MES( Mark E Smith- The Falls main creator) possessed the ability to cram phrases into impossible spaces - “I’m hunting and I’m trying to find” delivered as “hut’na tryna find”; the eight-syllable “mere pseud mag editor’s father” hastily squeezed into a manipulation of time and space, heralded by the prior line “twice each at least”, the latter naturally repeated thrice.

Back in 2024, I got my first taste of Absurd Reality, and I was so impressed by how crude and nasty its take on walled noise was. Behind the project is South Carolina-based Krys Marshall, who also runs the Filthy Sounds Recording label. He’s since gone on to form No Fun HNW, which pushes the levels of nasty crudeness even more.  Krys kindly agreed to an email interview.

Of all the cult/exploitation genres, Giallo stands as one of the more visually & art-based- be it with the grand/ dramatic location, choreographed murder scenes, or great poster art.  The focus of this interview is on the last of these three- looking at the two classy/ glossy full colour Giallo Posters books put out by Germany's Creepy Images.  Below is an interview with Thorsten Benzel, one of the key minds behind the books. To date, there are two volumes, with a third coming next year.

As the year rolls to its end. Here are our writers' best-of lists for 2025, and as always, it’s a highly genre-varied mixed selection of titles- highlighting the site's mission statement.  Some writers list taking in both music/ sound and film, or just music/ sound, depending on what they review on M[m].

As music obsessives know, what makes a label fascinating is not just the sounds they release. The most intriguing labels offer a conceptual framework and consistent aesthetic philosophy that connects their releases, creating a mysterious, immersive world that enthralls the listener and demands that one absorb all their releases as one cohesive body of work. Often these types of labels construct a hidden, private, esoteric atmosphere with an occult mystique that cultivates a small dedicated cadre of followers who revel in the enigmatic and the secret, an obscurity that encourages the listener’s imagination to fill in the gaps. Ritualistic compositions, unsettling imagery, clandestine knowledge, and limited access offer listeners an experience that is as thrilling as it is collectible. One such label that has developed this kind of intimacy is Attic Shrines. 

One of the more creative & original horror films I’ve seen/ reviewed recently is Transmission, a 2023 film which, a few months ago, received a DVD release on Jinga Films. It’s focused on a lost/ cursed movie & a missing horror director.  The picture is structured/ presented in a rather creative manner- as if someone is channel hopping late one night- blending true crime mockumentary, news reports, several films with the film, parody adverts, etc. I caught up with the film's writer/ director, Michael Hurst, for an email interview