Simon Perrins (artist, graphic designer and co-host of Can I Pod With Madness) returns to Derry and Toms so we can finally conclude our re-read of the second Corum adventure, The Queen of the Swords.
Between wading gods, crackles from beyond the veil and other interventions from the old gods of chaos, we managed to get through books two and three of this adventure intact. So join us for small talk about Moorcock, fighting fantasy books, Loz's Lovecraft formula and our favourite close-harmony choir of chaos oddballs...
The artist whose name we couldn't remember, responsible for the Berkley edition covers as above, is David McCall Johnston.
Simon is, of course, the geezer behind the visual identity of BITR too. Find him on Instagram and check out his store.
Also, have a look at Karmanal of Zert by Blaze Atoms - Here's some info from their bandcamp page (sadly I can't find any evidence of their "Swords & Space Wizards" demo - if you know of it... LET ME KNOW):
"This is an instrumental, almost completely mixed preview of the version of "Karmanal of Zert" that will appear on the upcoming "Swords & Space Wizards" demo in early May 2016. This recording is completely unadvertised and uploaded solely so Michael Moorcock himself can hear it. So if you found it, good job. :)
lyrics
all music conceived, composed and arranged by Aaron DiDonatoall guitar, bass, and drums performed and recorded by Aaron DiDonatolyrics (when vocals are added) adapted from the chapter "The Frozen Army" in the book "The Queen of the Swords" by Michael Moorcock (1971)Looming in the distanceOver the valley now, come the hopping thingsBouncing, several-legged creaturesMultiversal nomads, indestructible beingsKnowing not of mortalityPledging no allegiance to Law or ChaosKnowing not true existenceHaving no soulsThe Karmanal of Zert are comingThe Karmanal of Zert, yeah, are coming for youThe Karmanal of Zert are comingHere they come - look up and seeThey lope down the slopes of the hillsSeeking the Champion Eternal they’ve been sent to kill - to killAltering the fates of untold civilizationsOn untold planes of existence - parallel dimensions of the EarthMassive fangs clash, huge eyes rollMany tentacles lash, fighting for Cosmic controlDoing the bidding of the Chaos LordsWhile in another time and plane they are fighting for LawFighting for no purpose, no sought-after endFighting indifferent to consequenceThe Karmanal of Zert always sing before they feast - alwaysThe Karmanal of Zert always sing before they feast - hear them singMaimSlayFeastThe Queen of the Chaos Swords’ laughter fills the skyMaimSlayFeastThe Queen of the Chaos Swords’ laughter fills the skyAs the Eternal Champion prepares to diePrepare to dieHear the Karmanal of Zert singHear them, hear them (repeat)Hear them, hear the Karmanal of Zert sing"