iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

It’s still very cool to me that people regularly tell me they put on one or more of my Halloween albums as a yearly tradition. It’s surreal that my music has had any sort of lasting impact on another person’s life.

A photo of Justin Burning’s vinyl albums “Songs of the Thinned Veil” and “Gathering of October Ghouls.”

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 22/09/2026

Not sure any band has more adeptly balanced devastating sadness and devastating beauty than Shape of Despair.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 21/09/2026

Very excited to announce I'll be stepping back into the world of film music to score Mike Lombardo's new horror movie, DEAD FORMAT -- his long-awaited feature follow-up to 2017's I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE DOOMSDAY.

The poster for the upcoming horror movie, DEAD FORMAT. The art features the grim reaper emerging from a television set, holding a VHS tape in its hand.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 18/09/2026

If you’re looking for some tunes to amplify those Halloween vibes, maybe check out my album “Gathering of October Ghouls”? It’s like if Carpenter weren’t quite so dour. The last few copies on vinyl are on sale for $15! jburning.bigcartel.com/product/gath...

The cover to Justin Burning’s Halloween-inspired album “Gathering of October Ghouls.” It’s a painting by Joe Keinberger that features a bunch of creatures dancing around a flaming jack-o-lantern.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 16/09/2026

What scene makes you emotional no matter how many times you've seen it.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 14/09/2026

Back to business: @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social is down to 118 copies of the second printing of my exploration of SOV/8mm microbudget horror from the video store era, HAND-HELD HELL. Might want to get a copy soon, before it's out of print again! People seem to like the book! Maybe you will, too!

Someone holding a copy of Justin Burning's 2023 book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a Super 8 video camera.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 08/09/2026

In 2023, I wrote a book called HAND-HELD HELL, about the plethora of no-budget amateur SOV/8mm horror movies that made their way to video store shelves in the 80s/90s. It was a joy to research and write, and it’s now available in its second printing from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social!

The author, Justin Burning, holding a copy of his 2023 book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a Super 8 video camera.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 29/08/2026

Until I have something new to talk about, you have to hear about my book HAND-HELD HELL, a full-color nonfiction exploration of the no-budget amateur horror movies that flooded video store shelves in the 80s/90s. People seem to dig it! Second printing out now from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 17/08/2026

Fuuuuuuck! RIP to Screaming Mad George, one of the true punk rock innovators in horror. His surreal, gloopy effects in movies like Society, The Guyver, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 & 4, Silent Night Deadly Night 4 & 5, etc. were instantly recognizable. He was a total genius who will be very missed!

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 08/08/2026

Time to slang some wares! My 2023 book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR — a non-fiction traverse through the mom-and-pop video stores aisles of the 80s/90s in search of amateur SOV/8mm horror flicks — is available in its second printing from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social!

A photo of Justin Burning's 2023 book HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a Super 8 camera.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 02/08/2026

Last year was a pretty good one for extreme metal, but I still listen to Igorrr's "Amen" pretty regularly. Despite incorporating so many subgenres of music, it's a spectacularly cohesive album, I think, and features one of the cleanest, most balanced productions on a metal album in recent years.

The album cover for French extreme metal band Igorrr's 2025 release, "Amen."

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 27/07/2026

Post a perfect album from the 1990s that isn't Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, or Alice In Chains

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 23/07/2026

I hear today marks 100 days until Halloween. You know what might help you usher in the season? Some of my spooky music! I’ve released four albums of Halloween-inspired (mostly) instrumental synth tunes. They’re all available on my Bandcamp page. The link is in the replies!

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 19/07/2026

This is about as close as I get to a thirst trap.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 18/07/2026

I'm down to 10 personal copies of the new second printing of my book HAND-HELD HELL, a full-color tome dedicated to the no-budget SOV/8mm horror flicks of the video store era. Each copy comes w/ a signed book plate and download code for a companion music EP. jburning.bigcartel.com/product/hand...

The author holding a copy of his book HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a hand-held video camera. The cover was painted by Chad Keith.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 08/07/2026

This is just crazy. Stephen Bissette, and especially his astounding art during Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing, was/has been such a huge influence on my own creative identity during my formative years and now. And now here he is giving high praise to a book I wrote.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 03/07/2026

One of these days, a book-slinging post will gain traction: If you like to haunt the weirdest, lowest-budget, most audacious corners of horror film, you might like my book, HAND-HELD HELL, about the SOV/8mm movies on video store shelves in the 80s/90s. Out now from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social!

The author holding a copy of his 2023 book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR, about the slew of shot-on-video and 8mm horror films that made their way to video store shelves in the '80s and '90s. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a hand-held video camera (painted by Chad Keith).

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 01/07/2026

We're inching towards fall! If you need some help setting the mood, I have music for you: My album "Gathering of October Ghouls." It's 10 tracks, 30 or so mins of (mostly) instrumental synth tunes that evoke Halloween. It's available on 12" LP and digital. jburning.bandcamp.com/album/gather...

The cover for Justin Burning's album "Gathering of October Ghouls." It features a jack-o-lantern bonfire surrounded by an assortment of creatures. Cover painted by Joe Keinberger.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 25/06/2026

Late(ish) night sales pitch: My 2023 book about the no-budget amateur horror flicks that populated video store shelves in the 80s/90s, HAND-HELD HELL, is back in print this year from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social. 376 full-color pages, 44 film analyses, 22 interviews. I'm very proud of it!

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 14/06/2026

My TBR pile is pretty huge. I really need to get back to reading regularly again. I finally started back up on Grace Krilanovich’s THE ORANGE EATS CREEPS again, but I have a feeling it’ll be a DNF.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 14/06/2026

Another day, another try to drum up some interest in my work! In 2023, I wrote a book about the no-budget DIY horror movies in video stores in the 80s/90s, titled HAND-HELD HELL — 376 full-color pages w/ 44 in-depth film analyses & 22 interviews. Back in print from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social!

A bookshelf containing Justin Burning's 2023 book HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR, published by Terror Vision. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a hand-held video camera.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 11/06/2026

Everyone seems in a "weird internet shit" mood thanks to BACKROOMS, so I wanted to call attention to one of the original creepy internet curios: POSSIBLY IN MICHIGAN, by Cecelia Condit. I talk about it in depth and interview Ms. Condit in my book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR.

A screenshot from Cecelia Condit's 1983 short film, POSSIBLY IN MICHIGAN. The screenshot shows a woman with a mannequin-looking doll near her face, with its mouth open.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 05/06/2026

Heya! In 2023, I wrote HAND-HELD HELL, a book about the slew of SOV/8mm horror movies that populated video store shelves in the 80s/90s. It’s now back in print from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social! 44 in-depth film reviews! 22 interviews! Some other shenanigans! People seem to like it?

The author holding a copy of his 2023 book HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a hand-held video camera.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 27/05/2026

In 2023, I wrote a book about the many no-budget shot-on-video/8mm horror films that showed up on video store shelves in the 80s/90s. It's called HAND-HELD HELL! It's now back in print! If you like your horror strange, give it a go! www.terror-vision.com/store/p/hand...

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 25/05/2026

Why am I doing this to myself?

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 21/05/2026

In 2023, I wrote a book about the many no-budget amateur horror movies you could find on video store shelves in the 80s/90s. It's called HAND-HELD HELL. It sold out, but now it's back in print from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social! People seem to like it! www.terror-vision.com/store/p/hand...

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 08/05/2026

Self-promo again: I wrote a 376-page, full-color book about the many no-budget amateur horror movies that hit video store shelves in the 80s/90s, called HAND-HELD HELL. It's back in print from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social! People seem to like it. If you like your horror weird, check it out!

Photo of Justin Burning's 2023 book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a Super 8 video camcorder.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 05/05/2026

Tired of AI bullshit in the horror scene? Want to immerse yourself in the most analog horror out there? Check out my book, HAND-HELD HELL, about the DIY SOV/8mm camcorder horror movies that haunted video store shelves in the '80s/90s. Newly back in print from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social!

The author holding a copy of his 2023 book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover features a painting of a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a Super 8 video camera.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 01/05/2026

I forgot all about Makeup and Vanity Set. Glad I remembered they existed, because their album "Wilderness" is especially good. I've fall out of love with most synthwave, but this one holds up.

The cover for Makeup and Vanity Set's 2015 double-album "Wilderness."

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 30/04/2026

Advertise your account with a Simpsons image

A scene from a "Treehouse of Horror" episode of The Simpsons, where zombies examine Homer's head for brains to eat, and discover he has none.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 29/04/2026

I was sent this photo from Grindhouse Video's new brick-and-mortal store. Very cool to see they're stocking copies of HAND-HELD HELL!

Photo of a shelf of film books at Grindhouse Video. The shelf features a few copies of Justin Burning's 2023 book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 28/04/2026

Always love to get messages like this. Sometimes I feel like I’m toiling away in obscurity, so it’s very nice to hear when my passion projects and hard work have resonated with someone.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 28/04/2026

I post a lot about my writing, but I'm also a musician! Now that we're essentially halfway to Halloween, it's a decent time to mention I still have vinyl copies of my 2021 Halloween-themed album "Gathering of October Ghouls." 10 tracks & 30-ish minutes of spooky (mostly) instrumental synth mood.

Cover for Justin Burning's 2021 Halloween-inspired album, "Gathering of October Ghouls," which features a painting by Joe Keinberger that depicts a bunch of ghouls dancing around a flaming jack-o-lantern.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 24/04/2026

It appears that today is World Book Day? Might be a good day to check out my blood-written love letter to no-budget SOV horror, HAND-HELD HELL — newly back in print from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social! 376 pages! Full color! 44 in-depth film analyses! 22 filmmaker interviews! I'm pretty proud of it!

A copy of Justin Burning's 2023 book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a handheld video camera.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 23/04/2026

The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

The two main characters from the movie THE GREASY STRANGLER.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 16/04/2026

If you see this, quote with a picture of you in glasses

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 14/04/2026

Thought I'd love the new Archspire "Too Fast to Die" more than I do. Some great tracks (eg, "Limb of Leviticus" and the title track) and overall very listenable, but a few too many songs just going through the motions of a proven formula. Vocal approach gets especially old. Not bad but not stellar.

Cover for technical death metal band Archspire's 2026 album "Too Fast to Die"

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 14/04/2026

In 2023, I wrote a book called HAND-HELD HELL, about the many no-budget amateur horror flicks that populated video store shelves in the 80s/90s. 44 films spotlit! 22 filmmakers interviewed! It was published by @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social! It sold out! But it's now back in print! Get a copy!

Justin Burning holding a copy of his book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover depicts a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a hand-held video camera. On sale now from Terror Vision.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 10/04/2026

Some very kind words I received about my book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. It’s newly back in print courtesy of @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social!

Text reading: “I want to give a quick shout-out for a book I've thoroughly enjoyed. The early days of SOV horror movies in the 1980's and 1990's, the home video revolution, and the era of physical video stores are topics I will never tire of reading (and being nostalgic) about. And Hand-Held Hell by Justin Burning tackles these topics (and more) in an extremely well-written, informative and entertaining way. It also includes some excellent interviews with many of the pioneers of SOV filmmaking, including my friend Mark Polonia. I could go on about it further, but I'll keep it brief and simply say - Highly Recommended.”

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 08/04/2026

Time for more promo-into-the-void: In 2023, I wrote a book called HAND-HELD HELL, about the glorious pandemic of weirdo, no-budget SOV/8mm horror that populated video store shelves in the '80s/'90s. It's now back in print via @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social! 44 featured films, 22 filmmaker interviews!

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 07/04/2026

Best Star Trek crew; wrong answers only.

Photo of the Norwegian black metal band Dimmu Borgir.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 07/04/2026

I wrote a book about the glut of bizarre no-budget, DIY horror movies that made their way onto video store shelves in the 80s/90s, called HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. www.terror-vision.com/store/p/hand...

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 06/04/2026

Ever glance at Tubi's horror section and wonder how so many flicks you've never heard of got made (but then press play anyway)? If so, you might like my book HAND-HELD HELL, about all the no-budget DIY horror movies of the '80s/'90s. It's newly back in print from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social!

Photo of Justin Burning's 2023 book, HAND-HELD HELL: THE OUTBREAK OF HOMEMADE HORROR. The cover features a hooded skeletal ghoul holding a handheld video camera.

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Justin Burning @jburning.com · 01/04/2026

I wrote a book — and I didn't use AI! I just love weirdo, low-budget horror movies and I love video stores, so I did a crap-load of research about them and then I wrote about them. The book is called HAND-HELD HELL. It's now back in print from @terrorvisionvids.bsky.social!

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