I must say I am in love with the new Shiv-r album Hold My Hand. The album itself reminds me of the early Combichrist before they started to write music for their stage show. The video for “The End” is dark and well produced, giving the band a visual presence that helps push them past fellow bands in their genre. Take a peek at the video and enjoy the makeover. ;)

- Mike

Tinymeat’s Hoochie Ghoul Wallet

image source makersmarket.com

My fellow editor, Luke Copping, hipped me to this item on www.makersmarket.com. I had never seen this website and was pretty impressed with the items, the website and it kicks Etsy’s ass (even though I sell on Etsy, eep!). The Hoochie Ghoul Wallet for Tinymeat, illustration done by Travis Pitts, is a great example of not only a sweet wallet but, an affordable piece of art you can carry around in your pocket. The girlie ghoul illustration on the front of the wallet is too damn cute, along with the interesting clear inside that makes it easy to find your dollar, dollar, bills, y’all! The great part about Tinymeat is that they feature independent artists and produce ethical handmade accessories. Check out their website www.tinymeat.com.

The Hoochie Ghoul Wallet is available at tinymeat.makersmarket.com.

- Meagan

Stephanie Bell and Pretty Deadly Stylz teamed up once again to shoot some rockin’ menswear for our June/July Issue. Here’s some behind the scenes footage!

view the editorial in the June/July 2010 Issue

Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse Vol 1 – 3
Written and Illustrated by Ben Templesmith

reviewd by : EJTower

There is a story told by The Prince of Denmark in Hamlet about the progression of a King through the guts of a beggar.  The central figure of this story is a worm, and is often overlooked as being merely metaphorical.  It’s a drawn out story performed in iambic pentameter, so I won’t bother but to quote a line or two from it for this, my review of Ben Templesmith’s Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse series.

“Your worm,” tells Prince Hamlet, “is your only emperor for diet… we fat ourselves for maggots.  Your fat king and your lean beggar is but a variable service – two dishes, but to one table.  That’s the end.”

You should also know that there is a poem by Edgar Allen Poe called The Conqueror Worm. In this poem the angels lament the inevitable end of the human play, which always culminates, tragically, in the fangs of the conqueror worm that feeds upon our flesh after death.

All of this I offer to you as literary evidence!  Think of it as background, establishing the historicity of a character.  All of it so that when I tell you that Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse is about an immortal magical maggot that battles demons, enjoys beer, hangs out in a seedy strip club, and is protected by a clockwork bodyguard that is rather sad because he was built without genitalia – You won’t immediately shout, Ludicrous!  You must give this a chance.

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Purrfect Pineapples’ Pink Gingham Cupcakes Corset

image source purrfectpineapples.com

Holy cupcakes Batman! The Pink Gingham Cupcakes corset by Purrfect Pineapples is just absolutely ADORABLE! This steel boned underbust corset is a must for that cupcake lover in your life! Don’t let the $250 price tag scare you, as Purrfect Pineapples is a cruelty-free, high-quality lingerie designer, and besides this corset is custom made for you! I love that the designer, Erika Shuhendler uses lovely heavily tattooed models and embraces the kitsch factor in her choice of fabrics. You won’t find these amazingly unique designs at Victoria’s Secret!

The Pink Gingham Cupcakes Corset is available at www.purrfectpineapples.com.

- Meagan

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dress by Unhinged

photographer : Ama Lea
hair stylist : Margarita Ivette
makeup artist and model : Sharon TK
fashions : Kambriel, Unhinged, Romantic Threads, and Topsy Turvy

dress by Romantic Threads

Meagan Hendrickson :
The romanticism of Victorian era fashions gives a feeling of structure, elegance, and prudish morality. It seems strange to even consider in that long past era it was disgraceful for women to show a glimpse of an ankle! From then to this modern day there are many brilliant designers still evoking the Victorian aesthetic mixed with creative non-historically accurate designs.

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A Kiss Could Be Deadly – Farwell EP

release date : June 22, 2010
released by : Metropolis
info : 6 tracks . akisscouldbedeadly.com
genre : fusion, punk, new wave, electro
reviewed by : Mike Kieffer

Two years ago A Kiss Could Be Deadly released their self-titled debut album an upbeat fusion of punk, electro, and new wave with a female singer, it was a recipe that dared me not to love it. Fast forward two years and their name pops back onto my radar with a six song EP with two original tracks, a cover, and three remixes, titled Farwell. The original songs “I’ll Be Your Anti-Hero, Baby” and “Only In Darkness” are more punk in flavor then the 2006 release. The two songs are both good, full of great hooks, and really make me wish there was more. The three remixes of “Acoustic Romance”, “Damage Control”, and “I Guess You Didn’t Mean It” are all strong as well and make you immediately dig through your old files (or CDs) and find the original release.

Inside the booklet you will find, what I will assume, a sign that there will be no more material from them. Underneath the copyright 2010 hidden into the background of the artwork is the phrase, “it is finished.” The band lineup is listed as “is/was”. The title of the album is Farwell. This all points to the fact that the band did break up in the end of 2008 and they are now in separate bands.

I hope I am wrong and some resurgence of popularity will pull them back together…  like Futurarama (new series starts June 24^th).

recommended tracks : all of them
if you like you may like : The Birthday Massacre, Helalyn Flowers
overall 8 . music 7 . lyrics 8 . recording quality 7

Pushin Daisies’ Human Heart Lapel Pin

First of all, pushindaisies.com is a glorious mortuary shop filled with delightfully morbid tongue-in-cheek items. A one stop shop for the dark at heart, who get a kick out of death! Under the “Dressing & Caskets” category you will find the Human Heart Lapel Pin, which is anatomical and hand-cast out of pewter. Now you can really wear your heart on your sleeve, well okay, maybe placing it on your jacket, top, or collar may be a better place.

The Human Heart Lapel Pin is available at www.pushindaisies.com.

- Meagan

Visual, creative, style, fashion : inspiration.

fashion designer : Antiseptic Fashion
photographer : Zach Rose
makeup/hair : Jessica Jean
model : Nicole Vescio

Zach Rose :
Antiseptic Fashion, the brainchild of Los Angeles DIY designer Billy Vahan combines love for the fetish (leaving little to the imagination) with a unique blend of steampunk and neo-Victorian designs.  With fully customizable pieces such as asymmetrical leather posture collars, accessory belts, and underbust corsets reminiscent of fetish meets glorious rebellion.

Billy Vahan and Antiseptic Fashion’s Phrixus leather posture collar holds the head up high (and quite literally keeps your spine in alignment) while adding a regal display of bizarre.  While not an everyday item in your fashion arsenal, it adds just enough of that “kink” for those of you who prefer restraint yet not without a touch of elegance.

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