HALLOWEEN GIFS TO YOU

Here are some scary GIFs to put you in the holiday spirit. 

Construction worker eaten alive.

The Demon Jeremy comes for Grace.

The Demon Jeremy rises.

The Demon Bride.

GIVEAWAY PROMOTION FOR HORROR NOVEL INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

Brooklyn Apache Press, an independent publishing house, announced today that from Thursday October 29th through Sunday, November 1st the popular selling novel "The Black Album: A Hollywood Horror Story" would be available for free download online through Amazon.

"Halloween and the Fall have always been both my favorite holiday and time of the year," states Carlton Holder, author of "The Black Album" and founder of the indie publisher Brooklyn Apache.

The novel tells the real life tale of the doomed movie shoot of a micro-budget horror film in the Arrowhead mountains, a production plagued with bizarre incidences, including the fatality of one actor. "I'm not saying there are Devil cults operating in those mountains, but somebody didn't want us finishing that movie," Holder continues.

Holder's experience as director on the film, included finding Satanic stone shrines on his front doorstep and receiving death threats on his phone. The movie was eventually halted in post production as unfortunate events continued to plague people involved. Holder added, "Some people blamed what happened on poor planning. Many just felt that the film was cursed right from the start. I don't know where I stand on the topic. However, I can't think of a better gift to give fans of the genre this Halloween than the unsettling story of the making of a horror movie about an urban legend that is becoming an urban legend."

The Black Album" was first published October 15th, 2013.

Shot from the unreleased movie.

"Fight the Devil?"

FREE HALLOWEEN BOOK GIVEAWAY

From October 29th through November 1st, my novel THE BLACK ALBUM: A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY will be available for free on Amazon.

THE BLACK ALBUM

Video courtesy of "THE BLACK ALBUM"

The scariest movie you'll never see!

A BRIEF SCARY HISTORY OF NURSERY RHYMES

Just because I'm thinking of horror movies right now with the passing of Wes Craven, I thought I would share some scary thoughts.

One of the great elements of a scary movie has always been (to me at least) creepy nursery rhymes. The late great horror master Wes Craven knew this all too well.

This goes back to the very origins of some nursery rhymes.

Most people don't realize the nursery rhyme "RING-A-RING OF ROSIES" is about the Bubonic plague. The rosies in the verse are the red boils around the neck of those infected with the Black Death. The posies are the herbs people carried, hoping it would protect them from becoming infected. Ashes, ashes, all fall down refers to the burning of the bodies of the infected.  

In "NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET," Wes Craven created one of the most memorable scary nursery rhymes: "One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, grab your crucifix. Seven, eight, better stay up late. Nine, ten, never sleep again."

That's pretty classic.

It even inspired the nursery rhyme I came up with for the rocker who sold his soul to the Devil in my novel "THE BLACK ALBUM: A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY." "Play it backwards, summon him back. The Demon Jeremy will attack. Through the soul or through the flesh, the front man eternal will not rest. One night only to find your sin. One soul out, another soul in."

Anyway, hope you're sufficiently creeped out.

The Demon Jeremy

MYTHOLOGY OF A BLACK ALBUM

"Five members who could not be tamed, sold their souls for fortune and fame. Formed their spell-circle in Satan's name. In the pit of Hell, they burn by flame.

MATHALUH LIVES!

IMAGES FROM A CURSED MOVIE

With production of the "POLTERGEIST" reboot and interesting little horror films like "IT FOLLOWS" hitting theaters (I enjoyed it), my thoughts now more than ever turn to the little horror film I directed that went horribly horribly wrong in the Arrowhead Mountains of California.

It was just supposed to be a micro-budget shocker based on the Urban legend of a Rock band that quite literally went to Hell. 

Images have been invading my thoughts and dreams - or rather nightmares - as of late and I wonder to myself does the curse of The Black Album still go on.

I thought when I buried the movie and saw to it that it never saw the light of day, the curse would be over.

And it was... for awhile.

So, if I have to suffer, I figure I'd give you some images to haunt your dreams.

Resurrection of the Demon Jeremy

Images courtesy of "THE BLACK ALBUM"

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

This FRIDAY THE 13TH you can download a free copy of "THE BLACK ALBUM: A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY." 

The promotion starts Friday and runs throughout the weekend.

Enjoy the horror that was INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS.

GET YOUR FREE COPY

Rise of the Demon Jeremy.

HORROR NEVER SLEEPS

It seems that this is as true a thing as anything for horror fans. HORROR NEVER SLEEPS! 

Horror doesn't hibernate until Halloween, hiding in the shadows like a timid groundhog.  Even in a crazy season like this, when peace on earth, good will to man is the central theme.

For a true horror fan everyday is a good day to see a horror movie. Case in point, last night I watched a new release on Netflix, "RAGNAROK," a Spielbergian style action adventure/ horror film from Norway of all places. I enjoyed it and had my fix for the evening. It wasn't cheesy. The directing and the acting was very very good. It's PG-13, so not much gore. But a lot of fun.

Right about now, I'm tempted to surf the Web for a Santa Claus slasher film. You know, the ones where ole' Saint Nick takes a chainsaw or hatchet to a bunch of naughty college kids (oh what fun).

Or... if I'm in a really sickly sweet yuletide kinda mood tonight , I'll dig out "THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS." Or maybe some horror hi-jinx with Johnny Depp in the demented "ED WOOD."

Which brings me to "THE BLACK ALBUM: A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY," inspired by true events.  I'm pulling edited scenes from the original movie now to use in the documentary I'm producing with Beauregard Freidkin. I'm also trying to get ahold of some necessary stock footage. After that, I will track down the participants in the original movie and get interviews for the documentary.

There are a couple of things in the works for the new reboot movie that I'm excited about, but it's way too early for me to say anything yet.

Enjoy your holidays, grab a beer, get a scare. 

I know I will.

Footage courtesy of "THE BLACK ALBUM"
The scariest movie you'll never see.

POSSIBLE NEW POSTER FOR THE REBOOT MOVIE

Just thought I'd share this new image a very talented graphic designer came up with for my producer. It's a possibility for the reboot movie poster.

What do you think?

THE DOCUMENTARY

Well, hell, I have been moving slow on my documentary about "THE BLACK ALBUM." But it is coming. 

Being both boss and employee, I am spread a little thin these days.

As I said before, it will be made as part of the "MIDNITE REVIEW" documentary series, produced by myself and my partner Beauregard Freidkin, who will also serve as documentary narrator. He's a little camera shy, so I don't know if we'll actually get him in front of the screen.

I'm almost finished pre-production. Aside from that, I only need one more camera lens, a headset, and a sun hood for my camera... then we're off and running.

This weekend I helped a friend shoot something of his. I forgot how much I love production. I love writing, but to me writing seems like one piece of the equation. Since I always see my writing visually in my head, shooting is the next logical step in the process. 

I can't wait to get back out in the field. True it's not a movie (yet), but it should do for now.

Images courtesy of "THE BLACK ALBUM,"
the scariest movie you'll never see.

SCARY BOOKS

Usually during this time of the year, I just zone out watching tons of horror flix on TV and catching anything horror related in the theaters. Right now there are only "ANNABELLE" and "DRACULA UNTOLD" out. So I may do a movie day this weekend and go see them both.

Still, I'm having different urges this Halloween season. I feel like curling up with a good scary book. I think I'm finally going to read Clive Barker's "THE HELLBOUND HEART," the novella from which the "HELLRAISER" franchise sprang. Plus, Barker finally has a new Hell-priest novel coming out "THE SCARLET GOSPELS" (love the title). So I want to get caught up on all things Pinhead. I was thinking of purchasing the audio version, but I was expecting the narrator to have a deeper and more theatrical voice.

At this point, I really have to say out of all the iconic horror creations out there... Jason, Freddy, Michael, Justin Bieber... Pinhead has always held a special place in my nightmares. 

I think it's because he gives you a choice. You could just leave the damn puzzle box alone and walk away. In that regard he is pretty much the Devil's proxy here on earth.

Looking back now, I realize that my creation in "THE BLACK ALBUM," the Demon Jeremy, is my answer to Pinhead and the Devil.

Back story of the DEMON JEREMY:

He was the lead singer of an unsung rock band named Mathaluh in a small mountain community during the mid 70s. Jeremy and his fellow band members made a pact with the Devil. They cemented this union by sacrificing a teenage groupie and putting unholy backward lyrics in a bootleg album they made and distributed. The Devil however tricked them and Jeremy and his band-mates died a fiery death. Now, if you run across a copy of this lost record and play it in reverse, you summon the Demon Jeremy back into this world. He has one night to trick or treat you into killing in his name. Then your soul goes to Hell and he gets your body. He gets to be you.  

I guess I favor the intelligent killers over the mindless automatons. The Demon Jeremy, who is not as scary as Pinhead in physical form, can be seductive in a vampire-esque way.

I've very thankful this season. "THE BLACK ALBUM: A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY" is tracking well and getting great reviews. Thank you.

If you're looking for something scary to curl up with, give TBA a try.

CLICK HERE FOR SCARE 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Resurrection of the Demon Jeremy

Image courtesy of "The Black Album"

FOUR STAR REVIEW FOR YOU KNOW WHO

Here's my second review from an Amazon ranked reviewer.

Historian and Tea Leaf Reader (review ranking: #23,935,170) gave "THE BLACK ALBUM: A Hollywood Horror Story" four out of five stars and wrote:

Good read

Started this morning and it is now 11:02pm.
I had to do stuff.
I finished the book.
Good story.

Here's the link if you want to take a look:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1SBXBXI462RW8/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdp

H&TLR, I wasn't having a very good day today. But you made it end well. Thank you.

THE BLACK ALBUM LIVES!

Just to let everyone know, now that September is here...

"THE BLACK ALBUM LIVES!"

The reboot screenplay is finished and now in development with producers, a casting director, and a director attached.  Hopefully production will begin on the new film before the end of the year.

AND...

"The Black Album" documentary will begin shooting this fall as part of my "MIDNITE REVIEW" documentary series. I'll be producing that with Beauregard Freidkin aka the FREAK KING (who will also be narrating).

We will be targeting NETFLIX and the SYFY CHANNEL among others for distribution.

That's all for now.

SINcerely yours,

Carlton

LET SLEEPING DEMONS LIE

Two weeks ago, I was doing ninety in the fast lane on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, when my car died on me. 

By some miracle, amidst heavy night-time traffic, I managed to get over to the shoulder without causing a pile-up.

Have I awakened things I don't even believe exist?

As of late, I have been taking meeting concerning THE BLACK ALBUM. Discussing new possibilities for a matter I thought was dead and buried. 

Is this re-ignition? Don't hit the switch.

A producer, director, and financier are interest in THE BLACK ALBUM... and my story about it.

Keep your fucking mouth shut!

The car event happened at a time when I was deep in the midst of pulling scenes from the movie.

The scariest movie you'll never see!

A casting director who is currently producing a slate of indie films, asked to see some of the movie. Once I started pulling scenes, it was like I was adicted. I couldn't stop until I pulled them all. FIFTY SCENES. Eighty-seven minutes worth of a movie.

You're playing with fire.

Everything that happened to me and the other people involved in the film is just coincidence, right? Right? An urban legend is just that, an urban legend. Right?

Let sleeping demons lie.

Awakening the curse.

Images courtesy of "The Black Album"

NEW CHAPTER OF THE BLACK ALBUM ON WATTPAD

I really love the concept of Wattpad. Maybe that's because I'm a writer. 

I love getting my writing out there to new audiences. I simply love putting it out there into the universe. Or the Verse as they used to say on the old TV show "Firefly" (yes I'm an undercover browncoat).

Wattpad is the one place where I can go that's not about selling or marketing or somebody trying to tell me how I should change my vision. 

It's about having something to say and expressing it. 

I used to write short stories in addition to writing screenplays, but stopped because there was no real venue for them. Now there is. You can write a short story or poem and just throw it out into the heavens without a drawn out process. It's great for spontaneous combustion creativity or machine gun inspiration.

The creative meetings I take here in Hollywood are almost never about creativity. Most of the time they're far from it.

Wattpad is about writers getting back to the business of being artists.

Thanks, Watty!

THE BLACK ALBUM: A Hollywood Horror Story - CHAPTER SIX: MARTINI SHOT

Read Now

Brain Eaters Ball!

Images courtesy of "The Black Album."

THE BLACK ALBUM ON WATTPAD

The book is on Wattpad as an ongoing serial. 

 

I released the FOREWORD, PROLOGUE, and CHAPTER ONE and TWO the other day.

 

I will be releasing a new chapter every week.

Please check out and enjoy.

THE BLACK ALBUM: A Hollywood Horror Story 

Read Now

or open in Wattpad app: 46692527

THANKS AMAZON AND GROUCHBAG

Hi all,

I have been so engrossed with editing my upcoming novel "SPOOK: Confessions of a Psychic Spy" and doing a rewrite of my TV pilot teleplay "DEATH DEFYER" (which there is now interest in), that I have totally neglected doing promotion for my first novel "THE BLACK ALBUM: A Hollywood Horror Story" (there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day).

However, Amazon is still doggedly promoting it. I received their promotional email this morning recommending my book. When I went to the sales page on Amazon, I found a new review on it. This is now my sixth FIVE STAR REVIEW.

What also makes this even sweeter is that the person who did the review, Grouchbag, is a ranked Amazon reviewer. I have to tell you, with a name like Grouchbag, I was a little hesitant to read the review. But I was happy I did.

Below is Grouchbag's reviewer:

"This book is everything a horror book should be. While I was reading it, I got a royal case of the creeps. Kenneth Holder is an excellent writer. I think it would be great if this book were made into a movie. I'd be one of the first to see it. Thank you Mr. Holder! I will be looking for more of your books."

Wow, writer's so rarely receive accolades. I have struggled as a writer for twenty years because I love writing so much. It has cost me a lot. To now finally bypass the gatekeepers of studio Hollywood and the publishing world, and go straight to the audience is truly one of the blessings of the Internet. 

I am honored by this review and thank Amazon and Grouchbag for their support. I plan to release many more novels through my newly founded publishing company Brooklyn Apache Press. 

I am going to dedicate this coming Friday to The Black Album. Indeed, it will be a Black Album Friday. I will do promotion, release excerpts from the novel and even attempt to put up another scene or two from the scariest movie you'll never see.

SINcerely yours,

Carlton Kenneth Holder

 

The Demon Jeremy rises.

Images courtesy of "The Black Album"

 

 

 

 

 

AMAZON'S PROMOTION OF THE BLACK ALBUM

Amazon.com customer, Are you looking for something in our Literature & Fiction department? If so, you might be interested in these items.

	Literature & Fiction

THE BLACK ALBUM: A Hollywood Horror Story Carlton Kenneth Holder, Beauregard Freidkin   Price: $2.99       Pohon Setan. Ben Brown, Sara Dean   Price: $0.99       The Cold Room Jason LaVelle, Heather LaVelle   Price: $2.99

THE FREAK KING LIVES

I'm really pleased with all the good comments and interest I've received regarding Beauregard Freidkin AKA the Freak King, who wrote both the foreword and prologue to my debut novel "THE BLACK ALBUM: A Hollywood Horror Story."

You'll be happy to know he has written the foreword for my upcoming novel "SPOOK: Confessions of a Psychic Spy." 

 

 In addition to that - hopefully before the end of 2014 - Beauregard Freidkin will be gracing the pages of his very own novel "MIDNITE REVIEW OF THE FREAK KING."

The Demon Jeremy drips blood.

Images courtesy of "The Black Album"

DIARY OF THE BLACK ALBUM #6

A FILMMAKER SET OUT TO MAKE A MOVIE. STRANGE THINGS HAPPENED.

October 5th

Everyone was really starting to get into the Halloween spirit on the film set. Since Halloween's my favorite holiday anyway - a whole month where I can watch horror movies and talk about them with everyone else without being labeled that guy who always talks about scary movies - I didn't need much prompting. Horror was in and I was at home. 

On location, in between scenes, we would play games like name your three favorite horror films. I would always sneak "Ed Wood" into my list even though it technically is not a horror film, but you've gotta love a movie about a guy who is obsessed with making bad horror films. 

Anyway, I'm detouring from my subject. 

It was night time and we were on the huge hill that ran along the side of my house. Houses were sprinkled around, then dense woods. On our shooting schedule for the night was the scene where the living dead emerge out of their graves in the backwoods bootleg cemetery LORD'S LANE.

One of our electric guys had a Gothic Marilyn Manson look and I intended to capitalize on it. He became my ZOMBIE NUMBER ONE. And all he had to do was let me bury him alive.

Now figuring out the logistics of how to bury someone alive without actually suffocating them, aren't as easy as they may seem. Since it was a pauper's grave site, there would be no coffin. Just a hole and a wooden cross.

Now I didn't want to cheat this with a funky camera angle and a series of shots. I wanted the audience to see him explode up out of the dirt all in one take. So, in order for our Zombie to breathe and not have his make-up ruined, we covered him with a thin plastic sheet. Then we buried him.

My FX man fogged up the surrounding woods with our trusty fog machine and then it was ACTION! We got the shot in the first take and I was quite happy... until my Zombie Number One keeled over and stopped breathing.

Apparently he had inhaled quite a bit of dirt. After a few minutes of retching, however, he was fine. 

It was all in a night's work.

TO BE CONTINUED

Zombie Number One

Images courtesy of "The Black Album"