Amalgamated Zen

Inside the Nine: All Hope Is Gone

With their new album out in stores, Slipknot's fourth album "All Hope Is Gone" is quite the complex of songs. Almost a cross between Stone Sour with songs like "Dead Memories" and the traditional Slipknot "Psycho Social", this album is one of their best both musically and lyrically. You have to appreciate the musical genius of this nine-piece band to still come together and lay out some awesome music and still be bludgeoned by Mick Thomson's riffage. The special edition of the album includes three additional tracks including a remix of "Vermilion Pt. 2" (Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses) and two songs that Slipknot rehearsed during the making of this album, but don't make it on the album. It also comes with a DVD "nine: The Making of All Hope Is Gone".

Bring out "The Dead"

It's finally happening - well it could very well be. Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell are seriously considering bringing Evil Dead 4 to life sometime in the near future. And while Campbell isn't as young or as in shape, it almost lends more to the slacker hero that was Ash. Now if they can just find a few moments of spare time in their schedules and lend themselves to this awesomeness, we can all feel better about life. And from there, who knows? I've seen a treatment of "Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash" and I know that I would be okay with that. And finally, for those real die-hard fans, Evil Dead: The Musical is coming to a close on September 6 in Toronto. So go and get your fill of Candarian Demons before the chance runs out.

To the President

With an all-star cast from James Cromwell, Thandie Newton, Josh Brolin, Ioan Gruffudd, Ellen Burstyn and directed by Oliver Stone, "W." which chronicles the life and presidency of President George W. Bush. And unlike what seems to be the norm of poking fun at our current president, Stone's movie takes a serious look behind what drove the man to eventually follow his father's footsteps as the President of the United States of America.

A Farewell to Bernie Mac

Freeman Troubles.....

Along with recovering from his recent car accident, actor Morgan Freeman is now dealing with a new set of issues. The actor's lawyers have confirmed that the 71 year old actor is divorcing his wife of 24 years, Myrna Colley-Lee. Freeman who earlier denied reports of his unfaithfulness, was in the wreck with a female passenger who has been described as the actors friend. This was Freeman's second marriage, his first from 1967- 1978.

Morgan Freeman Remains in Serious Condition

AP reports Morgan Freeman Remains in Serious Condition following his earlier car wreck.

Metal Mania

This past Saturday, I had the chance to go to Rockstar Energy Drink's "Mayhem Festival" and it certainly lived up to the hype it received in the metal world. With bands like Suicide Silence, The Red Chord, 36 Crazyfists, Black Tide, Machine Head, Mastodon, Underoath, Disturbed and Slipknot and a few others... this concert was real mayhem. Being up front for those bands put a serious hurting on my back, but it was well worth it and I'd do it again. Unfortunately, bands like Dragonforce and Airbourne were also there, but overall not a bad lineup for this first time concert. The concert also had demo's by Metal Mulisha and Slipknot's DJ Sid Wilson (#0) as "DJ Starscream".  If we're lucky, next year's Fest will have bands like Hatebreed, Lamb Of God, or Job For A Cowboy.  Definitely plan on breaking my back again at those shows.

Morgan Freeman Injured in Car Wreck

CBS News reports Morgan Freeman has been seriously injured injured in car wreck.

Box Office Batnanza

Once again The Dark Knight is tops at the box office with another $43.8 (M). Besides slightly edging the 3rd installment of the Mummy series, The caped crusading epic should top $400 (M) any day now and has to be considered a serious threat to dethrone Titanic as the number one box office draw of all time.