Sunday, 29 March 2015

Dark Review - TaoMix

A smartphone app that lets you create your own ambient soundscape to relax to? TaoMix is just such an app and it is very good indeed. Read my review on Amongst Geeks here.

Image © Copyright deMute



Saturday, 28 March 2015

Dark Music Review – Shortwave

Dark Music Review – Shortwave

Written By Casey Douglass



Anything to do with hidden messages and secret codes usually grabs my interest. When that interest mingles with one of my favourite music genres, the effect is more than doubled! Shortwave, a dark ambient album from Metadronos & Ager Sonus has caused one such marrying. The album description:
For decades, all over the world, people have been trying to transport information and vital data over shortwave-radio-frequencies, unbeknownst to the general public. Those unknown parties used a multitude of encryption systems to their advantage. This album invites you to get a feeling for the mystery of... shortwave transmissions.
One thing that I really really like about Shortwave is the device of using spoken numbers throughout various portions of the music. Numbers can be ‘beaty’ things at the best of times, but the effect of a voice monotonously reading numbers, or repeating one a few times before moving onto the next, creates a very nice rhythm that manages to mingle with the dark drones and beeping sounds in a very pleasing way. Shortwave, the track, is a prime example of this.

Another track that I particularly liked was Glowlamp Machine. This track makes great use of strange yet child-like melodies, yet they jostle uncomfortably with strong tones and the repetitive intoning of numbers again. The swelling sounds and sweeping droning created an image for me of a boffin in his or her lab, code running down green LED fed computer screens. If you have ever seen the film Pi, you might know what I mean. If you haven’t, seek it out!

Wireless Intercept Station is also a great track. More orchestral in nature and featuring ominous bellchimes and strings like unimpressed bees. Then the distorted and drained-of-life voice of a man begins to speak. A great track.

What you get with Shortwave is a dark ambient album that stays on theme the whole way through, yet each track is varied enough and different enough to keep giving the repeated theme in fresh ways to your ears each time. I give Shortwave 4.5/5. It used numbers in a way I’d not heard before and every time I listened to it, this fact re-impressed me over and over.

Head over to the Shortwave Bandcamp page here for more info.

I was given a free copy of the album to review.

Album Title: Shortwave
Artist: Metadronos & Ager Sonus
Released : 6th February 2015

Friday, 27 March 2015

Dark Film Review - Wild Card

The Stath is in another film. This one is called Wild Card, but is it any good? Read my review here on Amongst Geeks to find out.

Image © Copyright Lionsgate

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Dark Review - Cities: Skylines

I take a look at Cities: Skylines over on Amongst Geeks, a fantastic city builder and one that just seems to get most things right. Click here to have a read.

Image © Copyright Paradox Interactive
 

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

Dark Distractions Anthology Gets Great Review

My Dark Distractions Anthology Volume One has just received a great review from Dave over on Horrorcabin.com. A small quote is:
Unlike some first time authors who rely solely on details of gore and bloody scenarios, Casey Douglass opts instead for story and character progression. And it works so well, you’ll be lost in those characters. Whether it’s a short piece of flash fiction or a medium size tale, you feel as if you’re in the world they are in.
You can read the full review here and read more about my Dark Distractions Anthology Volume One here.


Monday, 23 March 2015

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Version 2.0 Now on The Huffington Post UK

The article that I wrote called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Version 2.0 and was published on Geek Syndicate is now on The Huffington Post UK website here. Going to that link and giving me any shares/likes/+1s would be greatly appreciated as it's something that has made my life bloody hell at times. It would be nice to get something nice from it for once!


Saturday, 21 March 2015

Dark Film Review - Run All Night

I review Liam Neeson's latest film Run All Night on Amongst Geeks here. A routine but fun in places slice of cinema.
Image © Copyright Warner Bros. Entertainment