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Savage Beasts
Summon the greatest of all evils with these tales of horror curated by Bram Stoker Award-nominated Anthony Rivera and Sharon Lawson, editors of the #1 Amazon bestseller Peel Back the Skin and the critically acclaimed Dark Visions series.
-- Travel with a tortured soul as she battles a demonic presence on a deadly road adventure.
-- Journey with a young couple returning to unhallowed ground to face an evil that haunts them from the past.
-- Venture beyond the event horizon as a physicist attempts to stop an infernal cataclysm.
-- Meet a pianist trying to save his dying son with assistance directly from the pits of Hell.
-- Walk the battlefield as satanic forces wage war on the living and nature unleashes an inhumane pestilence on mankind.
-- And much, much more...
Written by some of the most talented new authors in horror and speculative dark fiction, Savage Beasts plunges into eleven hellish scenarios, summoning damnable forces that confront the living with dissonant melodies of the dead.
Includes the wicked talents of Edward Morris, Karen Runge, John F.D. Taff, Shawn Macomber, Konstantine Paradias, J.C. Michael, Daniel Braum, Maxwell Price, E. Michael Lewis, Paul Michael Anderson and T. Fox Dunham. With work inspired by Trent Reznor, Tom Petty, Dolores O'Riordan, Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, Syd Barrett, Grace Jones and more.
Proudly presented by Grey Matter Press, the multiple Bram Stoker Award-nominated independent publisher.
Grey Matter Press: Where Dark Thoughts Thrive
-- Travel with a tortured soul as she battles a demonic presence on a deadly road adventure.
-- Journey with a young couple returning to unhallowed ground to face an evil that haunts them from the past.
-- Venture beyond the event horizon as a physicist attempts to stop an infernal cataclysm.
-- Meet a pianist trying to save his dying son with assistance directly from the pits of Hell.
-- Walk the battlefield as satanic forces wage war on the living and nature unleashes an inhumane pestilence on mankind.
-- And much, much more...
Written by some of the most talented new authors in horror and speculative dark fiction, Savage Beasts plunges into eleven hellish scenarios, summoning damnable forces that confront the living with dissonant melodies of the dead.
Includes the wicked talents of Edward Morris, Karen Runge, John F.D. Taff, Shawn Macomber, Konstantine Paradias, J.C. Michael, Daniel Braum, Maxwell Price, E. Michael Lewis, Paul Michael Anderson and T. Fox Dunham. With work inspired by Trent Reznor, Tom Petty, Dolores O'Riordan, Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, Syd Barrett, Grace Jones and more.
Proudly presented by Grey Matter Press, the multiple Bram Stoker Award-nominated independent publisher.
Grey Matter Press: Where Dark Thoughts Thrive
- GenresHorror
294 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2015
6 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 4, 2015
When approaching an anthology for the purpose of review, I have several components that I’m thinking of and watching for in every story. Some of these are: a good story concept, consistent pacing, a unifying theme, and well developed characters. That last one is most important to me. If I can’t find something to love or hate about the characters, some reason to invest myself, then the story doesn’t work for me. Editors Anthony Rivera and Sharon Lawson obviously share some of the same criteria when it comes to selecting stories for their anthologies. The stories in SAVAGE BEASTS are not only well written, they are character driven, intelligent, and in some fashion special, riveting and memorable in a way that few short stories are.
I’m not going to write a synopsis of every one of the eleven stories in this book. That feels like filler and it bores the hell out of me. Instead, I’m going to touch briefly on some of the stories that were exceptional, even within a volume of exceptional stories:
“To Soothe the Savage Beast” by Edward Morris: The opener to the anthology and a subtle creeper of a story with an unexpected but delightful ending. Morris’ knowledge of Portland (my own home town) and it’s Jazz and Blues scene lends realism and depth to this tale.
“Going Home” by Karen Runge: I won’t say much here because this one would be really easy to spoil. Suffice it to say that this one scared the hell out of me. A chilling tale from beginning to end. I’ve read several of Runge’s short stories now and she is quickly climbing up my list of favorite authors.
“That Song You Can’t Get Out of Your Head” by John F.D. Taff: It’s well within the realm of possibility that I have read everything this guy has published to date. His stories are always top notch and often heartbreaking. This one isn’t heartbreaking, though. It’s a horrific story that will leave you with a new understanding of a familiar term.
“An American Ghost in Zurich” by Daniel Braum: This surreal little gem is hard to describe. Suffice it to say it’s a very unique ghost story. Or maybe it’s not a ghost story. Or maybe…Gah! Go read it.
“Die Musik des Teufels” by T. Fox Dunham: A heart wrenching story of debilitating guilt and the heavy price of a father’s love. Read this one with a box of tissue on hand.
Warning: Each of the authors in this volume follow their story with a note about the music that inspired them and why it had an effect. This is both interesting and often extremely revealing. Don’t read the notes first if you don’t like spoilers.
Overall, SAVAGE BEASTS is a love song to music and the art of story. And it’s a damn good song by two of the best virtuoso editors in the business today. In just a few short years Grey Matter Press has produced eight outstanding multi-author collections of dark fiction, establishing themselves as a mainstay of the speculative fiction industry. From the Bram Stoker nominated DARK VISIONS: VOLUME I to DEATH’S REALM to SAVAGE BEASTS, their work is imbued with a quality and consistency that is virtually unsurpassed.
I’m not going to write a synopsis of every one of the eleven stories in this book. That feels like filler and it bores the hell out of me. Instead, I’m going to touch briefly on some of the stories that were exceptional, even within a volume of exceptional stories:
“To Soothe the Savage Beast” by Edward Morris: The opener to the anthology and a subtle creeper of a story with an unexpected but delightful ending. Morris’ knowledge of Portland (my own home town) and it’s Jazz and Blues scene lends realism and depth to this tale.
“Going Home” by Karen Runge: I won’t say much here because this one would be really easy to spoil. Suffice it to say that this one scared the hell out of me. A chilling tale from beginning to end. I’ve read several of Runge’s short stories now and she is quickly climbing up my list of favorite authors.
“That Song You Can’t Get Out of Your Head” by John F.D. Taff: It’s well within the realm of possibility that I have read everything this guy has published to date. His stories are always top notch and often heartbreaking. This one isn’t heartbreaking, though. It’s a horrific story that will leave you with a new understanding of a familiar term.
“An American Ghost in Zurich” by Daniel Braum: This surreal little gem is hard to describe. Suffice it to say it’s a very unique ghost story. Or maybe it’s not a ghost story. Or maybe…Gah! Go read it.
“Die Musik des Teufels” by T. Fox Dunham: A heart wrenching story of debilitating guilt and the heavy price of a father’s love. Read this one with a box of tissue on hand.
Warning: Each of the authors in this volume follow their story with a note about the music that inspired them and why it had an effect. This is both interesting and often extremely revealing. Don’t read the notes first if you don’t like spoilers.
Overall, SAVAGE BEASTS is a love song to music and the art of story. And it’s a damn good song by two of the best virtuoso editors in the business today. In just a few short years Grey Matter Press has produced eight outstanding multi-author collections of dark fiction, establishing themselves as a mainstay of the speculative fiction industry. From the Bram Stoker nominated DARK VISIONS: VOLUME I to DEATH’S REALM to SAVAGE BEASTS, their work is imbued with a quality and consistency that is virtually unsurpassed.
August 27, 2015
I've read a number of anthologies by Grey Matter Press and enjoyed them all. This one has the added bonus of including one of my own stories, so yes, I am biased towards it, but that shouldn't take away from the strength of the contributions of the other authors involved.
As with any anthology some stories will strike more of a chord with each particular reader than others. Personally I enjoyed the stories by John F D Taff, Karen Runge, Maxwell Price, and T Fox Dunham a little more than the others but I'll stress - that's just personal taste.
The authors take a mixture of different approaches under the theme of stories influenced by music. Some take music as a central theme, others don't mention music at all, but have rather written a story derived from a particular piece or set of lyrics.
It'll come as no surprise that I'm recommending this, but I'm sure plenty of readers and reviewers who don't have a vested interest in giving it five stars will be doing so over the coming months.
As with any anthology some stories will strike more of a chord with each particular reader than others. Personally I enjoyed the stories by John F D Taff, Karen Runge, Maxwell Price, and T Fox Dunham a little more than the others but I'll stress - that's just personal taste.
The authors take a mixture of different approaches under the theme of stories influenced by music. Some take music as a central theme, others don't mention music at all, but have rather written a story derived from a particular piece or set of lyrics.
It'll come as no surprise that I'm recommending this, but I'm sure plenty of readers and reviewers who don't have a vested interest in giving it five stars will be doing so over the coming months.
December 22, 2015
Very entertaining and fairly original premise for an anthology. Combines my love of music (heavy metal mostly) and horror. Some pretty good short stories and no real stinkers. Recommended.
February 5, 2016
An excellent read from start to finish. You can't go wrong with this one.
August 6, 2021
Horror anthology dealing with music? Sign me up immediately!!! Such a great book and loved every story! The stand outs for me were That song you can’t get out of your head, going home, Eidolon, crawling back to you and die musik des teufels! Highly recommended!! 😎🤘🎸🔥
November 6, 2015
This anthology peaked my interest because it consisted of two of my greatest passions: Dark Fiction and Music. I waited patiently to get my hands on this book. I couldn't wait to dive in and let my mind absorbed the stories the crew from Grey Matter Press put together. Granted, the anticipation was profound, I might've been setting myself up for a major disappointment. However, that wasn't the case here. This Anthology from Grey Matter Press not only proves but displays editors, Anthony Rivera and Sharon Lawson's astounding range of talent and creativity. Their eclectic, versatile compilation is guaranteed to have something for everyone; no matter your style of writing or taste in music. These authors bring you a collection that will strum that magical chord progression, arpeggiate a sweet, haunting melody which will resonate deep into your soul.
Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of Savage Beasts.
Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of Savage Beasts.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews