Season 4 Episode 5: (Sippin' on) a Vintage from Atlantis with Clark Ashton Smith

Hile, travelers! We once more continue down The Lost Road. For this episode we discuss Clark Ashton Smith's story,  A Vintage from Atlantis. First published in Weird Tales in September of 1933, this is a story found in a number of volumes, and is now in the public domain.

Ballantine Collection, 1973, Cover by Gervasio Gallardo

One Things
Jon - Ellis and Cassaday's Planetary!
Josh - Ash Vs. Evil Dead on Starz! (You can now roll a Starz subscription into your Amazon Prime membership! No excuses, watch this show!)
Luke - The Builders by Daniel Polansky!

Next Time...
We read our first Lin Carter joint. Take a crack at The Wizard of Lemuria, won't you?

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)
You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Interlude:  a kick-ass amateur version of Greensleeves available on Youtube. Closing theme: When Wine Was Cheap by The Gourds. Buy this album!. All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 4 Episode 4: Dive Into The Deep With Lovecraft - The Doom that Came to Sarnath and The Temple!

Hile, travelers! We once more continue down The Lost Road. For this episode we discuss a couple of H.P. Lovecraft's stories, The Doom that Came to Sarnath and The Temple. Click on the story titles for links to this week's tales!

The Doom that Came to Sarnath, 1971, Cover by Gervasio Gallardo

One Things
Jon - Gravedigger by Christopher Mills and Rich Burchett (get it through Comixology)
Josh - Steve Lichman by Dave Rapoza!
Luke - Fargo, Season 2 on FX!

Also, as we mentioned in the episode, don't forget to check out a spooky story from the SCARAB Swarmcast!

Next time: We quaff fine wine with Clark Ashton Smith and discuss A Vintage From Atlantis!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)
You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Closing theme: "Of the Sea" by A.A. Bondy. All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Cromtober 2015 Episode 3: University Ghost Stories

A trio of Cromtober episodes? Yes! Here's another set of spooky stories, this time featuring haunted campuses and university ghosts!

Old Morrison, Transylvania University. Final resting place of Constantine Rafinesque...?

The stately Keene-Johnson Building, Eastern Kentucky University. The Blue Lady awaits...

And here's Mozart's grave, in the hallowed Ravine of Eastern Kentucky University!

Earhart Hall. Does the spirit of Amelia Earhart haunt these grounds? 

And with this, we bring Cromtober to a close, but the horror doesn't end...  When we return to the Lost Road, we will discuss a pair of Lovecraft stories with terrifying implications about long forgotten civilizations: The Temple, and The Doom That Came to Sarnath!

Questions? Comments? Curses?
Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)
You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning theme: "Quiet Slumber- Creepy Music Box" by PerpetualDusk09 on YouTube
Closing theme: "Down to Rest" by O'Death. We hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Cromtober 2015 Episode 2: A Jamesian Halloween!

A spooky salutation to one and all! The blood moon has risen and the fogs of dread cover the landscape! Surely that must mean it is Cromtober!

This Halloween special focuses on ghost stories from one of the founders of horror literature, M.R. James! If you haven't read them before, we encourage you to find a darkened room, light a candle, and read through "Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to you my Lad" and "Mezzotint". We think you will enjoy the spine-tingling sensation that follows!

One Things!
Josh - Unexplained Phenomena: A Rough Guide Special (link is to the 2nd Edition!)
Luke - Lovecraft Unbound (link is to the 2nd Edition!)
Jon - Spooky Reddit threads, including "Glitch" and "No Sleep!"

Other Podcasts You Should Check Out!
Trick or Treat Radio
The Hypnogoria Suite of Shows

Questions? Comments? Curses?

Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)
You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes! Listen on Stitcher!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Cromtober 2015 Episode 1: Ghosts of our Homelands

A spooky salutations to you Cromrade! The blood moon has risen and the fogs of dread cover the landscape! Surely that must mean it is Cromtober!

This year, our Halloween special focuses on ghost stories from one of the founders of horror literature, M.R. James! If you haven't read them before, we encourage you to find a darkened room, light a candle, and read through "Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to you my Lad" and "Mezzotint". We think you will enjoy the spine tingling sensation that follows!

But before we visit with Mr. M.R. we thought it would be fun to recount some of our own tales of encounters with the other side! Every community has their own ghost story and they often illuminate the history and the people of that region. Tune in to hear some tales from Kentucky, Arkansas, and Indiana and then head down to the comment section and share one from your home!

Daniel Boone National Forest, KY

Questions? Comments? Curses?
Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)
You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning theme: "Quiet Slumber- Creepy Music Box" by PerpetualDusk09 on YouTube
Closing theme: "Ghost Fields" by Murder by Death. We hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 4 Episode 3: The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune

Look closely at your screen. Do you see a dim reflection of yourself staring back? That person seems so near, yet so far away do they not? They weren't even there until you deigned to notice them. But... maybe you have it wrong. How do you know that you aren't the reflection and the reflection is actually a truer you? How can you ever truly know which is the shade and which is the person?

Now you understand the mindset of our hero Kull as he sits in the House of 1,000 Mirrors with Tuzun Thune! Will Kull find enlightenment in the realm of forms or has he been duped into a mirror prison?! Tune in and find out!

Art by Mike Ploog

Season 4 Episode 2: The Shadow Kingdom!

Welcome back, Cromrades! Apologies for our delays, but won't you please join us as we delve into the "Canonical Kull?" Our discussion this episode focuses on "The Shadow Kingdom," first published in Weird Tales in August of 1929. Is Kull just proto-Conan? WE SAY NAY!

Original story art for "The Shadow Kingdom" by Hugh Rankin.

One Things
Jon - Harmontown (and Community!)
Josh - The Sword's new album, High Country!
Luke - Ghost's new album, Meliora!

Remember, you can get Brian Keene and Steven Shrewsbury's barbaric new book "King of the Bastards" from Apex Publications for 50% off if you use promo code CROMCAST at checkout. If you take advantage of the promo, be sure and let us know what you think of the book!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)
You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Closing theme: "Majesty" by Ghost. All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 4 Episode 1: Howard and Atlantis (with special guests Jeffrey Shanks, Mark Finn, and Rusty Burke!)

Welcome back, Cromrades! Do we have a doozy of an episode for you! Joining us for the first half of the episode are three huge contributors to Robert E. Howard studies and pulp scholarship, Jeffrey Shanks, Mark Finn, and Rusty Burke! These three literary barbarians are in Providence, RI attending NecronomiCon representing the Robert E. Howard Foundation! If you're there, stop by and say hello! (Also take a selfie with them and tweet it at us! We'd like to make "REH Scholar Selfies" a thing.)

Consummate professionals at work!

Rusty says get your ass over to the Robert E. Howard Foundation website and sign up for a membership! There are different pay tiers that net you various benefits, as well as the regular membership which is free! It's a great way to support REH research and history, and to get familiar with current foundation activity!

Jeffrey co-edited a book forthcoming from Rowman & Littlefield alongside Justin Everett titled The Unique Legacy of Weird Tales: The Evolution of Modern Fantasy and Horror. It's pricy, but will be a great addition to anyone's pulp research library!

Mark has been productive as well! Check out his contributions to the anthologies Barbarian Crowns, HEROIKA Vol. 1: Dragon Eaters, and Asian Pulp!

Plus, these guys are part of a dynamic team collaborating on the new CONAN RPG from Modiphius Entertainment! If you haven't looked this thing over by now, by Crom's beard, what are you waiting for?

Check out Rob P's Lovecraftian music project, Innsmouth Gold! (Many thanks for the One Thing intros!)

One Things
Jon - The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Josh - Documentary, "The Imposter"
Luke - Advanced Demonology podcast, a straight up rock 'n roll podcast - good times, no hassle!

You can get Brian Keene's barbaric new book "King of the Bastards" from Apex Publications for 50% off if you use promo code CROMCAST at checkout. We get nothing, but YOU get a deal! If you take advantage of the promo, be sure and let us know what you think of the book!

This episode was based on REH's Hyborian Age and L. Sprague de Camp's Atlantis essay. You can find his book, "Lost Continents" from Dover Press! You should also check out Jeffrey Shanks' recent essay about Howard's world building on Black Gate!

Be sure to check out the reading list for this season! Let us know what you think, and we'll see you on down the road!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.

Closing theme: "From Shores Forsaken" by Atlantean Kodex.

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook! Subscribe to us on iTunes!

SEASON FOUR: THE LOST ROAD

Greetings, travelers! We have a mysterious path before us... Season Four of The Cromcast will cover stories within the Lost World genre. Will you join us on the journey?

Marvel Comics' Map of the Thurian Age

Our reading (and viewing) list for this season will be as follows:

The Hyborian Age (Robert E. Howard)

The Shadow Kingdom (Robert E. Howard)

The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune (Robert E. Howard)

The Temple (H.P. Lovecraft)

The Doom that Came to Sarnath (H.P. Lovecraft)

A Vintage of Atlantis (Clark Ashton Smith)

Thongor of Lemuria (Lin Carter)

The Lost World (1925 film)

King Kong (1933 film)

Tigers of the Sea (Robert E. Howard)

The Temple of Abomination (Robert E. Howard)

King Solomon’s Mines (H. Rider Haggard)

She (1965 film)

Men of the Shadows (Robert E. Howard)

Kings of the Night (Robert E. Howard)

The Dark Man (Robert E. Howard)

Worms of the Earth (Robert E. Howard)

Season 3, Episode 13: Season Finale - Solomon Kane in Review

In the final episode of Season 3, we discuss Solomon Kane in the context of other popular fantasy and science fiction characters. Using Kane and Conan the Cimmerian as our guides, we ponder the philosophical journey of Robert E. Howard and attempt to understand the author's religious views through the lens of two of his most popular and enduring characters. We discuss our favorite Solomon Kane poems and tales, and whether or not you could just hand someone a copy of Wings in the Night before they read the other Kane stories. We do our best to give Solomon Kane the send-off the character deserves, and we thank you for all of your insight as we attempted to dissect these tales over the past several months!

You might have noticed our awesome brand new One Thing music lead-in! Listener and friend of The Cromcast, Rob Poyton, sent it our way! Rob, thank you so much for spending your time putting this together, it turned out great! Everyone should go check out Rob's music project Innsmouth Gold, Lovecraftian music to bend your mind and warp your soul! You'll dig it! Tell him The Cromcast sent you!

As you reflect on the Solomon Kane cycle of stories you might want to check out the Solomon Kane timeline over by Keith Taylor over on Two Gun Raconteur - an excellent companion to place the stories in a historical context!

One Things:
Jon recommends Marvel Comics' Weirdworld by Jason Aaron.
Josh did not have a One Thing this week, but did gripe about the overwhelmingly dark tone of DC Comics films, including the upcoming Suicide Squad and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movies. Once you've watched these trailers, cleanse your palate with an episode of the Fleischer Superman cartoon from the 1940s.
Luke would like for everyone to check out Khemmis' album Absolution. Here it is on Bandcamp and Amazon! Sludgy riffs of doom!

We now bid good-bye to Solomon Kane and leave the Road of Vengeance behind, though it has not left us unscathed. We now stand at yet another crossroad, and must choose our path carefully. Next: Season 4 - The Lost Road! We will devote the next set of episodes to exploring tales of forgotten worlds and lost civilizations! The road map will be posted soon, we are putting the finishing touches on now! Until next time, Cromrades, safe travels!

...A wild moon rode the wild white clouds, the waves in white crests flowed,
When Solomon Kane went forth again and no man knew his road.
They glimpsed him etched against the moon, where clouds on hilltop thinned;
They heard an eery echoed call that whistled down the wind...

Season 3, Episode 12: The Poems of Solomon Kane (or, The Rhyming Scheme of Revenge!)

Greetings Cromrades! Today we will be dissecting and enjoying the poetry featuring Solomon Kane. Howard was a poet in the Byronic tradition, so each of these verses is action packed with adventure!

Poems
The One Black Stain
The Return of Sir Richard Grenville
Solomon Kane's Homecoming


Do you have a favorite Howard poem? Sound off in the comments!

Also don't forget to send us your thoughts and innermost feelings regarding Solomon Kane in the form of an email, voicemail, or MP3! If you do, we will feature your "letter" on the season 3 wrap up episode!

One things:
Jon: Twin Peaks
Luke: The Sisters Brothers
Josh: Christopher Lee's filmography

This episode was recorded on the anniversary of Howard's death. So raise a glass or observe a moment of silence out of respect for the man whose imagination has brought us all together.

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.

Closing theme: "The Wanderer" By Johnny Cash and U2.

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook! Subscribe to us on iTunes!

Season 3, Episode 11: The Fragmented Solomon Kane pt. 2

"They made a strange contrast, those two, standing there in the twilight of that great tropic forest. Jeremy Hawk was as tall as Solomon Kane like him was rangy and powerful — steel springs and whalebone. But where Solomon was dark, Jeremy Hawk was blond. Now he was burned light bronze by the sun, and his tangled yellow locks fell over his high narrow forehead. His jaw, masked by a yellow stubble, was lean and aggressive; his thin gash of a mouth was cruel. His grey eyes were gleaming and restless, full of wild glitterings and shifting lights. His nose was thin and aquiline, and his whole face was that of a bird of prey. He stood, leaning slightly forward in his usual attitude of fierce eagerness, nearly naked, gripping his reddened sword.

Facing him stood Solomon Kane, likewise tall and powerful, in his worn boots, tattered 'garments, and featherless slouch hat, girt with pistols, rapier, and dagger; with his powder-and- shot pouch slung to his belt. There was no hint of likeness between the wild, reckless hawk's face of the buccaneer and the sombre features of the Puritan, whose dark pallor rendered his face almost corpse-like. Yet in the tigerish litheness of the pirate, in the wolfish appearance of Kane the same quality was apparent. Both of these men were born rovers and killers, curst with a paranoid driving urge that burned them like a quenchless fire and never gave them rest."

This isn't Fancy Feast!

Greetings Cromrades and welcome to the latest stop on The Road of Vengeance! This week we present two fragment stories featuring our Puritanical protagonist Solomon Kane. The first story is The Hawk of Basti and the second is The Children of Assur. Despite not being complete we still find both tales to be entertaining and well written, but we end up loving one more than the other. Which one? Tune in and find out!

Let us know how you would have ended each tale or what you think Howard may have been leading to! Also don't forget to send us your thoughts and innermost feelings regarding Solomon Kane in the form of an email, voicemail, or MP3! If you do, we will feature your "letter" on the season 3 wrap up episode!

Check out listener Francesca's art page:
http://www.franrowanart.com/


One things:
Luke: Astronomy Cast
Jon: Adventures in Unhistory
Josh: Mad Max: Fury Road

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.

Closing theme: "Fragments" by Thievery Corporation, All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook! Subscribe to us on iTunes!

Season 3, Episode 10: Solomon Kane Goes to The Movies

"There are many paths to redemption, not all of them peaceful..."

Hail, Cromrades! We have returned to the Road of Vengeance, and this week we discuss Solomon Kane directed by Michael J. Bassett and starring James Purefoy in the title role. (Note: this title is unavailable on Netflix Instant, but you can rent a digital copy of the movie from Amazon.) 

The film explores the early years of Solomon Kane, and the reasons behind his never-ending quest for justice (or is it an unquenchable thirst for murder and vengeance?). You'll find stunning cinematography and scenery, a great supporting cast, and a good effort by Purefoy in the role of Kane struggling against his murderous nature. We enjoyed the film to differing degrees. It's a shame we'll likely never see a sequel, this team could produce a great film adaptation of Red Shadows, Moon of Skulls, or Hills of the Dead/Wings in the Night. The source material is all there, and it's so good! Alas, the film fell into trappings of the origin story.  But, the tone seems right, and though the plot is rushed, some character motivations are questionable, and the CGI effects (particularly toward the end) already look quite dated, this is a decent, dark sword and sorcery movie. 

What do you think of the Solomon Kane film? Let us know! 

Three Things (One Thing X 3)

Jon - The Grifters, by Jim Thompson

Luke - Hyperion, by Dan Simmons

Josh - Marvel's Daredevil on Netflix (But read the comics too, particularly The Man Without Fear!) 

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.

Closing theme: "Cloak and Dagger", the closing theme from the Solomon Kane movie. Used without permission. We hope our content makes you want to go out and purchase music and books and games, don't be a Pirate King like old Solomon Kane used to be!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook! Subscribe to us on iTunes!

Season 3, Episode 9 - The Footfalls Within

"And Solomon Kane shuddered, for he had looked on Life that was not Life as he knew it, and had dealt and witnessed Death that was not Death as he knew it." 

Hile, adventurers! Today's show focuses on The Footfalls Within. This story, first published in Weird Tales in September 1931, is the final complete story on our Road of Vengeance. Needless to say, this turns out to be one of our favorites!

Art by Gary Gianni

One Things for the episode include:
Jon: Justified, which just came to its grand conclusion on FX!
Josh: Sheik, a documentary of one of the greatest heel wrestlers of all time!
Luke: Room 237, a documentary about Kubrick's The Shining!

Next time... Solomon Kane goes to Hollywood!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.

Since we followed a caravan across a mystic landscape in this episode, our closing song for this episode is "Planet Caravan," as covered by Mercury Rev. All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work! Check out Mercury Rev, and dig into some psychedelia!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook!

Season 3, Episode 8 - Wings in the Night

"Kane poured water from his canteen between the mangled lips, and bending close, said: "Tell me more of these devils, for by the God of my people, this deed shall not go unavenged, though Satan himself bar my way."
It is doubtful if the dying man heard. But he heard something else. The macaw, with the curiosity of its breed, swept from a near-by grove and passed so close its great wings fanned Kane's hair. And at the sound of those wings, the butchered man heaved upright and screamed in a voice that haunted Kane's dreams to the day of his death: '"The wings! the wings! They come again! Ahhh, mercy, the wings!"'

Art by Gary Gianni

Welcome back, Cromrades! We apologize for our tardiness in bringing you this episode, but we had a great discussion about this week's tale Wings in the Night! (Read it on Project Gutenberg Australia.) This is the last Solomon Kane tale to have been published, though interestingly, The Footfalls Within seems to take place after this story. We've been watching Kane's spiritual and mental conditions deteriorate during his journey through Africa, and now we see the feather that broke the camel's back, so to speak. This story is fatalistic, brutal, and bleak, as Kane becomes completely unhinged and deconstructed. What will be left of him? 

(Edit: We mention Michael Wojcik's excellent essay "Finding Subversion in Solomon Kane" which was very useful in preparing for this episode, and we urge you to check it out once you've had a chance to read the story!)

The Madness of Solomon. Another excellent piece of Gianni art.

One Thing (x 3) Jon recommends It Follows.  Luke found a neat copy of The Golden Guide to Stars (and has been watching the skies for celestial bodies and extraterrestrial threats.) Josh recommends reading On The Origin of Species and is working on a podcast with his friends at work focusing on the writings of Charles Darwin.   Bonus Thing - Our friend Laurence suggested we check out some of Charles Saunders' sword and soul stories. We found Griots: A Sword and Soul Anthology and it looks excellent! If you've read this, send us your review! 

The next stop on the Road of Vengeance will be the Solomon Kane tale, The Footfalls Within. (Read it on Project Gutenberg Australia). Until then, Cromrades, watch the skies!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 

The closing theme for this episode is "God's Gonna Cut You Down" performed by Johnny Cash and found on the album American V: A Hundred Highways. All music was obtained legally; we hope our inclusion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook!

Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes! Don't forget Stitcher!

Season 3, Episode 7 - The Hills of The Dead

"Yonder in the unknown vastness"--his long finger stabbed at the black silent jungle which brooded beyond the firelight--"yonder lie mystery and adventure and nameless terror. Once I dared the jungle--once she nearly claimed my bones. Something entered into my blood, something stole into my soul like a whisper of unnamed sin. The jungle! Dark and brooding --over leagues of the blue salt sea she has drawn me and with the dawn I go to seek the heart of her. Mayhap I shall find curious adventure--mayhap my doom awaits me. But better death than the ceaseless and everlasting urge, the fire that has burned my veins with bitter longing." 

N'Longa stirred the fire, saying nothing..."

Art by Gary Gianni

This week we return to Africa for the third time with Solomon Kane in Robert E. Howard's pulpy vampire-slaying adventure, The Hills of the Dead. (Read it on Project Gutenberg Australia). In contrast to our last story (The Blue Flame of Vengeance), this tale is full of magic and supernatural creatures. We think it's an interesting tale with layers that go much deeper than you might guess at first glance!

Ecoregions of Africa. Based on the descriptions in the tale, we think Kane began his journey to the Hills of the Dead somewhere near Gabon/Congo and traveled north into the Tropical Dry Forest and Savannahs. 

As in Red Shadows, Kane would not have made it through the events of the tale without the aid of the might N'Longa. In fact, without the staff that N'Longa gives Kane at the beginning of the tale, it is likely the initial confrontation with the two vampires would have ended much differently. Though Kane's will is nigh-unbreakable, N'Longa's power far exceeds that of Solomon Kane's and arguably N'Longa is the true hero of the tale, though Kane is not minimized by this statement! What mortal man can hope to stand against magical powers like N'Longa's? We're just glad N'Longa's a good guy!

Kane did serve as a good distraction to buy time for N'Longa to cast his powerful magic, though.

Michael Whelan's interpretation of Roland's fight with The Slow Mutants from Stephen King's The Gunslinger.
Similarities abound!

It seems as though we have been watching the gradual disintegration of Solomon Kane's worldview, and wonder how much longer his faith, will, and sanity can hold out!

One Things

Jon: Netflix's Original Series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt!

Josh: All Things Song of Ice and Fire, specifically the upcoming Dunk and Egg collection A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and The World of Ice and Fire, a history of Westeros and Essos!

Luke: AMC's Better Call Saul!

Also be sure to check out the new book from Brian Keene, The Lost Level. All of our Cromrades will receive a 50% discount off either the trade paperback or digital copy of this book if you order it from Apex Publications and use the promo code mentioned in this episode... Listen for that promo code! And get your hands on a tale of high adventure!

While you're at it, check out the new publisher, Strange Books, and stay tuned in the future for more discussion of their material!

Our next stop on the Road of Vengeance will be the Solomon Kane tale, Wings in the Night. (Read it on Project Gutenberg Australia). Until then, Cromrades, safe travels!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 

Our closing theme for this episode is "Africa" performed by Toto and found on the album Toto IV. All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook!

Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes! Don't forget Stitcher!

Season 3, Episode 6 - The Blue Flame of Vengeance

Art by Gary Gianni

"The Lord hath led my feet into many strange places, and over many queer paths," said he sombrely. "Some were fair and many were foul; sometimes I seemed to wander without purpose or guidance but always when I sought deep I found fit reason therefor. And harkee, lad, forbye the fires of Hell there is no hotter fire than the blue flame of vengeance which burneth a man's heart night and day without rest until he quench it in blood."

"It hath been my duty in times past to ease various evil men of their lives - well, the Lord is my staff and my guide and methinks he hath delivered mine enemy into mine hands."

Hello fellow travelers on the path of vengeance! Today we present unto you the Solomon Kane tale, The Blue Flame of Vengeance. Join us for a swashbuckling tale of civilized savagery, smuggling, the knife fight to end all knife fights, and of course, that constant companion, Death! Luke finds beauty in the humanity of Solomon Kane while Josh and Jon wonder if there isn't something supernatural about the man.  

Tune in and also let us know what you think of the tale down in the comments!

Our next tale of savage and bloody vengeance will be "The Hills of the Dead" (Read it on Project Gutenberg Australia.) 

One things

Jon: Dr. San Guinary's Creature Feature (It features creatures!) 

Josh: The Cat Lady, the official old cat lady video game (also a psychological thriller that will make you reflect on the choices you've made in your life...)

Luke: Lore, Elder's newest album (THUNDEROUS RIFFS! Really, these guys are good!) 

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 

Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Our closing theme for this episode is "Blue Flame" performed by Sylvan Shulman and His Orchestra. All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook!

Season 3, Episode 5 - The Moon of Skulls (with guest host Jeffrey Shanks!)

Hile, adventurers! Today's show focuses on the Solomon Kane epic, The Moon of Skulls. We were lucky to have Howard scholar Jeffrey Shanks join us to discuss this controversial story. Our discussion was a doozy! Be sure, this is an episode for the ages!

Our One Things for this episode include...

Jeffrey: Dungeons and Dragons, Fifth Edition

Jon: The BBC series, Black Mirror

Josh: The Netflix original series, Marco Polo

Luke: Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles 

Also be sure to check out the new book from Brian Keene, The Lost Level. All of our Cromrades will receive a 50% discount off either the trade paperback or digital copy of this book if you order it from Apex Publications and use the promo code mentioned in this episode... Listen for that promo code! And get your hands on a tale of high adventure!

Be sure to check out Jeffrey Shanks' blog, An Age Undreamed Of, for a taste of Mr. Shanks' perspective on all things pulp! Consider picking up the book that Jeff edited, "Zombies From the Pulps!" And, for a bit of info about Howard's adaptation of Atlantean themes, check out this presentation by Jeff at the 2011 PCA/ACA National Conference.

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 

Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Our closing theme for this episode is "Vengeance is Mine" performed by Alice Cooper from the 2008 album "Along Came a Spider". All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook!

Season 3, Episode 04 - The Castle of the Devil and Death's Black Riders

The hangman asked of the carrion crow,

but the raven made reply:

"Black ride the men who ride with Death

beneath the midnight sky,

"And black each steed and grey each skull

and strange each deathly eye.

"They have given their breath to grey old Death

and yet they cannot die."

Art by Gary Gianni

Hello friends! Today's show features two original Howard fragments "The Castle of the Devil" and "Death's Black Riders". While they may be short they still feature Howard's signature style and will get your mind racing and your blood pumping. We focus a portion of the show on adaptations of each fragment and other people's attempt to finish what REH started. 

Let us know what you would have done to complete each tale!

One Things:

Jon: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D

Luke: Joe Abercrombie's The First Law Series
Josh: Talisman the Board Game (app)

Also be sure to check out the new book from our pals at Apex Publications: The Lost Level by Brian Keene. Preorder now or wait till it comes out on Jan. 19th!

We are working on a review of a new book, Titled "J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard and the Birth of Modern Fantasy (Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy)" by Deke Parsons. You can purchase it on Amazon.com here. We'll post a review as soon as it's ready!

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 

Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Our closing theme for this episode is "Ghost Riders in the Sky" performed by Johnny Cash All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Leave us a voice mail! (859) 429-CROM! (That's 859-429-2766)

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook!