The Final Reconciliation

By: Todd Keisling

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Thirty years ago, a progressive rock band called The Yellow Kings began recording what would become their first and final album. Titled The Final Reconciliation, the album was expected to usher in a new renaissance of heavy metal, but it was shelved following a tragic concert that left all but one dead.

The sole survivor of that horrific incident was the band's lead guitarist, Aidan Cross, who's kept silent about the circumstances leading up to that ill-fated performance - until now.

For the first time since the tragedy, Aidan has granted an exclusive interview to finally put rumors to rest and address a question that has haunted the music industry for decades: What happened to The Yellow Kings?

The answer will terrify you.

Inspired by The King in Yellow mythos first established by Robert W. Chambers, and reminiscent of cosmic horror by H. P. Lovecraft, Laird Barron, and John Langan, comes The Final Reconciliation - a chilling tale of regret, the occult, and heavy metal by Todd Keisling.

Proudly brought to you by Crystal Lake Publishing - Tales from the Darkest Depths.

©2017 Todd Keisling (P)2017 Joe Hempel

love Love LOVE it !

Todd Keisling’s The Final Reconciliation is a modern tale in the HP Lovecraft universe. The modern rock references are spot-on, the characters are believable, and the pace is perfect.

I want to visit Todd Keisling’s imaginative world again but the length of this particular story is about right.

Joe Hempel delivers a fantastic performance. He’s one of my new favorite narrators.

This is an A+

** full disclosure: although this audiobook was given to me by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom, I would have been happy to have bought it.

One roadie to rule them all.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This was a great short story. I was kind of expecting something like what happened, but it's great when someone else fills in the blanks. As a musician that would love to make an EPIC album, this is the price I would have to pay for success. Embrace your inner dark and enjoy the music.

Solid, Rock 'n' Roll Horror!!

4 young rock and rollers from Southeastern Kentucky get in a little bit over their heads, when Johnny the lead singer, takes on a new groupie. The beautiful and mysterious Camila. She immediately asserts her will over Johnny and the band as they prepare for the release of their groundbreaking first album, The Final Reconciliation. Her influence is undeniable and with her help, “The Yellow Kings” first show is going to be a killer. Literally. It may also be the end of world as we know it. Now that’s rock and roll!!

An excellent novella from Todd Keisling and a very well done audiobook from Joe Hemple. The story moved fast. No fluff required. Joe’s narration really gelled with the story and definitely enhanced the experience. Well done all the way around and highly recommended.

*I received a copy of this audiobook from the narrator in exchange for an honest review. This was it.

Camilla is back

This was a good and scary recollection of the end of the rock band the Yellow King. Aidan tells the story of the end of the band. I loved the ending makes me wonder if there will be more books coming with Camilla. The book is good as well as short listen and great narration. Recommend to anyone who enjoys horror. I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. Thank you.

Great Narration by Joe Hempel

I was given a copy of this audio book free of charge so that I could write an honest review. I really enjoyed listening to this story and seeing (or...listening to) the chain of events unfold. I try to never post spoilers so suffice to say this book kept my interest the whole way through and the narrator did a terrific job. He became the character for me in my head. Credit worthy!

A well crafted tale blending the occult and rock.

If you could sum up The Final Reconciliation in three words, what would they be?

spellbinding, compelling, entertaining

Who was your favorite character and why?

For me it was Adian (which mean means 'little fire, no coincident I'm sure). As the survivor/witness he was my anchor in this story. Told in flash back you could only be certain that he would be in it to the end. The other's fate was uncertain at best. The author did an amazing job of painting pictures and sound with words. I had to stop and realize I hadn't heard any music, but I felt like I had. And that would be different for each reader/listener.

What about Joe Hempel’s performance did you like?

Joe did an very competent job of narration. His voices and inflections were well done. His intonations added a nice dimension to the narrative of the story without lapsing into prose. Adian's country drawl was just enough.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I typically do not listen to this genre of books. I stay mostly with historical dramas, or biographies. But this kept my attention and give me chills at times. The pacing kept me coming back and looking forward to the next chapter.

A gripping, cacophonous feat

Superbly written and satisfyingly horrific. Todd Keisling's talent for storytelling will keep you glued to The Final Reconciliation.

A story inspired in the works of H.P. Lovecraft

Any additional comments?

I have received this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

The Yellow Kings was a rock back which tried their fortune thirty years ago. Their last performance was a concert in which the band was going to play the songs for the next album "Final Reconciliation", an album which never saw the light, because everybody but one person died during the concert that day. Mystery and horror surrounded that fatidic day, and now thirty years later, Aidan Cross, the band's lead guitarist and only survivor will give an interview and tell all the truth about it.

The final concert by the band was in LA, referred by Camilla, the band groupie which was their undoing, as Carcosa. The name Carcosa was used for the first time by Ambrose Bierce in his short story 'An Inhabitant of Carcosa', and later on by horror authors like Robert W. Chambers and H.P. Lovecraft. The band's name was borrowed from Chamber's book 'The King in Yellow'.

I have not read anything from Chambers but I know a bit of H.P. Lovecraft and I have to say that this story reminded me a bit of his works. The noir horror in which the most dreaded thing is the one you are still waiting for, where your imagination starts to play tricks and you just do not want to see what it is coming.

I was aware fairly quickly about Camilla's intentions but that did not spoil the gruesome effect Keisling got with the last scene at the concert. The character's were not specially developed, since this is not a long book (just over three hours) but Keisling totally succeeded at creating an absorbent atmosphere drawing the reader in to the terrible end.

I would like to make a comment though about something mentioned in the book. Camilla's eyes were different colors, and it is compared to David Bowie's eyes. Contrary to what many people think, Bowies eyes were the same color. What he had was a paralyzed pupil due to a fight with George Underwood when he was fifteen. Just a side note.

Joe Hempel did a wonderful job narrating this book, using a raged tone of voice to narrate the story from old Adam's point of view, transmitting the emotion in the old man's words, and the horror and guilt that have chased him for thirty years. Hempel is a top notch narrator, not only able to deliver different voices for all the characters, but also to provide an extra dimension to the story, multiplying the emotions the writer has put into the text.

This story coupled with Hempel makes a five star audiobook, something that any H.P. Lovecraft fan would enjoy for sure.

Steller, better than imagined

An excellent reading, an excellent plot, and all the horrifyingly excellent clues sprinkled through out.

CHILLING RIDE TO HELL W/O PUTTING UP A STRUGGLE

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook through Audiobook Boom at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Gotta say, I feel bad for that band. It was a sad, horrific story recanted by a now old man revealing the truth about the day his band-mates died. I just rode the train knowing it was going to wreck because hope wasn't given. No way out. No one stronger trying to battle the evil; no one smart enough to try and kick the problem out. Everyone but Johnny knew something was wrong but did nothing. Aiden repeatedly chose not to act on his gut instinct.
It was an enjoyable listen, the story moving a a good pace. It kept my interest wanting to know exactly what did happen. And a little "twisted" ending, maybe a bit predictable.

Joe Hempel did a great job. A very accomplished narrator.

Thumbs Up!