Charlie Chan, the renowned detective, found himself embroiled in a baffling case involving dark magic. The powers at play were unlike anything he had encountered before, and his skills were put to the ultimate test. It all began when a wealthy socialite, Mrs. O'Sullivan, approached Chan with a plea for help. Mrs. O'Sullivan had recently become the victim of a series of disturbing incidents.
O'Sullivan had recently become the victim of a series of disturbing incidents. Lights would flicker, strange voices would echo through her home, and objects would move on their own. She was convinced that dark magic was at work, and she sought Chan's expertise to uncover the truth.
Frankie And The Witch Fingers
There’s long been a growl festering in the West, an earthen rumble fed by tectonic tension, acrid smoke, and sun-parched air. The brew has boiled over lately, a pressure-cooked chaos that can no longer be contained. The growl has grown to a howl.. the howl is at the door. Few are as ready to meet the madness head on as Frankie and the Witch Fingers. On ‘Data Doom’ the band hurtles the listener head first into the wood-chipper of technological dystopia, systemic rot, creeping fascism, the military-industrial profit mill, and a near-constant erosion of humanity that peels away the soul bit by bit. With a fuse lit by these modern-day monstrosities the band seeks to find salvation through a thousand watt wake-up of rock n’ roll exfoliation.
After tearing through the tender heart of the Midwest, Frankie and the Witch Fingers found themselves clamped down on the fried edges of Los Angeles, carving out a niche that’s equal parts molten tar pit teardown and cataclysmic careen. Following releases on Hypnotic Bridge, Let’s Pretend, and Permanent, the band landed between the twin barbs of Greenway and The Reverberation Appreciation Society, a perfect fit for their frenetic blend of rhythmic whiplash and sonic soul shake. Anchored by songwriters Dylan Sizemore and Josh Menashe, the band has kept a rotating door of friends and collaborators moving through their midst over the past few years, coalescing post-pandemic into a symbiotic stage beast that’s become the beating heart of their new album, ‘Data Doom’. Bassist Nikki “Pickle” Smith and drummer Nick Aguilar have been road-hardened and readied over the last year, laying the groundwork for the new record’s 300 pounds of pummel and propulsion.
That heft was hurtled onto tape in the band’s Vernon, CA studio space. The locale let the city’s grit creep into the crevices of their new record, a wild swing at the sternum that hits the listener like an adrenaline shot to the heart. Wiping away the haze of stoned-ape psychedelics that permeated their opus ‘Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters’… the band favors an asphalt assault of rock, riff, and amphetamine rhythm. As they’ve wound out of the last phase, their sound, over a series of singles, has begun to thicken and throb. It’s coalesced into a darker strain that ingests the explosive impulses of gas-crisis-era proto-punk, the rhythmic insistence of 70’s German Progressives, and the elasticity of funk fusionists alike. They’ve welded their arsenal of influences to a chassis of nail-bitten bombast that drives ‘Data Doom’ into the midst of the maelstrom.
The band has shared bills with Kikagaku Moyo, Ty Segall, Oh Sees, Cheap Trick, and ZZ Top, churning their stage-side scorch into household recognition — burning through a barrage of multicolored vinyl pressings and sparring with indie heavyweights for Billboard chart positions. ‘Data Doom’ looks to cement that status, a sinewy slab cut on the stone of social collapse and licking the blade in anticipation of what’s to come. “Never name the darkness itself,“ intones Sizemore, but the darkness is already here, embedded in every moment, inextricable from the capital, sabbatical, sustenance, and solace of the modern age. ‘Data Doom’ is the elixir and the exorcism, it’s the reformation rendered in rock ’n roll.
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: 'Data Doom' is a wonderfully weird melting pot of freak-out psych, angular guitar riffery and Frankie And The Witch Fingers' own brand of wry politicism. This is classic Frankie fare, but with the volume and weirdness turned up to 11. Superb.
TRACK LISTING
Side A:
1. Empire (7:31)
2. Burn Me Down (3:08)
3. Electricide (3:35)
4. Syster System (6:18)
Side B:
5. Weird Dog (3:58)
6. Doom Boom (4:10)
7. Futurephobic (3:39)
8. Mild Davis (4:46)
9. Political Cannibalism (4:26)
Chan, always level-headed and rational, initially approached the case with skepticism. However, as he delved deeper into the mysteries surrounding Mrs. O'Sullivan, he began to encounter things that defied logical explanations. The sheer intensity and inexplicable nature of the supernatural occurrences left him questioning everything he thought he knew. Undeterred by the unexplainable, Chan embarked on a relentless pursuit of the truth. He meticulously studied ancient texts on dark magic, sought guidance from knowledgeable experts, and interviewed a wide range of individuals knowledgeable in the occult. Piece by piece, he began to unravel the web of dark forces at play. As he ventured further into the investigation, Chan found himself facing not only the practical challenges of solving a case but also the deeper philosophical questions surrounding the realm of dark magic. He pondered the duality of light and darkness, the moral implications of harnessing such powers, and the intricacies of human nature. Throughout his journey, Chan remained steadfast, seeking to bring justice to those affected by the powers of dark magic. He navigated through a treacherous landscape of psychological manipulation, deceit, and supernatural phenomena. Though his investigation was fraught with danger, he harnessed his keen intellect and innate sense of justice to ultimately uncover the truth. In the end, Charlie Chan emerged victorious, having unraveled the dark magic that plagued Mrs. O'Sullivan's life. With each answer he found, he chipped away at the illusion of the supernatural, revealing the human layers beneath. The encounter with dark magic showcased Chan's resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to justice. Charlie Chan's encounter with dark magic was a fascinating exploration of the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the boundaries between reality and the supernatural. It served as a reminder that even in the face of darkness, the human spirit can prevail and find solace in the power of reason and justice..
Reviews for "Solving Crimes, Battling Magic: Charlie Chan's Adventure with Dark Forces"
1. Jane Smith - 1 star - I found "Charlie Chan Encounters the Powers of Dark Magic" to be incredibly disappointing. The plot was weak, predictable, and lacked any originality. The characters were shallow and one-dimensional, making it hard to care about their struggles. Additionally, the dialogue was poorly written and cringe-worthy at times. Overall, this film failed to captivate me and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a quality mystery movie.
2. John Doe - 2 stars - I was really hoping for a thrilling and engaging mystery film with "Charlie Chan Encounters the Powers of Dark Magic", but unfortunately, it fell flat. The story felt disjointed and poorly executed, making it difficult to follow and invest in the plot. The acting was subpar, with wooden performances that lacked any depth or emotion. There were also numerous inconsistencies and illogical choices throughout the film. It's a shame because with a stronger script and better direction, this movie had the potential to be much more entertaining.
3. Lisa Johnson - 2.5 stars - Although "Charlie Chan Encounters the Powers of Dark Magic" had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the suspense was lacking, making it hard to stay engaged throughout the entire movie. The special effects were amateurish, and the use of dark magic felt forced and out of place in the context of the story. The performances were mediocre, with flat character development that made it difficult to connect with or care about any of the protagonists. Overall, this film fell short of my expectations and left me feeling underwhelmed.
4. David Thompson - 1.5 stars - "Charlie Chan Encounters the Powers of Dark Magic" was a major disappointment. The storyline was convoluted and poorly executed, leaving me confused and uninterested for most of the film. The dialogue was cheesy and cringeworthy, with little substance or wit. The acting was lackluster, with uninspired performances from the entire cast. The overall production value was subpar, with mediocre cinematography and unimpressive special effects. I would not recommend wasting your time on this forgettable film.