Music
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Video is 33 Years Old
33 years ago yesterday MTV debuted Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the 13-minute 1983 musical masterpiece directed by American Werewolf in London‘s John Landis, and featuring the effects work on the great Rick Baker. The video co-stars former Playboy centerfold Ola Ray.
In the short, a night at the movies turns into a nightmare when Michael and his date are attacked by a hoard of bloody-thirsty zombies – only “Thriller” can save them now.
An interesting tidbit off wiki explains that the infamous red jacket that Jackson wore was designed by John Landis’ wife Deborah Landis to make him appear more “virile”. Also interesting, to qualify for an Academy Award as a short subject, the film was shown in a theatrical screening along with the 1940 Disney animated feature Fantasia, in December 1983; the video however failed to earn an Academy Award nomination!
Still no word on when this will get some sort of HD or 3-D release, although Landis resolved his dispute with the Jackson estate back in 2012.
Music
John Carpenter Releases New Single “The Ferryman” From Upcoming Audio/Visual Project ‘Cathedral’
Horror master John Carpenter and bandmates Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies have released “The Ferryman“, the second single from Carpenter’s upcoming audiovisual project Cathedral.
The graphic novel arrives on August 4 through Storm King Comics, with the companion album following on August 7 via Sacred Bones Records.
In other words, every track on the companion album corresponds to a chapter in the book, with liner notes guiding listeners through the story as they read.
The 120-page graphic novel is written by Carpenter, editor/producer/wife Sandy King, and Sean Sobczak, illustrated by Federico De Luca and Luis Guaragna, colored by Ryan Winn, and lettered by Marshall Dillon.
“I like that one because it really seems to feature all three of us in a special way,” guitarist Daniel Davies said in a statement about the new single. “It has interesting harmonies that Cody put together and John’s signature pad-style string parts. It’s more of an electronic metal track in a way, but we just wanted to make it as heavy and driving as possible.“
“The Ferryman” follows the previously released “Lord of the Underground“.
The synopsis for Cathedral: “An abandoned cathedral. A gruesome murder. A powerful supernatural entity living in the catacombs. It all comes to a head in downtown Los Angeles. What will happen and who will live to tell the tale? Such is the storyline of Cathedral, the thrilling new album and terrifying graphic novel from legendary director and musician John Carpenter, based on a dream he had in 2024.“
“It was so cinematic and vivid,” the director said. “I thought, ‘I have to score this.’ It’s kind of our first heavy metal album.”
Get ready to immerse yourself in John Carpenter’s universe all over again.
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