Horror upon Horror! At least, unlike the first release of this new series, Perdition's Flame, I'm properly and fully involved with this collection, as I'm narrating the linking story. Here are some details:

The Wicked and the Damned

A Warhammer Horror portmanteau

Drawn together by mysterious circumstances, three strangers meet in the mists of a desolate cemetery world. As they relate their stories, the threads of fate are drawn around them, and destiny awaits…

On a misty cemetery world, three strangers are drawn together through mysterious circumstances. Each of them has a tale to tell of a narrow escape from death. Amid the toll of funerary bells and the creep and click of mortuary-servitors, the truth is confessed.

But whose story can be trusted? Whose recollection is warped, even unto themselves? For these are strange stories of the uncanny, the irrational and the spine-chillingly frightening, where horrors abound and the dark depths of the human psyche are unearthed.

Narrated by John Banks, Doug Bradley, Emma Gregory & Richard Reed

Written by Josh Reynolds, David Annandale and Phil Kelly 

 Produced by Matt Renshaw

Running time 10hours - 42 minutes

* * * * *

And that's about it for this quick update; as I often say, I've been busy either preparing or recording or both over the last several weeks and having now completed work on two very difficult and challenging books (more details to follow!), I'm thoroughly enjoying the process of prepping next week's project, about which, there will be more to say once I've been given permission!

In the meantime, thanks as ever for stopping by!

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

Dear patient reader, good afternoon!

Quite a gap since the last update alas, and not for the first time. I have been busy in a variety of recording studios, but the real reason for the general lack of activity here, is simply that the eight 'episodes' of The House of Niccolo, origininally scheduled for release in November 2018, were due to be released on 7th March and I looked forward to mentioning the stories in detail. For reasons unknown, the release has now been deferred to 5th September this year and may even be subject to further deferral. I shall of course update here as soon as their final release is confirmed.

In the meantime, The Black Library has issued the first of their new 'Horror' stories, Perdition's Flame and details appear below. I'm not actually credited in this drama, which is understandable, as my contribution was minimal and came as a result of being in the 'right place at the right time' - ie, standing behind a microphone in the Black Library studio! A script appeared under my gaze and I was asked to perform it - which I happily did!

Here are some details:

Perdition's Flame

A Warhammer Horror audio drama

A disgraced Vostroyan Imperial Guardsman huddles, alone and freezing, against a dark storm. Desperate for a chance to redeem himself, he grasps at any hope for peace. But in the Dark Millennium, the Gods offer nothing but horror…

The wind screams. The dark night is freezing. Vossk, a Vostroyan Firstborn, shrinks into a rock against a howl of memories. Having disgraced himself by deserting his post during a terrifying encounter, Vossk had resigned himself to penal servitude, though yearned for the chance to redeem himself.

But in the 41st Millennium, such dreams are hollow when a man’s reality has been shaken to his core. Found in the shadows of a pitiless cave, Vossk relives his tale to his rescuer. But trauma stalks the weary, and in the face of an even greater horror, it grins at those whose courage has failed them once before…

Grace Andrew, John Cameron Stewart, Andrew Wincott & Jo Woodcock - & me!

Written by Alec Worley & Produced by Matt Renshaw

Running time 79 minutes

* * * * *

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

 

Kellanved's Reach

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Kellanved's Reach by Ian C. Esslemont, read by John Banks. 

Well, that's not a bad start to a new posting! It's how audible.co.uk announced the release of the third volume of Ian C. Esslemont's 'Path To Ascendancy' series, itself, part of the much longer Malazan Empire series, which I've been involved in recording since the release of Night of Knives in April 2016. A quick calculation reveals that the entire story arc comes to 189.23 hours of narration and has, getting on for 1,000 character voices, so if these stories are your kind of thing, there's certainly plenty to listen to!

And so, without further ado, here are some details of this latest edition:

Kellanved's Reach

Path to Ascendancy, Book 3

The incessant war between the bickering city states of Quon Tali rages. So engrossed are the warring lords and princes in their own petty feuds that few notice that an upstart mage from Dal Hon has gained control of the southern seas. But some powers are alarmed.

And in the meantime, as Purge and Tali indulge in what seems like a their never-ending game of war, a mercenary caught up in the fight between the two states suddenly refuses to play along and causes all sorts of chaos. Simultaneously, a pair of escapees from Castle Gris make their way across this ravaged landscape of flame and butchery. Their intention: to seek out the legendary Crimson Guard.

And then there's Kellanved, who could not care less about any of this petty politicking or strategy or war. Something other and altogether more mysterious has caught his attention and he - together with a reluctant and decidedly sceptical Dancer - traverse continents and journey through the Realms in pursuit....

But this ancient mystery that has so captivated Kellanved is neither esoteric nor ephemeral. No, it is of an altogether darker and more dangerous hue. It involves the Elder races themselves and more specifically - certainly more alarmingly - the semi-mythic and universally dreaded Army of Dust and Bone.

Surely no one in their right mind would be so foolish as to embark on a journey from which none have returned? Well, no one except Kellanved, that is...

Returning to the turbulent early history of what would become the Malazan Empire, here is the third awesome chapter in Ian C. Esslemont's new epic fantasy sequence.

Length: 13 hours - 7 minutes

©2019 Ian C Esslemont (P)2019 Random House Audiobooks
 

Produced by Neil Gardner & Narrated by John Banks


* * * * *

Once again, I find myself caught up in a very busy period of activity, preparing for and recording a number of projects this month, including an audio drama, three audio books and four more dramas in the week to come - starting at the crack of dawn tomorrow!

Two of the books are 'ongoing' in order to fit around my crazy schedule and I'm immensely grateful to the companies and colleagues involved in this process, for being so accommodating. Alas, one audio book project hasn't worked out, as we just couldn't find mutually convenient recording dates, which is a great shame. I lost out on nine audio books last year for that same reason; not enough time to record them.

One book started recording the week before last and continued through to last Wednesday. That project has now been suspended until late March in order to accommodate the latest book, which started recording on Thursday. It too has now been suspended until Friday, so that I can record the four drama stories mentioned above. We resume on Friday and record throughout the following week. Confused? Me too - almost...

So that lot should keep me out of mischief till the end of March, at which point, I shall start to focus on the next audio book project, which I'm very excited about and very much looking forward to. Sadly of course, I can't talk in detail about any of these projects until the various companies I'm working with, give their permission. All I can say at the moment, is that there's lots to look forward to over the next few months and I'll tell all as soon as possible! 

Just to round off this posting; a couple of days ago, I discovered that one of the four Doctor Who Short Trips I recorded back in 2012, was given a 'proper' release by Big Finish, in September 2018.

Here are the details and for the first time in relation to this recording, some 'official', rather than 'fan' artwork:

This Doctor Who: Short Trips Rarities title was first released as an exclusive title free to anyone subscribing to the Doctor Who Main Range. It is now also presented here for the first time as a general release.

James Willaker has been working late. He's tired. It's been a long day. All that awaits now is a taxi home before bed.

Conversations with taxi drivers are a factor of London commutes, indeed of every city.
They can't have any importance. They can't change the world. They can't affect the future.

Can they?

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

In The Night Wood

Mwa-ha-ha-ha-haaa! And other such eeriness, which seems befitting of this latest audio book release, which is downloadable now from audible and amazon. Here are some details:

IN THE NIGHT WOOD

A forest. A book. A missing girl.

Charles Hayden has been fascinated by a strange Victorian fairy tale, In the Night Wood, since he was a child. When his wife, Erin – a descendant of the author – inherits her ancestor’s house, the couple decide to make it their home.

Still mourning the recent death of their daughter, they leave America behind, seeking a new beginning in the English countryside.

But Hollow House, filled with secrets and surrounded by an ancient oak forest, is a place where the past seems very much alive. Isolated among the trees, Charles and Erin begin to feel themselves haunted - by echoes of the stories in the house’s library, by sightings of their daughter, and by something else, as old and dark as the forest around them.
 

A compelling and atmospheric Gothic thriller, In the Night Wood reveals the chilling power of myth and memory.

Written by Dale Bailey, Produced by Neil Gardner & Narrated by John Banks

Length: 7 hours - 37 minutes

©2019 Dale Bailey (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

* * * * *

Quite a brief update today I'm afraid, as once again, I'm into a very busy period of preparation and recording and over the next few weeks, things are set to become busier still. Already, 2019 is beginning to take on the craziness that was most of 2018, despite my quest for the 'Holy Grail' of a sensible work/life balance - ha! 

I'd better scamper now and get on with some work, before recording starts up again next week. So that's...

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

The Hod King

Hello and welcome! A short yet, hopefully, perfectly formed posting for this chilly Friday evening.

The Hod King, by Josiah Bancroft, was released on January 22nd in all formats. This is the third of Josiah's 'Books of Babel' series, which has had such an incredible reception since the first self-published volume, Senlin Ascends, became available and which was ultimately taken up and re-published by the Little,Brown Book Group.

Reviews for all three books have been remarkable, including this one, which appeared in my Twitter feed a few days ago:

“‘Books of Babel’ are something you hope to see perhaps once a decade - future classics, which may be remembered long after the series concludes. Only a few days into 2019, I think we’ve already found a contender for fantasy book of the year.”
                                                                                 
                                                                                     Ant Jones (the LA Times)

Here are some details:

The third novel in the highly acclaimed Books of Babel series, set in a labyrinthine world of menace and wonder. 

On the orders of the mysterious Sphinx, Thomas Senlin and his crew are dragged ever further into the Tower's conspiracies.

Meanwhile, the hods climb the Black Trail in darkness and whisper of their king.

"One of my favourite books of all time." (Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns)

"These books are absolutely incredible." (The Quill to Live)

"An engrossing, intoxicating delight." (Forbidden Planet)

 Written by Josiah Bancroft, Produced by Neil Gardner & Narrated by John Banks
 
Audio book length: 20 hours - 16 minutes

©2019 Josiah Bancroft (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK

By the way, an audio sample of The Hod King appears above in this blog.

 

* * * * * 

A short selection of Audible.co.uk reviews:

Senlin Ascends

"imaginative and exciting" 

beautifully written, fantastic narration.

                                                            Joe Arnold 23.3.18

"Outstanding audiobook" 

Absolutely loved this book! It is well deserving of the praise it receives, and the narration brought it to exceptional levels. Wonderful pacing and voices and so often I forgot I was listening to a book - everything played out in my mind like a film. 

                           Lauren 1.2.18 

Arm of The Sphinx

 

"Read this book!" 

 Loved every second of it and the Narrator is phenomenal! 

                      Richard Woodrow 29.3.18 

 * * * * *

January has been a very busy month so far: I completed the second of this month's audio books earlier this afternoon and I'm looking forward to recording a couple of audio dramas next week.

February is now also looking busy, with some very interesting stuff coming in the pipeline. But more of that later, because that's...

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

The Gutter Prayer

Good afternoon and thanks once again for stopping by!

After a hugely enjoyable week of recording the first audio book of the new year, my task for the coming few days, is to continue preparation for the second book of 2019, which is scheduled to be recorded from the middle of next week. These first two books are, respectively, parts 2 & 3 of different series and, as mentioned previously, it's paticularly tricky to remember and re-create character voices last used many months ago and indeed, several thousand other voices ago!

In saying that, I'm now wondering just how many character voices I actually had to come up with in last year's recordings; at a very rough guess, I think it must be somewhere between two and three thousand. The character count for the soon to be released House of Niccolo books alone, came close to fifteen hundred...

But more on that in a couple of month's time. For today, here are some details of my narrated audio edition of Gareth Hanrahan's debut novel, The Gutter Prayer, which I had great fun recording with producer Neil Gardner.


"In the ancient city of Guerdon, three thieves - an orphan, a ghoul and a cursed man - are accused of a crime they didn't commit. Their quest for revenge exposes a perilous conspiracy, the seeds of which were sown long before they were born.

A centuries-old magical war is on the verge of reigniting, and in the tunnels deep below the city, a malevolent power stirs. Only by standing together can the three friends prevent a conflict that would bring total devastation to their city - and the world beyond."

 Produced by Neil Gardner & Narrated by John Banks

Running Time: 16 hours - 57 minutes

©2018 Gareth Hanrahan (P)2018 Hachette Audio UK

There's a short clip taken from the audio book posted above on this web site, should you wish to hear it. 

* * * * *

I feel fortunate to have some enjoyable and interesting projects coming up over the next several weeks; I'm looking forward to working on them and indeed, to telling you all about them at the earliest opportunity.

In the meantime, that's...

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

 

Good afternoon and all good wishes for a Happy New Year!

The hugely demanding pace of recording last year, calmed as December progressed. Purely for my own interest, I really ought to make an accurate tally of how much I recorded in 2018; off the top of my head, I think it was something like 23 audiobooks, 42 short stories and 22 audio dramas, though I'll have to check.

Having had some free time over the holidays, January began with preparation for two quite challenging audiobooks, the first of which is scheduled to be recorded next week. My extended vocal warm up has been underway for several days, as I don't fancy the idea of performing a couple of hundred extreme creature character voices without 'tuning up' first!

In the meantime, the first Black Library release of mine for 2019 will be available to download from 19th January and here are some details:

The Horus Heresy: Nightfane

A Horus Heresy audio drama

Arriving at a seemingly abandoned underwater rigging station on the moon of Bael, Aeonid Thiel and the Red-Marked discover a plot to devastate the 500 Worlds… Can they stop it in time?

After the war to save Ultramar from the traitor hosts of Horus ended, formerly disgraced Ultramarines Sergeant Aenoid Thiel believes that enemies still linger within the borders of the empire. Finding other men of purpose, fellow Space Marines known as the ‘Red-Marked’, Thiel wages a guerrilla war to root out these enemies and vanquish them for good.

Following the threads of a previous mission, the Red-Marked arrive on the moon of Bael. There they find an underwater rigging station that has seemingly been abandoned. But this place and its secrets could hold the key to the so-called ‘Nightfane’, a mysterious plot intended to bring about the destruction of Ultramar and only Thiel and his men can stop it.

Annie Aldington, Tom Alexander, Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Steve Conlin, Andrew Fettes, Matthew Hunt,
Jonathan Keeble, Gesella Ohaka & Richard Reed

Written by Nick Kyme & Produced by Matt Renshaw

Running time: 1 hour and 13 minutes

* * * * *

And that's about it for the first posting of 2019. There's lots of varied and hopefully interesting stuff in the pipeline and I hope you'll stop by the web site again soon.

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

Advent 2018

Welcome and Merry Christmas Eve! As Advent is almost over for this year, I thought I'd better quickly mention the last two releases that I have an involvement with - and here they are. A couple of days ago, Hungerfiend became available to download:

Hungerfiend

Advent Calendar 2018: Day Twenty-One

In a desolate corner of Ghur, a dread Mourngul haunts a graveyard – but there is more to the spirit than meets the eye, and the mystery could spell doom for Prince Maesa.

Drawn to a haunted graveyard in the Realm of Beasts by rumours of a fearsome creature, the aelven Prince Maesa seeks to cleanse the area of its taint. Along with his allies Stonbrak the duardin and Shattercap, the malevolent spite who serves him, Maesa sets out to defeat the beast – a terrifying and monstrous spirit known as a Mourngul.

But there is more to this horror than meets the eye, and unless they can solve the mystery surrounding it, the Mourngul may spell the heroes' fate.
 

Performed by John Banks, Matthew Hunt, Melvyn Rawlinson, Richard Reed & David Seddon

Written by Guy Haley & Produced by Matt Renshaw

I'm delighted to be playing Prince Maesa once again, along with Melvyn Rawlinson as Shattercap. We originally played the characters last year in The Autumn Prince and more recently, both characters appeared in The Sands of Grief; a short story I narrated for the Sacrosanct audio book anthology.

And finally, my last release for Advent and indeed, for this year, another 'commuter length' audio drama:

Half-horn

Advent Calendar 2018: Day Twenty-Three

Three underhive fugitives shelter around a fire in the midst of a storm. They must be safe here, for the only one who could track them is Gor Half-horn. And he's a myth, isn't he? 

Kaya, Gull and Vaughn are on the run. After a job gone wrong, the trio of hive-scum have a price on their head and aren't welcome in any reputable settlement. As they shelter from a hive-storm in an abandoned hab-unit in the deep sump, they're sure they're safe from any who might be seeking them. 

They are wrong. Gor Half-horn is coming for them, and none escape the abhuman bounty hunter once he has their scent…

Performed by John Banks, Toby Longworth, Gesella Ohaka & Andrew Wincott

Written by Josh Reynolds & Produced by Matt Renshaw 

* * * * *

And that's pretty much a wrap for now. As always, many thanks for stopping by the web site, both today and throughout 2018 - it's much appreciated. January is already looking busy for me, though unlike this time last year, I do have a little time off during the holidays, which I'm thoroughly enjoying.

May I wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a peaceful & Happy New Year!

                                                                                                                                            

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

A Victorian Gentleman’s Ghostly Anthology

And finally for today, here are details of last week's recording of twelve traditional spooky stories from the Victorians - who really knew how to do this sort of thing!

A Victorian Gentleman’s Ghostly Anthology

Read by John Banks

Twelve of the very best Victorian short ghost stories, all written by incredibly talented, but oft-times overlooked or forgotten, authors.

"The Victorian era is remembered for many things, but one of the fondest is the wide and varied array of short, ghostly, suspenseful tales…often enjoyed around the fireside at Christmas time.

In this new anthology, John Banks performs twelve of the very best, all written by incredibly talented, but oft-times overlooked or forgotten, authors. Once you tire of Dickens and James, these are the true masters of short-form suspense":

The Steel Mirror by W.W. Fenn 

A Real Country Ghost Story by Albert Smith 

The Weird Violinist by Anonymous 

Walsham Grange: A Real Ghost Story by E. Morant Cox 

Haunted by Coulson Kernahan 

Nicodemus by Alfred Crowquill 

The Veiled Portrait by James Grant 

The Ghost Chamber by Anonymous 

The Doll’s Ghost by F. Marion Crawford 

How Peter Parley Laid A Ghost: A Story of Owl’s Abbey by Anonymous 

The Ghost’s Summons by Ada Buisson 

A Terrible Retribution; or, Squire Orton’s Ghost by Anonymous

Produced by Neil Gardner

I recorded these stories with producer Neil Gardner, who has made them available free to download via this web site:

A Victorian Gentleman's Ghostly Anthology

Should you choose to have a listen to these stories, I very much hope that you will enjoy them.

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

And welcome indeed to the second of today's postings; this one features a short audio drama, which is part of The Black Library's 2018 Advent Calendar. I'm not actually credited in this story as I'm playing quite a small role; nevertheless, here it is and maybe you could take the Christmas challenge (no prizes alas!) of identifying which part I'm actually playing - that sounds like fun huh?

Ok, enough; here are the details:

The Deserter

Advent Calendar 2018: Day Eleven

A chance encounter with a stranger known only as "The Deserter" might be just what Corenne needs as she struggles to survive in Necromunda's underhive.

In the underhive of Necromunda, the only law that really matters is that might is right and unless you can defend what's yours, someone else will claim it. That's what happened to Corenne. When the Thunder Knuckle Posse came, they took control of the Sweet Drop Still, sending her family packing.

Now, she wants it back, and a chance encounter with a ragged old man known only as "The Deserter" who claims to have fought in the armies of the vaunted Lord Solar might just be her salvation – or at least revenge.

Steve Conlin, Toby Longworth, Carla Medonca & Jo Woodcock (&me)

Written by Justin D Hill & Produced by Matthew Renshaw

©2018 Games Workshop Limited (P)2018 Games Workshop Limited

...still not all for now, more next!

Hubris of Monarchia

Hello, good evening and welcome! As the festive season is now well under way, I feel fortunate to have had such a busy, challenging and rewarding year and fortunate too, that it's now come to a temporary halt over the holiday season!

My last recording was of an anthology of traditional Victorian ghostly tales, which I did last week and which, astonishingly, is already available! But more of that later. Even though new recording has come to brief cessation, new audio releases certainly have not! And so, to the first of this week's offerings; an audio drama written by Andy Smillie and here are some details:

The Horus Heresy: Hubris of Monarchia

A Horus Heresy audio drama

The Ultramarines muster at Calth to join their Word Bearers brothers in battle – but in the remnants of the Ghaslakh Empire, Captain Alcaeus would see his mission complete and the greenskin warlord dead before he joins his brethren.

Before the Warmaster's betrayal, the primarchs and their Legions were a warrior brotherhood without equal. At Calth, a planetary jewel in Ultramar's crown, a great mustering is taking place. Two proud Legions gather in hopes of healing the discord after the notorious shaming of the Word Bearers at Monarchia.

Captain Alcaeus of the Ultramarines plans on joining the muster, but will not rest until the remnants of the Ghaslakh Empire are purged utterly from the galaxy, For honour and glory, he has sworn an oath to succeed. His obsession in hunting down the greenskin overlord drives him to greater and greater feats, but in his zeal has Alcaeus not realised the true enemy in his Legion's midst?

John Banks, Steve Conlin, Andrew Fettes, Matthew Hunt, Richard Reed & David Seddon 

Written by Andy Smillie & Produced by Matthew Renshaw

©2018 Games Workshop Limited (P)2018 Games Workshop Limited

...not all for now, more next!

 

 
Good afternoon and welcome the first update in a while; once again due to busy times in the recording studio. I mentioned some time ago, that towards the end of the year, the general trend of audio releases would vere away from regular Games Workshop content, to other stuff. Due to a re-sheduling by the particular publishing house in question, the releases I was referring to will instead, now become available in March 2019; which isn't too far away!

In the meantime, here are details of the first of this month's audio dramas:

The Horus Heresy Audio Collection: Volume 1

An audio drama boxed set

For the first time, get seven classic audio dramas from the Horus Heresy in one fantastic boxed set – including a brand new audio drama edition of Dan Abnett's short story 'Little Horus'.

"For more than two hundred years, the armies of the Emperor of Mankind fought to reconquer the galaxy – led by the superhuman primarchs, the Space Marine Legions brought countless worlds back under the rule of ancient Terra. Now Horus, once honoured Warmaster and favoured son of the Emperor, has been corrupted by the whispered promises of Chaos. At his command the Imperium is torn apart by a terrible and bloody civil war, the likes of which the galaxy has never seen…

This audio drama anthology contains seven stories across six CDs, detailing brutal wars – from the aftermath of the Isstvan V massacre to the horrors of the Shadow Crusade and even the doorstep of Terra itself – and bringing new insights into the heroes and villains of the Horus Heresy. It also includes a brand new audio drama version of Dan Abnett's classic short story 'Little Horus', specially converted into a script and recorded for this collection."

Raven's Flight by Gav Thorpe
Butcher's Nails by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
Templar by John French
Thief of Revelations by Graham McNeill
Hunter's Moon by Guy Haley
The Sigillite by Chris Wraight
Little Horus by Dan Abnett

Performed by Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Tim Bentinck, Steve Conlin, Rupert Degas, Martyn Eliis, Chris Fairbank, Andrew Fettes, Jonathan Keeble, Angus King, Toby Longworth, Charlotte Paige, Jamie Parker, Richard Reed, Tania Rodrigues, David Seddon, Ramon Tikaram, David Timson & Tim Treloar. 

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

War-Claw is now available from The Black Library and will become available tomorrow (17th November) via audible; though I have to say, the CD cover and artwork, which I'm grateful to be in possession of, is well worth having; it's quite beautiful in my opinion and there's also a bonus CD of interviews, which I'm listening to as I write - Steve Conlin is making me chuckle...

I'm aware that I often say how much fun various projects were to work on and you might think "oh well, I wouldn't expect him to say anything else" and you would have a point. However, I'm going to say it again now - this was a really fun project to work on with a lovely and talented cast and a great production team in Matt Renshaw and Kylia Whitehead and we had a ball recording it. So, I certainly enjoyed it, enjoyed listening to it and hope, should you choose to give it a listen, that you will enjoy it too!

Here are some details:

Eight Lamentations: War Claw

A Warhammer Age of Sigmar audio drama

Gunmaster Owain Volkner and his companion Zana Mathos seek an ancient weapon – but so do their enemies, and in an isolated mountaintop outpost, battle is joined…

In the wilds of Aqshy, Owain Volker, Gunmaster of the Ironweld, and Zana Mathos, sellsword and adventurer, seek one of the fabled Eight Lamentations on behalf of the duardin smith-god, Grungni.

But they are not the only ones searching for the legendary artefact, and the duo soon find themselves trapped in an isolated mountain outpost, caught between a herd of savage beastmen and a pack of monstrous foes.

 Tom Alexander Emma Gregory John Banks Cliff Chapman Joe Shire Deeivya Meir Steve Conlin & Matthew Hunt

Written by Josh Reynolds & Produced by Matt Renshaw

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

Sacrosanct and Other Stories

I have always been a great fan of 'the short story'; it's quite a skill to relate a fully developed narrative, complete with engaging characters and a credible 'through line' and to achieve this within the strictures of the short story format. I've thoroughly enjoyed the various Black Library short story anthologies I've so far recorded and was delighted to be asked to record this latest collection. It's an enjoyable challenge to create so many varied character voices for such stories; producer Kylia Whitehead and I had great fun with this collection and should you choose to give it a listen, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did.

This anthology is quite useful as an introduction to the Age of Sigmar; here are some details:


Within this book you will find Sacrosanct, a fantastic new novella from C L Werner…

A restless menace threatens the town of Wyrmditt. Stirred from his grave by fell magic, Sabrodt, the Shrouded King, seeks dominion over the kingdom he failed to claim in life. So great is the terror inflicted upon the lands by Sabrodt and his nighthaunts that Sigmar, God-King, sends a retinue of his warriors most skilled in the art of Azyrite magic to liberate the town.

The Stormcast Eternals of the Sacrosanct Chamber are warrior-wizards, imbued with arcane knowledge and the power to wield the energies of the storm in battle. Leading the retinue is Knight-Incantor Arnhault, a formidable mage who has studied the histories of Sabrodt's kingdom. But the fight against the Shrouded King will challenge Arnhault's mettle like none other – especially when he discovers that the Undead knows more about his past than he does.

Also within this book are a host of short stories, giving you a flavour of the many warring armies that exist in the worlds of Warhammer: Age of Sigmar.

The Dance of the Skulls by David Annandale
Great Red by David Guymer
The Sands of Grief & The Volturung Road by Guy Haley
Callis & Toll: The Old Ways by Nick Horth
A Dirge of Dust and Steel, Auction of Blood & The Prisoner of the Black Sun by Josh Reynolds
Wrathspring by Andy Clark
Sacrosanct, Shiprats & The Witch Takers by C L Werner

 Produced by Kylia Whitehead & Performed by John Banks

12 stories - overall running time: 15 hours 17 minutes

©2018 Games Workshop Limited (P)2018 Games Workshop Limited

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

Realmslayer

Good morning and thanks for stopping by! The impending release of the box set audio drama, Realmslayer, now available, has been an open secret for some time and if anything, the 'progressive' nature of the release has possibly generated more interest than had it been issued in the regular way; ie, as a bit of a surprise.

I think from an internal Black Library viewpoint, Realmslayer represents a ramping up of their committment to the audio element of the business, which seems to be increasingly of interest to an ever growing audience. Good news indeed!

Over the decade or so of my audio adventures as an actor, I've been privileged to work with some remarkable people and it's always an interesting experience to find oneself working alongside someone who, perhaps, has been known and often admired throughout one's life. That's certainly the case for me with Realmslayer and it's lead actor, Brian Blessed.

Brian comes from the same part of the country as I do, between Doncaster and Sheffield and hearing his voice in Z Cars, in which he famously played policeman 'Fancy' Smith, was the first time I remember hearing my native accent on television; I was probably around five or six when the series featuring Fancy was being broadcast and such a seemingly trivial thing, actually had a huge impact on me. Fifty odd years later and there we were, having lunch together and talking about exactly that. Brian is a tremendous raconteur and all it took to launch our conversation was for me to say, quite gently, perhaps tentatively: "Z -Victor One to BD" - the character's police call sign - and he was off!

I was of course, delighted to be asked, (having submitted my audition samples!) by Matt Renshaw to join the cast of Realmslayer and play the part of Snorri Nosebiter, and old pal of Gotrek Gurnisson, Brian's character. It was fun; it was great fun - and despite having recieved an advance copy of the magnificently produced box set, my deferred gratification approach to these things means that I can now, finally, actually listen to it all!

Here are some details and an interesting, (I hope!) 'making of' and interview video:

Realmslayer: A Gotrek Gurnisson Series

A Gotrek Gurnisson audio drama boxed set

The Slayer returns. Spat out of the Realm of Chaos after an eternity of battle, Gotrek Gurnisson finds himself in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Mortal Realms. With no axe, no oaths and no Felix, he sets out to find his place in this new universe…

Gotrek Gurnisson was the greatest monster slayer of the age, who met his doom at the End Times. The heroic duardin stepped forth into the Realm of Chaos to fight the daemons gnawing at the world's ending and satisfy his death oath, leaving behind his companion Felix Jaeger.

Now Gotrek has returned, having outlived the old gods and the Old World. Spat from the ruinous depths with his redemption unfulfilled, he emerges into the Mortal Realms, a strange new world where gods walk the earth and dark forces are ascendant. Nothing is as he remembers. His oaths are dust, and the lands are torn asunder by Chaos.

Yet when Gotrek learns of human champions being elevated to immortality for Sigmar’s fight against this darkness, the so-called 'Stormcast Eternals', he knows why fate has brought him into this new age.

To find Felix. For only then can he find the peace in death he seeks. But is there more to Gotrek's apotheosis than even he can fathom? Has he truly been chosen by Grimnir and for what purpose?

Running time 4 hours and 15 minutes

5 hours and 28 minutes in total

Performed by:

Brian Blessed as Gotrek Gurnisson, John Banks, Steve Conlin, Vanessa Donovan, Matthew Hunt, Jonathan Keeble,      Toby Longworth, Connie M'Gadzah, Penelope Rawlins, David Seddon, Joe Shire & Andrew Wincott

Written By David Guymer and Produced by Matt Renshaw

©2018 Games Workshop Limited (P)2018 Games Workshop Limited

Before wrapping up this post, a quick online search has come up with a couple of images and some biographical details of my character, Snorri Nosebiter; this is my 'favourite' rendering of him:

...yes, those are nails he's driven into his head; tough guy huh?

* * * * *

The very busy phase of my very busy summer and autumn recording shedule, does at least now have a welcome pause coming up. By the end of this coming week, I need to finish recording my current audio book, start recording another and complete it by Friday. So another Sunday of homework to prepare for another intensive week in the studio and then almost a whole week of prep before the next book, scheduled to record mid November - phew! Which means of course... 

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