Countdown to New York Comic Con

Doesn't this NYCC App logo look like some shitty hardcore band's T-shirt?

It's almost that time of year again... New York Comic Con. And while I may not be the stereotypical con-goer (who IS a "typical" con attendee these days?), I am WAY excited about this weekend's festivities. Scanning through their app last night, I found some highlights I thought I'd share.

I. Celebs Galore
Since Joe Harris' X Files Season 10 comic series had inspired me to revisit the TV show on Netflix, it's actually quite exciting that both Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny will be appearing together at NYCC. Other A-listers include Patrick Stewart, Sigourney Weaver, Aisha Tyler, a ton of Walking Dead cast members (including Norman Reedus, meow!), The Office's BJ Novak, Chloe Grace Moretz, Felicia Day, George Romero, Kathy Najimy and William Shatner. And apparently Sylvester Stallone is charging $300 per pic. Go, Sly!

II. Wrestlemania
Your favorite '80s wrestlers are also coming through, specifically: Hulk Hogan, Sgt. Slaughter and Hacksaw Jim Duggan.

III. Metal People, What's Up?
The fine gentlemen of Metal Sucks (and Metal Injection) are teaming up with Vertebrae33 and are hosting signings with Monster Magnet's Dave Wyndorf and Anthrax's Frank Bello over the weekend.

IV: "Alt" Art or Attack the Block
In addition to hosting comics, manga, celebs and other vendors, NYCC has an area called "The Block" devoted to surrealist and pop art, collectible vinyls and toys, apparel and tons more. This is where I tend to spend WAY too much money at the Zero Friends and Kid Robot booths.

V: EXCLUSIVES
Besides "limited edition" is there another term that can get collectors' hearts to beat faster? Check out NYCC's listing right here.

If you see me at NYCC, say hi and hopefully I'll remember the last time we interacted. I'll be the shorter-in-person brunette with the fancy camera and the Press pass.

'Dispassionate' is the Word of the Day

The Dream Calls For Blood

What an insane whirlwind this month has been! Working on a recap of all the marquee artists I caught in September. I also filed my High Times profile of Death Angel, more than a year after I first spoke with founding guitarist Rob Cavestany, who was a blast to chat with. Look for the outtakes Q&A here as well.

Until then, check out the trailer for their new album, The Dream Calls For Blood. Having listened to it on repeat, I absolutely co-sign for it.

Tour Widow Blues

Ready to set in...

Finally, Something to Get Excited About

NEW CARCASS! Check out their officially-released comeback single, "Captive Bolt Pistol," from their forthcoming album, Surgical Steel (that's the cover below). US tour soon, please, yes?

Remember When Metal Was Dangerous?

When I was a kid, telling someone I was into metal usually meant receiving a reply asking if I worshiped Satan or wanted to kill myself (seriously, the idea of subliminal messages is still SO dumb - why would you want the people who buy your records to die?).

Over the last decade, as the buying power of older males dovetailed with metal fans' aging population, we began seeing Judas Priest and even Death Angel being used to hawk everything from burgers to sensible Japanese cars. And that's cool, I guess, if it means another revenue stream for the bands. 

But then I saw this... Granted, the news was released almost a month ago, but when you run six sites, sometimes reading informative e-blasts is a secondary joy. Either way, this shit won't happen until May 15, so you have plenty of time to set those DVRs.

Black Sabbath - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler - will make a rare television appearance on the season finale of CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on Wednesday, May 15 at 10p. As the CSI team investigates a trail of murders with similarities to the sins in Dante's Inferno, the band will share a scene with D.B. Russell (Ted Danson), when he and Conrad (Marc Vann) attend a Black Sabbath show. The appearance will mark the band's world premiere of the song End of the Beginning from their new album 13, due out June 11 on Vertigo/Republic. "Because the album is titled 13 and this is the finale of CSI's Season 13, it seemed like the perfect match," said Executive Producer Don McGill. - c/o & Copyright Cynopsis 2013

Seriously, though, remember when metal was taboo? 

R.I.P. Jeff Hanneman

An end of an era. Rest in power. Slayer forever.

Photo lifted from hornsuprocks.comhornsuprocks.com