Machine wisdom

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

By Aaron Kuder. I don't mind T&A (I worked in men's mags for 17+ years), but there was just so much of it among this week's covs. Was nice to see someone creating proper art. Worth a zoom in order to admire the finer details.

SONG OF THE WEEK

"Axis" by Soen (Sweden). Prog metal that actually deserves to be called prog for the distinctiveness and depth. Love the variety in his vocals. Been spinning this on a daily basis and I like it more with every listen. New fave metal band?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0-kkSUKpW0

Commended >>>

* Live version of "Paiwei Back Alley" by Vinida Weng (China) = missing a hook. Love her flow, though.

* "Small Talk" by Ill Peach (US) = reminds me in a good way of Metric.

* "Summer Again, Sung To The End" by Egoism (Australia).

* "Here Comes That Crow" by Leenalchi (Korea) = imagine if I could see them perform in Copenhagen in November on their world tour! 

DEVOURED THIS WEIGHTY TOME

Read every word of the 440-odd pages. Is it better than "Worlds & Realms"? IMO, no. But it's an incredible collection of swords & sorcery illos, with some fascinating art-related revelations, connections and comparisons across the five editions. (Even if they oversimplify/sanitise the history of "D&D" in places.)