Beyond The Darkness 7

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Prince of Darkness has just left the building...

I want to start off by saying a massive THANK YOU to everyone who purchased and helped to spread the word about the re-release of my novel The Betrayed last Sunday. The response was incredible. I spent literal hours on Sunday afternoon after work signing and packing books for you all, so once again THANK YOU for supporting my writing endeavors. I could not do this without you.

Speaking of that book, I still have copies available for purchase before the February 7^th release date. Each bundle comes with a signed paperback, a hard-shell magnet of the cover art (limited to the first twenty orders, starting to run low on these), a cover art sticker, a large demon head button, a small WSH button, and a bookmark. These are offered exclusively at wesleysouthardhorror.com or by clicking the picture below.

If you’re interested in the e-book edition, that can be pre-ordered here: KINDLE

The standard trade paperback will be available on Amazon on the day of release.

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It was announced this week that singer and heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne is officially retiring from touring after 53 years of music. He’s not leaving music entirely. He may still record albums and do the occasional show, but world tours are now done. I wanted to post about this on social media the day it was announced, but I didn’t feel I’d have enough space on Facebook or Twitter to get all my thoughts out, so I saved it for this week’s newsletter.

I’m going to give you a date: August 30^th, 2018.

That was a one and only time I was actually able to see Ozzy live in concert.

Let me go back about seventeen years before that. When I first started getting into music, I credit my father for rearing me with rock and roll. He grew up a huge Kiss fan and eventually that love of their music rubbed off on me, and they became my first ever concert back in 1997 (or 1996, I can’t remember) for their reunion tour at Robert’s Stadium in Evansville, IN. He also shared his love of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Bob Seger, George Michael, Elton John, Heart, Patsy Cline, ELO, and so many more. I loved that music and still do, but by the time I reached junior high, I wanted to finally find something different, something I could say I discovered myself.

For whatever reason, I briefly became obsessed with the Insane Clown Posse.

I would never say I was a full-blown juggalo, but I found myself enamored with their music. Maybe it was teenage rebellion or maybe it was something about rap that was scratching a particular itch at the time, but for that moment it was doing it for me.

Eventually, I grew out of it and decided I wanted to become a guitar player. I wanted to be like my heroes Ace Frehley and Eddie Van Halen. By the time I reached freshman year in high school, I randomly discovered the music of Black Sabbath and fell head-over-heels in love with Ozzy and the crew. Guitarist Tony Iommi instantly became my axe-slinging god and I learned every single Sabbath song I could. As for Ozzy himself, I was fascinated. I knew a little of his solo work but not much. My father, though he liked Ozzy, he didn’t love him and nor did he own any of his or Sabbath’s discography. I had to scrape together money myself to find those albums at Best Buy and Coconuts or FYE.

Now remember, this was back in 2001. I learned Ozzy had a new album coming out and I remember catching the video on MTV for his new single “Gets Me Through”.

My brain exploded.

I had never heard anything so goddamn heavy in my life. I became obsessed with that album, but I became even more obsessed with his guitar player. I had no idea who he was. I knew he wasn’t Randy Rhodes (this was before I knew what had happened to RR) and did my research on who this Zakk Wylde guy was who currently played with Ozzy.

I love my wife. I love my son. I fucking LOVE Zakk Wylde.

Even though I don’t play much anymore, I still consider Wylde one of the best who’s ever played. He’s a personal hero of mine who I’ve been lucky enough to meet on several occasions. I celebrate all of his contributions to Ozzy’s discography and consider his personal band Black Label Society one of my all-time favorites. I’ve been fortunate enough to see Zakk live many, many times with BLS and even once at a tiny bar in Atlanta for a MySpace secret show.

But all those years I had never been able see Ozzy Osbourne live.

I had tickets for multiple Ozzfests, but for some reason or another, Ozzy had to cancel his performances. Each time I was left heartbroken. Even his touring outside the festival circuit was getting slimmer every year. By the time I reached my thirties, I was terrified I was never going to see the man live. The Prince of Darkness was nearing his seventies and wasn’t getting any younger.

So when he announced the dates for his No More Tours II tour, I nearly fell over myself to get tickets.

August 30^th, 2018. PPL Center. Allentown, PA.

It was the best concert I’ve ever been to. The moment he came out on stage and began to play “Bark at the Moon” I started to cry. I didn’t care who saw.

Though I know he’ll never see this, I want to speak directly to Ozzy right now. Mr. Osbourne, thank you. Thank you for the greatest concert of my life. Thank you for bringing Zakk Wylde back into your band. Thank you for all the wonderful memories over the years. Thank you for being a part of my musical history. Thank you for August 30^th, 2018.

It was a night I’ll never forget.

Rest easy, sir. You’ve earned it.

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My Tales from the Crypt full series re-watch continues…

Loved To Death (S3, E1)

An aspiring screenwriter becomes infatuated with his actress neighbor. When she declines his advances, their secretive landlord offers him a love potion to make her fall in love with him. But the serum proves not all love is good love. This episode was irritating to watch. It was more or less a rehash of season 2’s “’Til Death” and not nearly as fun. There were only three people in the cast of this episode and all three were annoying as hell. This to me didn’t even feel like a TFTC story. It didn’t even look like one either.

Carrion Death (S3, E2)

A sadistic serial killer has unforeseen complications when pursued by a determined motorcycle cop in a barren desert. This episode was another head scratcher. It felt like they brought in Kyle MacLachlan to scream “Fuck!” for twenty-five straight minutes. Lots of odd choices in this one too. Like the cop nonchalantly swallowing the key to his handcuffs after getting shot in the chest. Kyle not thinking of trying to chop off the cop’s hand until the last two minutes of the show. I didn’t outright hate this episode, but it wasn’t terribly enjoyable.

The Trap (S3, E3)

Indebted unhappy married couple, Lou and Irene, commit a life insurance fraud. Lou's brother Billy helps him fake his death and leave for Mexico. But Irene and Billy fall in love and when Lou returns, they claim they don't know him. I found this episode intolerably bad. It felt clichéd, even for a TFTC story, which features a shitty, abusive boyfriend, problems with money, meek wife, other jealous man, and someone getting the electric chair. At this point in season three, it doesn’t feel like they were trying too hard. Everything in this season has looked cheap, like their budget was slashed in half from season two. Not to mention, there’s a weird, very random cameo from Michael J. Fox.

Abra Cadaver (S3, E4)

A former potential surgeon sets out to wreak revenge on the brother whose cruel practical joke prevented him from realizing his dream. Unlike the first three episodes of season three, I seem to have a memory of seeing this one as a kid. It’s not a bad story, but kind of silly and predictable. Reminded me of movies or shows I’ve seen before. Doesn’t mean that it was bad, but it didn’t feel particularly fresh or inventive. It’s just another episode.

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Writing updates…

I actually managed to get some writing done this week on the collaboration with Wile E. Young. Our plan is to still try to get the book out by AuthorCon next month. This weekend we’re actually trying to narrow down the exact type of cover art we’d like.

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Currently watching: In Search of Darkness part III (really scraped the bottom of the barrel for some of this films they discussed on this one), From Beyond (got the beautiful new Vinegar Syndrome 4K edition)

Currently Reading: Always Listen to Her Hurt by Kenzie Jennings

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That’s it for this week. See y’all next Sunday!