This is the kickoff episode of our newest series, Kill or Be Killed, an exploration of neo-noir and crime cinema.  Rennie Resmini joins us as cohost and we’ll be talking about some of the iconic films in this subgenre.  This week, we cover Thief, Michael Mann’s debut feature film from 1981.  Based on “The Home Invaders” the novel by Ronnie Caan, Mann creates a cold landscape of outsiders, criminals and crooked cops brought to life by an incredible cast lead by James Caan and Tuesday Weld including James Belushi, Robertr Prosky, Dennis Farina and Willie Nelson

Intro: “Thief Cue 1” – Tangerine Dream
Outro: “Thief Cue 2” – Tangerine Dream

This week, Cliff Sargent of the Better Than Food YouTube channel joins us.  Better Than Food is a book review platform that I have been following for the last several years. Through his channel, Cliff has turned me on a multitude of authors as well as motivated me to revisit some old favorites. We had a great conversation ranging from literature and philosophy to music.

Intro: “All the Dark Things” – Mike Hill
Outro: “Narco Terroristo” – Outlaw Order

2025 has been kicked off and we’re all engaged in whatever endeavors we have in our lives.  I wanted to do an episode reviewing what I accomplished form 2024, what will carry over and any new additions.  It would be interesting to get this out there and hopefully you guys can share your own goals and reflections for the new year.

Intro: “All the Dark Things” – Mike Hill
Outro: “Tainted Skies” - Tribulation

2024 is coming to a close, so it’s time for Ralph Schmidt, one of my dearest friends to return.  Ralph and I discuss the final Unholy Passion Festival that just happened in Koln. It’s truly and end of an era.  The conversation also gets very introspective as we discuss some of the recent obstacles that we are currently dealing with. This will be the last episode of the year but I’ll be back with new episodes in January.  

Intro: “All the Dark Things” – Mike Hill
Outro: “Pray to Me - Bambara

Tune in for another riveting discussion of Karl Edward Wagner’s sword and sorcery icon Kane.  This month, Karl Haikara and I continue our discussion of BLOODSTONE, Karl Edward Wagner’s first KANE novel. This is part 3 covering the following chapters:

14 Flight into Nightmare
15 Lord of Bloodstone
16 When Death is Unmasked
17 What Manner of Man
18 The Wolf Lays Plans
19 Dreams in Arellarti
20 Night of Bloodstone

Intro / Outro: “Darkness Weaves” – Mike Hill

This week, we’re tapping into the vault for an old episode from the late, great Metal Matters podcast. Some of you were around for that era of Gimme Metal and the very cool things we did.  This was episode 4, featuring the legendary Dan Lilker, a man who needs no introduction. Danny has been a key member in some of the most iconic bands in metal: Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, Brutal Truth, Hemlock…the list goes on.  I caught up with Danny in Rochester, NY when Tombs came through town on tour.  My voice was a little shot, so apologies for that.

Intro: “All the Dark Things” – Mike Hill
Outro: “Vision” – Brutal Truth

Daniel House of Skin Yard and CZ records joins us this week. The occasion is to discuss the forthcoming Skinyard Select, a limited edition collection of 7-ins featuring custom deluxe packaging and unique colors.  The collections spans the band’s entire career and features all four drummers, some unreleased material and remixes.

Skinyard was one of the proto-typical “grunge bands” from the Pacific Northwest, based in Seattle, WA. The band was active between 1985 and 1992 and released 5 albums along with a slew of singles and compilation appearances including the seminal DEEP SIX compilation that featured Soundgarden, Green River, Melvins, Malfunshun, and U Men.

Intro: “All of the Dark Things” – Mike Hill
Outro: “Wither” – Skin Yard

Fellow Horseman, Brandon Legion joins us this week. You all know Brandon from HorrorWolf666 but the key topic is the release of the debut album “LIMINAL DARKNESS” By ABRAXAS HORN. Along with Matt Priso, I had the honor of collaborating on this dark, intense project.

Intro: “All of the Dark Things” – Mike Hill
Outro: “Lycanthropic Transfiguration” – Abraxas Horn

Scott Hamilton of KEN Mode joins us this week. Scott is fresh off a North American Tour, so we touch on that a bit.  The main objective of our discussion is John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy which includes his films The Thing, Prince of Darkness and In the Mouth of Madness.

Intro: “All the Dark Things” – Mike Hill
Outro: “Prince of Darkness” – John Carpenter

This week, we are pulling an episode from the Patreon vault. Evan Hopper of the Quell and I do these types of episodes from time to time called Hollywood Babylon where to get into “interesting films”.

Taxi Driver is an iconic film, a masterpiece by legendary filmmakers Martin Scorcese and Paul Schrader . Its influence can be seen all over the last several decades of film.  Lurking in the shadows you will find God’s Lonely Man, pretty much a sleazy rip off, a movie that most may dismiss as pure exploitation, but for some reason, we can’t seem to stop thinking about this mid-90’s study in loneliness and depravity.

Intro:  “Hollywood Babylon” – Evan Hopper
Outro: “Faust” – Verberis

Paul Aloisio of Restless Spirit joins us this week hot off their tour with The Obsessed. Paul and I discuss the tour and touring with one of his musical influences.  This episode drops right before Halloween, so we talk about the spooky season, movies and books we dig and other related tangents.

Intro:    “All of the Dark Things” – Mike Hill

Outro:  “Cascade Immolator” – Restless Spirit