Plethora

Plethora indeed! December has been an incredible end to an incredible year of audio releases, 8 so far this month, with more to come - and 59 so far this year. Needless to say, I'm way behind in listening to all of this stuff (I'm still listening to Bleeding Heart Square!) and with all that's going on, I don't look like catching up any time soon.

The pace has calmed a little as the Christmas holiday gets ever closer, although, I have been recording this month and I'm off to Games Workshop HQ tomorrow for more work next week, which I'm really looking forward to. Next year is beginning to take shape and there are a couple of exciting projects I'm already keenly anticipating. But all that is to come, what about now???

Since the release earlier this month of The Calculus of Battle, here are details of the 'plethora' of subsequent releases:

Doctor Who: The Sontarans

The TARDIS arrives on a moon-sized asteroid orbiting two gas giants. With an amazing view, it’s a chance for the Doctor, Steven and Sara to unwind after their recent adventures.

But they quickly find themselves in the midst of battle - on one side: a familiar group of space-suited soldiers - members of the Space Security Service. On the other: strange, squat aliens in body armour.

Surviving the initial hostilities, the Doctor and his friends discover that the SSS squad is on a terrifying mission. With many lives at stake, they have to venture deep inside the asteroid in search of a hideous weapon. But who can they trust in the battle against these Sontarans?

Peter Purves Steven - The Doctor - Narrator     Jean Marsh Sara Kingdom

Dan Starkey Corporal Ellis - Slite - Shrok - Stack - Commander Jemma Churchill Captain Papas
 John Banks Corporal Gage Rosanna Miles Tinder - Human Soldier

 Written by Simon Guerrier
Directed by Ken Bentley

* * * * *

 Valerius

A Horus Heresy audio drama

 

Sent by Corax to the great slaughter at Beta-Garmon, Marcus Valerius fears the end is nigh. Guided by visions from the God-Emperor, can he lead the Therion Cohort back to victory?

Though he knows such beliefs are forbidden, Vice-Caesari Marcus Valerius of the Therion Cohort is willing to lay down his life in service to the immortal God-Emperor, for the good of all mankind.

Sent by Corax to the great slaughter at Beta-Garmon, every last one of the Imperial Army soldiers under his command knows that the end is nigh - but can Valerius' holy visions guide them to one final victory over the hordes of the hated Arch-traitor?

Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Ian Brooker, Cliff Chapman, Steve Conlin, Saul Reichlin,

Toby Longworth and Luis Soto

Written by Gav Thorpe & Produced by Matt Renshaw

* * * * *

The Embrace of Pain

A Lucius the Eternal audio drama

 

Lucius the Eternal is openly challenged by a champion of the old Death Guard Legion. Could an immortal daemonhost, blessed by Nurgle, be the undoing of the blademaster’s curse?

While voyaging through the depths of the warp, the infamous blademaster Lucius the Eternal is challenged by a servant of another god - a champion of the old Death Guard Legion, no less.

Keen to remain dominant over his preening and ambitious rivals in the Cohors Nasicae, Lucius takes up his sword without a second thought... but could an unfeeling daemonhost of Nurgle, or the voices inside his own head, be the undoing of his Slaaneshi curse?

John Banks, Antonia Beamish, Robin Bowerman, Steve Conlin and Luis Soto.

Written by Ian St. Martin & Produced by Matt Renshaw

* * * * *

Blood And Bone

In the western sky, the bright emerald banner of the Visitor descends like a portent of annihilation. On the continent of Jacuruku, the Thaumaturgs have mounted another expedition in a bid to tame the neighbouring wild jungle. Yet this is no normal wilderness.

It is called Himatan, and it is said to be half of the spirit realm and half of the earth. And it is said to be ruled by a powerful entity whom some name the Queen of Witches and some a goddess: the ancient Ardata.

Saeng grew up knowing only the rule of the magus Thaumaturgs - but it was the voices from that land's forgotten past that she listened to. And when her rulers launch their invasion of this jungle, those voices send her and her brother on a desperate mission.

To the south the desert tribes are united by the arrival of a foreign warleader, a veteran commander in battered ashen mail men call the Grey Ghost. This warrior leads these tribes on a raid unlike any other, deep into the heart of Thaumaturg lands, while word comes to K'azz and mercenary company the Crimson Guard of a contract in Jacuruku. And their employer? Could it be the goddess herself?

Unabridged audio book narrated by John Banks

Running time: 26 hours and 38 minutes

Produced by Neil Gardner

* * * * *

The Soul, Severed

A Horus Heresy audio drama

 

As Lord Commander Primus, Eidolon leads the Emperor’s Children in Fulgrim’s absence. But a challenge from within the Legion forces him to turn the Kakophoni against their brethren.

As Lord Commander Primus, Eidolon leads the Emperor’s Children in the absence of his primarch - who even knows where the daemon prince Fulgrim resides, now? But a challenge from within the Legion forces Eidolon to confront one of his rivals, the ambitious Archorian, a capable officer and tactician who would see the Legion returned to glory. 

Dissent is unacceptable. It is time for the Kakophoni to be set against their erstwhile brethren.

Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Steve Conlin and Luis Soto

Written by Chris Wraight & Produced by Matt Renshaw

* * * * *

It was quite a thing for me to work with Peter Purves and Jean Marsh on The Sontarans. Peter has been a part of my life for most of my life, as a presenter of iconic children's television program, Blue Peter and Jean had created and acted in one of the most enduring and beloved television series in British tv history, Upstairs, Downstairs. Many's the time I've had 'pinch yourself' moments working with Big Finish and I've had the privilege of working with some amazing actors, but this certainly ranked very highly as a treasured moment. 

Having essentially suggested that you immediately acquire all of the above recordings and listen to them, I do of course, sincerely hope that they are good and that you will enjoy them. As I said, I'm way behind in my listening and have only heard The Soul, Severed so far, so fingers crossed, there'll be some good stuff in there.

As a parting thought: did you read the update I posted on 20th November? There'll be a further, related update sometime next week, so if you find your thumbs starting to twiddle, I invite you to pop back and have a look at what's happening...

...all for now, more just as soon as it happens!