Assassin's Creed

And so. The second of today's audio releases; an audiobook that I mentioned originally, although not by name, in the 20th November posting. Here are some details:

Penguin presents:

 the unabridged downloadable audiobook edition of Assassin's Creed: The Official Film Tie-In 

by Christie Golden, read by John Banks.

The official film tie-in to the Assassin's Creed motion picture starring Michael Fassbender. 

"We work in the dark to serve the light. We are assassins."

Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th century Spain. Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day.

 Assassin's Creed: audio book sample

Assassin's Creed: The Official Film Tie-In

Written by Christie Golden, Narrated by John Banks & Produced by Neil Gardner

Unabridged Audiobook: 8 hours & 30 minutes

Publisher: Penguin AudioBooks

Release Date: 21st December 2016

©2016 Christie Golden (P)2016 Penguin AudioBooks

* * * * *

I must thank Producer Neil Gardner and the production team at Penguin Random House Audiobooks for getting me in to record this audio book, which was great fun to do, even though our recording scedule was incredibly tight. I can only hope that their faith in me has been justified and I look forward to hearing the finished production with fingers firmly crossed!

...all for now, more just as soon as it happens!

The Art of Provocation

And so, onto the sixth release of mine this month from those festive folk at Games Workshop. Here are some details of the audio drama, The Art of Provocation:

The Art of Provocation

A Space Wolves audio drama

Lukas the Trickster plays a dangerous game. With hordes of orks massing on Polix Tertius, he risks the ire of Wolf Lord Kjarl Grimblood, as well as the blades of his xenos foes…

Amongst the Space Wolves, the name of Lukas the Trickster is as much a curse as anything in the old tongues of Fenris. Named Jackalwolf by his masters, none of whom wish his dubious fealty, he now plays a dangerous game with the hordes of orks massing on Polix Tertius.

Risking the ire of Wolf Lord Kjarl Grimblood, as well as the blades of his xenos foes, he turns his attentions to the planetary vox-communications network, and begins to broadcast...

John Banks, Jonathan Keeble and Toby Longworth

Written by Josh Reynolds & Produced by Matt Renshaw

* * * * *

...all for now, more very, very soon! 

 

Plethora

Plethora indeed! December has been an incredible end to an incredible year of audio releases, 8 so far this month, with more to come - and 59 so far this year. Needless to say, I'm way behind in listening to all of this stuff (I'm still listening to Bleeding Heart Square!) and with all that's going on, I don't look like catching up any time soon.

The pace has calmed a little as the Christmas holiday gets ever closer, although, I have been recording this month and I'm off to Games Workshop HQ tomorrow for more work next week, which I'm really looking forward to. Next year is beginning to take shape and there are a couple of exciting projects I'm already keenly anticipating. But all that is to come, what about now???

Since the release earlier this month of The Calculus of Battle, here are details of the 'plethora' of subsequent releases:

Doctor Who: The Sontarans

The TARDIS arrives on a moon-sized asteroid orbiting two gas giants. With an amazing view, it’s a chance for the Doctor, Steven and Sara to unwind after their recent adventures.

But they quickly find themselves in the midst of battle - on one side: a familiar group of space-suited soldiers - members of the Space Security Service. On the other: strange, squat aliens in body armour.

Surviving the initial hostilities, the Doctor and his friends discover that the SSS squad is on a terrifying mission. With many lives at stake, they have to venture deep inside the asteroid in search of a hideous weapon. But who can they trust in the battle against these Sontarans?

Peter Purves Steven - The Doctor - Narrator     Jean Marsh Sara Kingdom

Dan Starkey Corporal Ellis - Slite - Shrok - Stack - Commander Jemma Churchill Captain Papas
 John Banks Corporal Gage Rosanna Miles Tinder - Human Soldier

 Written by Simon Guerrier
Directed by Ken Bentley

* * * * *

 Valerius

A Horus Heresy audio drama

 

Sent by Corax to the great slaughter at Beta-Garmon, Marcus Valerius fears the end is nigh. Guided by visions from the God-Emperor, can he lead the Therion Cohort back to victory?

Though he knows such beliefs are forbidden, Vice-Caesari Marcus Valerius of the Therion Cohort is willing to lay down his life in service to the immortal God-Emperor, for the good of all mankind.

Sent by Corax to the great slaughter at Beta-Garmon, every last one of the Imperial Army soldiers under his command knows that the end is nigh - but can Valerius' holy visions guide them to one final victory over the hordes of the hated Arch-traitor?

Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Ian Brooker, Cliff Chapman, Steve Conlin, Saul Reichlin,

Toby Longworth and Luis Soto

Written by Gav Thorpe & Produced by Matt Renshaw

* * * * *

The Embrace of Pain

A Lucius the Eternal audio drama

 

Lucius the Eternal is openly challenged by a champion of the old Death Guard Legion. Could an immortal daemonhost, blessed by Nurgle, be the undoing of the blademaster’s curse?

While voyaging through the depths of the warp, the infamous blademaster Lucius the Eternal is challenged by a servant of another god - a champion of the old Death Guard Legion, no less.

Keen to remain dominant over his preening and ambitious rivals in the Cohors Nasicae, Lucius takes up his sword without a second thought... but could an unfeeling daemonhost of Nurgle, or the voices inside his own head, be the undoing of his Slaaneshi curse?

John Banks, Antonia Beamish, Robin Bowerman, Steve Conlin and Luis Soto.

Written by Ian St. Martin & Produced by Matt Renshaw

* * * * *

Blood And Bone

In the western sky, the bright emerald banner of the Visitor descends like a portent of annihilation. On the continent of Jacuruku, the Thaumaturgs have mounted another expedition in a bid to tame the neighbouring wild jungle. Yet this is no normal wilderness.

It is called Himatan, and it is said to be half of the spirit realm and half of the earth. And it is said to be ruled by a powerful entity whom some name the Queen of Witches and some a goddess: the ancient Ardata.

Saeng grew up knowing only the rule of the magus Thaumaturgs - but it was the voices from that land's forgotten past that she listened to. And when her rulers launch their invasion of this jungle, those voices send her and her brother on a desperate mission.

To the south the desert tribes are united by the arrival of a foreign warleader, a veteran commander in battered ashen mail men call the Grey Ghost. This warrior leads these tribes on a raid unlike any other, deep into the heart of Thaumaturg lands, while word comes to K'azz and mercenary company the Crimson Guard of a contract in Jacuruku. And their employer? Could it be the goddess herself?

Unabridged audio book narrated by John Banks

Running time: 26 hours and 38 minutes

Produced by Neil Gardner

* * * * *

The Soul, Severed

A Horus Heresy audio drama

 

As Lord Commander Primus, Eidolon leads the Emperor’s Children in Fulgrim’s absence. But a challenge from within the Legion forces him to turn the Kakophoni against their brethren.

As Lord Commander Primus, Eidolon leads the Emperor’s Children in the absence of his primarch - who even knows where the daemon prince Fulgrim resides, now? But a challenge from within the Legion forces Eidolon to confront one of his rivals, the ambitious Archorian, a capable officer and tactician who would see the Legion returned to glory. 

Dissent is unacceptable. It is time for the Kakophoni to be set against their erstwhile brethren.

Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Steve Conlin and Luis Soto

Written by Chris Wraight & Produced by Matt Renshaw

* * * * *

It was quite a thing for me to work with Peter Purves and Jean Marsh on The Sontarans. Peter has been a part of my life for most of my life, as a presenter of iconic children's television program, Blue Peter and Jean had created and acted in one of the most enduring and beloved television series in British tv history, Upstairs, Downstairs. Many's the time I've had 'pinch yourself' moments working with Big Finish and I've had the privilege of working with some amazing actors, but this certainly ranked very highly as a treasured moment. 

Having essentially suggested that you immediately acquire all of the above recordings and listen to them, I do of course, sincerely hope that they are good and that you will enjoy them. As I said, I'm way behind in my listening and have only heard The Soul, Severed so far, so fingers crossed, there'll be some good stuff in there.

As a parting thought: did you read the update I posted on 20th November? There'll be a further, related update sometime next week, so if you find your thumbs starting to twiddle, I invite you to pop back and have a look at what's happening...

...all for now, more just as soon as it happens!

 

The Calculus of Battle

If you've had a look at yesterday's posting, amongst other things, I mentioned a freshly released audio drama, The Calculus of Battle. And so, without further ado, here are some details from Games Workshop:

The Calculus of Battle

An Iron Hands audio drama
 
Warleader Kardan Stronos of the Iron Hands fights against the tyranids on Varasine, measuring his Chapter’s infallible logic and ruthless strategy against the cost in human lives.

The beleaguered Astra Militarum defenders of Varasine fight against the alien menace of a tyranid invasion, but their only possible salvation approaches in the form of something almost equally inhuman.

Warleader Kardan Stronos of the Iron Hands, long having studied the xenos threat, now brings his fearless battle-brothers to join the war - only he can save Varasine, measuring his Chapter’s infallible logic and ruthless strategy against the cost in human lives.

John Banks, Cliff Chapman, Steve Conlin, Toby Longworth and Luis Soto

Written by David Guymer & Produced by Matt Renshaw 

* * * * *

My principle task today is to re-read and prepare an audio drama script for Big Finish, which we are scheduled to record a little later this week. I have already had a chance to study the story and I'm very much looking forward to recording it; today is my chance to brush up on it and I'm savouring the prospect. 

...all for now, more just as soon as it happens!

Fabius Bile Primogenitor

"Primogenitor: noun: an ancestor, especially the earliest ancestor of a people; a progenitor."

It seems that in the run up to the Christmas holidays, otherwise known as Advent (especially for those of us who are fortunate enough to have a chocolate filled Advent Calendar!), those good folks at Games Workshop are releasing something every day, either a novel or audio book/drama.

What a great idea! But as you can tell from the last posting, it's caught me out a little and I'm just as surprised as anyone as to what's becoming available. The audio drama Perpetual was my first and another was released today, The Calculus of Battle; but more of that anon, because in addition to these Advent releases, regular 'main range' stories are also appearing and for me, Fabius Bile Primogenitor by Josh Reynolds is a very exciting prospect indeed and I'm listening to it now, for the first time, as I write.

So what's it all about? Have a look at this amazing artwork, featuring dear old Fabius himself and whet your appetite (hopefully!) on the synopsis. There's also an audio sample to listen to on the Games Workshop website (via the following link) if you'd like a flavour of the story: Fabius Bile Primogenitor

Fabius Bile: Primogenitor

A Warhammer 40,000 audio book

Exiled into the depths of the Eye of Terror for his dark deeds, former Emperor's Children Apothecary Fabius is drawn back to the Imperium in search of a secret that could be the key to saving his misbegotten life…

He is known by many names - Clonelord, Manflayer, Primogenitor. He is the epitome of deceit and perversion, and feared by man and monster alike. Once the Chief Apothecary of the Emperor's Children, the madman known as Fabius Bile possesses a knowledge of genetic manipulation second to none. Now a renegade among renegades, he is loathed by those he once called brother, and even the most degraded of Chaos Space Marines fear his name. 

Exiled for his dark experiments, Bile has retreated deep into the Eye of Terror, leaving a trail of twisted abominations in his wake. But when a former student brings word of the ultimate prize for the taking, Bile is unable to resist being drawn once more into the cauldron of war. For in seizing this prize, Fabius Bile might yet discover the one secret his has been unable to unlock... the secret which will prevent his inevitable doom.

Written by Josh Reynolds, Produced by Matt Renshaw & Narrated by John Banks

* * * * *

I thoroughly enjoyed working on this recording and had a great time up at Games Workshop HQ. I also have a particular reason to look forward to listening to this story, which I might mention in a future posting; how mysterious!

In closing, now is about the time I would normally sign off by saying:

...all for now, more just as soon as it happens! 

And while that is still the case, the wait for the next posting won't be very long; in fact, it will be appearing here tomorrow! I spoil you I know, but hey, it's Christmas!  

Perpetual

What? Two posts in as many days? Yes indeed; once again, Games Workshop have surprised me with the release today of the audio drama Perpetual. The turnaround on this story has been pretty quick and I wasn't expecting it to be available so soon, but here it is in all its glory, complete with a synopsis and some great artwork:

A Horus Heresy audio drama
 
Escaping from ruined Calth, Oll Persson and his band of refugees are trapped on a dark, forgotten world. But the enemy draws near, and immortality may not be enough to survive...

Oll Persson stands apart from the rest of mankind. He is one of the old ones, one of the undying. One of the Perpetuals. Now, fleeing from the ruins of Calth with his band of fellow refugees, the vagaries of the warp have brought him through the backways of time and space to a city that rests on the edge of oblivion... and no further.

The path has ended abruptly, and Oll's enemies are finally closing in. Will his immortality be enough to save him this time?

 Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Ian Brooker, Cliff Chapman, Steve Conlin, Penelope Rawlins,

 Saul Reichlin and Luis Soto

Written by Dan Abnett & Produced by Matt Renshaw 

In this story, I'm primarily playing a character called 'John Grammaticus' and here are some details about him which I'm quoting from the Warhammer Wiki:

"John Grammaticus was a human operative of the mysterious xenos organisation known as the Cabal, and had been genetically altered by them to become what they referred to as a "Perpetual", a being who was capable of reincarnation and therefore was effectively immortal, much like the Emperor of Mankind. Also like the Emperor, Grammaticus was a natural psyker whose main psychic power allowed him to act as a powerful logokine, a psyker who is able to understand any language, no matter its form or origin, and unleash the innate power of words"

 ...all for now, more just as soon as it happens!