Category: Road Trip News

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Episode 6 Season 6 – The Black Labyrinth

Book Review for Tuesday May 9th 2023

By Author Andrea Menzies

Welcome to FH7publishing.com Book reviews at WordPress.com This week’s review looks at the artist Aurelio Voltaire’s graphic novel books, and his new album “The Black Labyrinth” fully titled “The Black Labyrinth a Requiem for the Goblin King” a tribute to David Bowie. I even got an exclusive interview with Aurelio Voltaire. So please join us tonight at the links in the podcast comments.

This book review is rated R for the audiences of that ratings restrictions, and is not for people underage.

I tend to do reviews on this podcast and blog on the comparison and contrast of books and other artworks like movies, games, and music. This is true of this week’s creation a music album that began life as a book and movie. Aurelio Voltaire is a musician, but he first came to my attention as a comic book author and writer. He wrote the series “Chi Chan”, and also the graphic novel I got signed “Oh My Goth! Version 2.0” as well as “Dead-y Bear the Dead Teddy Bear”. He also worked on many early MTV video shorts, and did a musical soundtrack for the Cartoon Network TV show called “The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Many” where he often did voice work as cartoon villains. These villains are dancing, mischievous, and dark until the hero shows them the error of their ways and they turn into heroes themselves. Voltaire in his latest album returns to roll of the cartoon hero-villain for his latest album “The Black Labyrinth” a musical story with the title song “The King of Villains” a tribute song to David Bowie who played the Goblin King of the “Labyrinth” Movie. Below is what he had to say when I got a chance to talk to him after the New Orleans show.

“There are even people working on this album that are former co-workers of David Bowie” He said with pride as he autographed my CD at the show.

“The basic overall idea behind ‘The King of Villains’ was that it would be a spiritual sequel to ‘When You’re Evil’ my older song. So naturally, I wanted it to have similar instrumentation (cello, violin, drums, acoustic guitar, etc.) a tango-like rhythm and celebratory lyrics about being evil like its predecessor. And of course, I wanted it to be sung from the perspective of a gloating, unapologetic villain.”

I am so glad I went to the New Orleans show as it was completely better in EVERY way compared to the horrible one I saw in Virginia. One of the reasons I have an RV is Virginia even manages to  destroy live music shows by having horrible managers that do NOT let fans talk well to musicians at merchandise tables. Other towns do not do this action.

The tracks I head off the new album at the New Orleans show were amazing. I give a 5 star book review to his graphic novel, and a 5 star review of the new music album. I highly recommend buying them both. A word of warning however in that these books are only meant for viewers and listeners over age 18. He may have done cartoon work in the past, but not all of his work has a childlike vibe. The goblins on the cover are meant to only LOOK whimsical, and the art is R rated and mature.

Now onto the viewer questions part of the show! These are the email questions of the week.

“Where can I buy the books or album?” One listener asked. I got my books and music on his tours, but he also has a sales web page.

“Is the show The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Mandy still on the air?” No, but the DVD can still be bought on Amazon.

That is it for the week, and tune in next week for more reviews and recommendations.