CD REVIEW: Lawrence C. Connolly's "Veins"




I had the pleasure of meeting critically-acclaimed author and Bram Stoker Award Nominee (nominated alongside Stephen King, I'd both men are in good company), Lawrence C Connolly at the Horror Realm Spring Massacre and was fortunate to obtain a copy of his CD, "Veins" for review and to also hear his more musical side.

I will begin by saying that the "Veins" CD was written as a compliment to his novel of the same title. The six tracks are all soundscapes inspired by the story, along with two Bonus tracks.

I will first give a brief summary of Veins without giving too much away (you all need to buy the book...it's worth it).  Veins tells the story of four crooks fleeing from what could be 'the perfect crime' into the Pennsylvania highlands.  As they flee in their black Mustang, they are being pursued by a tattooed madman whose goal is to see that they are dead.  The driver of the car, a boy named Axle, knows the land well and can lead the group to an ideal hideout.  The hideout Axle has in mind is the crater of an abandoned mine.  But as ideal as the hiding place is, it is also a place of fear for Axle as he can recall terrible things that occurred there.  Things he would like to forget.  Then enters Kwertis, a nightflyer and specter from Axle's ancestral past.  Axle, his partners in crime, and their pursuer soon come to discover that their arrival at the mine is far from being an accident...

The first track, "Axle Rising," opens with remnants of Pink Floyd, The Cure, hints of 60s psychedelic, and a large dosing of Love Spirals Downward.  Like the "Veins" novel, the CD takes the listener away to another world, another dimension, another terrain.  Each of the six songs ("Axle Rising," "Something in the Darkness," "Opening the Veins,""68 Fastback," "Downhill Run," and "Spirit Wind") make a smooth transition from one to other, almost as though it were just one, ongoing song.  The music itself can take the listener on a journey of being headed toward a certain impending doom while being unable or unwilling to stop.  Almost as though that impending doom is a peaceful one of sorts (I highly suggest listening to this when out for a long, scenic drive).

Connolly and his band demonstrate superb musicianship and the entire CD is very well-done, to say the least.  The lineup consists of Connolly on rhythm, lead, and Ebow guitars and Duane Davis on bass, drums, and synth percussions.  Lauren Connelly makes a guest appearance adding some (beautiful) vocals to "Axle Rising", with Lee McGinn appearing on drums, and Al Snyder on keyboards for the same track.  All compositions were written by Lawrence C. Connelly with executive producer, W.H. Horner.

The CD also includes two Bonus tracks, "Aberrations" and "Echos", both of which are spoken word over music and/or sound foley art.  And "Echos" definitely scores a couple brownie points with me for making it's debut appearance to the public in Rod Serling's Twilight Zone Magazine in February of 1983.

Needless to say, I not only highly recommend the "Veins" soundtrack, but the book as well!

Check out more of Lawrence C. Connolly at
Lawrence C. Connolly Official Website
Veins the Novel

Buy his books and music:
Lawrence C. Connolly Books
Lawrence C. Connolly Music

New Book Released!

Hey all,

New book released! It is my part in the One Emma Way short series in which I and four other authors are involved. Mine is the fourth installment and it consists of my stories "Snowflakes" and "Roommates." And check out the first three installments by G. Richard Sterling, Gene A. Ritz, and Carol Martin. Available at Amazon and Smashwords.




If you happen to live in, or visit the beautiful city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, you won’t find a house at One Emma Way; it doesn’t exist in reality. It does, however in the minds of five independent authors (one being author G. Richard Sterling) that came together to weave their respective, fictional stories about a special, prominent feature of the old house-the grand, bay window that peers down from the hillside at the Pittsburgh skyline. Some of the stories are fictional throughout, others are based on actual places, or true events for the time period, with fictional characters experiencing fictional trials and tribulations. Some are uplifting, some not; some are believable, some, well, you’ll have to use your imagination. All however, are entertaining and interesting. By the time you are finished reading this compilation of short stories about #1 Emma Street, we believe you will be asking yourself—what if houses could speak?
In this Book 4, Tiffany Apan offers two short stories that delve into the supernatural, one titled Snowflakes and the other called Roommates. One is a rather heart-warming story about a little boy who gets his Christmas wish, and the other about a young college co-ed who ends up with a rather unusual roommate situation.

Features an introduction by Gene A. Ritz and prologue by George Oesterling.

Check out Books 1, 2, and 3 of the One Emma Way Series, also available from authors G. Richard Sterling, Gene A. Ritz, and Carol Martin.



Available at Smashwords and Amazon

Steven Till's "Shuffle"

Hey all,

Hope everyone is enjoying lovely spring weather (albeit a little rainy in at least my area).

I met author, Steven Till at the Horror Realm Convention last month and snagged a copy of his book, Shuffle. It is a zombie story, but he takes a really cool and unique approach.

Definitely check it out:


The eleven-year-old girl stood on the summit of Mount Washington, overlooking downtown Pittsburgh. She clutched her blood-soaked teddy bear in her right hand as she chewed. The city was ablaze in napalm fire. Gunshots rang out as soldiers struggled to fend off the growing horde of undead. Sunshine took another bite. Bridges collapsed as the military tried in vain to contain the outbreak. After countless millennia of waiting, her time had finally come. The girl took one last bite from the severed arm that she clutched with her left hand and dropped it atop the dead soldier who lay at her feet. Turning away from the ruined city, she faced her undead brood. Tens of thousands of monsters awaited her command. Her lips pulled back in a bloody grin as she walked into the mouth of Hell itself.
All will be judged. All will be punished. All will be lost…

Available in ebook and paperback at Amazon


Hopefully I will be back with regular blogposts this coming week. I've been trying to meet deadlines for three short stories and am prepping to film a scene for a movie this weekend. But I do miss blogging and I have a lot to say; therefore I hope to resume much sooner than later. :)

Talk to you all soon.





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