NataliezWorld

Up and coming emo rap duo Ash and Milo out of sunny California, has gone on to name themselves "ghxstpul$e" in short "ghost-pulse", since forming only a year ago, they have released a debut album "Worse Case Scenario" in 2025, with a sophomore album following that very next year with "Everybody Is The Same" in 2026. The follow-up is slightly longer than its predecessor, being 11 songs total at 25 minutes and 58 seconds, whereas the debut was 10 songs at 20 minutes 8 seconds, so slightly longer which made it more simplified. 

This release does contain some interesting tracks such as "Mummy In A Coffin", "Right Push, Wrong Direction", "Bodybag", "Life Is Special" and 'Shooting Star", are some of the "stand-out" tracks featured, that really embrace the listener. Very meaningful lyrical context, vocalization provided being very dramatic yet intense, not in a screaming sense but emotionally fixated way. If you're thinking this duo is aligned with the likes of Linkin Park or Papa Roach that rap rock style, far from them, they are more that rap emo sense, to the likeness to that of Lil Peep, Lil Lotus, emoflytrap, with many others out there, that's the similarity in style you get with this duo act.

The duo's vocalization methods are solid, creating this futuristic vocal tone, that makes sense in the current time that we are in, with the ways of the future. The voice usage is done uniquely yet fun. They work off one another, blending together to create a vocal working's that makes them sound flawless. The tone for each of the songs mentioned and the album overall, is upbeat and catchy, having me nodding my head to the beats, they are heavy metal "heavy" but still capture an essence of that classic "emo" 2000's era that a lot could pick up on.

In the end, this sophomore album by the likely duo, captures a moment in time, that just works. It has its melodies, energies, and so much else that makes it fall into place. It's a clever piece of work that makes this best friend duo, be themselves, creating an art that people can love and enjoy.

Having being fronted by female vocalists for quite sometime, over previous releases such as the debut EP "Six Point Eight" released way back when in 2006, with them contributing towards a compilation sampler titled "Bergen Rock City Vol. 2", with them going on to then release their debut album "Colours Gone Cold" in 2012. It was about time, that time's would change, leading to band member Finn Solemdal, having a more expandable role, as a guitarist and bassist, with session drummer and producer Iver Sandoy taking reign there, with Bjorn Grung, fronting as vocalist as the band's first male singer. 

This taking on a rather bold statement let alone new approach and chapter for the band as a whole. Thus with this, they would go on to release their latest efforts with the track titled "The Bigger Lie, released this past fall through Indieco Records, at the Solslottet Studios, this track takes on their unique styling of both raw emotion, angst energy, and melodic in depth momentum, that it creates a rather twist of all that they have done so far.

With that said, the band goes back to their 90’s roots as it was with with their band Loophead, this track has that 90's flare, sounding a mix throwback to Soundgarden crossed with Corrosion of Conformity, if not just slightly between them. It has that kick to the throat energy, with a catchy melody that makes the music jump. It does have you nodding your head to the beat, it makes you smile as you do so. It short, its a track, that shows development and rather evolution for a band, that has come a long way, and is now taking a direction onto a whole new path that will lead them to perhaps more successors than ever. 

Evil Dead, a comedy horror franchise created by Sam Raimi, has had five films and a TV series, with an adaption turned into a musical! Said musical first being introduced back in 2003, making a run in 2006, and would later spread over the years, making it’s way around come now in 2024! Taking place in Fullerton, California, out of Orange County in a small theater called the Maverick Theater.

A small theater, showcasing an array of programs, including Evil Dead in the mid spring time, all its shows would sell out instantly, grabbing tickets during the Mother’s Day weekend, this show is NOT meant for children but for adults ONLY! This Evil Dead Musical taking in all elements of the cult classic film franchise, from Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Army of Darkness Evil Dead 3! Centered around five collage students, going out on spring break, head out into the woods, to an abandoned cabin, where they unleash such evil that it takes hold of them all! Blood is spilled, with the front row dedicated to getting bloody, whilst limbs get dismembered, demons get turned and jokes are spread far and wide. A lot of songs sung including such as “What the Fuck Was That?”, “I’m Not a Killer”, “"Do the Necronomicon", “We Will Never Die”, a lot of these numbers, being very rock n’ roll based material, hitting hard with the notes and lyrics.

Lots of laughs, lots of blood, it was a bloody good time, from start to finish really. If you’re a fan of horror, let alone the Evil Dead franchise as a whole, then you will totally “get” the inside jokes and jabs at the films, this musical is based on. The cast themselves with Ash being played by Steven Alcantar, Annie/Shelly played by Hailey Tweeter, Scott/Jake played by Jaycob Hunter who was a total riot, with Cheryl played by Samantha Green, Linda played by Elana Harnack, and Ed played by Aizaiah Soto. The blood soaker was Alex Wesevich who was also the bartender as well! The blood being non-toxic, but still a lot of fun to be soaked with! The front row had a glass protection for the rows behind it, blood spraying on the guests in the “splatter zone” in the front row, with blood spilling on the stage itself. The sets, production, and music were again all done so well, and so much was put into such detail, that it brought the films to the stage so well it was uncanny.

Having the book and lyrics done by George Reinblatt, this take of the Evil Dead Musical was one to be remembered, so much fun, so funny, and lots of blood was spent, with the sold out crowd, really getting into it, with lots of laughs, cheers, and claps of approval. There were some mishaps with minor technical difficulties of the audio, cutting out or not tuning properly, but minus that, again this show was well worth the experience; both bloodiest, craziest, and funniest that you find it impossible not to love it; being brought thanks to a little theater called the Maverick Theater, the theater that could and would, outdo itself.

Guitarist Kerry King, best known as forming thrash 80’s legends Slayer way back when, whom had their time to shine until 2019, has decided to go solo after the band’s retirement back then. Until recently when that band actually announced their return, but besides that being a thing, Kerry King has gone solo with his debut work’s titled “From Hell I Rise”, debuting summer time 2024.

Releasing not one, but two single’s off it first called “Idle Hands” and the second being “Residue”, both tracks were well received by the fans old Slayer and newer fans of course. The styling being very much like Slayer’s tone except more vibrant and new. Aside from Kerry being a part of the band on guitars, Phil Demmel is on guitars, along with drummer Paul Bostaph formerly of Slayer, Testament, Forbidden and Exodus, came on board to join, along with Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders, and frontman vocalist Mark Osegueda of Death Angel. Together this formation has created a solid piece of work both in band membership and musically.

The album had begun work upon it back in 2020, with King mentioning how he had more than two albums’ worth of music ready for it,  saying that he and drummer Bostaph that this new project would sound like Slayer but not it being Slayer for the most part. With a follow-up album already a work in progress according to King. But regardless, the material with just these two single’s alone, have set up the rest of the album really, a lot of the other stand out tracks such as “Where I Reign”, "Crucifixation", "Everything I Hate About You", "Rage", and the title track "From Hell I Rise", are all collective pieces, that create that momentum that Slayer is best known for except with King at the helm of it. A lot of solo working’s and energy given forth, with both guitarists in Kerry and Demmel going off one another, making such a fuss it makes the music more entrancing. King stays true to his classic rootage with this raw stack of songs, creating something refreshing yet memorable that fans of past work’s and this new material would nod and admire it from all sides.

The production and mixing done on this release is high quality material, that being produced by Josh Wilburm the album is everything Slayer could have been, if the band would have continued. That not being a bad thing, not at all, it is admirable really. Likely the material with these tracks, and the album as a whole, is just that a collect of tracks that I would consider simply as Slayer 2.0.

Paw Patrol LIVE a live touring musical stage show, based off the hit Nickelodeon TV kids series the Paw Patrol, has made its touring rounds across the US since debuting its first brand new all live stage show “Heroes Unite” in 2023 into 2024. It has been a great successor to its two previous live shows “Race to the Rescue” and “The Great Pirate Adventure”. Having seen “The Great Pirate Adventure” in spring 2023, which was pawsome in itself. Surely seeing it’s newest addition was a must see thing to do!

It arriving upon the west coast in early 2024, it would hit the California cities soon enough, making a stop in Los Angeles, California of course, performing at the Peacock Theater in Downtown LA. Showing across three days January 18th through the 20th, several shows draw in crowds, while the final performance had a crowd, but not as massive in size. Due to this show not being a sell out performance, some guests were treating to an “upgrade” with new seating arrangements, so instead of me and my party sitting in our lodge seats, we received seats in the orchestra section on the floor instead and these seats were pawsome!

Upon arriving and parking, and walking over to the venue, checking in was flawless, then grabbing some snacks, drinks, and browsing the merchandise, buying some items of course; heading into the theater was exciting! Walking in with a red and blue stage, arriving at our seats, in the center section, having a great view. At 6PM, the show would start, doors being prior to 5PM, fans and families alike, shown up, filling in their seats, as the show was underway.

After settling in and the show was introduced, the mayor of Adventure Bay talked with the audience, and then Ryder appeared, and introduced the pups themselves the Paw Patrol! The timeless “Paw Patrol Theme Song” was played, whilst then the rest of the show played itself out for the next hour and 30 minutes, with brief 15 minute intermission. The story took the pups across different parts of Adventure Bay, including the jungle, Barkingburg, and Adventure City!  During these missions, the pups faced none other than their nemesis Mayor Humdinger, dealing with his evil plans as always but was he handled by the pups and crew, perhaps so? No telling here really though….. But Adventure City was only being featured in the two recent installments of the newest films “Paw Patrol The Movie” and “Paw Patrol The Mighty Movie”, this revealing a surprise guest new character with Liberty! Her appearance was amazing, showing off her skills with her scooter was great stuff too! Another sort of new character to the stage show was Robo Dog, he has always been a part of the main TV series but first seen live here on stage!

To never give up, is what got the likes of Crimson Crow together, having so many changes, mishaps, with numerous releases over the span of their music careers as it were. The band would come around in 2020 finding one singer who would fit the mold with Kaisa Kalliomäki. This would have the band go on to release an album called "Silent Before The Dawn".

The album featuring some of the songs of previous vocalist Mikko Hölsö, being the lead/backing vocals, taken from rehearsal recordings in 2017. The album has a lot of rock, melodic rock, with elements of progressive tones, acoustic guitars, with lyrical context covering life, love, sorrow, and humor as well. The album has 11 tracks of the actual release with bonus tracks included with the addition of five more tracks, in total 16-tracks of material that is gripping yet mellow.

Some of the stand out tracks include such as "Hold On", "Yesterday's Rain", "Wicked Heart", and "Dying Love". Each of these being fierce, catchy, yet meaningful. Melody-wise the instrumentals are catchy throughout, whereas the vocals provided brings a more 70's to 90's tone, sounding a lot like Cinderella crossed with the band Heart ever so slightly. The material is indeed filled with numerous guitar riffs, solos, with a voice that makes the album soar yet dramatic. Each of the tracks mentioned and altogether really, has this release just send chills through and through really. 

Everything works so well together, each of the band members does their part in proper roles, providing works that connect well with one another meshing well enough; that they balance and connect to each other really nicely. It's an album that blends the classics with a modern era of the here and now, that many music listeners shall enjoy.

TFcon is America's largest fan-run Transformers convention to hit across several states over the last few years. But this year, it would return to Los Angeles, California and go to the City of Burbank, CA. Taking place at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel & Convention Center; over the past weekend of March 10th through the 12th of this year 2023.

Friday evening would have opening ceremonies and fans to get the chance of picking up their badges with ease. Some minor disorganization at times, not letting fans roam about or not knowing that well of where certain things would take place was confusing. But once Saturday arrived all would be set in stone, or in this case metal perhaps, being a Transformers convention and all.

Saturday would showcase an array of guests, vendors, and more panels to be seen. Fans aligned the hotel and convention center bright and early, getting inside as soon as the doors opened, to go forth into the exhibit hall and artist alley, to purchase goods and mingle with the guests. Some of the most known being Peter Cullen known to all as the one and only Optimus Prime, with the other being Dan Gilvezan the voice of Bumblebee, one of the original voices from generation one. He and Prime being buddies since the start til the present day!

On Sunday though would be the closure of the convention and where Mr. Optimus Prime himself would make an appearance, Peter Cullen's line zig-zagging inside the hallways, as fans eagerily awaited to meet and greet with him. I being one, and he was very nice and friendly! But for the most part the convention had different panels and some other guests from the current shows of Transformers one being Earthspark a recent rendition. While other guests came from previous generations of the Transformers TV series from years back.

Overall though, this first time attending a Transformers convention such as this one, was a small one at that, but one that was a good experience to take in. Lots to see, buy, and do really, interacting with other like minded fans, enjoying what we were all there little robots in disguise.

Throwback, throwback, throwback, is what the Trinity of Terror Tour Part 3 was all about! Upon arriving at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, California, tonight would be quite a night of all things horror, blood, and music. For this night would have such acts as Atreyu, Black Veil Brides, Ice Nine Kills and Motionless In White. A real package deal that would make it’s rounds in three variations, over the past year.

The third round would take place tonight, fans aligned to get into the venue in a sea of black, t-shirts, pants, shoes, all is what you can see really. After entering the venue, long lines at the merchandise stands would stand still, whereas everyone else hurried inside to get to the floor or their seats. Once inside, finding said seats would be difficult since this venue was on a level set up, first floor, second and third floors, sitting on the first floor, had me walking down the stairs to get to the lower section of the venue. But before any band would hit the stage, the music overhead would be throwback tracks from the early 2000’s, that a lot of the audience recognized, even adding in some techno elements that had some really getting into. But nevertheless, the show must go on and did it.

Grabbing our seats, the opener’s being Atreyu would perform around roughly 6:45PMish playing for about 45 minutes, singing such songs as "Becoming the Bull", "Right Side of the Bed", "Ex's and Oh's, "Falling Down", along with some newer tracks like "Battle Drums", "Warrior", and "Baptize". During the band's set though, had newer vocalist, former drummer/backing vocalist Brandon Saller, his performance was good, he even hit the floor, going into the seats of the venue whilst still singing the song during the band's performance. The rest of the performance was left with crowd interaction, sing-a-alongs, and lots of cheers and shouts of excitement. In short, Atreyu brought down the venue and all there were pleased with what they had to offer.

ATREYU:

ATREYU SETLIST:

1. Strange Powers of Prophecy

2. Baptize

3. Becoming the Bull

4. Right Side of the Bed

5. The Time Is Now

6. Ex's and Oh's

7. Save Us

8. Falling Down

9. Battle Drums

10. Warrior

11. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) (Whitney Houston Cover)

12. Blow

Following them would be Los Angeles locals Black Veil Brides who may have gone away with using their face paints and body make up, at least sometimes did bring quite a surprising set. Having sung such songs as "Crimson Skies", "Devil", "Scarlet Cross", and a lot of the older tracks ranging from "We Stitch These Wounds", "Knives and Pens", "Fallen Angels", and "In The End". A lot of their set-up consisted of the crowd singing along to a majority of the songs performed, while the other portion had the band keep the energy ever flowing. Plus they had a screen behind them with graphical effects that made the performance much more gripping and settling. Clearly the Black Veil Brides Army was present in all sorts, keeping the momentum strong and joyful. 

BVB:

BLACK VEIL BRIES SETLIST:

1. Crimson Skies

2. Coffin

3. Faithless

4. Devil

5. Shadows Rise

6. Scarlet Cross

7. We Stitch These Wounds

8. Knives and Pens

9. The Legacy

10. Fallen Angels

11. In The End

Next up would be Ice Nine Kills a band whose beginning’s would be slightly different, but with a change of pace, they would come to find themselves and rather audience more so. Taking the elements of the horror kind, made their performance more of a stage show than just music. For their later working’s would dive into horror in more than one way. Having a lot of their works featuring such horror films like IT, Halloween, A Nightmare On Elm Street, and even Psycho. With this they would bring such films to the stage, with killing’s, knives, and plenty of theatrics that kept the crowd wanting much more that was given. They were likely one of the more entertaining bunch of characters as far as musicians go.  As far as what songs were performed those would be such as "IT Is the End", "Merry Axe-Mas", "The Shower Scene", and "The American Nightmare" to name off a few. Truly it was a mash up of Halloween meets Xmas pretty much. Literally Santa Claus himself did make an appearance, a few in fact, so it was just loads of fun from all angles. 

INK:

ICE NINE KILLS SETLIST:

1. Funeral Derangements

2. Wurst Vacation

3. Hip to Be Scared

4. IT Is The End

5. Merry Axe-Mas

6. Stabbing in the Dark

7. The Shower Scene

8. A Grave Mistake

9. Farewell II Flesh

10. The American Nightmare

11. Welcome to Horrorwood

Lastly would be headliner’s Motionless In White whom had canceled the previous night due to the frontman falling ill, and still being ill during LA’s performance as well. But sick as it may have been for him, he still managed to pull through and did do a good job regardless. Such songs like "Disguise", "Werewolf", "Voices", "Cyberhex", "Dead as Fuck", and "Eternally Yours", were quite the crowd pleasers for tonight. A majority of the performance did have the crowd singing along to a good chunk of the songs, as again the frontman was still ill but also still did do a good job even with the help of the audience. The band’s set did have some effects, roses, werewolves, minor fire tactics, to more visual effects, was all provided keeping all there in awe. 

MIW:

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE SETLIST:

1. Disguise

2. Sign of Life

3. Slaughterhouse

4. Werewolf

5. Voices

6. Cyberhex

7. Masterpiece

8. Dead as Fuck

9. Another Life

10. Eternally Yours

Overall the third run of the Trinity of Terror Tour was well worth this third cycle of dates, will another rendition come back around again perhaps? Who knows, but for now, this trio of tours, with this same bill of acts, kept the crowds entertained yet overwhelmed with utter joy that madness was felt throughout the night, of happiness, joy, and terror. 

Pasadena, California has had it’s array of events, but come the fall of 2019 into 2020, an assortment of events would he canceled due to a pandemic sweeping around the globe. Come 2021 into 2022, numerous events would slightly occur but one taking place in Pasadena, would be moved into 2022. So once that New Year arose so would the Pasadena Comic Con at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Taking place one day in the middle of January, on a Sunday the 23rd, geeks, nerds, and fans alike would gather, some decked out in cosplay attire, being dressed up in costume, as others wore their favorite accessories, t-shirts, and more of their favorite comic characters and icons. A long line spun around the building, fans eagerly waiting to get into the complex. Once inside after a quick check of their vaccination cards, and face masks, as this was done during the covid-19 timing, all was soon well and good to go!

I myself had gotten inside after checking in, then I hit the floor, browsing about, checking out the numerous booths of art, handbags, comic books of course, lots of action figures, toys, and appeal. A good majority of the convention had a handful of special guests, such as Johnny Yong Bosch who is known best as a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger, as well as a voice actor in some anime like Bleach, Sailor Moon, among others. Other guests included William Daniel’s from Knight Rider and Boy Meets World, another Daniel named Daniel Ross who has been a voice actor from TV and commercials like Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Lucky Charm’s character Lucky, and Bob West another voice actor best known as Barney the Dinosaur the original! But other guests included artists in comics like Tony Fleecs, whose work includes My Little Pony and Stray Dogs. Many other artists and celebrity guests had attended, each and every one of them having a nice time meeting and greeting with fans both old and new.

I was lucky enough to have met Bob West who was the original and first voice for Barney the Dinosaur! He was very nice, and even did Barney’s voice! It was such a pleasant time chatting with him and getting to meet him nonetheless. Hope to meet the rest of the Barney gang eventually….. 

All in all though the Pasadena Comic Con was small but pleasing through and through. I had a splendid time, and even walked away with a few items in tow, with a smile spreading as far and wide as possible. If you haven’t gone before then be sure to check this con out next time it arrives in little old Pasadena.