Rich Duncan Jr.
@horrorbookshelf.bsky.social
Book reviewer and writer. Work in The Horror Tree, FUMPTRUCK, Truborn Press. Co-founder of the Ink Heist podcast with Shane D. Keene. (he/him)
Sludegmas Day 17 and I'm planning on keeping this going up until Christmas, so buckle up!
VILE CREATURE "CAST OF STATIC & SMOKE"
VILE CREATURE "CAST OF STATIC & SMOKE"
November 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Sludegmas Day 17 and I'm planning on keeping this going up until Christmas, so buckle up!
VILE CREATURE "CAST OF STATIC & SMOKE"
VILE CREATURE "CAST OF STATIC & SMOKE"
For Sludgemas Day 16, I present one of the best and most influential heavy albums of all time.
BOTCH "WE ARE THE ROMANS"
BOTCH "WE ARE THE ROMANS"
November 29, 2025 at 11:22 PM
For Sludgemas Day 16, I present one of the best and most influential heavy albums of all time.
BOTCH "WE ARE THE ROMANS"
BOTCH "WE ARE THE ROMANS"
Sludgemas Day 15 brings a concept album based on the 12-day long streak of shark attacks in New Jersey in 1916 that was also said to be the inspiration for "JAWS"
AKIMBO "JERSEY SHORES"
AKIMBO "JERSEY SHORES"
November 28, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Sludgemas Day 15 brings a concept album based on the 12-day long streak of shark attacks in New Jersey in 1916 that was also said to be the inspiration for "JAWS"
AKIMBO "JERSEY SHORES"
AKIMBO "JERSEY SHORES"
Sludgemas Day 14 may have been delayed due to Thanksgiving, but it's finally here! Inspired by @mothfrenzy.bsky.social I decided to revisit Baroness!
BARONESS "THE RED ALBUM"
BARONESS "THE RED ALBUM"
November 27, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Sludgemas Day 14 may have been delayed due to Thanksgiving, but it's finally here! Inspired by @mothfrenzy.bsky.social I decided to revisit Baroness!
BARONESS "THE RED ALBUM"
BARONESS "THE RED ALBUM"
Forgot to post this earlier in the week, but the first issue of Benjamin Percy's THE END TIMES came in the mail! A serial novel told in newspaper format...I'm so excited to read this over the holiday break. Published by Bad Hand Books, one of the best publishers in the game!
November 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Forgot to post this earlier in the week, but the first issue of Benjamin Percy's THE END TIMES came in the mail! A serial novel told in newspaper format...I'm so excited to read this over the holiday break. Published by Bad Hand Books, one of the best publishers in the game!
Keeping the volume and heaviness cranked to max levels for Day 13 of Sludgemas!
ORYX "STOLEN ABSOLUTION"
ORYX "STOLEN ABSOLUTION"
November 26, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Keeping the volume and heaviness cranked to max levels for Day 13 of Sludgemas!
ORYX "STOLEN ABSOLUTION"
ORYX "STOLEN ABSOLUTION"
Back on the crushingly heavy train for Sludgemas Day 12!
CHAINED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN "DECAY AND OTHER HOPES AGAINST PROGRESS"
CHAINED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN "DECAY AND OTHER HOPES AGAINST PROGRESS"
November 25, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Back on the crushingly heavy train for Sludgemas Day 12!
CHAINED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN "DECAY AND OTHER HOPES AGAINST PROGRESS"
CHAINED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN "DECAY AND OTHER HOPES AGAINST PROGRESS"
Sludgemas Day 11
COLISEUM "SISTER FAITH"
COLISEUM "SISTER FAITH"
November 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Sludgemas Day 11
COLISEUM "SISTER FAITH"
COLISEUM "SISTER FAITH"
A little late today, but Sludgemas lives on!
Sludgemas Day 10
YOUNG WIDOWS "EASY PAIN".
Sludgemas Day 10
YOUNG WIDOWS "EASY PAIN".
November 23, 2025 at 11:33 PM
A little late today, but Sludgemas lives on!
Sludgemas Day 10
YOUNG WIDOWS "EASY PAIN".
Sludgemas Day 10
YOUNG WIDOWS "EASY PAIN".
Sludgemas Day 9!
DAY JOB "THE AUGER"
DAY JOB "THE AUGER"
November 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Sludgemas Day 9!
DAY JOB "THE AUGER"
DAY JOB "THE AUGER"
Sludgemas Day 8! Today's record sounds like if a vocalist that was a little bit Gavin Rossdale and a little bit Kurt Cobain fronted an abrasive, loud noise rock band that loves grunge.
CUSS "LEAVE ME THE SAME"
CUSS "LEAVE ME THE SAME"
November 21, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Sludgemas Day 8! Today's record sounds like if a vocalist that was a little bit Gavin Rossdale and a little bit Kurt Cobain fronted an abrasive, loud noise rock band that loves grunge.
CUSS "LEAVE ME THE SAME"
CUSS "LEAVE ME THE SAME"
A full week of Sludgemas is now in the books! Just as a note, Sludgemas expands outside of just sludge metal and welcomes any type of heavy music.
Today's record is brawny noise-rock courtesy of Facet!
FACET "SELF-TITLED"
Today's record is brawny noise-rock courtesy of Facet!
FACET "SELF-TITLED"
November 20, 2025 at 5:37 PM
A full week of Sludgemas is now in the books! Just as a note, Sludgemas expands outside of just sludge metal and welcomes any type of heavy music.
Today's record is brawny noise-rock courtesy of Facet!
FACET "SELF-TITLED"
Today's record is brawny noise-rock courtesy of Facet!
FACET "SELF-TITLED"
Sludgemas Day 6's selection is CONVERGE "YOU FAIL ME".
I love the original version of this album so much and the title track sounds like if someone put the sounds of the apocalypse to tape. One of the best bands to ever do it.
I love the original version of this album so much and the title track sounds like if someone put the sounds of the apocalypse to tape. One of the best bands to ever do it.
November 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Sludgemas Day 6's selection is CONVERGE "YOU FAIL ME".
I love the original version of this album so much and the title track sounds like if someone put the sounds of the apocalypse to tape. One of the best bands to ever do it.
I love the original version of this album so much and the title track sounds like if someone put the sounds of the apocalypse to tape. One of the best bands to ever do it.
Sludgemas Day 5's album comes courtesy of a rec from @jonezyboy.bsky.social! Some really interesting and unique percussion work from these guys.
KUROKUMA "BORN OF OBSIDIAN"
KUROKUMA "BORN OF OBSIDIAN"
November 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Sludgemas Day 5's album comes courtesy of a rec from @jonezyboy.bsky.social! Some really interesting and unique percussion work from these guys.
KUROKUMA "BORN OF OBSIDIAN"
KUROKUMA "BORN OF OBSIDIAN"
Sludgemas Day 4 brings an album from one of my all-time favorite heavy bands!
KOWLOON WALLED CITY "PIECEWORK"
KOWLOON WALLED CITY "PIECEWORK"
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Sludgemas Day 4 brings an album from one of my all-time favorite heavy bands!
KOWLOON WALLED CITY "PIECEWORK"
KOWLOON WALLED CITY "PIECEWORK"
Day 3 and SLUDGEMAS is still going strong!
HELLISH FORM "REMAINS"
HELLISH FORM "REMAINS"
November 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Day 3 and SLUDGEMAS is still going strong!
HELLISH FORM "REMAINS"
HELLISH FORM "REMAINS"
Sludgemas Day 2!
SUNROT "THE UNFAILING ROPE"
SUNROT "THE UNFAILING ROPE"
November 15, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Sludgemas Day 2!
SUNROT "THE UNFAILING ROPE"
SUNROT "THE UNFAILING ROPE"
Since @mothfrenzy.bsky.social and I both listen to heavier music and hate that Mariah Carey and the rest of Christmas music thaw out of the ice around the beginning of November, we have started SLUDGEMAS! An annual tradition of listening to crushingly heavy music that's darker than Krampus' soul 😂
November 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Since @mothfrenzy.bsky.social and I both listen to heavier music and hate that Mariah Carey and the rest of Christmas music thaw out of the ice around the beginning of November, we have started SLUDGEMAS! An annual tradition of listening to crushingly heavy music that's darker than Krampus' soul 😂
Man, I wasn't sure what this collaboration would yield, but it's amazing. Gritty, bleak visions of an industrialized midwest meets the grit and yawning expanses of the American South meet to form one hell of a captivating record. Check it out wherever you get music.
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Man, I wasn't sure what this collaboration would yield, but it's amazing. Gritty, bleak visions of an industrialized midwest meets the grit and yawning expanses of the American South meet to form one hell of a captivating record. Check it out wherever you get music.
Photos from last night's Lucero/Jessica Lea Mayfield show to celebrate 20 years of NOBODY'S DARLINGS! They played the entire album start to finish and then a set of songs throughout their career, including their cover of Jawbreaker's "Kiss the Bottle". Absolutely incredible show!
September 27, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Photos from last night's Lucero/Jessica Lea Mayfield show to celebrate 20 years of NOBODY'S DARLINGS! They played the entire album start to finish and then a set of songs throughout their career, including their cover of Jawbreaker's "Kiss the Bottle". Absolutely incredible show!
HELL YEAH! Right in front of the stage for Lucero's 20th anniversary of NOBODY'S DARLINGS tour.
September 26, 2025 at 11:21 PM
HELL YEAH! Right in front of the stage for Lucero's 20th anniversary of NOBODY'S DARLINGS tour.
Being included in this book will always be one of the highlights of both my life and writing career. I got to stand side by side with a group of talented artists from different fields and make my voice heard.
I will NEVER tolerate the things this administration stands for, period.
I will NEVER tolerate the things this administration stands for, period.
September 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Being included in this book will always be one of the highlights of both my life and writing career. I got to stand side by side with a group of talented artists from different fields and make my voice heard.
I will NEVER tolerate the things this administration stands for, period.
I will NEVER tolerate the things this administration stands for, period.
Some photos from last night's show with Pile, Nnamdi, and MAKEITSTOP!
Pile tore the roof of the place and closed out their encore by saying Free Palestine, Fuck Donald Trump, and Fuck ICE and an incendiary cover of Björk's "Declare Independence". If they're ever in your area, you HAVE to see them!
Pile tore the roof of the place and closed out their encore by saying Free Palestine, Fuck Donald Trump, and Fuck ICE and an incendiary cover of Björk's "Declare Independence". If they're ever in your area, you HAVE to see them!
August 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Some photos from last night's show with Pile, Nnamdi, and MAKEITSTOP!
Pile tore the roof of the place and closed out their encore by saying Free Palestine, Fuck Donald Trump, and Fuck ICE and an incendiary cover of Björk's "Declare Independence". If they're ever in your area, you HAVE to see them!
Pile tore the roof of the place and closed out their encore by saying Free Palestine, Fuck Donald Trump, and Fuck ICE and an incendiary cover of Björk's "Declare Independence". If they're ever in your area, you HAVE to see them!
HELL YEAH! Tonight's the night, seeing PILE in a small intimate venue.
August 24, 2025 at 12:23 AM
HELL YEAH! Tonight's the night, seeing PILE in a small intimate venue.
Latest pick ups to add to the library! I'm behind on King's work, but I always pick up the new ones to read when I can. Also, THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE is my first dark academia book. But if there is one writer I trust to introduce me to the genre, it's Cassandra Khaw!
July 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Latest pick ups to add to the library! I'm behind on King's work, but I always pick up the new ones to read when I can. Also, THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE is my first dark academia book. But if there is one writer I trust to introduce me to the genre, it's Cassandra Khaw!