"Dante and Shakespeare divide the modern world between them. There is no third." - T. S. Eliot
"Dante's poem is, for many, the greatest single work of Western literature." - Ian Thompson.
"I love my Dante as much as the Bible. He is my spiritual food, the rest is ballast." - James Joyce.
In the middle of our life's journey, I found myself in a dark wood/Bewildered, and I knew I had lost the way: so opens Dante's Divine Comedy, "the best book literature has achieved" as Jorge Luis Borges writes.
Dante's Inferno, one of the greatest works of European literature, and "the most original and audacious treatment of the afterlife in Western literature" dazzles with its vivid and inventive storytelling and imagery. However, it contains much more than poetry and theology; it displays Dante's wide and comprehensive learning, and his deep understanding of contemporary politics and society. "All life is contained in the poem, for Dante's was an all-encompassing imagination, that interwove classical philosophy with Catholic doctrine and contemporary politics," (Ian Thompson).
The thirty-three cantos of Inferno follow Dante, as, guided by the epic poet, Virgil, he travels through the nine descending circles of a freezing Hell, until he meets Satan trapped at the bottom. The Inferno is the most gripping and engaging book of The Divine Comedy, as Dante meets those damned for forbidden love, and all manner of human vices. (The damned, amusingly, include many of Dante's enemies!) Inferno is the logical conclusion of all that is worst in human life. It is bearable only because Dante eventually emerges. The Divine Comedy was written over a period of twenty years towards the end of Dante's life. It was appreciated as a masterpiece soon after its completion, and it has captivated both readers and the Western imagination ever since. The Inferno is the most widely translated book after the Bible. This edition is translated by the celebrated poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Conspiracy Theory, Illuminati, Freemasons, Culture, Sociopolitical; Paperback Book - New
James Shelby Downard, who died at the age of eighty-three in 1996, is one of the most compelling conspiracy theorists of the twentieth century. Robert Anton Wilson wrote that Downard’s “King-Kill” essay, regarding the involvement of Freemasons in the murder of John F. Kennedy, is “the most incredible Illuminati theory of them all.” Marilyn Manson wrote a song based on “King-Kill 33°,” and even two rock bands, one in Atlanta and the other in Seattle, named themselves after Downard’s piece. The Carnivals of Life and Death is James Shelby Downard’s thrilling life story, detailing the skullduggery and ritualism of the KKK and Freemasonry and how they imposed themselves on the young Downard and his family in Depression-era Deep-South America in the 1930s. Editor Elana Freeland writes in her introduction, “Downard’s tale is a piece of the puzzle of a very important period when networks of fraternal orders were front and center in consolidating techniques of sociopolitical control.” Interest in the hidden aspects of Freemasonry is reaching boiling point today, and James Shelby Downard’s eagerly awaited contribution to this secretive and little-known aspect of American culture will be widely read and discussed.
Horror, Gore, SOV, Independent, Bloodthirsty, Gruesome; DVD - New
Doug Ulrich made some amazing shot on video movies back in the day, like “Darkest Soul” and “Scary Tales” and this one, “Snuff Kill”. Doug is an avid horror fan and Ralis is the lead singer of a theatrical rock band. Together they set out to make their own “Horror Movie”. But during the filming of a murder scene, the special effects turn out to be all too real and Doug discovers the sinister side of his partner Rallis and his own fascination with real like horrors.
Grindcore, Documentary, Punk, Metal, Underground, Independent; DVD - New
Slave To The Grind is the very first documentary on Grindcore. It tackles its complex history, charting its rise from both punk and metal in the 80s. It was shot over 4 years in 9 countries on 4 continents. It was strictly DIY, with zero funding from studios or any corporate funding.
Metal Blade, Thrash, Satanic, Greece, Black Metal; (2015) Limited Edition Gatefold LP + woven patch - NEW
Launching forth on a nefarious mission dictated specifically by the horned master himself, Satan's Wrath stubbornly refuse to take their foot off the accelerator on their nightmarish ride to insanity and overload. This brainchild of sulphur-throated multi-instrumentalist Tas Danazoglou, has grown in monstrous stature, unflinching cruelty and sheer bloody-minded intensity over the course of its two full-throttle platters thus far, building an ominous pathway for Die Evil, its third unholy document, which emerges unto twilight in intimidating fashion, blasting their blasphemous attack into dimensions of dementia hitherto deemed beyond the pale.
Black 180g vinyl in gatefold sleeve with woven patch, limited to 444 copies worldwide.
Hardcore, Grind, Noise, Shit-core, Chicago; Cassette (2015) - As new
Brutal 2015 release from Chicago’s power violence battalion. Bitter resentment and rancor straining under a harsh suffocating wall of brutish noise. Ruined and invalidated by the mundane carnage of daily existence. The demise of hope. Limited to 50 copies, this is the original cassette version from 2015 which was released as a 7" on Nerve Altar Records in 2016.
Noise Punk, Noise Rock, Melbourne, Lo-Fi, Garage Punk, Hardcore; Limited Edition Cassette - As new
This is the original 'Blowblood' release from 2015, limited to 50 copies - later re-issued in 2016 on 'Pissfart Records'.
Thrash, Death, Black, Grind, Punk, Metal, Melbourne; Cassette - As new
Brilliant death/thrash from Melbourne, this cassette is the long sold out second release from this heavy thrash trio. Cassette comes with glossy fold-out cassette card - a nice 7 track release for the black death thrash crowd....
Dark Wave, Industrial, Experimental, Electronic, Post-punk, Melbourne, Self Released; Limited Edition Cassette w/- Download code - As new
One of Australia’s most intriguing darkwave electronic acts, the tandem of Mohini Hillyer and Emma Hart as electro-tinged post-punk outfit Mollusc, has played a crucial role in defining and galvanising the growing darkwave scene in Australia, which has flourished in the latter half of the 2010s. Hypnotic and near-impenetrable in nature, the band’s 2015 debut EP is a sterling example of the power of the genre, blending a mixture of haunted industrial leanings, formidable throb-n-punch, a foreboding weight and simmering aggression. In six songs, Mollusc managed to take all the good bits of the genre and serve them up on a platter, setting a standard for the scene here in Australia. This is the original 2015 cassette release, later reissued on vinyl through 'IT Records'.
DVD; Mixtape, Gore, Splatter, Bizarre, Weird, Strange, Porn, Horror, Comedy; DVD Mixtape - New
HOLY SHIT! HERE IT IS! 4 YEARS IN THE MAKING!
Suffer through hours of horrible video atrocities without getting bored or having to deal with irreparable mental damage! The guys at Whore Church have combed through the worst stuff they could find, thoroughly blended and regurgitated it back out as The Whore Church Vol. 1. It contains more madness, more insanity and more fart jokes than you can shake your dick at! It's also got a shit load of bonus features on this badboy! Throw this sucker on at a party to kick it up a notch.
SUPER DUPER REGION FREE!
18+ only!
Skateboard, Cult, VHS, 90's, Classic, Skate, Culture; VHS Tapes - we have a bunch of different copies for sale in good used condition - email for list.....
411 was the equivalent of the internet for three quarters of the ’90s. That’s a big deal. Who didn’t like how random the 60/40 commercials were, or fast forward some spot check on a clunky park in Germany, or losing it anytime Sal Barbier addressed us via “The Grapevine”? For real, when he announced that Goodtimes Intelligence Agency was giving away a trip to Hawaii, he was genuinely puzzled–you can’t script that. By the way, who won that trip and what did it entail? Did you get to hang out with Carl Carpenter?
Having a steady stream of video showing up at your local shop made you feel connected and let more scenes shine, instead of exclusively seeing more footage of “some guy with a backwards fitted” somewhere in California. Being able to see what was going on in Love, Pulaski, or New York, in what felt like realtime completely changed the world’s view of the East Coast, inspiring people from everywhere to check out the spots. Ultimately that was a good look for everyone.
Louis Malle, Rare, Controversial, War, Classic, Powerful, Taboo; DVD - Ex Used condition
Having been rejected by the Resistance for being too young, teenager Lucien Lacombe joins the Gestapo in a show of defiance. But upon falling for the daughter of a Jewish tailor, Lucien begins to view his actions in a very different light. Louis Malle was never a director to worry about public opinion, having ruffled feathers with his intellectual study of incest in 1971s, Soufflé au coeur, Le, he practically ostracised himself with this simmering collaboration piece. Tho it has to be said that the sheer weight of the fall out in his home country would surely have taken him by surprise, however, what remains to this day is a highly accomplished character piece that engrosses from the get go. It's now something of common knowledge that Malle drew from his own upbringing by way of motivation in some of his work, how much of this particular story affected him is not entirely clear, but what isn't in doubt is that the directors time during the occupation of France lends this piece an aura of honesty, it feels personal, and the result is very special indeed. Each individual viewer can interpret the sequence of events as they may, but just maybe Lacombe Lucien is a simple portrayal of a missed opportunity, and this missed opportunity coupled with naivety bred the wickedness that is viewed in the film. The theme of betrayal hangs heavy in the story, and the mere fact that Malle refused to take sides with his outlaying of the story, only furthers the sense of intrigue that covers the viewer come the stunning ending, an ending that creeps up on you and begs you for another thought process.
