Surgeons of Horror: Podcast

What happens when the prophecy fails?In this episode of Occult Echoes, Saul Muerte explores Craig DiLouie's The Children of Red Peak—a haunting modern horror novel that examines cult psychology, religious extremism, trauma, and the enduring human need to belong.Serving as a companion piece to this month's Library of the Occult episode on Marjorie Bowen's Black Magic: A Tale of the Rise and Fall of the Antichrist, this discussion shifts the focus from the rise of charismatic evil to the lives of those left behind after belief collapses.More than a story about cults, The Children of Red Peak is an exploration of identity, memory, and the emotional scars carried by survivors. It asks difficult questions about why people seek certainty, how charismatic leaders gain influence, and what becomes of us when the promises we build our lives around prove to be false.Join us as we uncover another modern work of horror that echoes the timeless themes found within classic occult literature.Occult Echoes is a companion series to Library of the Occult, exploring contemporary horror novels that reflect, reinterpret, and challenge the occult themes found in the classics. Together, they reveal how the fears, beliefs, and mysteries of the past continue to resonate through modern fiction.Hosted by Saul Muerte.The echo continues.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.

Long before The Omen and Rosemary's Baby brought the Antichrist into popular horror culture, Marjorie Bowen was exploring the seductive nature of evil in her remarkable 1909 novel, Black Magic: A Tale of the Rise and Fall of the Antichrist.In this episode of Library of the Occult, Saul Muerte examines one of the great forgotten classics of supernatural fiction. Discover the life and legacy of Marjorie Bowen, a pioneering voice in gothic and horror literature, and explore how Black Magic helped shape the evolution of occult fiction through its timeless themes of power, corruption, temptation, and charismatic influence.More than a century after its publication, Bowen's novel remains a haunting study of humanity's fascination with certainty and the dangerous allure of those who promise it.Join us as we uncover another hidden gem from Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult and trace its enduring influence on horror literature and cinema.Library of the Occult is a series exploring the forgotten classics of supernatural and occult literature—examining their authors, themes, historical significance, and the echoes they continue to leave in modern horror.Hosted by Saul Muerte.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.

The Horror Soundtrack That Feels Like an Alien NightmareWelcome to the inaugural episode of Sounds of Horror, a new Surgeons of Horror web series where host Saul Muerte explores the music that has helped define some of horror cinema's most unforgettable nightmares.For our first episode, we delve into the bizarre and unsettling world of XTRO (1983) and the experimental soundtrack composed by the film's writer and director, Harry Bromley Davenport.While XTRO is often remembered for its shocking body horror, disturbing imagery and cult status, its soundtrack remains one of the most overlooked elements of the film's enduring legacy. Through eerie synthesizers, disjointed melodies and unsettling atmospheres, Davenport crafted a score that feels less like traditional film music and more like an alien transmission invading the audience's subconscious.Join Saul as he examines key tracks from the score, explores the relationship between sound and body horror, and discusses why XTRO's music continues to resonate with horror fans more than four decades later.🩸 In this episode:✔ The unique sound design of XTRO✔ Analysis of key soundtrack cues✔ How music enhances the film's body horror themes✔ Why Harry Bromley Davenport's score deserves greater recognition✔ The role of experimental sound in 1980s horror cinemaAbout Sounds of HorrorInspired by discussions surrounding some of the greatest horror soundtracks ever composed, Sounds of Horror takes a critical look at the music behind the genre's most memorable films. From cult classics to genre-defining masterpieces, we'll explore how composers use sound, melody and atmosphere to create fear.🎬 Subscribe to Surgeons of Horror for more horror reviews, retrospectives, interviews and deep dives into genre cinema.📻 Follow Surgeons of Horror:Facebook: [Insert Link]Instagram: [Insert Link]Threads: [Insert Link]Website: [Insert Link]#XTRO #HarryBromleyDavenport #HorrorSoundtracks #SoundsofHorror #SurgeonsofHorror #CultHorror #BodyHorror #HorrorMovies #HorrorAnalysis #1980sHorror #MovieSoundtracks #FilmMusic #HorrorCinema #SynthSoundtrack #CultCinema

In this episode of Occult Echoes, we explore Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt — a deeply unsettling modern horror novel that transforms the haunted house into something far more psychological, political, and personal.Following our journey into Cheiro’s You and Your Hand in Library of the Occult Ep 14, this companion piece examines how ideas of identity, destiny, and the body have evolved within horror and occult storytelling.Where Cheiro believed hidden truths could be read through the hand, Rumfitt presents the body as something vulnerable to influence, trauma, ideology, and fear.This is not simply a ghost story.It is a novel about:identity and transformationthe body as a battlegroundideological and psychological horrortrauma as hauntingthe loss of agency and selfAt the centre of the novel lies a haunted house that absorbs fear, repression, and violence — reflecting them back in deeply disturbing ways.In this episode, we explore how Tell Me I’m Worthless modernises classic occult themes without relying on traditional occult imagery, proving that possession, corruption, and transformation still haunt modern horror… just in different forms.I’m Saul Muerte.The echo continues.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.#OccultEchoes #TellMeImWorthless #AlisonRumfitt #ModernHorror #PsychologicalHorror #HauntedHouse #OccultFiction #HorrorBooks #BookReview #HorrorLiterature #LibraryOfTheOccult #SaulMuerte

Welcome back to Library of the Occult.In Episode 14, we step away from tales of witches, secret societies, and supernatural conspiracies to explore one of the most influential occult texts of the modern era: You and Your Hand by the legendary palmist Cheiro.Known to millions as the world's most famous fortune teller, Cheiro transformed the ancient practice of palmistry into a cultural phenomenon. His clients reportedly included writers, actors, aristocrats, and world leaders, all seeking answers hidden within the lines of their own hands.But You and Your Hand is more than a guide to palm reading.In this episode, we explore how Cheiro's work reflects some of the oldest questions at the heart of occult thought:🔮 Can destiny be predicted?🔮 Is our future already written?🔮 What can the body reveal about the soul?🔮 Where does free will end and fate begin?Join me as we uncover the life of Cheiro, the enduring appeal of palmistry, and why this curious volume remains an important part of Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult collection.Featuring discussion on:The life and legacy of CheiroThe history of palmistry and divinationFate versus free willThe body as a source of occult knowledgeThe cultural impact of fortune tellingThe book's place within the wider Library of the Occult seriesI’m Saul Muerte.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.

In this episode of Occult Echoes, we explore A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay — a modern psychological horror that reframes one of the oldest fears in occult storytelling: possession.Following our journey into The Devil’s Mistress, this companion piece examines how the idea of spiritual corruption has evolved. Where classic occult fiction presented belief as certainty, A Head Full of Ghosts dismantles that foundation — leaving us questioning what is real, what is performed, and what is simply believed.At the centre of the story is a family unraveling under the weight of fear, faith, and public scrutiny. As their private crisis becomes spectacle, the line between possession and perception begins to blur.In this episode, we explore:The power of perspective and unreliable narrationPossession as psychological, cultural, and performativeThe collapse of certainty in modern horrorHow belief itself can become a source of fearThis is not a story that gives answers.It’s one that leaves you questioning everything.I’m Saul Muerte — the echo continues.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.#OccultEchoes #PaulTremblay #AHeadFullOfGhosts #PsychologicalHorror #ModernHorror #OccultFiction #HorrorBooks

What happens when forbidden knowledge stops being theory… and becomes belief?In this episode of Library of the Occult, I dive into The Devil’s Mistress — an occult novel shaped by real esoteric practice and the dangers of spiritual temptation.I’m Saul Muerte — the echo continues.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.#LibraryOfTheOccult #OccultLiterature #ClassicHorror

Step into the shadows with a brand-new episode of Resurrected Horrors as we celebrate The Class of ’66 — a collection of gothic nightmares, cursed villages, vampires, zombies and mad scientists that helped shape horror cinema nearly 60 years ago.In this retrospective webisode, we explore a fascinating year in genre history when studios like Hammer Film Productions and filmmakers across Europe were crafting atmospheric tales of terror before horror cinema transformed forever at the end of the decade.Featuring:🦇 *Dracula: Prince of Darkness*🧟 *The Plague of the Zombies*🔮 *Rasputin: The Mad Monk*🐍 *The Reptile*🧪 *The Diabolical Dr. Z*From gothic castles and voodoo rituals to hypnotic killers and cursed bloodlines, these films remain eerie reminders of a golden era of horror filmmaking.🎬 Which 1966 horror film is your favourite?Let us know in the comments below.If you enjoyed this episode of *Resurrected Horrors*, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and hit the notification bell for future quarterly retrospectives celebrating milestone anniversaries in horror cinema.#ResurrectedHorrors #HammerHorror #ChristopherLee #JessFranco #GothicHorror #HorrorMovies #ClassicHorror #CultCinema #Dracula #ZombieMovies #1966 #RetroHorror #HorrorRetrospective

In this episode of Occult Echoes, we explore the unsettling world of Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward — a haunting tale where sanctuary and danger become one and the same.High in the mountains lies Nowhere, a hidden valley steeped in myth, tragedy, and buried secrets. Once home to a reclusive figure with a dark past, it has since become something else entirely — a whispered refuge for lost children… and perhaps their prison.In this episode, we examine:The idea of place as a vessel for trauma and memoryPsychological possession through environment and beliefThe dangers of sanctuary and the cost of belongingHow modern horror reinterprets occult themes without ritual or doctrineNowhere Burning represents a powerful evolution of occult storytelling — where the supernatural is no longer summoned, but embedded in the land, in memory, and in the fragile search for safety.I’m Saul Muerte — the echo continues.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.

In this episode of Library of the Occult, we uncover a lesser-known but fascinating entry in early 20th-century supernatural fiction: The Prisoner in the Opal by A. E. W. Mason.Best known for his adventure classic The Four Feathers, Mason ventures into darker territory with a tale of a mysterious opal said to hold more than just light within it. As obsession grows and reality begins to fracture, the question lingers — is the stone cursed… or is something trapped inside?In this episode, we explore:The symbolism and folklore surrounding opalsThe theme of possession through obsessionThe tension between rational thought and supernatural beliefHow this overlooked novel fits within the wider occult canonBlending psychological intrigue with quiet supernatural dread, The Prisoner in the Opal stands as a curious and compelling bridge between gothic tradition and modern occult storytelling.I’m Saul Muerte — and this is Library of the Occult.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.#LibraryOfTheOccult #AEWMason #OccultFiction #GothicHorror #HorrorLiterature

Saul Muerte continues to uncover the films of yester-year in this latest episode of Resurrected Horrors. This months highlights focuses on consumerism in horror and the films, The Stuff and Cat's Eye segment, Quitters Inc.

What happens when absolute skepticism meets something it can’t explain?In this episode of Occult Echoes, I explore Jason Arnopp’s The Last Days of Jack Sparks — a modern possession story where ego, media, and the supernatural collide.Ancient fears. New voices.I’m Saul Muerte — the echo continues.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.#OccultEchoes #JackSparks #JasonArnopp #ModernHorror #OccultFiction

Before the film shocked audiences, To the Devil a Daughter by Dennis Wheatley warned readers of hidden cults and spiritual corruption.In this episode of Library of the Occult, I dive into the novel that helped define modern satanic horror.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.#LibraryOfTheOccult #ClassicHorror #OccultLiterature

Monster Pictures has announced their latest Monster Fest Weekender, and this year, they’re going full sequel mode. And not just any sequels—bigger, bloodier, bolder… sometimes better, sometimes much, much worse. So, what makes a horror sequel work? What turns a promising follow-up into an unforgettable nightmare… or a shambling, soulless cash grab?"In this episode, Saul Muerte dissects that very question with a lineup that includes some of the most infamous, underrated, and downright bizarre horror sequels ever made. Buckle up, because this is MONSTER FEST WEEKENDER III PART 2: THE SPAWNING. And just like any good sequel… the stakes are deadlier, the body count is higher, and somehow, the titles are even longer.

In this episode of Occult Echoes, we explore the modern occult through the lens of Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo — a dark academia thriller where secret societies, ritual magic, and restless ghosts blur the line between power and belief.Following our journey through the classic occult canon in Library of the Occult, this companion piece examines how the shadows have evolved. Where traditional gothic horror warned of hidden conspiracies and spiritual corruption, Ninth House reframes those anxieties for the 21st century — placing ritual and possession within institutions of privilege, trauma, and secrecy.In this discussion, we explore:The evolution of occult fiction from gothic dread to dark academiaThe psychology of belief, skepticism, and powerGhosts as manifestations of history and unresolved traumaHow modern occult novels reinterpret spiritual warfare for a secular ageIf the classics taught us that evil lurks beneath crumbling castles and candlelit rituals, Ninth House suggests it may just as easily hide in lecture halls and locked societies.Because the ritual changes.The language evolves.But the shadows remain.I’m Saul Muerte — the echo continues.Ancient shadows. Modern stories.#OccultEchoes #NinthHouse #LeighBardugo #OccultFiction #DarkAcademia #ModernGothic #LibraryOfTheOccult #HorrorLiterature

Host Saul Muerte once again opens up his monthly investigations into Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult. This episode looks at The Witch of Prague by Francis Marion Crawford.

Transformation and obsession lie at the heart of many of the most chilling horror stories. When characters are pushed to the brink of physical and psychological metamorphosis, we often find that their identities fracture, their desires warp, and they begin a descent into a disturbing new existence. In this first segment of Resurrected Horrors, Saul Muerte explores three films that each tackle these themes in unique, haunting ways: La Bête, The Addiction, and Uzumaki.

Host Saul Muerte continues his journey into Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult with the classic gothic tale, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Host Saul Muerte continues his journey into Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult with the classic gothic tale, Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Host Saul Muerte celebrates the centenary of Phantom of the Opera (1925) and looks back at this classic feature starring Lon Chaney. This film would mark a significant point in cellular history and the art of horror on screen.

Host Saul Muerte continues his journey into Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult with Harry Price Ghost Hunter by Paul Tabori.Followed by a review of Lucy Rose's The Lamb.

Host Saul Muerte continues his journey into Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult with The Sorcery Club by Elliott O'Donnell.Followed by a review of Grady Hendrix's Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.

Host Saul Muerte continues his journey into Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult with Carnacki The Ghost Finder by William Hope Hodgson.

Host Saul Muerte continues his journey into Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult with Studies in Occultism by the larger-than-life theosophist Helena Blavatsky.

Saul Muerte continues his literary journey, looking into Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult. The second novel to bear scrutiny is 1934's The Werewolf of Paris by American writer Guy Endore.

Our second part to the Full Moon Sessions episode looks at the month of August 2023 and some of the horror titles that are coming up on the big and small screen. Hosts Saul Muerte and Watch It Wombat's Nick discuss their thoughts and views. Ghost Story by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Surgeons of Horror host Saul Muerte takes on a literary exploration of Dennis Wheatley’s Library of the Occult. The first book placed under scrutiny will be Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

This is the Full Moon Sessions. Every lunar month, the team will look at the month that was and what lay in the horizon in the horror genre. In our first segment, Surgeons of Horror alumni Saul Muerte and Watch It Wombat's Nick look back at the horror films and shows of July 2023. Ghost Story by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Our second part to the Full Moon Sessions episode looks at the month of July 2023 and some of the horror titles that are coming up on the big and small screen. Hosts Saul Muerte and Myles Davies discuss their thoughts and views. Ghost Story by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Surgeons of Horror host Saul Muerte teams up with Movie Nerds' Ben Skinner to discuss horror movie soundtracks. This month focus is on 1983 feature Xtro, composed by Harry Bromley Davenport. Rise by Punch Deck | https://soundcloud.com/punch-deck Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Following on from his dissection of Bram Stoker's Dracula, host Saul Muerte takes a snapshot of the Prince of Darkness films across the years. Ghost Story by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Dennis Wheatley became prolific through the 1930s to the 1960s for his novels in the thriller and occult genre.He even inspired Fleming to create James Bond.We're going to look at some of novels he considered the finest in the realms of the occult, starting with Bram Stoker's Dracula. Dracula has adopted many faces over the years, but what was your earliest memory of this iconic character? Join host Saul Muerte as he delves into the novel that started it all and dissect what will be the first book from Dennis Wheatley's library of the occult to go under scrutiny.

This is the Full Moon Sessions. Every lunar month, the team will look at the month that was and what lay in the horizon in the horror genre. In our first segment, Surgeons of Horror alumni Saul Muerte and Myles Davies look back at the first half of 2023 to discuss the highs and lows of horror films so far. Ghost Story by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Resident surgeon Antony Yee teams up with Chris Dawes to discuss the Blumhouse / James Wan partnership feature about a killer doll. Does the cinematic success at the box office warrant a decent write up or is this all fanfare? Can Yee and Dawes find a solution?

Surgeons of Horror alumni Nick Allford (Watch It Wombat) took a step into our surgery with none other than Jason Blum (Blumhouse) to discuss what it takes to lead a successful horror production company and their latest cinema offering The Black Phone directed by Scott Derrickson. In Australian cinemas now.

To  celebrate its 100th Anniversary from its original release in cinemas, resident surgeons Saul Muerte and Oscar Jack sit down and provide some talking points as they watch the Blu-ray HD version. Join them by listening or playing the film along with their discussions.

Having just celebrated its 40th Anniversary, Surgeons Saul Muerte and Oscar Jack dissect and discuss one of the pioneer slasher movies from 1981, The Prowler, to see if it still holds up today.

Umbrella Entertainment have just issued a blu-ray release of the Ozploitation classic, Turkey Shoot, so what better time for resident Surgeon Saul Muerte to catch up with its director, Brian Trenchard-Smith? Saul chats with the director about some of his genre films across the years such as Dead End Drive-In, Night of the Demons 2, and the Leprechaun franchise.

Resident surgeons Saul Muerte and Oscar Jack look back at this iconic film which inspired a wake of filmmakers to see how it stands up today.

Ahead of the much-anticipated sequel, The Surgeons team look back at the original Candyman feature directed by Bernard Rose based on the Clive Barker novella. Does it still stand up today? What do Surgeons Myles Davies and Saul Muerte make of the iconic film?

To celebrate its 40th Anniversary, the Surgeons team Richard Lovegrove and Saul Muerte dissect and discuss Lucio Fulci's final instalment to the Gates of Hell Trilogy: The House By The Cemetery.

Sixty years after its initial release, Surgeons Saul Muerte and Meredith Murphy look back at the Hammer Horror film starring Oliver Reed, based on the Guy Endore novel. Does it still stand the test of time? Time to sink our teeth in and find out.

Forty years after the wake of the zombie movement and release of Andrea Bianchi's Burial Ground, the Surgeons team look back at the film to see if it still has bite or has shuffled into obscurity.

To celebrate its 25th Anniversary resident Surgeons Greer Bolomey and Saul Muerte dissect and discuss the Peter Jackson, Robert Zemeckis collaboration, The Frighteners.

At the time of production, Roadgames was the most expensive Australian film and boasted a young Jamie Lee Curtis in a support role following her rise to ascent with Halloween and Prom Night. How does the film stand today? Surgeons Myles Davies and Saul Muerte dissect and discuss in our latest podcast episode.

It's been 45 years since its release and is still as iconic as ever. Surgeons Oscar Jack and Saul Muerte dissect and discuss this feature to see why it resonates so much in the horror genre.

Andrzej Zulawski's feature starring Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill is curious journey into the heart of humanity, relationships, and control. How sexual partners can dominate and smother each other to attain their perfect image at the cost of all those in their wake. Subjected to the video nasties of its day, and considered a cult classic by some, but what do our resident Surgeons make of it today? Myles Davies and Saul Muerte dissect and discuss the movie to find its killer core and cast their views.

It was produced in the wake of Friday the 13th's success and boasts Tom Savini in the special effects department, but it failed to ignite at the box office. Since then it has gained a cult following, but what do our resident surgeons Myles Davies and Saul Muerte make of this film today, 40 years after its initial release?

To celebrate 40 years since its initial release, resident Surgeons Richard Lovegrove and Saul Muerte dissect and discuss the second instalment to Lucio Fulci's Gates of Hell trilogy, The Beyond.

It's Alien Day again and time for the Surgeons team to dissect and discuss another entry into the franchise. Join Antony Yee and Saul Muerte as they chat about Alien: Resurrection.