HELL'S EMPIRE EDITED BY JOHN LINWOOD GRANT

23/7/2019

Their Satanic Majesties Request

On Saturday the genre lost one of its shining lights, Sam Gafford was an inspiration to many and a selfless supporter of so many more, as well as a hugely talented writer. However, he was sadly one of those writers that not enough people knew about. So it only seems fitting that, on the day in which we remember Sam with John Linwood Grant's moving tribute to Sam, that we publish our review of one of the last books that Sam Worked on.

The latest publication from Ulthar Press, “Hell’s Empire,” is an anthology of fourteen tales chronicling the events leading up to, during and after “The Incursion”, a clash between the infernal armies of Hell and the Imperial forces of Victorian Britain. At first glance this may sound like a rather pulpy style concept but thankfully, under the guiding hand of editor John Linwood Grant, this is less an onslaught of humanity battling against demons’ type stories than a stylish and enthralling breath of brimstone tinged air.

As an anthology, “Hell’s Empire” is somewhat hard to categorize as it combines elements of horror, history, social commentary, weird fiction, occultism and folk mythology. What might have been a collection of disparate stories and perspectives however is given focus and clarity using bridging stories provided by Grant that add an almost documentary or reportage feel to proceedings. The cumulative effect is of an anthology that at times evokes the spirit of H.G. Wells if he’d decided to do a Satanic War of the Worlds.

It’s a feeling somewhat fortified by the first story in the “Opening Shots” section of the anthology, “The Battle of Alma” by Matthew Willis. An exciting and taut story set amongst the English coastal defences, this nicely sets the tone with a riveting novella length tale of Wicca and naval warfare. The expansive of the high seas is exchanged for the intimate surrounds of London’s vaudeville in “Hell at the Empire” by Marion Pitman. As they say, the devil does have the best tunes in this tale of theatrical outrageousness.

The thought of all the world being a stage springs to mind when reading “The Mighty Mastiff” by Ross Baxter. Set in and around the small Scottish Isle of Canna, the crew of a small patrol vessel encounter one of Hell’s Dukes who is determined to create a grand entrance for his fellow performers. Great things come in small packages and that is certainly the case in this engrossing story of sorcery and sacrifice.

The inherent notion that demonic influence in our reality would be full of grandiose and mischievous glee is bloodily explored in “The Sea Wall” by Ian Steadman. I rather liked this tale’s playing around with the conventions of nineteenth morality and how the reversal of those limitations is equally applicable to supernatural forces. The restrictive nature of having a rigidly defined set of values and the desire to break free from one’s shackles is at the heart of Charlotte Bond’s excellent “The Singing Stones.” It’s a devilishly beautiful story about the relationship between two demons in what so far has been a treasure trove of great storytelling jewels.

A key part of this anthology’s strength, apart from a concept executed exceedingly well, is its willingness to traverse the length and breadth of the country encompassing provincial perspectives and stories including folk stories and mythology. Opening the second section of the anthology, “The Struggle,” is the first of two poetic contributions from Phil Breach. In “The Nowl of Tubal Qayin,” the exploits of a Devonshire witch are celebrated as she faces down the infernal forces invading the land. It’s a highly visual and atmospheric tale that you can imagine being retold around the slowly dying embers of a hearth with a strong drink to hand.

The quality continues apace with the rather lovely “Forge” by Shell Bromley as the protective bond that exists between people and their pet is demonstrated to have its roots in an older and more powerful mythological antecedent. In this world, traditional divinities seem to be no match for the unnatural but there are other deities far better suited to the task of hunting down the abnormal prey.

The assumption that traditional Christian faith will be a shelter from the storm is put to the test in Damascus Mincemeyer’s “Ad Majorem Satanae Gloriam.” Set in the beleaguered East End of London, a small band of survivors will find the strength of their convictions challenged when faced with the Legions of the Damned. In this new warped reality of what constitutes faith, the precepts of Heaven and Hell are not dissimilar nor is there any haven from wrath or sin. The metaphysical does have a hand to play in A.F. Stewart’s intense and brutal story of street level fighting in the capital in “Infernal Patrol.” In a world where demonic duplicity and possession has become the norm and the spirit of resistance is starting to fray, revenge can provide the sweetest of victories for those touched by the hands of the Underworld.

Rather than remain in London, the next two stories reinforce the solid sense of regional identity, history and mythology prevalent throughout Hell’s Empire. The first of these is the Welsh set “Yahn Tan Tethera” by J.A. Ironside which slightly evokes the spirit of H.G. Wells with its insidious red weed permeating the landscape and sowing disruption and discord amongst the residents of a village. There however the similarity ends as a young shepherdess discovers that buried memories and knowledge can be the key to redemption. It’s another sterling effort that weaves elements of folklore and magic into the mix to create an engrossing story. The ghosts of the past and how they can affect the future is the focus of “Reinforcements” by Frank Coffman. Set in the south west of England this diary styled story follows the beleaguered remnants of a regiment as it encounters a very irregular detachment of troops. It’s another beautifully crafted tale in an anthology full of surprises.

The insidious influences of demonic forces, whether through physical presence or a manifestation of people’s questionable morality, play a key role in several stories in the third section of the anthology, “Days of Doubt.” Opening with another excellent poem from Phil Breach, “The Charge of the Wight Brigade”, events take a decidedly dark and grim turn in this section. The next few stories take a long hard look at what prolonged exposure to occupation and war does in desensitising one’s morality and behaviour. The impending collapse of British influence and authority under the onslaught proves too much of a tantalising opportunity for exploitation in Jack Deel’s excellent tale of Irish politics, “Profaned by Feelings Dark.” As befits a setting where deception and duplicity are part of the fabric of society, one must be wary of whom you trust and make bargains with.

The horrors inflicted on a captive population forms the basis for Sam L. Edwards wonderfully dark and bleak, “We’ve always Lived in a Colony” which finds that brutality and a lack of compassion is a fertile breeding ground for far, far darker forces. It’s an absolute cracker of a story and like many of the writers in here makes me want to read more of his writing. The last story in this unholy triumvirate of the darkness that dwells within is Martin Gilbert’s “The Ones that were Left Behind” that follows the paths of two survivors dealing with the aftermath of a particularly intense battle. Adding credence to that adage about a wolf in sheep’s clothing, this is a brutal and unsettling look at what people consider to be the just spoils of war.

Thankfully, the final story in the anthology, Charles R. Rutledge’s “A Swig in Hell” balances out the preceding excursions into the darker side of humanity by providing a well-deserved respite. A rip-roaring tale of demonic slaughter, courage and sacrifice to the gates of Hell and beyond, it’s a rousing and fitting conclusion to “Hell’s Empire.”

All in all, “Hell’s Empire” is a wonderful excursion into the realm of fictional possibilities and is one of the best anthologies I’ve read in quite some time. “Excellent” doesn’t quite do it justice!

George Illet Anderson