Year's Best Hardcore Horror, Volume 1

By: Cheryl Mullenax, Randy Chandler, Kristopher Triana, Jeff Strand, Jack Bantry

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

Excerpt from the introduction:

Editors Randy Chandler and Cheryl Mullenax put the call out to horror writers and editors of extreme stories, the hardcore stuff that breaks boundaries and trashes taboos, the transgressive tales you can't "unread" (as Chuck Palahniuk says). We staked out our territory and nailed this to the wall to guide us:

Year's Best Hardest Horror

Not your mama's best-of horror annual. This stuff comes from the edge of the abyss, stories you read at your own risk because you feel the abyss looking right back into you through the tainted lens of each twisted tale.

Some of the stories you'll find here are loaded with very graphic descriptions of violence, sex, and depravities, while others may contain only one shocking moment of brutality. In others, the hardcore aspect may be less graphic and subtler than you might expect. Some of these quieter tales offer the listener some time to recover from the more disturbing ones preceding.

Most of the stories collected here are from small and specialty press anthologies, with a few from periodicals, like the prestigious Splatterpunk Zine in the UK and Thuglit here in the US. Bizarro is also represented with a couple of tales from the unlikely anthology Blood for You: A Literary Tribute to GG Allin from Weirdpunk Books. (If you're not familiar with the late GG Allin, you can find snippets from some of his outrageous and obscene punk shows online, which will increase your appreciation of those two tales.)

So for now, forget about that neighbor you suspect is a serial killer, don't worry about the drunk driver that could take you out on your next trip to the store, push those troubling news stories to the back of your mind, and immerse yourself in the imaginary horrors at hand.

But don't be surprised if you sense something dark staring back at you from between the lines. That is to be expected when you enter these forbidding realms. With any luck, you may find something useful to help you survive the approaching Apocalypse.

Full list of authors includes Adam Howe, Robert Essig, Adam Cesare, Clare de Lune, David James Keaton, and Monica J. O'Rourke.

©2016 Comet Press (P)2016 Comet Press

Awesome anthology

Awesome anthology. I enjoyed the whole thing. The story Worth the Having stood out for me. Loved that one. It is all pretty hardcore so it's definitely not for the squeamish.

The narrator was very good and pleasant to listen to.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

It's an Okay Collection

This collection of "hardcore" horror stories really didn't impress me. I found myself bored with the ones I didn't skip through. I found it was more gore and violence for the sake of gore and violence. I must say this was a disappointment considering Vol 2 was decent and Vol 3 was quite a good collection. I guess you have to start somewhere and learn from the mistakes made. The narration was well done by Joe Hempel and was the main reason I listened to as much as I did. He's an excellent narrator.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Weak Year for Horror

The majority of what I listen to is horror and not just mainstream horror; but, real psychological and messed up stuff. This was mostly light horror but I still enjoyed some of the stories. Much of what was "hardcore"about it was the gratuitous gore which seemed to be used for the sake of being gory, which becomes boring. The other stuff often was just plain lets be as ridiculous as possible and see how that works, which becomes sophomoric. The narration was great and I would be happy to listen to more books by Joe Hempel.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Visceral - not for the faint of heart

All in all this was a very well done collection of short story horror. The narration was well done too. For me, the strong sexual narratives were a bit over the top, but each story appealed to me in some way. That in itself is not common. I enjoyed the fresh perspective brought out by these writers. Some stories completely original, others had excellent twist on existing themes such as zombie apocalypse. I would recommend this collection to anyone who likes this genre especially in short story. Well done.

Great volume of horror

I was warned that this was very hard core. I am a zombie, shit hits the fan & apocalypse book freak. I've pretty much read all kinds of crazy stuff like this. I wasn't offended or shocked. I'm certain many will be.
The narrations was excellent. I would definitely listen to more books by Joe.
All in all I was pleasantly surprised & entertained by all of the stories. There is a lot of originality here.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrative.

OVER ALL A GOOD BOOK

Would you be willing to try another book from the authors? Why or why not?

Yes, some stories were very interesting.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Joe Hempel?

Yes he has a very clear and concise voice.

Any additional comments?

This was a good time waster. The stories are not much of suspense but more of gore and alot have erotic elements added to them. Some stories were very interesting , some were hard to follow, i had to keep going back pages to re read or listen to clarify the story. It all depends on your interests i guess.

Graphic but not scary

I’m a huge fan of horror fiction and love anthologies. This collection was definitely graphic and hardcore, but I didn’t find any of the stories scary. These were horrific for the graphic descriptions of violence inflicted upon the characters but there was no suspense or tickling of fear - which is what I want out of a horror story. I don’t mind the gross or graphic content (that can actually help increase the fear factor) but I want the story to have more to it than just gore.

Truly horrifying

I'm a big fan of extreme horror, and these are some of the most vile and disgusting stories I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. I actually had to space this out over several days because some of the conjured imagery was so nasty. Super happy with the narration. A lot of times,anthologies have different narrators for each story, and sometimes it's appropriate, but in this case, I'm glad they stuck with just one.

Horror

Any additional comments?

I successfully scared myself again. Excellent collection of horror stories written by several horror writers. I recommend this audiobook who love this genre.

Absolutely quality and chilling short stories

Wow, when the title says "hardcore horror" they are not joking. If you are going to get this book make sure you are braced and ready. I made the mistake of listening to "Bored with Brutality" on the train, and I must have been making some interesting faces at the exceptionally vivid descriptions, because I got some concerned looks. After that I listened while curled up in my bed with the covers over my head, delightfully frightened and disgusted.

I absolutely loved this anthology, but I had to listen to the short stories as individual chapters, and not all in one go. I was introduced to some really exceptional new authors, and I will be running off to track down more of their works.

The sound quality was excellent, and the narration was proficient and did not detract from the stories at all. Good diction and pacing.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.