Reviews: Satyr Art Studios Knights of Chaos, Knightmare Miniatures Chaos Dwarf Warband, Osmotic Meld Hounds of Hell

 

Oldhammer enthusiasts are living in exciting times. It is quite astonishing how large and visible the interest in old school gaming has grown, in particular that for early Citadel Miniatures and Games Workshop games.

A cottage industry of many small independent businesses has cropped up eager to support this renewed enthusiasm.

There is now a constant flow of interesting new figures, books, rulesets, and other gaming related items coming out, at a rate we could only dream of a decade or two ago, when the first wave of the Oldhammer resurgence began.

This is basically the transcript of a free form conversation that Beowulf and I had with the aim of reviewing and frothing over some upcoming Chaos themed releases, with some older ones also getting dragged into the exuberant gushing.

 

Tony Ackland Styled Knights of Chaos!

Satyr Art Studios 

https://satyrartstudio.com/Tony-Ackland-Styled-Knights-of-Chaos-5-LIMITED-RUN-p827641049

Zoatibix: Satyr Art Studios is just hitting it out of the ballpark with every release. There are a lot of Oldhammer style figures coming out these days, but no one is able to emulate the style and vibes of old Citadel as masterfully as Drew Williams from Satyr Art. He has studied carefully the proportions, facial details, the hands, cloth, mail, hair, little sculptural flourishes, the thematic winks and nods and other characteristic features of the Citadel school and applied them to his own work.

These are a spitting image of Tony Ackland’s drawings from early Warhammer Fantasy Battle, and fit right in with the ‘C’ series chaos warriors. They actually remind me a lot stylistically of the AD&D range Evil Fighter 3 pack and the C33 Adventure Pack (which I think were Bob Naismith Sculpts). But no lance option? No mounts? That is a little bit disappointing. Would love to see some warhorses with ornate tasselled barding like the C33 ones.

Beowulf: Indeed no horses, nor lances, but viewed from another perspective it gives you the hobbyist the opportunity to kitbash your own! I totally concur with your opinion on Satyr Art. Their range is outstanding. The only problem I have is the high fee, with the exchange rate and especially having to ship it over to Australia…. Ouch that is painful. However it is less painful than trying to acquire some C series chaos warriors on eBay, and here you really get what you’re paying for. The first thing I thought of when looking at these is that they really remind me of the front cover of Rick Priestley and Richard Halliwell’s first foray into publishing a fantasy miniature ruleset that being Reaper, which really is the grandfather of Warhammer Fantasy. The black line drawn proto-chaos warrior on top of the bright yellow rulebook. They also give me strong Elric of Melnibone vibes which is fitting as the dedication to the second edition of WHFB is to Michael Moorcock “whose fault this all is”. As somebody who is currently working on creating my own third edition fantasy chaos army, I am extremely tempted to pick some of these up myself as the thing that most appeals to me about WHFB 1st edition is Tony Ackland’s drawings and this is the opportunity to have these in a three dimensional lead format. What’s not to love about that?

Z: Ooh nice, the Reaper cover is a deep cut, and good reference.

Good point about the high cost for those of us in Australia. I guess I would say that these Satyr Art releases are so good that they are overcoming my better judgement (the measure of success of every miniatures manufacturer) to both boycott US products due to Trump’s fascist coup, as well as to stick to my humble hobby budget. In other words looks like another little package will be arriving soon that I will need to figure out how to disguise from my significant other.

B: Oh no honey I swear I’ve always had these chaos warriors. Look they have that 80s vibe see? I couldn’t have just ordered them….

Z: I welcome the Elric vibe- warriors wearing ornate ancient armour from a cruel fallen empire. This style of Chaos Knight is definitely the one I favour, a more Swords and Sorcery/ Conan aesthetic.

B: I think there is just something about the thinner more spindly original style chaos warriors that just gives them that much more humanity as opposed to the big hulking half ogre sized monstrosities that came later on. I can see what remains of the original human inside the armour. And it is this vestigial link to their humanity which makes them that much more relatable from a narrative perspective.

Z: Amazing that we live in a world where we can collect new C series style figures, that are in some regards better than the originals, I’m loving it.

B: I do wholeheartedly agree with you. It is so wonderful that we can collect “new” C series made with better technology and materials.

I like how the newer pewter is tougher than the old lead. Nothing stops my heart faster than accidentally dropping or knocking over an original 80s lead miniature and then weeping over the crush damage that results. These ones you can knock about a bit more before they bend or snap.

Z: That is a good observation, it is really heartbreaking realising your beloved preslotta rarity beat the odds to survive lead rot, only to see that its dainty little soft lead nose has been smooshed across its poor face like it went 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Quality standards seem to have improved a lot since the old days too, maybe due to new alloys, technology, manufacturing techniques, or just expectations, far less miscasts, tougher materials that still have high fidelity and hold detail. I distinctly remember there being so many poorly cast minis being sold around the transition away from lead based alloys in the early 90s when I suppose companies were still coming to grips with the new lead free alloys.

B: How do you feel about them being 28mm as opposed to 25mm? I suppose it doesn’t matter too much especially with chaos as you’d be able to make them fit in, but the C series lean closer to 25mm. So from a purist perspective perhaps 25mm would be better although if you want them to fit it in other more modern miniatures maybe 28mm is the way to go?

Z: Ah yes. The age old wargamer’s dilemma…coming from someone who uses almost exclusively 80s citadel figures, or historicals, the Satyr art minis do seem to be a bit on the larger side, but I think they mingle well. The old citadel figures were considered disproportionately large at the time anyway. For me personally I am happy mixing 25mm-32mm most of the time. When they are painted up, based and on the table, it is imperceptible to me. One companies 28 is anothers 32, it’s all quite subjective, and not a very good system of classification, but I do realise that others may have more or less tolerance for my indifferent attitude.

B: I think honestly I’d prefer them to be 25mm. I prefer the slightly smaller original scale, not for any purist reasons but rather I just find them that much easier to rank up.

People come on all shapes and sizes… why shouldn’t minis too?

Z: Precisely!

 

Chaos Dwarf Warband

Knightmare Miniatures

https://knightmareminiatures.com/shop/chaos-dwarves-warband-deal/

Z: It seems there are two types of people in this world - raving chaos dwarf fanatics, and everybody else. I myself probably fall more into the latter group, however chaos dwarves have become a defacto emblem that symbolise the Oldhammer movement in many ways, and they are such an important part of the pre 4th Ed chaos identity, they are a must have for any chaos army. I can never decide which version I prefer - the big hat 4th Ed ones or the older 2nd/3rd Ed style. Whatever your preference, chaos dwarves are one of the better served armies in terms of currently produced, non Citadel alternate models, designed to complement older ranges. There are plenty of options out there, but the Knightmare Miniatures offerings are the best. 

B: Ahhh I definitely find myself in the fanatic camp. I cannot get enough of them. I’ve always loved the big hats but it wasn’t until I came back to the hobby a couple of years ago that I discovered that there was an earlier breed of chorfs without their big hats and they completely blew me away. I absolutely adore the mini chaos warrior chorf from 2-3rd edition WHFB. They are so unique and characterful. Evil little bastards each one with their own special flavour. The problem is that the originals are very difficult to get a hold of and so expensive to boot, but luckily we have these “new” oldhammer companies producing these spectacular miniatures. These miniatures were the very first chorfs I ever purchased. The plan was to create a warband… and that warband has now turned into an army. Undead may have been my first oldhammer love but it’s with these chords that my true passions lie.

Knightmare miniatures produce an incredible range of oldhammer style miniatures that suit both fantasy and 40k. Their customer service is also excellent. One gripe and again this is me being pedantic but their minis are on the larger side.

So when placed next to an original 25mm you can see the size difference but like we were talking about earlier once they are painted and based up one cannot tell… but being the pedant that I am I can tell and that annoys me. I avoid this issue by putting my Knightmare minis in the front rank and that allows my pedantry to take a back seat.

The boar centaurs are also fantastic. I don’t mind these guys being on the larger size and the fact that they come straight out of Warhammer Armies illustrations is truely the chef’s kiss of the warband.

Z: The weird demon is a great addition to the group, its presence is a bit unexpected and intriguing, compelling you to craft a narrative about the warband.

B: The demon like mini is also divine. One of my favourite miniatures I’ve ever had the pleasure of painting. The kind of miniature that just takes paint like a duck takes to water. He is also so versatile. Is he a chorf wizard that’s dabbled a bit too much with chaotic magic? A demon? A chaos wizard or some other gribbly? He can be all those things and so much more. With such limited time to paint, the more things I can use a miniature for the happier I am.

Z: I totally agree! I really love what Knightmare miniatures are doing, and Diego Serrate is one of the most talented sculptors who is attempting to capture the look and feel of 80s citadel miniatures. I would however love to see some more demented, maniacal, and sadistic chaos dwarf mechanical war machines, I feel like this is an underexplored subject that is ripe for the picking. Like the whirling blade cart or that siege tower, pushed by boar centaurs.

B: Something like this? (https://www.oldschoolminiatures.co.uk/ewal-dvergar-evil-dwarfs-the-perforator)

Z: Brilliant! That’s what I’m talking about!

B: Old School Miniatures (https://www.oldschoolminiatures.co.uk/ewal-dvergar) have some lovely chorfs in the oldhammer vibe but they’re less detailed and characterful compared to Knightmare Miniatures. I’ve got both and they go together well but the Knightmare ones really take the cake.

Z: Ah yes these look like the John Pickford range, which I think was sculpted early in the first wave of old school revival around about 2010. I haven’t seen these in the flesh, but even if they lack the finesse of the Knightmare ones, they make up for it with their variety and options that really fill out the army.

Have you seen the Darkling games Chaos Dwarves by the way? I always thought they looked great, and if I ever needed some Chaos Dwarves I’d seek them out. Local Australian sculptor who did the King’s Minis Blog, one of my favourite Oldhammer blogs from back in the day (https://kingsminis.blogspot.com).

B: Yes they are beautiful. I corresponded with Delaney King a few times to see if I could get any of them cast, but the originals are no more so alas it’s not possible. I really loved the range.

Z: That’s really too bad, Delaney King, if you are reading this, would love to see you revisit these and see more of your sculpting.

Hounds of Hell

Osmotic Meld 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/osmoticmeld/osmoticmeld-the-hounds-of-hell

Z: While so far we’ve been looking at some figures that have been sculpted as homages to the distinct old school Citadel Miniatures sculpting style, the Myriad Miniatures Osmotic Meld range are emulating the style of the illustrator Ian Miller, and are an attempt to translate his characteristic two dimensional artwork into three dimensional miniature sculptures.

Ian miller is a well known fantasy artist, and made a significant contribution to defining a lot of the early Warhammer Fantasy and 40k imagery.

These are some of the most exciting miniatures I have seen in a long time. Remarkable sculpting from John Robertson on display here. Incredible detail and texture, while still maintaining a loose expressive feel. I love how they reject the heroic, clean silhouette of modern fantasy miniatures, and are like a chaotic seething tangle of ambiguous anatomy and ornamentation- perfectly capturing the feel of Ian Miller’s art.

B: These miniatures absolutely took my breath away. I have never seen anything like them before. They really do capture what third edition chaos means to me. What a challenge it must be to turn Ian Miller’s art into the third dimension and Robertson has really met this challenge head on. The miniatures look alive, you can imagine them breathing and morphing in front of of your eyes into different psychedelic geometric shapes and patterns. As much as I am desperate to have them I actually resisted the kickstarter campaign as I know my painting skills are nowhere near what would be required to do these miniatures justice. I wouldn’t even know where to start.

Z: I don’t usually go in for kickstarters but I was so blown away by these I made an exception and backed it, I just had to have them by any means necessary! Hopefully they will eventually be available from an online shop.

B: They are so hyper detailed and delicate but not in the flimsy way you find with modern 3D sculptured miniatures. These have the hyper detail one sees in 3d sculpts whilst retaining the character of traditional sculpting. The overall effect is one of a pulsing mass of moving living parts that contain fractal elements of living matter where you cannot tell where the flesh ends and armour begins.

As hyperbolic as it sounds these are some of the most impressive instances of traditional sculpting that I have ever encountered.

Now these are resin spin-cast I believe. I can see why resin would have to be used in order to be able to replicate the level of detail seen here. I understand why it has to be resin, however I’m just not a fan of resin. I don’t like the feel of it, I don’t like painting it nor how fragile it is. I would definitely prefer if these came in metal despite knowing how unrealistic that would be.

Z: I’m not sure how I feel about being cast in resin, I share your reservations. I definitely would prefer metal (previous Osmotic Meld releases were cast in metal), but there may be certain factors that rule that out. For example they seem to be sculpted using polymer clay which doesn’t like being vulcanised under the high pressure required to make molds for metal casting. There is probably also a lower intial cost for setting up to do small production runs of resin. And as you say maybe the sculpts themselves are not suitable because of fine details and undercuts which could damage vulcanised rubber moulds.

I am really looking forward to getting these in my hand and painting them up.

 

A Discourse upon the Dissolut Estate of this Present Age

A Discourse upon the Dissolut Estate of this Present Age
Set downe by L. Mertzig, Scrybe of Schwanzfurt, in the Yeare 2505 After Sigmar

Knowen then, good Sirs, that yf mine earlier Treatise spake of the creeping corrupcioun of Chaös in the wyld places and the darker corners of men’s soules, I must now address a matter no lesse grievous, which gnaweth everi daye at my mynd. For I behold in this new generacioun a manifold dissolucioun, such wanton riot and intemperate vice as surely calleth upon the Ruinous Powers like to the tolling of a brazen bell in the dead of night. Yea, I say unto you, yf ever the attent of the fell Goddes were drawn unto mortal follie, it is by the yowth of our day, who maken play & sport of that which should breed dread and humilitie.

For wheras in days of yore, the yoong kept measure in their behaviour, walking not farre from the wisdome of their elders, now do they mocke all sober counsail, & sneer at discipline as thoughe it were a vile thinge. They spend their houres in tavernes uncleen, soaking their wittes in cups unnumber’d, & giving their eares to players of musick so shrill & disorder’d that, to my hearing, it savoureth of the howling of Daemons most vicious beyond the Veile. Some paint strange markes upon their very flesh, boasting in colours & signs they scarce comprehend, yet which be too-near in semblance to the dread sigils seen of olde upon corrupted stones & wayweard shrines. And yf ye wolde admonish them, saying that such idlenesse is the porch of wickedness, they laugh, & thay hight us dotards, as though mirth might sweepe away the troth.

But marke me well! The Ruinous Powers are not idle, nor doe they scorn the follie of mortal men. Nay! Chaös delighteth most in such as give themselves freely unto vice, needing no lash nor threat to spur them toward their own undoing. When the yoong scorneth labour, despiseth virtue, and chaseth after pleasures unbounded, the Wind doth quicken about them, It whispereth with uncleene tongues. For in every excess of gorethirst, Carnage findeth wrath; in every vanity, Lust planteth desire; in every unbounded craving for new lore, Forboden-Knoulech soweth uncertayne thought; and in everi sickenesse ond plaague Pestilens breedeth rot upon the fleshes and soules of hys suffrers.

Thus, doe I feare, with heavie herte, that the very heedlessness of this generacioun be as a beacon unto the Darke Godes, shining through the Immateriee like a torch above a midden heape. They wot nought what thei invite. For once the attent of Chaös be fixed upon a folke, swift followeth the dissolving of bondes, the unravelling of customes, the rising of strife, and the sundering of all that honest men have wrought. In sooth, mankind hath ever been weaker than the world requireth; yet never before have I seen with mine own eyen our yoong display so wilful a desire to fling themselves into the pit.

O that they would but hearken! O that they might perceyve the thinness of the wall betwixt mirth and ruine! For yf this course be not amended, then shall the tale of our empire be but a brief candle guttering in a draught not of earthly making. And whan the last flame faileth, and the night presseth close, none shall saye ye were not warned.

 

Lothar Mertzig – Parting the veil

By Beowulf

Lothar Mertzig, scribe of Schwanzfurt was an idea that came upon me combining two of my most prized passions, historical linguistics and historic editions of Warhammer. I wanted to add a monthly column piece in the vein of the annuals composed by the Anglo-Saxon monks in the Old English period.

The empire in the old world combines a lot of our own history with that of fantasy and I wanted to create a character that could exist in both of our worlds and by doing so bring them both closer together.

So how to straddle the gulf which separates us? The language of the empire is German, but had Lothar written his pieces in that not many of us would be able to enjoy them, the next port of call would be Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxons circa 500-1100 CE. Now this would be my own personal choice as I adore the language, but alas we would stumble across that same hurdle in that not many people would be able to decipher it. The pseudo-archaic language used by many fantasy authors also would not do as the fact that it would not be historically accurate would offend my own linguistic sensibilities. Yes I am aware the irony of being historically accurate in a fantasy setting.

So, what to do? As in most situations like these a compromise seemed the best solution. I chose instead to base the language of the empire — in this my head cannon — to be right upon the turning point of late Middle English to early Modern English circa 1400-1600 CE with a very liberal dash of artistic licence. This would not only be a linguistic challenge for me to attempt to meet but would also solve the problems of being intelligible to speakers of modern English and hopefully in doing so would part the veil between both our worlds.

The Merciless Maniple of Maimwrack Warspasm

These words inscribed in scrimshaw, 

Jagged grooves in a Jabberwock’s thigh bone.  

I carved them with a rusted awl while the bone still steamed.  

I am Maimwrack Warspasm. I was born in the echo between oaths.  

Malal found me there. Laughing. Broken.  

My flesh was feeble, so I shed it for clockwork and iron.  

Now my body ticks with hatred and spite.  

I was not born alone, my twin hangs from me like a millstone around my neck.

He mutters mercy and doubt, old prayers I strangled long ago.  

Malal forbade me kill him, so bear him I must, screaming sermons on my back.  

At my side pad a pair of blasphemous hounds from the East. They hunt hope, not meat.  

Dark elves follow me. Silk, poison, and broken promises.  

They would slit my throat for pleasure if I still had one.  

I relish the thought. Treachery is devotion.  

Orcs march by my side. They do not know my god’s name, and that pleases him.  

They only know that I lead them to war.  

War is truth.  

Skaven skitter in the shadows, plotting my fall.  

Whispering and scheming, watching my back, waiting for weakness.  

I savour their gaze.  

I declare war on the gods who claim dominion.  

I am Malal’s contradiction given form.  

Maimwrack Warspasm 

 

Undivided Chaos Warrior Champion with chaos armour, and additional hand weapon.

Rewards:

Demonic Creatures: 2 chaos hounds.

Mutation: Technology (chainsword).

Mutation: Mechanical legs (tracks).

 

Apologies to Don Hans of Slaves to Lead blog, whom I mercilessly stole the paint scheme from. It was done in awe and admiration.

 

 

2 Chaos Hounds (Rewards)

 

 

4 Dark Elves with crossbows, and shields.

 

 

 5 Orcs with hand weapons, light armour, shield, and warty skin.

 

 

 6 Skaven with hand weapons, light armour, shields, and irrational hatred.

A Chaos Warband built by Zoatibix, using the Down Under Empire's Realm Ov Chaos rules (on Crom’s Hall blog).

The Merciless Maniple of Maimwrack Warspasm

Undivided Chaos Warrior Champion with chaos armour, and additional hand weapon.

Rewards:

Demonic Creatures: 2 chaos hounds.

Mutation: Technology (chainsword).

Mutation: Mechanical legs (tracks).

4 Dark Elves with crossbows, and shields.

5 Orcs with hand weapons, light armour, shield, and warty skin.

6 Skaven with hand weapons, light armour, shields, and irrational hatred.

Pete Taylor’s Skaven Army

 

 by Zoatibix

 

 

Many years ago, I think in about 2005 I was surfing the ol’ information superhighway and came across Pete Taylor's magnificent Skaven army up for auction. It was being sold by 'The Virtual Alchemist", a really interesting website that may have been connected to The Stuff of Legends in some way? They often sold relics from GW's past, such as original painted figures, and ex GW staff collections. I also distinctly remember seeing a big lot of original John Blanche figures up for auction, including many that were in various publications and very famous and recognisable.

I couldn't believe my eyes, here was the very same iconic army from the colour pages of the Warhammer Armies book. The army I had drooled over and marveled at, wondering how could any one possibly assemble and paint such a verminous horde! I must have squinted so hard to try to make out the intriguing painted details through the blurry CMYK moiré, I'm sure its why I need glasses today. This Skaven section of my Warhammer Armies book is in tatters, the pages loose from the binding and stained with grubby paint stained finger prints from being pawed over so frequently.

 

 

 

 Pete Taylor's Skaven Army showcase from Warhammer Armies.

 

Luckily I had the wherewithal to save these auction photos before they disappeared. I took a lot of inspiration from them as well as those in Warhammer Armies for my own Skaven army - in particular the overall dingy tone, free hand runes and decoration, and cotton wool warpstone smoke.

On that old hard drive they remained for about 20 years until just recently when Beowulf and I started chatting about the various army showcases in Warhammer Armies, and I remembered that I had these photos filed away. It is very gratifying seeing clearer, better quality pictures of this iconic army, as well as many models that didn't make it in to the original showcase and were perhaps later additions. I hope you will get a kick out of seeing them too.

Just to reiterate- these are not my photos or figures, I only had the fortune to rescue them from digital extinction, and am posting them as I think they are worth saving as a significant part of Warhammer history, and may be of interest to Oldhammer fans.

 

 

Check out this siege tower/war machine! I think it is made from Snotling Pump Wagon chassis configured into triangular hoarding, echoing the iconography of the Skaven. Great idea and execution, would love to see this in a siege game.

 

 

This next group of figures must be a later addition - the quintet of Skaven special characters sculpted by Jes Goodwin and released during 4th Edition.

Lastly some of the most interesting and unique figures of this collection - a group of converted Rat Ogres. Many of them take the concept of "Rat Ogre" quite literally, some of them more "Ogreish" than you might expect, with just a few ratty details, others are based on classic Jes Goodwin Ogres with custom sculpted details, some of them may even be complete scratch builds.

I happen to have a few more pictures of Pete Taylor's auctioned figure collection, but I will save these for another post.