#review — Public Fediverse posts

I've been #listening to Anne Sulikowski's #ambient #music since around 2013 or 2014. Today I am finally #reviewing one of her #albums: Secret Land. Check out the #review on The CerebralRift and her #BandCamp site for more releases:

https://cerebralrift.cc/2026/08/16/anne-sulikowski-secret-land/

I've been #listening to Anne Sulikowski's #ambient #music since around 2013 or 2014. Today I am finally #reviewing one of her #albums: Secret Land. Check out the #review on The CerebralRift and her #BandCamp site for more releases:

https://cerebralrift.cc/2026/08/16/anne-sulikowski-secret-land/

Ice queen Barbara Stanwyck and oily Kirk Douglas do their best to keep big lug Van Heflin's big lug mouth shut. Discount store Lauren Bacall, Lizabeth Scott, flits about looking pretty and tragic.

The dialog has some good stretches, then loses steam.

#film #review #letterboxd

https://letterboxd.com/joewells/film/the-strange-love-of-martha-ivers/

Ice queen Barbara Stanwyck and oily Kirk Douglas do their best to keep big lug Van Heflin's big lug mouth shut. Discount store Lauren Bacall, Lizabeth Scott, flits about looking pretty and tragic.

The dialog has some good stretches, then loses steam.

#film #review #letterboxd

https://letterboxd.com/joewells/film/the-strange-love-of-martha-ivers/

Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi (2026-2026)
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Star Wars Visions is a pretty cool project and this expanded story had some fun ideas. I’m always down for more unique takes from Star Wars.
https://justincox.com/blog/2026/08/star-wars-visions-presents-the-ninth-jedi-2026-2026/
#Review #TV #StarWars

Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi (2026-2026)
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Star Wars Visions is a pretty cool project and this expanded story had some fun ideas. I’m always down for more unique takes from Star Wars.
https://justincox.com/blog/2026/08/star-wars-visions-presents-the-ninth-jedi-2026-2026/
#Review #TV #StarWars

Anton Jäger’s book Hyperpolitics gave me a lot to think about, including the need for "spiritual community." We're in an age of politics but not institutional engagement, and that may be where we have to go. https://www.xenofact.com/2026/08/16/hyperpolitics-a-review-and-more/

#hyperpolitcs #book #review

Anton Jäger’s book Hyperpolitics gave me a lot to think about, including the need for "spiritual community." We're in an age of politics but not institutional engagement, and that may be where we have to go. https://www.xenofact.com/2026/08/16/hyperpolitics-a-review-and-more/

#hyperpolitcs #book #review

The Batman (2022)
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was fine. But long, but with a somewhat decent story. It didn’t hold a candle to the show it spun off, though.
https://justincox.com/blog/2026/08/the-batman-2022/
#Review #Movie #Film

The Batman (2022)
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was fine. But long, but with a somewhat decent story. It didn’t hold a candle to the show it spun off, though.
https://justincox.com/blog/2026/08/the-batman-2022/
#Review #Movie #Film

#BobFosse #GwenVerdon #FosseVerdon #series #review #FX #Drama

Unlike general-purpose photo editing suites, this software operates as a specialized transformation layer, functioning either as a standalone executable or as a secondary processing module via host-specific plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom
#Review #EMOTION #Software #Photography #sflorg
https://www.sflorg.com/2026/08/rev08162601.html

Unlike general-purpose photo editing suites, this software operates as a specialized transformation layer, functioning either as a standalone executable or as a secondary processing module via host-specific plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom
#Review #EMOTION #Software #Photography #sflorg
https://www.sflorg.com/2026/08/rev08162601.html

#IT #Technology #News #Week #Review

So, you may ask, what was noteworthy in IT/Tech this week?

• Something consequential: France's top court blocks social media ban for under-15s -- https://www.reuters.com/world/frances-top-court-rules-social-media-ban-curtails-freedom-expression-2026-08-14/

• Something interesting: According to EU regulation AI content has to be labelled; here's an explanation how text watermarking works -- https://declaude.org/watermarking/

• Something dystopian: British police installs live face scanning surveillance in London underground -- https://www.btp.police.uk/news/btp/news/england/btp-expands-live-facial-recognition-lfr-trial-into-london-underground-stations/

• Something concerning: Terabytes of credentials leaked in massive supply-chain attack -- https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/08/terabytes-of-credentials-leaked-in-massive-supply-chain-attack/

• Something appropriating: Amazon will train on Twitch streamers’ content by default, unless they opt out -- https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/12/amazon-will-train-on-twitch-streamers-content-by-default-unless-they-opt-out/

#IT #Technology #News #Week #Review

So, you may ask, what was noteworthy in IT/Tech this week?

• Something consequential: France's top court blocks social media ban for under-15s -- https://www.reuters.com/world/frances-top-court-rules-social-media-ban-curtails-freedom-expression-2026-08-14/

• Something interesting: According to EU regulation AI content has to be labelled; here's an explanation how text watermarking works -- https://declaude.org/watermarking/

• Something dystopian: British police installs live face scanning surveillance in London underground -- https://www.btp.police.uk/news/btp/news/england/btp-expands-live-facial-recognition-lfr-trial-into-london-underground-stations/

• Something concerning: Terabytes of credentials leaked in massive supply-chain attack -- https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/08/terabytes-of-credentials-leaked-in-massive-supply-chain-attack/

• Something appropriating: Amazon will train on Twitch streamers’ content by default, unless they opt out -- https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/12/amazon-will-train-on-twitch-streamers-content-by-default-unless-they-opt-out/

I've been #listening to Anne Sulikowski's #ambient #music since around 2013 or 2014. Today I am finally #reviewing one of her #albums: Secret Land. Check out the #review on The CerebralRift and her #BandCamp site for more releases:

https://cerebralrift.cc/2026/08/16/anne-sulikowski-secret-land/

I've been #listening to Anne Sulikowski's #ambient #music since around 2013 or 2014. Today I am finally #reviewing one of her #albums: Secret Land. Check out the #review on The CerebralRift and her #BandCamp site for more releases:

https://cerebralrift.cc/2026/08/16/anne-sulikowski-secret-land/

I tested out Crayola's new (to me) Limited Edition Collection of markers! I compared them to my beloved Classic set and...was really underwhelmed! The colors weren't as bold as I was expecting. It blended decent though.

You can see my first impressions from today's stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx_MeTqbOVo (2 hrs)

At some point I'll do a write up about it, but for now, enjoy my silly stream xD

#crayola #artist #review #youtube #markers

💿 REVIEW: Animal sem predador, KATSEYE se firma nos estereótipos dos singles passados para carregar o inexpressivo WILD

https://g02mp.blogspot.com/2026/08/Review-KATSEYE-WILD.html

#pop #kpop #review #KATSEYE #blog

💿 REVIEW: Animal sem predador, KATSEYE se firma nos estereótipos dos singles passados para carregar o inexpressivo WILD

https://g02mp.blogspot.com/2026/08/Review-KATSEYE-WILD.html

#pop #kpop #review #KATSEYE #blog

New #review today: "The #ClaudioScolari Project is back once again with their trademark brand of modern #jazz sounds, ranging from composed and arranged to outright chaotic madness and everything in between. Those familiar with the six albums beginning with Upside Down (2019) will be in relatively familiar territory, this is a group that doesn’t change that much from one release to the next, at least as to the execution of their craft, though they tend to get more daring and fearless." #ExposeOnline http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/claudio-scolari-project-lines-of-now-3.html

New #review today: "The #ClaudioScolari Project is back once again with their trademark brand of modern #jazz sounds, ranging from composed and arranged to outright chaotic madness and everything in between. Those familiar with the six albums beginning with Upside Down (2019) will be in relatively familiar territory, this is a group that doesn’t change that much from one release to the next, at least as to the execution of their craft, though they tend to get more daring and fearless." #ExposeOnline http://expose.org/index.php/articles/display/claudio-scolari-project-lines-of-now-3.html

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #2 (1993)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Way back in 1993, I had a fun reading X-Men 2099 #1 as soon as it was released in the local comic book specialty store here in the Philippines. Back then, I was already into the 30th anniversary celebration of the X-Men while also reading more comic books about Marvel’s science fiction 2099 franchise of comic books. I love the way X-Men 2099 #1 ended as it was a powerful way of building up the tension and excitement that comes with waiting another 30 days for issue #2 to come out.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #2, published by Marvel Comics in 1993 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins with the X-Men desperately trying to escape as the arcology has been invaded by enforcers (also referred to as the Greater Nevada Syndicate) of the Synge casino. Their leader Xi’an is in critical condition after getting shot during an assassination attempt that happened moments earlier. The X-Men are inside their van speeding away and Meanstreak (Henri Huang) uses his super speed to run ahead of them to quickly check what awaits them all. During the ride, Krystalin learned of the news that Noah Synge has died and Xi’an has been blamed for murder. Cerebra confirmed that Xi’an expressed hatred towards Synge.

When the van finally reaches the outdoor area, the X-Men find themselves facing a large tank and a helicopter of the syndicate which anticipated their arrival. The syndicate tells them to surrender Xi’an…

Quality

As a follow-up to the impressive first issue, this one remains a very good read after all these decades. It is clear to me that John Francis Moore had carefully planned an engaging tale of the futuristic X-Men with Tim Fitzgerald (who will later be called Skullfire) as the symbolic reflection of the readers who get to discover more about the team, the situation they are in and why they exist in the first place.

As expected, the creative stuff that started in issue #1 progressed naturally as the story went on in this comic book. The X-Men of 2099 got away to find safety and get themselves organized as their leader remains in critical condition. Along the way, the syndicate itself gets adjusted as it has the son and daughter of Noah Synge taking over their evil empire suddenly. The syndicate is responsible for seven deaths, the wounding of nineteen people and the capture of over forty people as a result of their sudden invasion of the arcology and their attempt to assassinate Xi’an in retaliation of the death of Noah Synge. This was the creative duo’s way of telling readers who the bad guys are and why the X-Men are at a great disadvantage.

What I find engaging here is how the Moore-Lim duo emphasized Xi’an’s significance through flashbacks and background details (which further revealed more of the founding of the futuristic X-Men). This creative gamble worked wonders and clearly more than made up for the lack of dialogue and interactions from the X-Men’s leader. At the same time, the narrative has this flavor of conspiracy when the Synge empire was emphasized.

Conclusion

X-Men 2099 #2 (1993) is clearly a very good read. As a follow-up to the very solid issue #1, it added to the build-up emphasizing the futuristic X-Men a lot more while still having enough room to develop the Synge empire and its syndicate. Along the way there were some nice pay-offs to certain build-ups in issue #1 and there was a fine balance between action scenes and the plot/character development scenes. That said, this comic book is a solid bridge between issue #1 and the conclusion in issue #3.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #2 (1993) is highly recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #2 (1993)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Way back in 1993, I had a fun reading X-Men 2099 #1 as soon as it was released in the local comic book specialty store here in the Philippines. Back then, I was already into the 30th anniversary celebration of the X-Men while also reading more comic books about Marvel’s science fiction 2099 franchise of comic books. I love the way X-Men 2099 #1 ended as it was a powerful way of building up the tension and excitement that comes with waiting another 30 days for issue #2 to come out.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #2, published by Marvel Comics in 1993 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins with the X-Men desperately trying to escape as the arcology has been invaded by enforcers (also referred to as the Greater Nevada Syndicate) of the Synge casino. Their leader Xi’an is in critical condition after getting shot during an assassination attempt that happened moments earlier. The X-Men are inside their van speeding away and Meanstreak (Henri Huang) uses his super speed to run ahead of them to quickly check what awaits them all. During the ride, Krystalin learned of the news that Noah Synge has died and Xi’an has been blamed for murder. Cerebra confirmed that Xi’an expressed hatred towards Synge.

When the van finally reaches the outdoor area, the X-Men find themselves facing a large tank and a helicopter of the syndicate which anticipated their arrival. The syndicate tells them to surrender Xi’an…

Quality

As a follow-up to the impressive first issue, this one remains a very good read after all these decades. It is clear to me that John Francis Moore had carefully planned an engaging tale of the futuristic X-Men with Tim Fitzgerald (who will later be called Skullfire) as the symbolic reflection of the readers who get to discover more about the team, the situation they are in and why they exist in the first place.

As expected, the creative stuff that started in issue #1 progressed naturally as the story went on in this comic book. The X-Men of 2099 got away to find safety and get themselves organized as their leader remains in critical condition. Along the way, the syndicate itself gets adjusted as it has the son and daughter of Noah Synge taking over their evil empire suddenly. The syndicate is responsible for seven deaths, the wounding of nineteen people and the capture of over forty people as a result of their sudden invasion of the arcology and their attempt to assassinate Xi’an in retaliation of the death of Noah Synge. This was the creative duo’s way of telling readers who the bad guys are and why the X-Men are at a great disadvantage.

What I find engaging here is how the Moore-Lim duo emphasized Xi’an’s significance through flashbacks and background details (which further revealed more of the founding of the futuristic X-Men). This creative gamble worked wonders and clearly more than made up for the lack of dialogue and interactions from the X-Men’s leader. At the same time, the narrative has this flavor of conspiracy when the Synge empire was emphasized.

Conclusion

X-Men 2099 #2 (1993) is clearly a very good read. As a follow-up to the very solid issue #1, it added to the build-up emphasizing the futuristic X-Men a lot more while still having enough room to develop the Synge empire and its syndicate. Along the way there were some nice pay-offs to certain build-ups in issue #1 and there was a fine balance between action scenes and the plot/character development scenes. That said, this comic book is a solid bridge between issue #1 and the conclusion in issue #3.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #2 (1993) is highly recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Indiestry Amplified Pick – Nightdrive: Burial

Welcome to the Indiestry Amplified Pick! A weekly post in collaboration with our sponsors Indiestry. Each post will introduce you to a song that they have been getting into. To go alongside this feature we have a playlist that you can dig your teeth into.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05DvQzFk1DB19tVQtW6DaX?si=8a58d13da2ea47dd

Amplified Pick

https://open.spotify.com/track/0srXVRA9eR7Md4iIbWQkrB?si=3761af60dce64cfb

Mica: Nightdive are a big favourite at INDIESTRY since we played their debut single ‘Diviner’ on our December show last year.

Nightdive are an alt-metal / post-hardcore band from Sydney, Australia, and I have picked their track ‘Burial’ from their second EP, ‘This Will End’, which was released July 24th via Blood Blast Distribution.

‘Burial’ is a beautifully crafted atmospheric shoegaze track glazed with heavy alternative metal. The vocals blend perfectly with the mix of low-key and heavier moments.

The anthemic chorus is quickly followed by a riff that is just effortlessly magnificent, smoothly transitioning into all-out metal towards the end. It’s wonderful.

Nightdive are still a relatively new band and are already gaining huge momentum, and I’m sure their new EP will become a future classic.

Ricky: F*ckin Banger!

All rights to the song used in this post are retained by the recording artist. This site claims no rights over it. The cover art for this post was provided by Indiestry.

Indiestry Amplified Pick – Nightdrive: Burial

Welcome to the Indiestry Amplified Pick! A weekly post in collaboration with our sponsors Indiestry. Each post will introduce you to a song that they have been getting into. To go alongside this feature we have a playlist that you can dig your teeth into.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05DvQzFk1DB19tVQtW6DaX?si=8a58d13da2ea47dd

Amplified Pick

https://open.spotify.com/track/0srXVRA9eR7Md4iIbWQkrB?si=3761af60dce64cfb

Mica: Nightdive are a big favourite at INDIESTRY since we played their debut single ‘Diviner’ on our December show last year.

Nightdive are an alt-metal / post-hardcore band from Sydney, Australia, and I have picked their track ‘Burial’ from their second EP, ‘This Will End’, which was released July 24th via Blood Blast Distribution.

‘Burial’ is a beautifully crafted atmospheric shoegaze track glazed with heavy alternative metal. The vocals blend perfectly with the mix of low-key and heavier moments.

The anthemic chorus is quickly followed by a riff that is just effortlessly magnificent, smoothly transitioning into all-out metal towards the end. It’s wonderful.

Nightdive are still a relatively new band and are already gaining huge momentum, and I’m sure their new EP will become a future classic.

Ricky: F*ckin Banger!

All rights to the song used in this post are retained by the recording artist. This site claims no rights over it. The cover art for this post was provided by Indiestry.

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War Review

Starship Troopers Ultimate Bug War

Developer: Auroch Digital

Publisher: Dotemu, Game Source Entertainment

Platforms available on – Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2

Game reviewed on – PC & ASUS ROG ALLY X

A game key was not provided.

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! Is a 2026 retro-style FPS by Auroch Digital the developers behind the excellent Warhammer 40K Bolt Gun.

You play as Major Samatha Sammy Dietz during the first Bug War, and you are certainly in for a treat Auroch Digital has captured the essence of Starship Troopers effortlessly the satire is there as well as the propaganda the added bonus of live action cut scenes starring the one and only Casper Van Dien reprising the role of General Jonny Rico.

The levels are large open arenas with various objectives to complete such as defending zones, rescuing soldiers and eliminating giant bugs and of course you are rewarded for exploring as you find secrets.

There is an array of weapons at your disposal and lots of bugs and I mean lots of bugs to obliterate.

Once you have finished the campaign the fun doesn’t stop there, you can play on a different mode called Bug Mode where you play as the Assassin bug in scenarios designed for large-scale destructive gameplay.

To full complete the game and all achievements it can take between 6 to 8 hours so not a long game by any stretch but to be honest this type of game doesn’t need to be 10 or more hours long.

Aesthetically it is superb and the animations are crisp the controls feel excellent and the gun play is tight.

This is a game that all FPS/Boomer shooters fans should have in their collections.

Some things I would like to see is some DLC content hopefully extra missions for the campaign or even for Bug Mode.

I’m not fussed about multi player, and I don’t think this game needs it as there is already a multiplayer Starship Troopers game that offers that. (Also well worth playing)

This game is a solid 8 out of 10 for me.

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War Review

Starship Troopers Ultimate Bug War

Developer: Auroch Digital

Publisher: Dotemu, Game Source Entertainment

Platforms available on – Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2

Game reviewed on – PC & ASUS ROG ALLY X

A game key was not provided.

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! Is a 2026 retro-style FPS by Auroch Digital the developers behind the excellent Warhammer 40K Bolt Gun.

You play as Major Samatha Sammy Dietz during the first Bug War, and you are certainly in for a treat Auroch Digital has captured the essence of Starship Troopers effortlessly the satire is there as well as the propaganda the added bonus of live action cut scenes starring the one and only Casper Van Dien reprising the role of General Jonny Rico.

The levels are large open arenas with various objectives to complete such as defending zones, rescuing soldiers and eliminating giant bugs and of course you are rewarded for exploring as you find secrets.

There is an array of weapons at your disposal and lots of bugs and I mean lots of bugs to obliterate.

Once you have finished the campaign the fun doesn’t stop there, you can play on a different mode called Bug Mode where you play as the Assassin bug in scenarios designed for large-scale destructive gameplay.

To full complete the game and all achievements it can take between 6 to 8 hours so not a long game by any stretch but to be honest this type of game doesn’t need to be 10 or more hours long.

Aesthetically it is superb and the animations are crisp the controls feel excellent and the gun play is tight.

This is a game that all FPS/Boomer shooters fans should have in their collections.

Some things I would like to see is some DLC content hopefully extra missions for the campaign or even for Bug Mode.

I’m not fussed about multi player, and I don’t think this game needs it as there is already a multiplayer Starship Troopers game that offers that. (Also well worth playing)

This game is a solid 8 out of 10 for me.

Wir haben bei #DieLetzteFilmkritik so viele unterschiedliche Formate, dass wir nun mal ganz darauf verzichten. Unser neues Hauptformat mit Patrick & Daniel ist einfach DIE Letzte #Filmkritik . Und passend dazu mit den drei Filmen dieser Folge gewohnt spät dran…

https://www.dieletzte.website/filmkritik/2026/08/15/dieletztefilmkritik

#SpiderMan  #Supergirl #DisclosureDay #Podcast #Spielberg #Kino #Filme #Movies #Movie #Film #Kritik #Review #Rezension #Podcasts

The power of storytelling is well-known to Belarusian post-black outcasts Dymna Lotva. Their previous album, The Land Under the Black Wings: Blood, progressed that series through tragic true and folkloric tales, its overt tragedy in this sense bringing the real devastation wracking their native and settled home countries.1 Vyraj sees Dymna Lotva continue to communicate with stories. Taking its name from the Slavic mythological realm to which both migrating birds and the souls of the dead travel, there’s an explicit parallel with the members’ own emigration as well as themes of personal journey, life, and death. But there’s always been more to Dymna Lotva’s music than their symbolically powerful concepts, and Vyraj makes no exception.

Dymna Lotva already had somewhat of a winning formula in a uniquely executed blend of black, folk, and post-metal. They evolve anyway, bringing in and emphasising further an electronic side that ranges from shimmering, chimelike keys to soft symphonics. It’s never enough to overshadow the metallic and, at its best, amplifies the (melo)drama of the climaxes and adds more layers to the band’s nuanced and emotional sound. This new direction brings with it something of the anthemic, with songs reprising uplifting melodies, stepping into steady sways, and being narrated more often by a duet, if not a chorus of voices.2 Leading those voices is the force of nature Katsiaryna Mankevich, who once again absolutely kills it with her wrenching screams and solemn classical cleans. The music is more direct, due to all the above as well as a comparatively shorter runtime, with fewer tracks, each of which references the others through recurring motifs.

Vyraj condenses and concentrates Dymna Lotva’s characteristic potency and poignancy, which this time are tinged a touch more with the blush of hope than the blackness of rage. The urgent, cascading melodies ring with a thrilling solidarity (“Zory,” “Viedźmieragina,” “Ustań Za Mianie”) and the mournful soaring solos with bittersweet sadness (“Niama Darohi,” “Return my Coffin Home”). The highlight here, and also the crowning jewel of the album, is the centrepiece “Niama Darohi,” which practically hums with longing for freedom. It’s in these places that the new electronic elements work the most magic, spinning glittering counter-melodies or supporting the climax with subtle strings and fluttering keys. The atmosphere they bring is deepened by the way Dymna Lotva use the dynamics of rhythm and intensity to deepen their compositions and make them still more compelling. Variously whispered, spoken, rasped, screamed lines circulate spells amidst shifting tempos (“Veha,” “Viedźmieragina,” “Niama Darohi”); sung and screamed male and female voices call and respond and join together (“The Boat of Despair,” “Ustań Za Mianie,” “Return my Coffin Home”); and both the graceful lull of cleans and the vicious snarls of harsh vocals move in synchronisation with those of the lead guitars. This also serves to bring the fierceness into sharper focus, through emphasis and contrast alone, or the dramatic turn from this graceful tension into a building explosion of passion and electricity (“Zory,” “Veha,” “Viedźmieragina”).

All of Vyraj has a somewhat magical aura, thanks to the use of (children’s) group vocals and xylophone-esque chimes and ambience amidst the savage or sombre. At its most vibrant, it sings with so much feeling that I long desperately for a lyric sheet and the ability to speak the language(s) these songs are written in.3 The brightness of these highs also obscures the comparative dimness of the lows, where that fire seems to be missing, and mellowness and ambience win out (“The Boat of Despair,” “Bu Samoje”). This is some feat considering the fact that the overall production seems tailored to the increased electronic emphasis, which presses the beautiful layers together, and so the very aspects that lend Vyraj some new magic also weaken that magic’s power. Just a bit more space would do wonders.

But Dymna Lotva are not ones to fade into the background. They care about their stories and delivering them in a way that forces you to listen. Despite any unevenness, Vyraj has an intangible specialness to it that irresistibly pulls the listener back. This is a lovely, sad, empowering piece of art that deserves more than the length of its runtime to weave its world around you.

Rating: Very Good
DR: 4 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: August 7th, 2026

The power of storytelling is well-known to Belarusian post-black outcasts Dymna Lotva. Their previous album, The Land Under the Black Wings: Blood, progressed that series through tragic true and folkloric tales, its overt tragedy in this sense bringing the real devastation wracking their native and settled home countries.1 Vyraj sees Dymna Lotva continue to communicate with stories. Taking its name from the Slavic mythological realm to which both migrating birds and the souls of the dead travel, there’s an explicit parallel with the members’ own emigration as well as themes of personal journey, life, and death. But there’s always been more to Dymna Lotva’s music than their symbolically powerful concepts, and Vyraj makes no exception.

Dymna Lotva already had somewhat of a winning formula in a uniquely executed blend of black, folk, and post-metal. They evolve anyway, bringing in and emphasising further an electronic side that ranges from shimmering, chimelike keys to soft symphonics. It’s never enough to overshadow the metallic and, at its best, amplifies the (melo)drama of the climaxes and adds more layers to the band’s nuanced and emotional sound. This new direction brings with it something of the anthemic, with songs reprising uplifting melodies, stepping into steady sways, and being narrated more often by a duet, if not a chorus of voices.2 Leading those voices is the force of nature Katsiaryna Mankevich, who once again absolutely kills it with her wrenching screams and solemn classical cleans. The music is more direct, due to all the above as well as a comparatively shorter runtime, with fewer tracks, each of which references the others through recurring motifs.

Vyraj condenses and concentrates Dymna Lotva’s characteristic potency and poignancy, which this time are tinged a touch more with the blush of hope than the blackness of rage. The urgent, cascading melodies ring with a thrilling solidarity (“Zory,” “Viedźmieragina,” “Ustań Za Mianie”) and the mournful soaring solos with bittersweet sadness (“Niama Darohi,” “Return my Coffin Home”). The highlight here, and also the crowning jewel of the album, is the centrepiece “Niama Darohi,” which practically hums with longing for freedom. It’s in these places that the new electronic elements work the most magic, spinning glittering counter-melodies or supporting the climax with subtle strings and fluttering keys. The atmosphere they bring is deepened by the way Dymna Lotva use the dynamics of rhythm and intensity to deepen their compositions and make them still more compelling. Variously whispered, spoken, rasped, screamed lines circulate spells amidst shifting tempos (“Veha,” “Viedźmieragina,” “Niama Darohi”); sung and screamed male and female voices call and respond and join together (“The Boat of Despair,” “Ustań Za Mianie,” “Return my Coffin Home”); and both the graceful lull of cleans and the vicious snarls of harsh vocals move in synchronisation with those of the lead guitars. This also serves to bring the fierceness into sharper focus, through emphasis and contrast alone, or the dramatic turn from this graceful tension into a building explosion of passion and electricity (“Zory,” “Veha,” “Viedźmieragina”).

All of Vyraj has a somewhat magical aura, thanks to the use of (children’s) group vocals and xylophone-esque chimes and ambience amidst the savage or sombre. At its most vibrant, it sings with so much feeling that I long desperately for a lyric sheet and the ability to speak the language(s) these songs are written in.3 The brightness of these highs also obscures the comparative dimness of the lows, where that fire seems to be missing, and mellowness and ambience win out (“The Boat of Despair,” “Bu Samoje”). This is some feat considering the fact that the overall production seems tailored to the increased electronic emphasis, which presses the beautiful layers together, and so the very aspects that lend Vyraj some new magic also weaken that magic’s power. Just a bit more space would do wonders.

But Dymna Lotva are not ones to fade into the background. They care about their stories and delivering them in a way that forces you to listen. Despite any unevenness, Vyraj has an intangible specialness to it that irresistibly pulls the listener back. This is a lovely, sad, empowering piece of art that deserves more than the length of its runtime to weave its world around you.

Rating: Very Good
DR: 4 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: August 7th, 2026

Night School is kind of a cool little early slasher. It's got a little twist and a little turn. It has Rachel Ward being a sultry college student at the center of the whole thing.

Read the review from August 2021 at https://wp.me/p9XNnZ-2dd

#blog #review #80s #slasher #horror

‘Borges And Me’ Review: Marc Turtletaub’s Hallucinatory ’70s Road Trip Is Smart, Literary And Playful – Edinburgh Film Festival
#Festivals #Reviews #AlanCumming #BorgesandMe #EdinburghFilmFestival #FionnWhitehead #MarcTurtletaub #PeterMullan #Review

https://deadline.com/2026/08/borges-and-me-review-marc-turtletaub-fionn-whitehead-alan-cumming-1237042032/

‘Borges And Me’ Review: Marc Turtletaub’s Hallucinatory ’70s Road Trip Is Smart, Literary And Playful – Edinburgh Film Festival
#Festivals #Reviews #AlanCumming #BorgesandMe #EdinburghFilmFestival #FionnWhitehead #MarcTurtletaub #PeterMullan #Review

https://deadline.com/2026/08/borges-and-me-review-marc-turtletaub-fionn-whitehead-alan-cumming-1237042032/

Moss the Forgotten Relic review: A squeaky clean port for the Switch 2
Porting Moss from Virtual Reality to traditional screens is not only nicely accomplished, but it's also a perfect next step for the franchise.
https://www.sidequesting.com/2026/08/moss-the-forgotten-relic-review-a-squeaky-clean-port-for-the-switch-2/
#Reviews #ForgottenRelic #Moss #polyarc #Review

TerraMow V1000 Review: Show Your Lawn Some Love

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.wired.com/review/terramow-v1000/

TerraMow V1000 Review: Show Your Lawn Some Love

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.wired.com/review/terramow-v1000/

This wonderful review of We are Magic and my songwriting makes me super happy! https://quietcoastmusic.com/cozmicsoulfire-we-are-magic/?unapproved=38&moderation-hash=980e0226a3b4c816a64a7ee3d1033db4#comment-38 #music #musica #lgbtqia #cozmicsoulfire #review #pop #dance

This wonderful review of We are Magic and my songwriting makes me super happy! https://quietcoastmusic.com/cozmicsoulfire-we-are-magic/?unapproved=38&moderation-hash=980e0226a3b4c816a64a7ee3d1033db4#comment-38 #music #musica #lgbtqia #cozmicsoulfire #review #pop #dance

Ohne Google und ChatGPT – geht das überhaupt?

Das hat sich Inge Kloepfer gefragt. Ihre Erfahrungen und Beweggründe für einen TUXEDO hat sie festgehalten und über Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung veröffentlicht.

Vielen Dank dafür!

https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/ohne-openai-google-und-andere-us-software-geht-das-accg-201051737.html

#review #faz #opensource #linux #tuxedo

vchepyvsi blud – Ty Baneyky
(Dark-Wave, Cold-Wave, EMB, Goth / Hall und Echo)
by JohnDonson

https://vinyl-keks.eu/vchepyvsi-blud-ty-baneyky/

#vchepyvsiblud #vinyl #music #review #Darkwave #coldwave #ebm #goth #hallundecho

vchepyvsi blud – Ty Baneyky
(Dark-Wave, Cold-Wave, EMB, Goth / Hall und Echo)
by JohnDonson

https://vinyl-keks.eu/vchepyvsi-blud-ty-baneyky/

#vchepyvsiblud #vinyl #music #review #Darkwave #coldwave #ebm #goth #hallundecho

Something Wilder, by Christina Lauren
#Adventure #Book #Crime #Humour #Meh #Mystery #Review #Romance #bookstodon #BookReview #Romance
https://turing.mailstation.de/something-wilder-by-christina-lauren/?fsp_sid=2593

Something Wilder, by Christina Lauren
#Adventure #Book #Crime #Humour #Meh #Mystery #Review #Romance #bookstodon #BookReview #Romance
https://turing.mailstation.de/something-wilder-by-christina-lauren/?fsp_sid=2593

Incendiary Device – New York City
(Hardcore / Demons Run Amok)
by Sebastian

https://vinyl-keks.eu/incendiary-device-new-york-city/

#vinyl #music #review #DemonsRunAmok #IncendiaryDevice #hardcore #NewYork

MakeWar, Chapelle @ Balthes, Ravensburg am 16.07.2026
(Konzertbericht)
by Der Riedinger

https://vinyl-keks.eu/makewar-chapelle-balthes-ravensburg-am-16-07-2026/

#folkpunk #punkrock #punk #konzert #music #review #konzertbericht #MakeWar #chapelle #balthes #ravensburg

Gunnar Björnstrand's psychotic turn as Swedish Hitler is as scary as anything I've seen lately.

I wasn't going for a 'men are pigs' double feature tonight, but here we are.

#film #review #letterboxd

https://letterboxd.com/joewells/film/the-girls/

Gunnar Björnstrand's psychotic turn as Swedish Hitler is as scary as anything I've seen lately.

I wasn't going for a 'men are pigs' double feature tonight, but here we are.

#film #review #letterboxd

https://letterboxd.com/joewells/film/the-girls/

In some films, every shot is a painting. In this, every shot is perfectly composed neon drenched pop art.

Miyuki Kuwano is amazing here. In his own vile way, so is Mikijirō Hira.

In short, and to sum up, men are pigs.

#film #review #letterboxd

https://letterboxd.com/joewells/film/the-shape-of-night/

Hesse Kassel – Morir Saltando (Record Review)

https://gutterputter.com/2026/08/15/hesse-kassel-morir-saltando-record-review/