by BBG

David Hall's twisted, dystopian view is taking on a new media format, VHS tape. The filmmaker, documentarian, and label honcho will release the "Handshake Inc. VHS Series", a set of limited run films, shorts and albums all issued in quantities of three, hand numbered, and "packed in a box of dirt". No shit...

"Anyone who collects vinyl, knows the joy of holding a record in your hands, examining its jacket and artwork, and the pure, materialistic bliss of not just listening to music, but possessing it," said Handshake Inc. founder David Hall from his London, Ontario office. "I hope to create the same sensation with my series of films and albums on VHS - a scenario where one can enjoy the packaging of a film almost as much as the film itself."

Albums on VHS? David Hall explains:

"A VHS Album is basically an album output to a VHS tape, with an accompanying video track created specifically for the music. Each VHS release will be extremely limited - and the visuals on each tape will differ slightly, so every VHS album will be one-of-a-kind."

Among the albums getting the VHS treatment are last year's Build & Burn by Sulaco, and Total Fucking Destruction's Hater, in addition to the Today is The Day companion Axis of Eden the Feature Film. Check out the video for "No Lung Baby" from that LP, the first time the video has been available since it was played on stage during their 2008 tour, along with other videos, below

The final installment in the series will be filmed by Handshake Inc at Maryland Deathfest this year. The release date is still TBA.

In unrelated but related news, cassettes are making a comeback too, and there's a documentary in the works to prove it.

Videos below...

Continue reading "David Hall releasing albums on... VHS (check out a rare Today Is The Day clip & others too)"

Andy Nelson with Paint it Black at Fun Fun Fun Fest (more by BBG)

Mamiffer, Tombs, Locrian, Thou, Fuck The Facts, The Atlas Moth and many more contribute to the second part of our continuing series where we asked some of our favorite artists about their 2011 highlights. Part One HERE. Part Two below...

Continue reading "The Year in Heavy 2011 according to artists & friends (part 2)"

by BBG

David Hall might need therapy. The film & music video director's eerie cine-scapes have provided the backdrop for some metal underground favorites like Today Is The Day, Fuck The Facts, and Jucifer. Hall and his Handshake Inc production company are also responsible for Maryland Deathfest The Movie, the 2010 feature-length documentary that follows the mayhem that is the annual festival. The first film was released last year on DVD and now with volume two currently up for preorder, I sat down with Hall to discuss his experiences at MDF, his inspiration, and his wishlist of miscreant collaborators.

Read the full interview, and an exclusive clip of From Ashes Rise from MDF 2010, as featured in Maryland Deathfest The Movie II, below...

Continue reading "an interview w/ David Hall (director of Maryland Deathfest: The Movie, and the new sequel)"