Author Archives: 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

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

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, LGBT+, 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)

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

Links:
Tower of the Hand: A Hymn for Spring (Amazon)

1 Comment

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

Tagged DrBlood, Khal Wadege, Ser Patrick the Tall, silvaubrey, Valkyrist

VoK 343: Poisoned Memories in ASOIAF (audio essay)

Posted on November 28, 2016 | Leave a comment

lady_stoneheart

In this mini-episode Valkyrist explores themes of grief and addiction in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, focusing in particular on the characters of Robert Baratheon, Tyrion Lannister and Aeron Greyjoy.

Contains spoilers for all published books in A Song of Ice and Fire

Credits:
Written and Edited by Valkyrist
Music from HBO’s Game of Thrones soundtrack

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

Tagged Valkyrist

VoK 339: Tales from the Darkling Plain (aka The Lost VOKs)

Posted on October 28, 2016 | Leave a comment

In this Halloween spooktacular, Valkyrist ventures into the Darkling Plain in search of lost podcast recordings, and summons the ghosts of Kingsgrave’s past.

Clips have been selected from the following unpublished VOK podcasts:

02:10 – DragonCast S04E09 Review
24:20 – SoccerCast (Vol.2)
47:49 – CockneyMoot 2014 FCR Outtakes
50:41 – ASOIAF Future Predictions
1:13:44 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens Preview
1:38:23 – Mockingjay: Part 1 Review
1:44:50 – WolfCast S05E10 Review
2:02:09 – SeattleMoot 2015
2:22:32 – APOIAF April Fools’ Aftershow
2:39:49 – Kingsgrave Jukebox

Disclaimer: This podcast contains spoilers for A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and The Hunger Games. Please consult the timestamps above to avoid being spoiled for any of these titles.

Credits:
Curated by Valkyrist
Songs by jed o’white hart, Aiwendil, Bina007, and Amberrocks

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Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Fandom, Game of Thrones, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction, Sports, Star Wars

Tagged Aiwendil, Alias, amberrocks, Asha Greatjoy, BarrelRoll42, Big Ged, Bina007, blue-eyed-queen, Brum Riverlander, claudiusthefool, Dagos_Rivers, drownedsnow, easttexasdirewolf, FTWard, Imogen.OB, inkasrain, jed o'white hart, linecom1, Mactire, Mockingbird, Nadia, Pod's Plight, Samos, Scilens, Ser Patrick the Tall, Shellfish, Shoeshiner, Teddard, Valkyrist, Varley, vkalra13, White Raven, witless chum

VoK 338: Video Game Roundtable (Vol.2)

Posted on October 12, 2016 | 2 comments

The Vassals gather round the console to bask in gaming’s warm, pixelated glow. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Zach (Alias), Katie (Lady Griffin), Bing (Shoeshiner), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), Paul (SerDinnerRoll), Adam (drownedsnow), and Hannah (shadow_ baby) as they chat video games and gush over some of their favourite titles of all time.

1:17 –What We’re Playing
17:21 – Favourite Games (Round #1)
1:04:33 – Favourite Games (Round #2)
1:58:38 – Thoughts on the Current Gen

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio Clips owned by Nintendo

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

2 Comments

Posted in Fandom, Podcast, Science Fiction, Star Wars, Video Games

Tagged Alias, drownedsnow, Lady Griffin, Ser Patrick the Tall, SerDinnerRoll, Shadowbaby, Shoeshiner, Valkyrist

VoK 331: Mad Max [1979] (DVD Commentary)

Posted on September 17, 2016 | 2 comments

Do you remember the Nightrider? The vassals set their tires to the blood-scorched roads of dystopian Australia. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Greg (claudiusthefool), and Matt (Varley) as they discuss George Miller’s 1979 cult action film Mad Max.

Warning: Contains spoilers for the Mad Max film series

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio Clips owned by Roadshow Entertainment

2 Comments

Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged claudiusthefool, Valkyrist, Varley

VoK 327: Movie Roundtable (Vol.3) – War Edition

Posted on August 29, 2016 | Leave a comment

War… what is it good for? The Vassals take up arms in defense of their favorite war movies. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Bina (Bina007), Zach (Alias), Thomas (FTWard), and Matt (Varley) as they grapple with the slippery definitions, prevailing themes, provocative images, and moral ambiguities of the war genre.

10:10 – Waterloo (Sergei Bondarchuk, 1970)
34:08 – The Bridge on the River Kwai (David Lean, 1957)
57:45 – Letters from Iwo Jima (Clint Eastwood, 2007)
1:19:23 – First Blood (Ted Kotcheff, 1982)

Warning: Contains #SPOILERS# for all four films

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

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Posted in History, Movies, Podcast

Tagged Alias, Bina007, FTWard, Valkyrist, Varley

VoK 321: Full Cast(le) Recording #10 – Clean Hands and Rotten Onions

Posted on July 31, 2016 | 2 comments

The shadows come to dance… and the vassals set sail once more for the stormy waters of the Full Cast(le) Recording. Join them for a special performance of “Davos II” from George R. R. Martin’s A Clash of Kings.

And hang out by the portcullis afterwards for an in-depth discussion on Westerosi rap battles, Baratheon sibling rivalries, and raising shadow babies. Cost of entry – 1 onion.

2:28 – Chapter Reading
39:39 – Chapter Discussion
1:19:36 – Aftershow

The Cast:
Duncan (Valkyrist) – Narrator
Drew (Wargasm) – Davos Seaworth
Greg (claudiusthefool) – Stannis Baratheon
Brett (White Raven) – Cortnay Penrose
Hannah (shadow_ baby) – Melisandre of Asshai
Zach (Alias) – Alester Florent / Lord Estermont
Tanja (Scilens) – Bryce Caron
Matt (Varley) – Guyard Morrigen
Adam (drownedsnow) – Jon Fossoway
Amber (Amberrocks) – Devan Seaworth

The Crew:
Duncan (Valkyrist) – Editor

2 Comments

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

Tagged Alias, amberrocks, claudiusthefool, drownedsnow, Scilens, Shadowbaby, Valkyrist, Varley, Wargasm, White Raven

VoK 311: The Sopranos ReWatch (Part 3) – Members Only

Posted on July 10, 2016 | Leave a comment

The Vassals convene at Holsten’s diner to draw their Sopranos rewatch to an ominous close. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Bina (Bina007), Michael (Mordion) and Mattias (Maca) as they delve into the spiritual awakenings, invisible chains, and frustrating blackouts of the series’ sixth and final season.

This is the third podcast in a three-part retrospective of the series.

02:40 – Season 6A Discussion
40:34 – Season 6B Discussion
1:37:21 – Aftershow (including trivia contest and plugs for upcoming podcasts)

Warning: Contains #SPOILERS# for all aired episodes of HBO’s The Sopranos

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio clips owned by HBO

Links:
VoK 179: The Sopranos (Part 2) – The Strong, Silent Type
VoK 151: The Sopranos (Part 1) – Since the Ducks Left

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Posted in Board Games & Trivia, Podcast, The Sopranos, TV Shows

Tagged Bina007, Maca, Mordion, Valkyrist

VoK 308: The Godfather [1972] (DVD Commentary)

Posted on July 3, 2016 | 1 comment

The Vassals make you an offer you can’t refuse. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Matt (Varley) and Nadia as they discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 crime epic The Godfather.

And stick around after the 3-hour mark for a few salvaged highlights from our failed commentary of The Godfather: Part II.

Warning: Contains spoilers for The Godfather film trilogy

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio Clips owned by Paramount Pictures

1 Comment

Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast

Tagged Nadia, Valkyrist, Varley

VoK 254: The World of Ice and Fire – The Bones and Beyond

Posted on January 25, 2016 | 2 comments

In their third and final foray into the lands beyond the Sunset Kingdom, the Vassals scale the daunting Bone Mountains to explore the fabled kingdoms of Eastern Essos.

Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Greg (claudiusthefool), Augustine (linecom1), Michael (Khal Wadege), and lurker extraordinaire Amber (Amberrocks) as they ponder zorse morphology, colour-coded emperors, spiteful gods, necromancy diets, and how to get those stubborn grease stains out of your black stone monolith.

With the help of Maester Yandel, they also speculate (wildly) on the future events of the novels, and the various real-world historical allusions scattered throughout the compendium.

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

11:00 – The Bone Mountains
31:42 – The Plains of the Jogos Nhai
46:38 – Yi Ti
1:20:46 – Leng
1:28:41 – Asshai and Beyond!
1:52:46 – Lomas Longstrider’s Wonders
1:57:45 – Martin and Orientalism
2:07:56 – Aftershow

This podcast is part of series of in-depth discussions covering all of the various sections of The World of Ice and Fire (by George R. R. Martin, Elio Garcia & Linda Antonsson). Stay tuned to VOK for lots more installments!

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Music owned by MGM

Links:
VoK 175: The World of Ice and Fire – The Free Cities
VoK 186: The World of Ice and Fire – Sothoryos & Central Essos
The World of Ice and Fire (Amazon page)
The Lands of Ice and Fire (hi-res map)

2 Comments

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

Tagged amberrocks, claudiusthefool, Khal Wadege, linecom1, Valkyrist

VoK 248: Star Wars – The Force Awakens (RebelScum Review)

Posted on December 29, 2015 | 4 comments

Kingsgrave – has there ever been a more wretched hive of scum and villainy?

Join rebel pilots Michal (inkasrain), Zach (Alias), Katie (Lady Griffin), Duncan (Valkyrist), Adam (drownedsnow), Amber (Amberrocks), and Scott (Shaggy Dog) for an explosive foray into Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. And stick around the hangar lounge for the Aftershow (at 2:06:05), which includes a brief dissection of the Prequel Trilogy.

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, along with all previous entries in the Star Wars saga.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio clips owned by Disney