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"Axegrinder 3" centers on serial killer Freddy Palmer, who escapes from a mental asylum and goes on another killing spree while on a trek back to his childhood home. On the way, he finds time to slaughter some innocent pedestrians as his desire to kill cannot be suppressed. Little do the new occupants of the home know that a dangerous madman is on the way there, and nothing will stop him!

Co-directed by Joe Sherlock (Beyond the Wall of Fear) and Joseph Voegele (Specimen 6), "Axegrinder 3" is a standalone sequel in David Sterling's horror series, only briefly referencing the previous films. The visual look and style of each film in the "Axegrinder" series is distinctive, with different directors helming each production, and I think that adds a lot of intrigue to each installment. By recruiting various filmmakers from all over the country to participate in the series, Sterling keeps things fresh, as every film feels totally unique from the last. Sherlock brings his usual sense of quirky fun, practical f/x and a terrific sense of humor to the proceedings, while Voegele provides some excellent kill sequences throughout, even making reference to classic slashers like "Friday the 13th."

The cast includes some Skullface Astronaut regulars like Emilynn, Roxxy Mountains and Kirk Sardonis, as well as tremendous indie film scream-queen Mel Heflin. Jackey Neyman Jones (Manos: The Hands of Fate) also makes a welcome appearance as a TV psychologist hosting a weekly series about all things horrific and mysterious. A standout to this reviewer is an actress named Larsa Honeytoast, who I felt did an excellent job in her short role; I hope to see her in more horror flicks going forward.

"Axegrinder 3" was another fun, solid entry in this on-going slasher marathon. I always enjoy when a new Skullface Astronaut film is released, as Sherlock's films are a good time, every time. And I think Joseph Voegele is someone to keep your eyes on in the indie horror film world. Well done, gentleman! I look forward to more!

"Things 666" is actually the seventh installment in the long-running "Things" franchise from producer David Sterling. This is Joe Sherlock's third foray into the series, and I believe in many ways, one of the strongest of his trilogy of films.

As with all horror anthology flicks, "Things 666" is broken into separate stories; one dealing with two sisters and the fallout from something their dad dug up underneath the house, one about a mysterious doll who shows up at a bar and brings about sinister visions of the past and one showcasing a cam-girl who becomes entangled in a problem from beyond the grave.

Skullface Astronaut regulars Jackey Neyman Jones (Manos: The Hands of Fate), Jewel Siren, Melody Berg, Rob Merickel and Tonjia Atomic are on-hand yet again in the leading roles, and all bring a touch of fun and energy to their roles. Joseph Voegele, another indie-filmmaker, also turns in a wildly enjoyable performance as a conspiracy theorist. And special mention needs to be given to genre legend George Stover (Night Beast, The Alien Factor) for his terrific portrayal of "Louis," who has quite a deadly secret. Stover, the screen legend that he is, is always a welcome addition to any flick!

As always, Joe's cinematography and editing are top-notch. His films always have a crisp, clean look to them and production values are high for a micro-budget shocker. There is also a great melting-man effect near the end of the movie that is a treat for gore hounds!

If you are a fan of the "Things" series, this is another frightfully fun installment. And if you're a Skullface Astronaut fan, "Things 666" will not disappoint!

"Zombi VIII: Urban Decay" is a 2021 horror flick from filmmaker Dustin Ferguson and the folks at Retrosploitation. It tells the story of a young woman who has been searching for her missing father, and by way of a database that specializes in finding missing people, is able to track him down on the sinister island of Matool. She is successful in finding her father, but it isn't a happy family reunion as he has been transformed into a bloodthirsty zombie. Vowing to get him help, the daughter and two friends bring him back to the states, but all hell breaks loose when he escapes and begins infecting the entire city.

Clearly made as a love-letter to classic exploitation and Italian zombie films, Ferguson creates a well-paced and fun adventure that spans all the way from a tropical island in the Caribbean to the urban jungle of Los Angeles. By creating references to Lucio Fulci's "Zombi" and "Zombi 3," as well as "Return of the Living Dead" and others of the same ilk, the director really succeeds in capturing the feel and aura of those films. What also takes the film up a notch is the superb soundtrack from composer Oscar Fogelström. He creates a sense of urgency to the entire film through his score, and the themes are very stylized and atmospheric. There is also some great location work here, as well as drone footage of the island and the city, which adds to the overall stature of the storyline.

Mel Novak (Bruce Lee's "Game of Death") headlines the cast here as Gov. Hadley, a shady politician who is rooting for the downfall of mankind. Although only featured in a cameo appearance, Novak always adds gravitas to the films he stars in. Other standouts in the cast include YouTube star Shawn C. Phillips in a quirky role as a pothead, Samantha McCullough in a sexy and fun tribute to Linnea Quigley from ROTLD, and the amazingly talented Noel Jason Scott as the film's lead zombie, "Patient 0." Scott was exceptional in his role, snarling and gnawing through his scenes like a champion. Bravo!

I have seen many of Ferguson's films, and it's safe to say that "Zombi VIII: Urban Decay" is my favorite. As a huge fan of this genre and classic zombie and splatter films, this was a real treat!