Dull Electric Eye" by James Kenneth Blaylock

Dull Electric Eye
by James Kenneth Blaylock

with your dull electric eye
you saw beyond my flesh

and into my poor ol bones,
you told me, “you’re weak”

but, don’t you know that I’ve
been adopted and cherished?

I doubt your prejudices care
further than selfish seeking

James Kenneth Blaylock
6-29-20

Poem: Untitled by M Teresa Clayton

Untitled
by M Teresa Clayton

I’m not naïve or simple-minded.
I’ve chiseled my name at every mountain summit,
Drowned in an ocean of my own tears,
And learned to breathe and swim to its depths in spite of it.

I do not need to be reminded
Of something that I have never had or understood.
There is no reference in my years,
Tell me, how should I know this is bad or this is good?

You think me weak? Or somehow blinded?
I can see the future, my dear, the possibilities.
What changes it is simply our fears,
But if we believe, they become probabilities.

Though I’ve never been able to find it
Doesn’t mean it wasn’t patiently waiting for me.
Love, when it’s ready, always appears,
Just about the time our eyes are opened to see.