#stridulum

[sam-keeper]

The Visitor aka STRIDULUM (1979)

Ha ha yeah, wooo YEAH

da daaaaa dadadaDAA DAAA DAAAAAAA DADADAAAAA DADADADADA DA DAAAAA YEAH!!!!

This is the most prog rock movie I've ever seen in my life. This is spiritually being painted on the side of a van. Does it have a good plot that makes sense? I don't know, asshole, does Emerson Lake and Palmer's seminal classic Karn Evil 9 part 2 have a good plot that makes sense? I'm telling my kids The Visitor (1979) is Star Wars.

I noticed a pattern when looking at other reviews of this film: they fall back on comparisons, as a slight. Well, it's sort of The Omen, and it's sort of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and it's sort of Carrie, and a little Battlestar Galactica and maybe The Birds... which all sounds very derivative, I suppose, until you actually a movie smashing all those things together, and realize, wait a minute, that's bonkers. It feels like critics grasp for these comparisons while foundering in The Visitor's psychedelic sea, desperate for a point of stability. None of these references offer stable landmarks, though, if you hope to predict where the film will veer next in its crazy pursuit of cool ideas and weird setpieces.

Not that the comparisons are totally off base, mind. This IS the story of Katy Collins, a Wicked Little Kid in the vein of the Omen's Damien or Carrie's... Carrie. It's just that this generic convention of the Bad Seed gets set up at the beginning of the film with a bizarre cosmic encounter between an old space wizard and an apparition of the devilish little girl in what looks like a blizzard on mars, followed by a whole ass monologue by "A Jesus Figure" about cosmic psychic spirits of good and evil dueling it out across the planets, delivered to a bunch of bald, white robed children. Hell yeah. But! But. Katy Collins is otherwise a classic, average evil psychic kid who kills people with telekinesis. And uses it to rig professional basketball matches for her shitty step dad, possibly at the behest of the satanic businessmen he answers to who are REALLY giving some serious drone hive vibes what with the way they all turn their heads at the same time. Oh and she's got a pet hawk that murders people at her behest. No, trust me though, it's a really derivative movie. Not like the movies we have now like uhhhh

[sweating] uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Better touchstones than typical blockbuster fare might be the mind-expanding chaos of paperback epics--Clive Barker's Great and Secret Show, King's Dark Tower, Morrison's The Invisibles. Here's some other fun facts: it was directed by Giulio Paradisi (it's a heavily italian production) but he directed it under the brilliant name "Michael J Paradise". The italian title was "Stridulum", which I guess is latin for something like a harsh or shrill sound or shriek, which fits the whole repeating War Between Birds motif and the use of bird cries in the soundtrack. Oh, and one of the guys playing basketball in the first scene with Katy is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, actual famous athlete. It's sort of a bizarre and improbable movie!

But I don't think I'd be nearly so dazzled by all the crazy shit this film throws at the audience if not for Katy herself, played brilliantly by a young child star Paige Conner. She's written and performed in a way that suggests malice, yes, but a childish malice, a bit of a put-on, a belligerent front that gets more and more petulant and uncontrolled as John Huston as the space mystic Jerzy (yes) Colsowicz (get it) confronts her with the limits of her own powers. There's this sequence where Jerzy and Katy play pong against each other. Jerzy, smiling, accuses her cheating by speeding up the game with her powers. Katy, giggling genuinely, gloatingly informs him that no, she sped up the game using a switch on the game console. Later in the film she tries to drop a fire escape on his head, of course. In that conversation, though, there's this charming chemistry between them, the chemistry of a smart young person and an older adult willing to treat her, not as a peer exactly, but as a thinking being, not just a Thing to be smacked into shape. This dynamic is crucial to the climax of the film and its ultimate conviction that no matter how ghastly Katy is, there's more than just evil to her, which might not be the most seasonally horror-forward message but is honestly pretty damn refreshing. Like I don't know if The Visitor is as good a film as The Omen (ok, I know that obviously it's not) but on balance it's probably got its heart more in the right place. Perhaps notably along those lines, one of the horror subplots of The Omen involves possibility of a woman getting an abortion, whereas The Visitor explores the possibility of a woman being impregnated against her will. While it may lose out on form, The Visitor might just win the long game on its politics.

Also some shitty teens get thrown through a plate glass window, and there's a whole sequence where a big truck's lights are treated exactly like an approaching spacecraft, and it's awesome, I don't know what to tell you, I love this shit.

Read more horror reviews like this all season on my Patreon

[sesiondemadrugada]

The Visitor (Giulio Paradisi, 1979).

[gothlisteningclub]

Goth Listening Club Day #44: Stridulum- Soothing Tales of Escapism

"one of the few darkwave bands in poland, where in my experience the scene is rather small. also it's good to check out bands that aren't from usa or uk:)"

LISTEN ON: SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / APPLE MUSIC

[haverwood]

Stridulum Giulio Paradisi Italy, 1979 ★ The movie's so confidently nonsensical, that's gotta count for something.

But anyway, here's some random thoughts:

I'm sure everyone involved signed up for a different project.

The director probably didn't speak a single word in english.

I don't think there even was a script (maybe just some doodles on a napkin)

The best part was Shelley Winters slapping the little brat.

Oh well, it could've been a grandiose disaster but unfortunately, it's just a monotonous dud.

[cinemaquiles]

Não há palavras para descrever isso: The visitor (1979)

[visionsofsuffering]

jim hanks - god (purgatory house 2004)

jeffrey licon - goth kid god (joan of arcadia 2003-2005)

john hurston - jerzy colsowicz (the visitor 1979)

[astirysk2electricboogaloo]

THIS FUCKING SLAPS

[schlock-luster-video]

On November 2, 2010, The Visitor was released on DVD in Canada.

[futuristicturtlefox]

Zola Jesus ~ Stridulum

[ruinedholograms]

(2010-2011)

• Beach House - Teen Dream

• Autechre - Oversteps

• LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

• Tim Hecker - Ravedeath 1972, and Dropped Pianos

• How To Destroy Angels - Self Titled

• The Knife + Planningtorock - Tomorrow In A Year

• Four Tet - FabricLive 59

• Zola Jesus - Stridulum

• Four Tet - There Is Love In You

• Andy Stott - Passed Me By | We Stay Together

• Washed Out - Within And Without

• St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

• Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming

• Trent Reznor + Atticus Ross - The Social Network, and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

• Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

• Radiohead - The King Of Limbs

• Demdike Stare - Tryptych

• Agnes Obel - Philharmonic

• Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

• Grouper - Alien Observer | Dream Loss

• Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

• Sonoio (Alessandro Cortini) - Blue, and Red

• Tame Impala - Innerspeaker

• Phantogram - Eyelid Movies

• Sharon Van Etten - Epic

[bite-the-bloody-hand]

6 SONG SOUNDTRACK (Part 1 - DISCO FUNK)

@chaosteddybear tagged me in the following game and the autism won. I decided to make an extra challenge for myself: a themed playlist with 1 'outsider' or anachronistic track that still fits the overall vibe. We begin... with Disco Funk.

PREPARE YOUR BUTTS

Rules: If you're tagged, make a new post with links to music and/or lyrics describing the following: 1. An event that defines your character's past 2. How your character sees themselves 3. How others view them 4. Their closest relationship (platonic or romantic) 5. A major fight scene 6. End Credits song

Spotify Youtube Music

1. AFRO CUBAN BAND* - Something's Gotta Give -

Dreams have done their share of dying love cries out but no one hears - oh, Something Something's got to give We can't, We can't go on like this

Is it a little on the nose? Sure. But a midnight revelation that he simply couldn't continue his life as it was going put Zell on the road to discovering his own path. He aches for the hurting, broken world he was brought into; he may not have the answer for fixing things, but he has to try something. Even if he's unsure of himself, even if he's convinced of his own fragility, he can fake strength if he can get out. He can't do anything while locked away in a Hellknight compound in Lepistadt, so he goes. And so it goes...

2. ARTIE SHAW - Nightmare - (Instrumental)

The problem with having an unclear sense of purpose and underdeveloped, poor self-esteem is that it can lead one down a path of introspection that keeps one in a spiral. Zell is an outsider when he isn't a rebel, never fitting with any authority and rarely synchronizing with any group; uncomfortable in his own body even when he's done everything he can to feel like himself. He desperately wants to solve the conundrum of connection - even when he's successful he has doubts that haunt him, especially in the lonely hours in the night.

(It's called Depression but they haven't invented therapy in Golarion yet)

Why this is the Anachronistic Outsider - Zell himself is a man out of time... even he doesn't know how old he is or how long he spent in Areelu Vorlesh's "care."

3. DEODATO - Also Sprach Zarathustra (instrumental)

I'm being a little bit of a shit with this; historically the misinterpretation of Nietzsche's Zarathustra have been that the title character is a teacher of doctrine/great leader/himself the 'Übermensch' he urges humanity to become. The actions of someone who wishes not to speak to the masses but instead live his own life of contemplation - and if he ever leads, to do it by example - often get twisted into fanatic parasocialization... if that isn't the life of the Knight Commander I don't know what is. Plus, this is just a bop.

4. EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING - Shame

Ooh-ooh, it's a, oh-oh, it's a shame (Shame) oh-oh, it's a (Shame) mama** just don't understand Oh, how I love my man (shame) It's a, oh, it's a (shame)

Falling for someone when you already don't like yourself a whole lot can be hard, but it's much harder when nobody else likes the someone you love. Sometimes you just have to whip around and be assertive: the real shame would be abandoning what you have. Especially when it's this good.

5. C.J. & CO - Devil's Gun***

Get a new direction Well, well, well another resurrection Well now don't wait hesitate Or it's gonna be too late Flames are getting higher Got to jump out of the fire

I felt this fit as a big combat piece for Azata path especially; deeply anti-authoritarian theme about bringing together the community and avoiding the Devil (literal, figurative, and so on) and rebuilding? Yes please.

6. FRANCO MICALIZZI - Stridulum Theme (Instrumental)****

I wanted to close us out with something that felt a little magical and strange; this is a longtime favorite that really fit the bill.

TAGGING~ @Rlainarin @thedosianexplorer @arendaes I'm pretty sure two of you have already been tagged so feel no obligation, naturally.

*Had to transcribe the lyrics here myself so I'm not 100% sure I got them on the mark. Frustratingly I think this group only did one other track, which was the b-side for Something's Gotta Give. Real bummer, I love what I've found.

**Mama in this context is 100% Irabeth. She does NOT approve of this obviously farcical union. She's watching Arendae like a HAWK .

***YES, OF COURSE I played this during the Mephistopheles fight, who do you think I am?! TBH it was a real close call between this and Stayin' Alive but Devil's Gun won out for thematic reasons.

****I've had this track on Zell's playlist for a long time simply because I love the sound. It's the theme to a truly bizarre 70s Italian horror flick called The Visitor / Stridulum that's worth catching if you're curious. Free on youtube via the link.

[lifeinasmalltowninjapan]

Zola Jesus

Stridulum II (2010)

[seawave-1]

Gothic Illusions - June 2024 by DJ SeaWave

Gothic / New Wave / Dark Wave / Post Punk / Gothic Rock / Gothic Metal / Dark Electro / EBM / Industrial compilation by D.J. SeaWave (Gal Gur-Arie) ~ STRIDULUM ~ CLAN OF XYMOX ~ ESOTERIK ~ SEXBLOOD ~ BLACK NAIL CABARET ~ PRIEST ~ IAMNOONE ~ THEN COMES SILENCE ~ THE SWEET KILL ~ GWENDOLINE ~ GOTHMINISTER ~ CORLYX ~ HUSSEY REGAN ~ OCTOBER NOIR ~ WITHIN TEMPTATION ~ DIARY OF DREAMS ~ RAMMSTEIN ~ HIGH PARASITE ~ Model: Volodina Photo: Best Of B Side. Dress: Inner Sanctum. Choker, bracelets: Sacred Sins. https://www.mixcloud.com/seawave/gothic-illusions-june-2024-by-dj-seawave/

[ajoytobeheld]

Gareth Campesinos!' records of 2010

December 2nd, 2010

And so, the moment I’ve been waiting for, my 12 albums for 2010. That averages at one a month </justification for exceeding ten>

I was intending to do this in order of preference, but the late arrival of Kanye convinced me otherwise. Right now I can’t see that I like an album from this year more than My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, but 12 months ago I’d have said the same about Perfume Genius’ Learning. Making a snap decision now could only cause me to cause some horrific injustice like, oooh, I dunno, suggesting the Marina And The Diamonds record is better than Kanye. Idiocy.

I cannot write about music, so please forgive these descriptions, they’re just to break up the pics, like.

So, in no particular order…

Psychorama – Bathcrones

Bright melodies bubbling atop and overflowing from slow motion beats. All sheets of synth noise and groove. An oddly uplifting record, kinda like a crack of light under the doorframe of a darkened room.

Love King – The Dream

The-Dream’s written some of modern chart music’s biggest hits (Umbrella, Single Ladies) but his solo records show an intelligence and degree of concept that very few people would expect. Dark, self obsessed stuff hidden behind MASSIVE TUNES. Our generation’s Michael Jackson, I tell you.

Carve Out The Face Of My God – Infinite Body

The most melodic shoegazy/ambient record I can recall hearing. Released on No Age’s Post Present Medium record label, this drone is modern day classical music if you ask me.

Autre Ne Veut – Autre Ne Veut

Like every annoying ten-minute trend this year, but with actual worth behind it, a set of bollocks and falsetto. Nostalgic, twisted pop-songs to make your head whir and your eyes cry ice cubes. This is one of my absolute favourites.

Blue Water White Death – Blue Water White Death

Starring Jamie Stewart and Shearwater’s Jonathan Meiburg, this, for me, harks back to La Foret era Xiu Xiu. Centred around acoustic instrumentation and eerie, threatening mantras.

LA Vampires Meets Zola Jesus – LA Vampires Meets Zola Jesus

Massively succesful year for Zola Jesus’ Nika Roza, whose Stridulum EP has seen her break into a world that I could never have imagined (though am so pleased to see her in). However this, her work with Pocahaunted’s Amanda Brown is my favourite of hers from this year. Mesmerising, minor key and dub tinged, this is pretty trippy stuff.

Dagger Paths – Forest Swords

So happy that this is receiving a late push from the likes of Pitchfork. Wirral producer Matthew Barnes is a gentleman, and produces music like nothing I can recall exactly hearing before. His cover of Aaliyah’s ‘If Your Girl’ may well be my track of the year (actually, no, that’s The-Dreams F.I.L.A., but still).

Suburban Tours – Rangers

Like early Ariel Pink, but less annoying (to my ears). Every AM radio song of the 80s recorded to cassette and played atop of each other over a melted car stereo. But sad, very sad.

Learning – Perfume Genius

The most delicate and tortured music I’ve heard since the highest (or is that lowest) points of This Mortal Coil. Just a beautiful man and his demons sat aside a piano. I’ve gone on about this record enough that if I’ve not convinced you by now, I’m sure I never will.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West

There are no words.

Mare – Julian Lynch

Hazy, folky pop songs made ‘difficult’. Soothing and rewarding.

New Love – Former Ghosts

Industrial, hyper emotional tales of the heart and soul from the composer of my favourite album of 2009. This second full length pays even more attention to detail and space. Somehow more pop and more brutal than before.

Needless to say, I’m excited for all the upcoming End Of Year Lists from certain publications, to see what brilliant stuff I’ve missed out on this year. And maybe yours too?

[twittercomfrnklin2001-blog]

The Visitor

If yesterday’s movie, THE SHANGHAI GESTURE (1941), was too tame for you, you might want to take a look at Giulio Paradisi’s THE VISITOR (1979, Shudder), aka STRIDULUM. Where else can you see John Huston playing Pong, Shelley Winters singing “Short’nin’ Bread,” Glenn Ford attacked by a small hawk, Franco Nero as Jesus and Lance Henriksen delivering the line “We’re always talking about talking about talking, but we never talk” with a straight face. It’s basically a rip-off of THE OMEN (1976), with bits of THE BAD SEED (1956) and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977), among other films, thrown in for good measure. Huston is General Yahweh, who comes to Earth to thwart his ancient enemy, the evil Zatteen, reincarnated as a foul-mouthed, temperamental 8-year-old (Paige Conner). I’m not making this up, you know. A group of businessmen headed by Mel Ferrer (this film seems to have everybody who picked up the phone on casting day) has engaged young tycoon Henriksen to marry and impregnate Conner’s mother (Joanne Nail) so she can give them another super-powered child to manipulate. When she resists, they contrive to have Conner accidentally shoot her, leaving her paralyzed, because nothing puts a woman more in the mood to procreate so much as being confined to a wheelchair. Ford is the police detective investigating the shooting and Winters the new housekeeper who sees through Conner (you’d have be dumber than Marjorie Taylor Greene not to, and I suspect if she watched the film she might just wonder why everybody was out to get that sweet little girl). The whole thing is so deliriously out of its mind — from the opening in which Huston and Conner duel magically in an unearthly desert while being pelted by what looks like a mixture of snow and oatmeal, to the whack-a-doodle final twist — it’s pretty much irresistible. Henriksen later suggested most of the cast (which also includes Sam Peckinpah as Nail’s ex-, though his lines had to be dubbed because he kept forgetting them) took the job for a free trip to Rome. Perhaps they also wanted to do location shooting in Atlanta, with such landmarks as the World of Coke and the Omni back when it housed an ice-skating rink. The city even adds to the fantasy element; in repeated shots of I-75/85 traffic is actually moving.

[weirdlookindog]

Stridulum (1979)

AKA The Visitor