If I want to be honest for these podcast reviews, and I suppose I should be, I would have to say that Screaming Heretic is, so far, my least favorite of the three that I have listened to.
It’s similar in style to The Overlords; it’s funny, gregarious and focuses more on hobbying and fluff than tournament play and strategy. The hosts are enthusiastic and clearly enjoy the hobby, even if one of the hosts might not do anything to actively participate in the hobby; like painting, playing or building models.
In all honesty, I have to say that my dissatisfaction with Screaming Heretic might have to do with a personality clash more than anything. There were times that I laughed harder than I ever did listening to any other podcast. I picked up a lot of great hobby tips and a lot of relevant and interesting tidbits regarding other miniature and tabletop games. I love Joe’s enthusiasm for every aspect for the hobby and I even love the more bitter and cynical flavor that Chaos Dave and C Swizzy bring to the ‘cast.
I would have to say that Screaming Heretic feels very much like a clique that I’m not a part of. They go to the hip parties and reference in-jokes with people I don’t know and hang out with writers and game designers and I always feel like I’m on the outside looking in, rather than a part of the group like I did with other podcasts. There’s also a tendency for the ‘cast to go right off the rails and while it can go to interesting places or hilarious places, most of the time it’s just an express train to Inane-ville. I think with a tighter focus, Screaming Heretic could quickly eclipse the other podcasts I currently listen to.
This is probably just my inferiority complex rearing its ugly head. Like I said, it’s a solid hobby-based podcast that appealed to me on a lot of levels. I especially loved their review of the Forgeworld Horus Heresy rulebook and their examination of the fluff. And I love their cuss-word based approach to Warhammer 40K and the fun they have is infectious.
They’ve definitely earned a place in my regular podcast rotation and I give it five Chaos Dave Snide Remarks.
-D-
Previous Podcast Reviews, from Start to Now:
The Non-Adept Adeptus Mechanicus Adept 