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“I don't know how much movies should entertain. To me I'm always interested in movies that scar. The thing I love about Jaws is the fact that I've never gone swimming in the ocean again.” --- David Fincher ::::::::::::: MY CRITERIA FOR DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSES THE HORROR GENRE AND BEYOND, SO I USE THE TERM "NIGHTMARE MOVIES". SPOILERS CAN OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT WARNING. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

CHAS. BALUN (1948 - 2009) R.I.P

April 13th 2010 05:34
Horror Holocaust cover art
My apologies for the delay to any hardcore True Believers, but I only just caught the whiffy wind of the passing of legendary horrorphile, gorehound uber-enthusiast, and gonzo writer to boot, Charlie “Chas.” Balun. What a guy! I never actually met him, but I shared a very brief email correspondence with him a few years back when I was trying to track down issues of his hard-to-find guerrilla-style publication Deep Red, which he published himself. He came across as gruff, which in hindsight I put down to a cancer-induced mood of perpetual disgruntlement, perhaps. Poor bugger.

Chas. Balun
Chas. Balun (channelling Stephen King)
Chas., who lived in Hollywood, had his first book published in 1983, The Connoisseur’s Guide to the Contemporary Horror Film. In 1986 he started contributing to Fangoria magazine, and in 1989 he had his own column, “Piece of Mind”, in the short-lived Fangoria spin-off, Gorezone (not to be confused with the current UK publication of the same name). In 1987 he published a one-off severed-tongue-in-cheek magazine (only 30-odd pages) called The Gore Score, where he rated horror movies in relation to how much blood and guts were spilled; 1-10. He followed this with two more Gore Score publications (The Splatter Years and Brave New Works).

The Gore Score cover art
Three of his most acclaimed books were Horror Holocaust (1986, a critical analysis of the modern horror movie), Deep Red Horror Handbook (1989, an elaboration on his Gore Score philosophy and reviews), and Beyond Horror Holocaust: A Deeper Shade of Red (2003, more critique and analysis). Apart from his writing Chas. was also an accomplished graphic artist and provided all his publications with his own macabre and twisted illustrations.

Chas. championed the unapologetic goremeisters, and was a huge fan of The Beyond (1981). In 1997 he published a biography: Lucio Fulci: Beyond the Gates (with an introduction by Fulci’s son). He also provided the liner notes for the Grindhouse DVD release of Cannibal Holocaust, which he described famously as “the one that goes all the way!” Chas. didn’t suffer fools or prudes gladly; he was vitriolic, yet witty, savage and sardonic, lewd and lascivious, but all the while deeply passionate about the dark art of the horror movie.
Deep Red vol. 1 cover art

I’ll confess to “borrowing” a term of his – True Believers – in reference to those horrorphiles that embrace unconditionally both the high art and the deep trash of this most subversive and transgressive genres of cinema, yet in their dark hearts understand intrinsically why the truly great horror movies are truly great: they possess the often-elusive atmosphere of a genuine nightmare and aren’t afraid to shock the pants off of you!

Deep Red Horror Handbook cover art
I’m lucky to own an original edition of Deep Red Horror Handbook, along with several of the earliest issues of his self-publication, Deep Red magazine. I also own Beyond Horror Holocaust, an essential read for any horrorphile. I’d still like to get my grubby paws on copies of Connoisseur's Guide to the Contemporary Horror Film, Horror Holocaust and The Gore Score series.

Chas. Balun has a strong cult following and no doubt in the wake of his death his legacy will climb. I hope one day an omnibus of all his reviews and critique is published and made widely available, but in the meantime you’ll have to scour the online troughs of ebay, and the like, in an effort to find those sought after limited run publications.

May the original True Believer rest in peace, Chas. Balun, I raise my beer in your honour, with Goblin rocking loud in the background! Here's to going all the way!

For more info visit his official website here

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: set-pieces
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2 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by JohnDoe

May 4th 2010 02:00


Film & TV on DVD
Great overview there Bryn, several tidbits i didn't know.

His macabre presence will be missed.


Comment by Bryn

May 4th 2010 04:44


Horrorphile
JD, indeed. I plan to take his legacy and run with it.

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