New Nightstalker comic book and music album see the light of day

We already had a word here on The Nightstalker story universe. It's a plot about a mysterious hunter whose actions aren't always clear.

He seems to be involved into events like a murder but his role remains unclear. The whole story can be experienced through multiple media releases in form of music, movie and now two new options have become available. 

A overlook on some of the media available in The Nightstalker line.

The cool thing is that you can play a part of the story as a tabletop roleplaying game. I don't think I've come along a underground production that offers such a thing. If you're into experiencing unknown mysteries with your friends on a evening or two make sure to have a look into the free role book at Edition Stellarmaris to find out if it's for you (it's available in French language only).  

But the even cooler thing is that a short chapter of the story also lives in form of a comic book. Since the whole package is a complex thing this one part is surely easier to understand if you're new to the The Nightstalker universe. You can purchase it through Amazon but have a look inside first at the blog of Stellamaris editions.

In other news fresh music also has become available in this fascinating story universe. This time the project under the sign of "NIAC" put out a dark synth metal album that examines another part of the story and also discovers a new character. 

September Mourning talk about the fragmented soul

A band that appears in the real world as well as in comic books - a great idea in my ideas. The comic characters are kept in a darker style aiming at adult readers. The music fits to the stories told.

A short look inside the video of "Glass Animals" by September Mourning, (c) by September Mourning, used with kind permission

These days a new issue of the comic stories called "The complete collection" is about to see the light of day. You can spot some parts of the story in the fresh video September Mourning uploaded to YouTube. Musically the band continues with more dark toned notes while the vocals reach higher regions this time. There's also a deeper meaning hidden both in the book and in the lyrics of the song:

”'Glass Animals' is about the fragmented soul. It's about the realization that we are all broken. Something or someone has broken us and within that broken state we ultimately find the strength to survive. Musically, it's a little bit of a tribute to one of our favorite bands: The Deftones. The song ties into the comic book as well…. Hannah is a broken soul who, through the help of September and Claire, finds the strength to face her personal demons and live again." - Emily Lazar (Founder)


The full package is rounded out with a tour in the US to promote the music and the comic book release. The graphic novel will be sold in comic stores, books stores (Barnes & Noble) nationwide and on Amazon.

Smile Empty Soul will also perform at these shows. I had the pleasure to hear a B-Side compilation some time ago and can confirm that they are well worth the entry price. It's heavy grunge with much groove and hooklines to remember. Be sure to show up early so you'll not miss one of the bands out.

Tour Dates:
03/01 @ Dirty Days Car Show - Atkins, AR
03/02 @ Rockhouse Live - Memphis, TN
03/05 @ Voltage Lounge - Philadelphia, PA
03/06 @ Stage West - Scranton, PA
03/07 @ Dingbatz - Clifton, NJ
03/08 @ Webster Underground - Hartford, CT
03/09 @ Wally’s - Hampton Beach, NH
03/10 @ Providence Tattoo and Music Festival - Providence, RI
03/12 @ House of Music - Portland, ME
03/13 @ The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY
03/14 @ Revolution - Amityville, NY
03/15 @ Fish Head Cantina - Baltimore, MD
03/16 @ HMAC - Harrisburg, PA
03/19 @ Frankie’s - Toledo, OH
03/20 @ Cheers - South Bend, IN
03/20 @ South Bend, IN - Cheers
03/21 @ Token Lounge - Westland, MI
03/22 @ Muddy Creek Saloon - Heath, OH
03/23 @ Music Factory - Battle Creek, MI
03/24 @ Route 20 - Racine, WI
03/27 @ Gabe’s - Iowa City, IA
03/28 @ Rose Music Hall - Columbia, MO
03/29 @ Riot Room - Kansas City, MO
03/30 @ OKC Limits - Oklahoma City, OK

For updates and latest information on these gigs see September Mournings Facebook page.

CD Review: September Mourning - Volume II (Dark female fronted Rock/Metal 2016)

A smashing piece of female fronted rock/metal music taking you deep into the world of dark and grown-up comic characters without losing the sense for the real world.

The front cover of September Mourning's Volume II, (c) by September Mourning, used with kind permission

Summary

Some albums take you into another world. This particular one is a fine example for this. Besides the heavy and diverse rocking music tracks that invite you to have a good time and rock out to them this release contains far more.

It let's you sink in deep into a realm of comic characters that could be easily transfered from the real world. While the characters for sure are fictional you can easily connect with them if you look upon the story with adult eyes. It's like in the real world we are living in. The actions they do for sure aren't real but like in a fairytale you can see all the relations have a consequence and you may be able to learn something of the plot in the end.

It's for sure a album that aim's at the grown-up audience. Much to much of the story is based upon hard facts but if you like to take a brief time of your own life without going into a unrealistic realm this album is for you. The music screams out for a proper show on stage and I think the band should be worth a visit. Just look at the end of this review for US dates starting End of Feburary 2017. I hope they'll come to Europe/Germany some other day, too.

The music itself comes around hard and heavy. Often there are haunting moments inside of them - the vocals give express so much of what the topic of the song is all about. The guitars and drums push you constantly but also leave room to breathe every here and there. It's a thin line between heavyness and melody but this band has the ability it takes to provide songs that are authentic and lighter at the same time.

Preview-Track

The album has been released via Sumerian Records.. Music is always worth it so please support those that provide us with such a great treat. I've added the video for "20 Below" to give you a quick first insight into the band's sound.


 
Tour Dates

Be sure to see the band live in the United States starting in February 2017 alongside Dope, Combichrist and Davey Suicide. Dates are given below:

02/27 @ Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
02/28 @ Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
03/02 @ Liquid Joe's - Salt Lake City, UT
03/03 @ Sunshine Studios - Colorado Springs, CO
03/04 @ Aftershock - Merriam, KS
03/05 @ Outland Ballroom - Springfield, MO
03/06 @ Underground - Omaha, NE
03/07 @ Gabe's Oasis - Iowa City, IA
03/08 @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall - St Paul, MN
03/09 @ Courtside - Dubuque, IA
03/10 @ Q&Z Expo Center - Ringle, WI
03/11 @ The Sandlot - Green Bay, WI
03/12 @ The Annex - Madison, WI
03/13 @ The Metal Grill - Cudahy, WI
03/14 @ The Agora - Cleveland, OH
03/15 @ HOME Bar - Arlington Heights, IL
03/16 @ Big Shots - Valparaiso, IN
03/17 @ The Apollo Theatre - Belvedere, IL
03/18 @ The Machine Shop - Flint, MI
03/19 @ The Music Factory - Battle Creek, MI
03/20 @ Trixie's Ent. Complex - Louisville, KY
03/21 @ Diesel - Pittsburgh, PA
03/22 @ Reverb - Reading, PA

The band September Mourning, (c) by September Mourning, used with kind permission

03/23 @ Highline Ballroom - New York, NY
03/24 @ Palladium - Worcester, MA
03/25 @ Fish Head Cantina - Halethorpe, MD
03/26 @ Arizona Pete's -Greensboro, NC
03/28 @ The Haven - Winter Park, FL
03/29 @ The Orpheum - Tampa, FL
03/30 @ O'Malley's Sports Bar - Fort Lauderdale, FL
04/02 @ Southport Music Hall - New Orleans, LA
04/03 @ Grizzly Hall - Austin, TX
04/04 @ Scout Bar - Houston, TX
04/05 @ Fitzgerald's - San Antonio, TX
04/06 @ Trees - Dallas, TX
04/08 @ Club Red - Mesa, AZ
04/09 @ The Regent Theater - Los Angeles, CA

September Mourning releases lyric video and expands Kickstarter campaign

The first time I heard about a collaboration between a metal band with the world of comic characters was way back in 1996. Iced Earth released their "The Dark Saga" album, a concept record about the world of Spawn which also was used as a front cover of the album. I liked the record also it was much softer than the very heavy previous effort "Burnt Offerings". The addition of emotions and more variantions in the songs made it interesting for me.

September Mourning makes a different approach. It is not "only" a character in a comic universe but also a woman who performs under the same name and appeareance a combination of dark alternative Hard Rock. The music part of the project has just released their "Children Of Fate" lyric video from their upcoming EP due out this fall.

The character of September Mourning is a human-reaper hybrid, who feels the need to give some human souls a second chance, and thus toys with Fate. The real human artist carries positive passions into her music constantly encouraging their fans to have “the courage to embrace their passion… to allow yourself to follow your heart and not be a slave to your fears. To know that the only boundaries that exist in our lives are the ones we allow.”


Currently a Kickstarter campaign is up and running to help bring September Mourning's story from the stage to the pages of a comic book. An amazing all female team has been assembled to bring the story to life. The first issue has already been written by Mariah McCourt, illustrated by Summeye Kesgin, and conceptualized by Emily Lazar (September Mourning) & Marc Silvestri.

At the time I'm typing these lines the project was able to reach their initial Kickstarter funding goal for the first issue of the September Mourning comic book in under 72 hours! The first stretch goal of $20,000 has been announced.

When the stretch goal is reached, every person receiving a print or digital copy of September Mourning #1 will now also receive a corresponding digital and/or print copy of September Mourning #2 with a new Summeye Kesgin cover. This is a completely separate comic and continues the story of September Mourning. This exclusive cover edition will only be available through Kickstarter.

The #2 issue is not a separate pledge level, it's a stretch goal added to all who receive #1. So you can pledge other levels or spread the word about the campaign to your friends to help push over the $20,000 pledge level. You can make a pledge on September Mourning's Kickstarter page HERE. 
 
A pdf version of the comic is available for 5 Dollar including a free download of the song "Children of Fate". The prices for a  physical copy start at 15 Dollar. Just check the link for more details.

If you'd like to connect with September Mourning make sure to see the Facebook page or have a eye on Twitter or check in at Instagram.