How about some Lovecraftian artifacts? shop.vermilion.cc/collections/cthulhu?ref=HorrorBabble Pocket Watches, Playing Cards, Enamel Pins ... even an Umbrella! (The link above is an affiliate link)
Bloch writing fictional stories of witnessing Lovecraft being horribly killed by an indescribable entity from across the veil of time and space itself - Just BFF things~♥
According to the story Lovecraft not only gave permission but send a certificate to state that and then reciprocated in his story the whispered in the dark.
I disagree. Compare and contrast with the "Haunter of the dark" to which this story is a counterpart. Bloch has nothing on Lovecraft's ability to set the scene or build the tension.
However, Bloch had a much better ability to keep the tone throughout the story and not go off on tangents, especially when they were based on race. Though Lovecraft’s actual creations are more terrifying than ANYONE in his circle, he often took an alienating tone (as in harder to follow), while Bloch always had his tone down pat and wanted to express a narrative rather than, like Lovecraft and ESPECIALLY Howard did, express a perspective. This being said, The Haunter of the Dark is one of Lovecraft’s best and you do have a point :) Though not all Lovecraft stories are on par with the work.
This is the first time I'm hearing this story, but about a decade ago our Call of Cthulhu Keeper put us up against a Star Vampire and it went down pretty much exactly like this...
The Latin spell recited in this story, which invokes Lovecraft's mysterious Magnum Innominandum and CA Smith's Saturnine deity Tsathoggua (Sadoquae), was used in the 1960 THRILLER episode THE WEIRD TAILOR, where we also see the book De Vermis Mysteriis. I believe that to have been the first appearance of the Cthulhu Mythos on TV.
For something be be considered a prequel, does it have to be made *after* the book or movie etc it precedes? For example this trilogy here, shambler from the stars, haunter of the dark and shadow from the steeple. Since shambler was first, before haunter of the dark, is it still considered a prequel even though it wasn’t created after it? I ask because I see so many movies that are prequels and are therefore sequels in and of themselves lol. I also know that prequel of course means before the sequel, so in its literal terms it seems like yeah duhhh it can be called a prequel even if it wasn’t made after the subject matter it precedes. I hope I explained what’s vexing me well enough to comprehend. I’d really appreciate the rundown on this!
@@Samphetamine so technically it is a prequel because it is the first in its chronology. The time of making said "prequel" does not matter as the timeline would still be the same. I hope you get what I mean lol
I love this story and it's sequel haunter of the dark bloch is one of the best of contributers to the cthulhu mythos I'm thankful to Ian gorden for such accomplished narration of these stories
I don't make it a habit to request stories but I recently made an exception & asked Gordon if narrating Shambler from the Stars was a possibility. Not a month later here we have it which leaves me with the delusion that I had something to do with it lol. Thanks again Ian. This is absolutely awesome. Next I need to read I'm just kidding : P
Ian, I want to join Horrorbabble but my comp (13" MacBook) is so obsolete I'm having trouble doing so. That & the fact that my computer savviness is pretty limited.
I listen to these after midnight and I go for a walk in the country. I keep looking behind me as I walk and eye bushes and abandoned buildings with apprehension as if a monster lurked there waiting to snatched me up and drain my life from me. This was great. very Lovecraftian and it even references arkham and the necronomicon. Great read
Absolutely impeccable on all levels ; perfect for one born in a different century and really only comfy in the company of books , critters and twilight.
Fun fact: the "Shambler from the stars" and "Haunter of the dark" are one in the same; simply put, it is one among many avatars of a far greater evil- Nyarlethotep. Thanks for the amazing reading my good sir!(:
In another sense, too - this story is Bloch's description of Lovecraft expy being killed by eldritch unga-bunga, and "Haunter" is Lovecraft's description of Bloch expy being killed by same.
Interesting. Never heard that the shambler was another avatar of Nyarlathotep. Generally it's considered to be a seperate invisible predatory entity called a Star Vampire.
@@kesterfae5447 it is a seperate entity - The vampiric worm/star vampire. The Haunter/Nyarlathotep is it's master (Lovecraft cementing Shambler's status in the Mythos) and connived to kill Blake because he had witnessed the Shambler and was digging deep further. Also, unlike the friend in this story, Blake's killed through shock, not vampiric attack. The worm/ Shambler itself is but a corrupt parasitic cosmic entity feeding on human blood with vampires for minions. It's also the entity the Boon family serves in Stephen King's Jerusalem' Lot. And eventually by the vampires in Salem's Lot novel. I'd suggest adding those King's works to this trilogy.
HorrorBabble If find any I hope you can send some copies to Anerica, hell I'll take a paperback, but nothing beats the scent of old leatherbound volumes.
speaking of the light at the end if you have not read it I recommend that novel by john skip and craig spector . very different from bloch or lovecraft but a wild ride all the same. one of the better vampire novels in a much diminished gendre in my opinion.
Another great narration, I would be quite delighted to one day/night hear Ian & Jennifer and the rest of the Horrorbabble team do a complete narration of H.G Wells original War of The Worlds with Ian's talent for adding the right background music and all the background trimmings to boot, truly it would be the perfect blend of story and talent that in my opinion could match or even surpass Orson Welles 1938 radio adaptation that was put on at the Mercury Theatre I myself would give a VERY healthy patronage to see that story come to life on Horrorbabble. It's such a rarity these days having classics and gifted talent bringing these classics to life that you truly feel you become apart of the story as well, like your literally right there standing in the same room or seeing and experiencing exactly what character/s are right at that moment, its one thing when you are reading to yourself and you start to feel that way, but only a very talented narrator/s can REALLY bring you all the way into the story and make those pages come to true life. So enough of my BABBLING, just keep up the great work Horrorbabble, always waiting for your next narratuon with anticipation. 😎
I really enjoy HorrorBabble. I listen to your stuff nightly. Thanks for being my guide thru all of the weird tales. Evil Dead was my introduction to the necronomicon back in the 90's. This story really had a lot of that same kinda vibe that originally attracted me to the concept.. I loved it. I see why Lovecraft wanted to write the follow up. I appreciate what you do!
I came here just after I found out that this is a prequel to the Haunter in the dark". It would be grant to have a bit of background and connections like this mentioned by you at the beginning of the videos. As always, great job!
Love your work; I don't go anywhere else for my weird fiction fix anymore! Would love to hear some Lin Carter some time, if you have the inclination. Always look forward to seeing what you do next - thank you!
I love the bit in the second tale by lovecraft.. haunter in the dark when they talk about the creature taking advantage of the blackout and the Italians being driven mad with fright... And talking about a entity haunting their dreams n waiting at the church door for it to get dark enough to venture out... Just awesome literature basically.... One of my lovecraft's favs....
new englands mystic dreamer we all know and love... the hermit's gotta be c.a. smith i reckon... who would be the savant, you think? frank belknap long?
I've known this story in the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game for almost 30 years, but never read the book, like I did all of Lovecraft's work , until now...
Yeah, that's more likely- shamblers are (per Lovecraft & Heald) something between an ape and an insect, and (per the post-Lovecraft stuff) feed on souls or psychic energy, not blood.
It appears the folks at this channel learned one of the same lessons learned by G.M. Danielson: One can't go wrong with H.P. Lovecraft. Now let's see how you're fixed for Edgar Allen Poe.
"Jumbles of portentious adjectives" (or somethinglike that), the beginning writer moans. Certain writers whose last names begin with L. sort of decided to capitalize off exactly this!
Since this is the story that introduced the book 'Mysteries of the Worm' and alludes to vanpirical nature of the shambler/haunter, Stephen King's Lovecraftian short story 'Jerusalem's Lot' could be clubbed with this series.
While driving thru the American southwest, the Yucca trees come alive on the full moon Heath , for they are not yucca trees at all , No , they are legions of Elder Ones seeking asylum from the frigid Antarctica mountains, Shogoths and sustenance!!! Run
How about some Lovecraftian artifacts?
shop.vermilion.cc/collections/cthulhu?ref=HorrorBabble
Pocket Watches, Playing Cards, Enamel Pins ... even an Umbrella!
(The link above is an affiliate link)
Great work as always
Bloch writing fictional stories of witnessing Lovecraft being horribly killed by an indescribable entity from across the veil of time and space itself - Just BFF things~♥
According to the story Lovecraft not only gave permission but send a certificate to state that and then reciprocated in his story the whispered in the dark.
Yup and I think Lovecraft reciprocated by killing 'Robert Blake' in Haunter of the dark...
Especially since Lovecraft proceeded to do the same to him with The Haunter in The Dark. The main character’s friggin name is Robert Blake! 😂😂😂
You can tell Bloch was one of HPL's inner circle, and I think the most talented....
I disagree. Compare and contrast with the "Haunter of the dark" to which this story is a counterpart. Bloch has nothing on Lovecraft's ability to set the scene or build the tension.
However, Bloch had a much better ability to keep the tone throughout the story and not go off on tangents, especially when they were based on race. Though Lovecraft’s actual creations are more terrifying than ANYONE in his circle, he often took an alienating tone (as in harder to follow), while Bloch always had his tone down pat and wanted to express a narrative rather than, like Lovecraft and ESPECIALLY Howard did, express a perspective.
This being said, The Haunter of the Dark is one of Lovecraft’s best and you do have a point :)
Though not all Lovecraft stories are on par with the work.
In my opinion he surpassed Lovecraft which is what any mentor wants for his students.
You know what I think?
Bloch had more time to hone his craft.
This is the first time I'm hearing this story, but about a decade ago our Call of Cthulhu Keeper put us up against a Star Vampire and it went down pretty much exactly like this...
Another excellent presentation! Bloch is my all-time favourite author and HorrorBabble's depictions are fantastic.
The Latin spell recited in this story, which invokes Lovecraft's mysterious Magnum Innominandum and CA Smith's Saturnine deity Tsathoggua (Sadoquae), was used in the 1960 THRILLER episode THE WEIRD TAILOR, where we also see the book De Vermis Mysteriis. I believe that to have been the first appearance of the Cthulhu Mythos on TV.
Fantastic - thanks for sharing gomro. I'll be sure to check that out! Ian
Ahh, the prequel to my favorite HP Lovecraft story! Fantastic.
The Haunter of the Dark. There is some more info in the summary of this video just above.
For something be be considered a prequel, does it have to be made *after* the book or movie etc it precedes? For example this trilogy here, shambler from the stars, haunter of the dark and shadow from the steeple. Since shambler was first, before haunter of the dark, is it still considered a prequel even though it wasn’t created after it? I ask because I see so many movies that are prequels and are therefore sequels in and of themselves lol. I also know that prequel of course means before the sequel, so in its literal terms it seems like yeah duhhh it can be called a prequel even if it wasn’t made after the subject matter it precedes.
I hope I explained what’s vexing me well enough to comprehend. I’d really appreciate the rundown on this!
@@Samphetamine so technically it is a prequel because it is the first in its chronology. The time of making said "prequel" does not matter as the timeline would still be the same. I hope you get what I mean lol
Spartan 69 yes, totally understand now - thanks to you both for the explanations :)
@@Samphetamine anytime ^-^
The title of this is very atmospheric. The account of the author’s early pains as an author is ( perhaps unintentionally ?) funny.
Mirrors his own I bet.
No Bloch has a GREAT sense of humour, can really rip loose on social satire! (I know from Gordon's readings.)
I wish we still spoke this way, it's absolutely georgous, and narrated perfectly.
Word
Fo' shizzle...
Best horror channel on RUclips
Such a great job Ian you do a great job with all these stories, thank you so much for doing your readings. This is a great story!
Eloquently written and spoken. Thank you.😊
Great story and reading
I live in a house in the woods, in Eastern Europe. I really can't afford any summoning spells read out loud.
now that-thinking of you listening to this story in your home--adds atmosphere to the already atmospherically potent tale.
Excellent Mr. Gordon and Horror Babble. I very much enjoy your work. Thank you. Until next time.
I love this story and it's sequel haunter of the dark bloch is one of the best of contributers to the cthulhu mythos I'm thankful to Ian gorden for such accomplished narration of these stories
I don't make it a habit to request stories but I recently made an exception & asked Gordon if narrating Shambler from the Stars was a possibility. Not a month later here we have it which leaves me with the delusion that I had something to do with it lol. Thanks again Ian. This is absolutely awesome. Next I need to read I'm just kidding : P
Scott - indeed! I think three people asked for it in total, the first being John Benko. It's a great story. Ian
Ian, I want to join Horrorbabble but my comp (13" MacBook) is so obsolete I'm having trouble doing so. That & the fact that my computer savviness is pretty limited.
As a subscriber Scott?
A wonderful introduction to Robert Bloch. I really enjoyed your narration.
I listen to these after midnight and I go for a walk in the country. I keep looking behind me as I walk and eye bushes and abandoned buildings with apprehension as if a monster lurked there waiting to snatched me up and drain my life from me. This was great. very Lovecraftian and it even references arkham and the necronomicon. Great read
A peculiar, but highly appropriate practice, sir! Glad to hear you made it back in one piece! Ian
Absolutely impeccable on all levels ; perfect for one born in a different century and really only comfy in the company of books , critters and twilight.
I especially enjoy the last line. Great job and thank you yet again.
Thanks so much for this and all the cool videos of you reading these great authors! 🖤
When the narrator spoke that summoning spell, I flashed on Ash trying to shut off that tape recorder with professor Knoby's voice on it...
Groovy!
Fun fact: the "Shambler from the stars" and "Haunter of the dark" are one in the same; simply put, it is one among many avatars of a far greater evil- Nyarlethotep. Thanks for the amazing reading my good sir!(:
In another sense, too - this story is Bloch's description of Lovecraft expy being killed by eldritch unga-bunga, and "Haunter" is Lovecraft's description of Bloch expy being killed by same.
Interesting. Never heard that the shambler was another avatar of Nyarlathotep. Generally it's considered to be a seperate invisible predatory entity called a Star Vampire.
@@kesterfae5447 it is a seperate entity - The vampiric worm/star vampire. The Haunter/Nyarlathotep is it's master (Lovecraft cementing Shambler's status in the Mythos) and connived to kill Blake because he had witnessed the Shambler and was digging deep further. Also, unlike the friend in this story, Blake's killed through shock, not vampiric attack.
The worm/ Shambler itself is but a corrupt parasitic cosmic entity feeding on human blood with vampires for minions. It's also the entity the Boon family serves in Stephen King's Jerusalem' Lot. And eventually by the vampires in Salem's Lot novel. I'd suggest adding those King's works to this trilogy.
ALso a fun fact-"he DOES love the old names"
Great job, Ian. Brilliant reading!
Amazing as usual Mr Gordon. So glad you picked this for a reading as I love the haunter of the dark but i've never read/heard this story.
The energy in the reading was very intriguing with the story as usual a great read thank you.
I've wanted to find an ancient tome like that ever since I was a little kid! Now I'm thinking, maybe it's best I never have... Great reading!
Me too Veronica... I'm always on the lookout for such volumes in backstreet bookstores across Europe! Ian
HorrorBabble
Ah. Like me, you consider "blissful ignorance" a serious contradiction in terms.
Absolutely William - sums up many a Lovecraft protagonist. Ian
HorrorBabble If find any I hope you can send some copies to Anerica, hell I'll take a paperback, but nothing beats the scent of old leatherbound volumes.
Thank you for an impressive narration!
Brilliant, this is just perfect. I'm ill at the moment and at work so this can be some light at the end of the tunnel for when I get home!
Sorry to hear you're ill Jamie - best wishes from myself and Jennifer!
speaking of the light at the end if you have not read it I recommend that novel by john skip and craig spector . very different from bloch or lovecraft but a wild ride all the same. one of the better vampire novels in a much diminished gendre in my opinion.
scott thompson Thank you very much for the recommendation, I'll check it out!! New adventures into the macabre are always a treat.
Great choice of story! Really adds to The Haunter of The Dark.
I love this channel so much
Now this was an good story building it up slowly =D
Another fantastic reading my good man. I also enjoy the bit of history on the story in the description
Great story! Even learned some new words.
Another great narration, I would be quite delighted to one day/night hear Ian & Jennifer and the rest of the Horrorbabble team do a complete narration of H.G Wells original War of The Worlds with Ian's talent for adding the right background music and all the background trimmings to boot, truly it would be the perfect blend of story and talent that in my opinion could match or even surpass Orson Welles 1938 radio adaptation that was put on at the Mercury Theatre
I myself would give a VERY healthy patronage to see that story come to life on Horrorbabble.
It's such a rarity these days having classics and gifted talent bringing these classics to life that you truly feel you become apart of the story as well, like your literally right there standing in the same room or seeing and experiencing exactly what character/s are right at that moment, its one thing when you are reading to yourself and you start to feel that way, but only a very talented narrator/s can REALLY bring you all the way into the story and make those pages come to true life.
So enough of my BABBLING, just keep up the great work Horrorbabble, always waiting for your next narratuon with anticipation. 😎
Another amazing narration, Ian.
Your talent is amazing. Keep it up!!
Excellent narration
Builds to a brilliant crescendo of horror.
Excellent reading of a horror classic. 😎
I really enjoy HorrorBabble. I listen to your stuff nightly. Thanks for being my guide thru all of the weird tales. Evil Dead was my introduction to the necronomicon back in the 90's. This story really had a lot of that same kinda vibe that originally attracted me to the concept.. I loved it. I see why Lovecraft wanted to write the follow up. I appreciate what you do!
I came here just after I found out that this is a prequel to the Haunter in the dark". It would be grant to have a bit of background and connections like this mentioned by you at the beginning of the videos. As always, great job!
This man had a true voice of power.⚡️💚⚡️
This was another fabulous one and great narration. Thank you for the link.
Ha - I replied to your previous comment before reading this one! Seems you found this without my need to point it out. :)
@@HorrorBabble That's okay. I always love hearing from you ♡
This is really cool.
I’ve shambled around in the stars a bit.
Excellent story
Such a creepy story, thanks for the reading.
Good to see you’re back Ian, I love your readings. I hope you have corrected your powercut problems!
Thank you sir! I haven't actually been away...! And no unfortunately, the power issues persist. It's all good! Ha. Ian
Excellent!
Love the thumbnail, very eye-drawing!
Nice, I looked for this a few years ago and couldn't find much from Bloch at all. I'm glad someone is doing this!
Thanks Nick! Our Bloch playlist is growing all the time: ruclips.net/p/PLeNNKRLWxwoO-3p9IIVhTxvtazpWcBk5I
That was great!
Oh, this is a good one!
Oh so good
Thank you , fun. 🙏🏽🎩🌹
Love your work; I don't go anywhere else for my weird fiction fix anymore! Would love to hear some Lin Carter some time, if you have the inclination. Always look forward to seeing what you do next - thank you!
Thank you! Great to hear from you. I don't think any of his stuff is in the public domain unfortunately. Ian
Brilliant! I need to acquire written works of his; perchance some of these old tales are available in book form.
Archive.org is a good place to start Torin! Ian
Very good
Love this ❤️
Welcome to the Nightmare family, welcome indeed
"Mysteries of the Womb" lol thanks youtube captions
I love the bit in the second tale by lovecraft.. haunter in the dark when they talk about the creature taking advantage of the blackout and the Italians being driven mad with fright... And talking about a entity haunting their dreams n waiting at the church door for it to get dark enough to venture out... Just awesome literature basically.... One of my lovecraft's favs....
Cool!
new englands mystic dreamer we all know and love... the hermit's gotta be c.a. smith i reckon... who would be the savant, you think? frank belknap long?
That is possible... he was a New Yorker wasn't he? Did he live upstate?
Lol How did Bloch feel about Robert E. Howard?
I wish i could hear more of this that not actually there.
I almost forgot. Tommorow's the death aniversary of HP Lovecraft.
81 years! Ian
Also highly entertaining to me anyway is Frank Belknap Long's treatment of HPLovecraft as a character in Space Eaters. Or rather a caricature
The shambler is a Star Vampire.
Excellent story; superb reading! I'm glad he (Robert Bloch) didn't emulate lovecraft 's vagueness.
4:33 5:04 The narrative is top heavy with an over abundance of complex adjectives
ohhhh ... that's what happens in the library in Alone in the Dark, it was directly from this story!
And this, Apprentices, is why you cast Magic Circle before summoning extraplanar entities.
I've known this story in the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game for almost 30 years, but never read the book, like I did all of Lovecraft's work , until now...
i like to think it was Brown Jenkin's second cousin that was summoned
In my opinion, this story--while very similar in tone and style--is more accessible and less pedantic than most H.P. Lovecraft's stories. Well done!
This is probably the first mention of a dimensional shambler.
I received a monstrous fright one night when I turned the corner and came face to face with the stumbler from the liquor store. I'm a silly man/boy
I actually think it’s a Star Vampire
It could be.
Yeah, that's more likely- shamblers are (per Lovecraft & Heald) something between an ape and an insect, and (per the post-Lovecraft stuff) feed on souls or psychic energy, not blood.
and it was the final boss in the call of cthulhu game from last year.
I could be longer, but it is very Lovecraft. Probably the closest in style I have seen.
May I ask if you yourself produce the somnulent dark ambient background music?
Indeed!
Oh man sweet
Dude totally summoned a Death Kiss.
Now that's what I call black majik.
Serpent Bearded Biatus, what a badass name LOL
Anyone know the incantation to summon a gnome? I have some yardwork to do
Lovecraft still has plenty of influence on writers today.
TiaHaruka0
The pen is truly mightier than the sword.
if this is one of the Star Vampires it actually sounds a bit like the Dunwich Horror-feeds on Earth-mammalian blood, and normally can't be seen.
This one have that SOMETHING...
It appears the folks at this channel learned one of the same lessons learned by G.M. Danielson:
One can't go wrong with H.P. Lovecraft.
Now let's see how you're fixed for Edgar Allen Poe.
Neat
May I ask what source text you read this tale from? I myself own an original copy of The Opener of the Way collection, signed by Robert Bloch.
It's read from the original Weird Tales print (1935) - I'm assuming the later version in your collection is a little different?
"Jumbles of portentious adjectives" (or somethinglike that), the beginning writer moans. Certain writers whose last names begin with L. sort of decided to capitalize off exactly this!
I skipped the part where the summoning spell was spoken out loud. I don't trifle with such dangerous things.
Since this is the story that introduced the book 'Mysteries of the Worm' and alludes to vanpirical nature of the shambler/haunter, Stephen King's Lovecraftian short story 'Jerusalem's Lot' could be clubbed with this series.
Are you going to read "The shadow from the steeple" for us???
Yes! I'll be tackling it in the new year.
@@HorrorBabble that's great!
I also loved your narration of the Hounds of Tindalos. In fact I think that how I came upon your channel a long time ago.
Found between two volumes of Shakespeare, lol.
This narration is missing paragraphs of text. :(
Oh dear! Where are you reading it from?
Dad gum shamblers
*De Vermis Mysteriis*
Tuesday
While driving thru the American southwest, the Yucca trees come alive on the full moon Heath , for they are not yucca trees at all , No , they are legions of Elder Ones seeking asylum from the frigid Antarctica mountains, Shogoths and sustenance!!! Run
Get your kicks on rt66 🐙