Author Archives: Valkyrist

VoK 608: A GameShow of Thrones #2 (ASOIAF Trivia)

Posted on May 21, 2020 | Leave a comment

What started out as a wholesome round of A Song of Ice and Fire trivia, quickly descends into drunken, isolation-induced mayhem. Vassals Michal (inkasrain), Matt (Varley), Adam (drownedsnow), Hannah (shadow_ baby), David (davidhhh), and Abby (Daceymormont) duke it out for supremacy. Listen at your own peril! 😜

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

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A GameShow of Thrones #1

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Board Games & Trivia, Books & Novellas, Podcast

Tagged Daceymormont, davidhhh, drownedsnow, inkasrain, Shadowbaby, Valkyrist, Varley

VoK 607: GRRM’s Thousand Worlds – “Bitterblooms” and “In the House of the Worm” (Review)

Posted on May 12, 2020 | Leave a comment

The Vassals (and Bastards) launch into George R. R. Martin’s science fiction universe. Join Amin, Duncan (aka Valkyrist), Michael (aka Mordion), and Zach (aka Alias) as they review two short stories from Martin’s Thousand Worlds series – “Bitterblooms” and “In the House of the Worm.”

Credits:
Edited by Amin and Valkyrist

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Alias, Amin, Mordion, Valkyrist

VoK 574: A History of Horror Movies (public lecture)

Posted on October 25, 2019 | Leave a comment

Why are horror movies so popular? In this lecture, Valkyrist explores the arcane origins of horror cinema and speculates over the social and psychological reasons behind its appeal. Celebrate Halloween season by dissecting the power and meaning behind some of the most famous (and infamous) horror movies of all time.

The presentation includes video clips from the following movies:
Nosferatu (F. W. Murnau, 1922)
Frankenstein (James Wale, 1931)
Godzilla (Ishirō Honda, 1954)
Night of the Living Dead (George A. Romero, 1968)
Halloween (John Carpenter, 1978)
The Silence of the Lambs (Jonathon Demme, 1991)
Get Out (Jordan Peele, 2017)

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Music from John Carpenter and Disasterpiece

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Posted in Fandom, History, Movies, Philosophy, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Valkyrist

VoK 544: KrakenCast – “The Iron Throne” (S08E06 Review) [Game of Thrones Series Finale]

Posted on May 21, 2019 | Leave a comment

THE KRAKEN ENDS?! Aussie vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Dana (Taindana), and honourary krakens Bing (Shoneshiner), David (davidhhh), Abby (DaceyMormont), and Kevin (creepy nuncle kevin) review the sixth episode of Game of Thrones’ eighth season, entitled “The Iron Throne.”

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as all aired episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“Goodbye of Thrones” by jed o’white hart
“Hey There Cthulhu” by Eben Brooks

That concludes KrakenCast for this season of Game of Thrones and possibly forever. Thank you to all of our hosts, listeners, and commenters.

What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged creepy nuncle kevin, Daceymormont, davidhhh, Shoeshiner, Taindana, Valkyrist

VoK 540: KrakenCast – “The Bells” (S08E05 Review)

Posted on May 14, 2019 | Leave a comment

THE KRAKEN BURNS! Aussie vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Dana (Taindana), and honourary krakens Bing (Shoneshiner), David (davidhhh), Abby (DaceyMormont), and Kevin (creepy nuncle kevin) review the fifth episode of Game of Thrones’ eighth season, entitled “The Bells.”

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as all aired episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“Misty Mountains Cold” by Tay Zonday
“What is Hype May Never Die” by Beyond Repair

KrakenCast records Tuesdays at 7:00pm (AEST) / 10:00am (GMT).

This time is meant to cater for Australian and Asian-Pacific fans, but everyone is welcome. Just let us know on the “Call to Arms” thread HERE, if you’d like to join us for an episode.

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged creepy nuncle kevin, Daceymormont, davidhhh, Shoeshiner, Taindana, Valkyrist

VoK 539: KrakenCast – “The Last of the Starks” (S08E04 Review)

Posted on May 7, 2019 | Leave a comment

THE KRAKEN KILLS! Aussie vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Dana (Taindana), and honourary krakens Bing (Shoneshiner), David (davidhhh) and Abby (DaceyMormont) review the fourth episode of Game of Thrones’ eighth season, entitled “The Last of the Starks.”

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as all aired episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

KrakenCast records Tuesdays at 7:00pm (AEST) / 10:00am (GMT).

This time is meant to cater for Australian and Asian-Pacific fans, but everyone is welcome. Just let us know on the “Call to Arms” thread HERE, if you’d like to join us for an episode.

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Daceymormont, davidhhh, Shoeshiner, Taindana, Valkyrist

VoK 501: A GameShow of Thrones (ASOIAF Trivia)

Posted on December 19, 2018 | 1 comment

The vassals continue their 500 revelry with a heated round of ASOIAF trivia! Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Casey (blue-eyed-queen), Zach (Alias), Greg (claudiusthefool), Michal (inkasrain), Adam (drownedsnow), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), and Nadia as they go head to head in a battle of wits, wills and White Walkers.

Who will be crowned champion and who will be fed to the dogs? There’s only one way to find out…

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

1 Comment

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Board Games & Trivia, Fandom, Podcast

Tagged Alias, blue-eyed-queen, claudiusthefool, drownedsnow, inkasrain, Nadia, Ser Patrick the Tall, Valkyrist

VoK 500: The Dance of the Vassals V

Posted on December 15, 2018 | 1 comment

The curators of Vassals of Kingsgrave celebrate their 500^th episode!! Join Casey (blue-eyed-queen), Zach (Alias), Greg (claudiusthefool), Michal (inkasrain), Adam (drownedsnow), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), Duncan (Valkyrist), Glen (Dagos_Rivers), and Nadia as they answer listener-submitted questions about the books, the podcast and the fandom of A Song of Ice and Fire.

Topics include: our favorite episodes, meetup experiences, Westerosi survival tips, best and worst tinfoil theories, dream podcast guests, stalking George, how the series has affected our lives, and what the future holds.

Stick around for the Aftershow (at 2:31:51) for an interview with Amin Javadi from “A Podcast of Ice and Fire,” in which he elaborates on the early years of the ASOIAF fandom and the origins of VOK.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Music from Age of Empires

Links:
Full VOK Episode Archive

1 Comment

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Fandom

Tagged Alias, Amin, Bina007, blue-eyed-queen, claudiusthefool, Dagos_Rivers, drownedsnow, inkasrain, Nadia, Ser Patrick the Tall, Valkyrist

VoK 495: The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu series) – Season 2

Posted on October 18, 2018 | Leave a comment

Praise be! The Vassals have delivered us a blessed review of the second season of The Handmaid’s Tale. Join Michal (inkasrain), Stephanie (gsdg), David (davidhhh), Duncan (Valkyrist), Matt (Varley), and Adam (drownedsnow) for a sermon on female agency, radicalisation, systems of oppression, and symbolic wolves. Under his eye…

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Music from Malia J and Goldfrapp

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Posted in Podcast, Science Fiction, TV Shows

Tagged davidhhh, drownedsnow, gsdg, inkasrain, Valkyrist, Varley

VoK 489: Neuromancer (by William Gibson)

Posted on September 6, 2018 | Leave a comment

The Vassals jack into cyberspace for a review of William Gibson’s Neuromancer. Join Duncan (Valkyrist) and Dana (Taindana) for an indepth discussion of cyberpunk fiction, artificial intelligence and the dark side of technology.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Music from Eurythmics and Valve Corporation

Links:
BBC Radio Production (2-hours)

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Taindana, Valkyrist

VoK 487: A Hymn for Spring (ASOIAF Essays) – Part 2

Posted on August 26, 2018 | Leave a comment

The Vassals return to the Tower of the Hand to address the state of the realm. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Sara (DrBlood) and Wilson (WanderingProphet) for a review of A Hymn for Spring, a collection of essays on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. Essays covered in this podcast include:

09:08 – “Songs and Singers of Ice and Fire” by Amin Javadi
1:03:27 – “The Curse of Harren the Black” by Aziz and Ashaya
1:51:16 – “The Word Is Groleo” by Stefan Sasse
2:41:26 – Aftershow

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“The Bear and the Maiden Fair” by christocakes
“Rhaegar’s Harp” by feliciacano

Links:
Tower of the Hand: A Hymn for Spring (Amazon)
VoK 374: A Hymn for Spring (ASOIAF Essays)

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Fandom, Podcast

Tagged DrBlood, The Wandering Prophet, Valkyrist

VoK 453: Movie Roundtable (Vol.4) – Australian Edition

Posted on March 13, 2018 | Leave a comment

The Vassals venture from the Outback to the dancefloor to the suburban sprawl in search of the cinematic heart of Australia. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Sarah (Lady Weaver), Dana (Taindana), and David (davidhhh) as they discuss some of their favourite Australian films and mull over the state of the industry.

01:24 – Australian Cinema
22:19 – Wake in Fright (Ted Kotcheff, 1971)
55:20 – The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (Stephan Elliott, 1994)
1:25:26 – Strictly Ballroom (Baz Luhrmann, 1992)
1:44:17 – The Babadook (Jennifer Kent, 2014)

Warning: Contains #SPOILERS# for all four films

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio clips owned by NLT Productions, PolyGram, M&A Productions and Causeway Films

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Posted in History, Movies, Podcast

Tagged davidhhh, Lady Weaver, Taindana, Valkyrist

VoK 446: Video Game Roundtable (Vol.3)

Posted on February 17, 2018 | Leave a comment

The Vassals return once more to the pixelated roundtable to offer wise council and exchange valuable cheat codes. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Zach (Alias), Katie (Lady Griffin), Bing (Shoeshiner), Paul (SerDinnerRoll), and Kevin (Gaiden) as they chat video games and gush over some of their favourite titles of all time.

01:14 – Recently Played
11:37 – Favourite Games (Round #3)
1:00:48 – Favourite Games (Round #4)
1:52:24 – Favourite Games (Round #5)
2:14:43 – Upcoming Games

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio Clips owned by Valve and Toby Fox

Links:
VoK 193: Video Game Roundtable (Vol.1)
VoK 338: Video Game Roundtable (Vol.2)

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Posted in Fandom, Podcast, Science Fiction, The Witcher, Video Games

Tagged Alias, Gaiden, Lady Griffin, SerDinnerRoll, Shoeshiner, Valkyrist

VoK 410: KrakenCast – “The Dragon and the Wolf” (S07E07 Review)

Posted on August 30, 2017 | Leave a comment

THE KRAKEN VANISHES BENEATH THE WAVES! Aussie vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Dana (Taindana), and honourary krakens Bing (Shoneshiner) and David (davidhhh) review the seventh and final episode of Game of Thrones’ seventh season, entitled “The Dragon and the Wolf.”

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as all aired episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

That concludes KrakenCast for this season of Game of Thrones. Thank you to all of our hosts, listeners, and commenters.

What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged davidhhh, Shoeshiner, Taindana, Valkyrist

VoK 405: KrakenCast – “Beyond the Wall” (S07E06 Review)

Posted on August 22, 2017 | Leave a comment

THE KRAKEN SHIVERS! Aussie vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Sarah (Lady Weaver, and honourary krakens Bing (Shoneshiner), David (davidhhh) and Neil (Valyrian Neil) review the sixth episode of Game of Thrones’ seventh season, entitled “Beyond the Wall.”

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as all aired episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

KrakenCast records Tuesdays at 8:00pm (AEST) / 11:00am (GMT).

This time is meant to cater for Australian and Asian-Pacific fans, but everyone is welcome. Just let us know on the “Call to Arms” thread HERE, if you’d like to join us for an episode.

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged davidhhh, Lady Weaver, Shoeshiner, Valkyrist, Valyrian Neil

VoK 400: The Dance of the Vassals IV

Posted on August 13, 2017 | Leave a comment

To celebrate their 400th podcast, the curators of VOK break bread in the smoky halls of the Twins and toast a joyous marriage to Edmure Tully and Roslyn Frey.

Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Glen (Dagos_Rivers), Bina (Bina007), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), Zach (Alias), Adam (drownedsnow), Nadia, and Greg (claudiusthefool) for a one-night only performance of Catelyn VII from George R. R. Martin’s A Storm of Swords (aka the “Red Wedding”). And stick around backstage for a postmortem discussion of the chapter.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

02:20 – Full Cast(le) Recording #13: The Hole Where Our Hearts Had Been
33:32 – Catelyn VII (ASOS) Chapter Discussion

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Fandom, Full Cast(le) Recording, Podcast

Tagged Alias, Bina007, claudiusthefool, Dagos_Rivers, drownedsnow, Nadia, Ser Patrick the Tall, Valkyrist, Varley

VoK 397: KrakenCast – “The Spoils of War” (S07E04 Review)

Posted on August 9, 2017 | Leave a comment

THE KRAKEN TAKES AIM! Aussie vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Dana (Taindana), Sarah (Lady Weaver), and honourary krakens Bing (Shoneshiner), David (davidhhh) and Neil (Valyrian Neil) review the fourth episode of Game of Thrones’ seventh season, entitled “The Spoils of War.”

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as all aired episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

KrakenCast records Tuesdays at 8:00pm (AEST) / 11:00am (GMT).

This time is meant to cater for Australian and Asian-Pacific fans, but everyone is welcome. Just let us know on the “Call to Arms” thread HERE, if you’d like to join us for an episode.

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged davidhhh, Lady Weaver, Shoeshiner, Taindana, Valkyrist, Valyrian Neil

VoK 395: KrakenCast – “The Queen’s Justice” (S07E03 Review)

Posted on August 3, 2017 | 2 comments

THE KRAKEN RETURNS! Aussie vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Dana (Taindana), Sarah (Lady Weaver), and honourary krakens Bing (Shoneshiner), David (davidhhh) and Jed (jed o’white hart) review the third episode of Game of Thrones’ seventh season, entitled “The Queen’s Justice.”

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, brief references to The Winds of Winter sample chapters, and all aired episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

KrakenCast records Tuesdays at 8:00pm (AEST) / 11:00am (GMT).

This time is meant to cater for Australian and Asian-Pacific fans, but everyone is welcome. Just let us know on the “Call to Arms” thread HERE, if you’d like to join us for an episode.

2 Comments

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged davidhhh, jed o'white hart, Lady Weaver, Shoeshiner, Taindana, Valkyrist

VoK 376: ThronesCon 2017 Panel – Conspiracies of Ice and Fire

Posted on May 27, 2017 | 2 comments

The Vassals take to the stage for their first ever live podcast, recorded at the Melbourne ThronesCon 2017. Join Aussie vassals Michael (Khal Wadege) and Duncan (Valkyrist) as they debate some of the major theories of the A Song of Ice and Fire fandom, and the role that theorycrafting has played throughout the life of the series. Topics of discussion include:

04:27 – Jon Snow’s parentage
25:33 – The Maggy the Frog prophecy
41:06 – The Merling Conspiracy
56:02 – Aftershow (Cleganebowl; Possible Endings; The House of the Undying)

Disclaimer: Apologies for the lackluster audio quality, but it couldn’t be avoided

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“Game of Thrones theme (smooth jazz version)” by PostmodernJukebox
“What is Hype May Never Die” by Beyond Repair

2 Comments

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Fandom, Game of Thrones, Podcast

Tagged Khal Wadege, Valkyrist

VoK 374: A Hymn for Spring (ASOIAF Essays)

Posted on May 22, 2017 | 1 comment

The Vassals convene in the Tower of the Hand to set the realm to rights. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Silvana (silvaubrey), Michael (Khal Wadege), Sara (DrBlood), and Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall) for a review of A Hymn to Spring, a collection of essays on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. Essays covered in this podcast include:

04:57 – Machiavellianism for a Purpose (by Steven Attewell)
37:48 – Iron Bends (by Jeff Hartline)
57:05 – How to Win Thrones and Rule People (by Jim McGeehin)
1:28:48 – The Patriarchs of Westeros (by Stefan Sasse)