Always nice to explore unknown stuff. Took a chance on the first Rugger Boys book and it was pretty entertaining. Published by Cinebook in 2007, “Why Are We Here Again?” is pretty crazy. Good fun though. Written by Béka, art by Poupard. The cover pretty much says it all.
(My shot of said book)
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Bought the Triple LP version of the brand new edition of Iron Maiden´s “The Number Of The Beast”. As a special bonus you get a concert recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon (as it was called then) two days before the release of this album back in the day. Superb packaging, great art, detailed information by Steve Harris etc. Looks really good. Fans will be pleased.
(My shot of said release)
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Really good western starring Franco Nero and (bad guy) John Saxon, “Jonathan Of The Bears” has popped up on DVD in Sweden again and I just had to have it. Italian/Russian production directed by Enzo G. Castellari (from the original “Inglorious Bastards”), written by Franco Nero. I always liked the guy, certainly the westerns (like “Django”), so I will always be on the lookout for more of his stuff. And there is a lot. This one was filmed in 1993 or in 1995, depending on your sources.
(My shot of said DVD)
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Added the 1982 Modesty Blaise novel “The Night Of Morningstar” (Souvenir Press, 2007) by author Peter O´Donnell to the old collection. I just want to highlight that the legacy of Blaise is strong and ongoing. Paperback, 290 pages.
(My shot of said book, cover art by Mike Codd)
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Bought the 40th Anniversary Double CD Deluxe Edition of “Creatures Of The Night” and it is still a great sounding record. It probably saved Kiss back in the day, but the rewards of their work would not show up for real until they followed this up with “Lick It Up”. After that they had a pretty good run for their money. A second coming if you like. Best drum sound they ever had. Some really good tunes too, “I Love It Loud” and “War Machine” is classic Kiss. But it really is a strong album, maybe one of the best in the back catalogue. “Rock´n´Roll Hell” was a new version of the BTO track, but Kiss added the attitude that lacks on the original recording (far to nice and laidback). Of course there is a Super Box too of this, but I will be content with this edition (the extra CD is good enough for me). Good packaging with loads of history. I also want to highlight the Kiss feature on this album in the current issue of Sweden Rock Magazine (11 2022). First part of two. Carl Linnaeus is an excellent journalist. Love the cover too. Spot the difference personel wise.
(My shot of said CD and magazine)
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The Christmas Edition of the Great Lake Monster Beer from Jämtlands Bryggeri (a brewery here in Jämtland County) is out and I just love the art on the bottles. It has been made since 1996, as you can see on this picture.
(My shot of said beer)
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There will be a book on Rainbow by Jerry Bloom coming out on Ritchie Blackmore´s birthday (April 14) next year, another title in the “Visual Biography” series from Wymer Publishing. Before that we have a bit of a gem from the Thin Lizzy camp coming out on January 20 in the form of an eight CD “Live And Dangerous” Super Deluxe Box with a remastered update of the original album plus the full six concerts (London, Toronto and Philadelphia) that were recorded around that time which was used on the live album they put out in early 1978. Here we get all of it, which means that fans can finally judge for themselves if the old rumours of studio trickery were true or not. I think a lot of people will love to add this stuff to their collections.
(Images of said products from official platforms)
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Really enjoyed the 10 page Ronnie James Dio tribute in UK publication Fistful Of Metal issue 9. Penned by Dom Lawson it largely deals with the new Dio documentary “Dreamers Never Die” with input from Wendy Dio, Vinny Appice and others. Nice pictures as well. As for the cover, I like that it looks like an old well read copy out of somebodys attic. Good idea.
(My shot of said magazine – cover shot by Kevin Estrada)
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I was not sure what a “Linticular” cover was, but it turned out to be a good old fashioned 3D print (as seen on magazine covers every now and then). In other words, the audience on the cover shot looks like it is way back. This is one of the two official Donington releases (the other is from 1983), the Double Vinyls have gatefold sleeves and comes out as Limited Editions (not sure how many copies we are talking about though), but you can get CD versions as well. Good stuff for Dio fans. Printed in Canada. Introduction by Dante Bonutto. Photographs by Gene Kirkland and Alex Solca. This set has music on three sides of the four, the bonus is some Dio Art Etching. But you do get a complete show from the good old days.
(My shot of said cover)
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Did the Christmas decorations a few days ago. I like this Santa riding a bike.
(My shot)
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trinkelbonker 