Butcher's Nails

The Horus Heresy #Audio Drama

by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Seán Barrett (Narrator), Rupert Degas (Narrator)

Original Horus Heresy audio featuring the primarch Angron

The primarch Angron: gladiator-king and Horus’s lunatic attack dog. Never having hidden his resentment for his brothers, he now carves a bloody swathe through the galaxy in the Warmaster’s name, with the Heresy providing a convenient excuse to indulge his love of brutal warfare. When they are tasked with a secretive mission alongside the Word Bearers Legion, the World Eaters’ violent tendencies soon attract the attention of xenos raiders, troubled by the portents surrounding the primarch’s berserk fury and his ultimate destiny as ‘the Blood God’s son’...

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Audiobook, Fiction, Short Stories, Military Fiction, Fantasy

1 pages, Audio CD

First published May 29, 2012

Reviews

[Sarah Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, the story was a little thin. But ANGRON WAS IN IT YOU DON'T NEED PLOT WHEN YOU HAVE BLOOOOD FLOWING ALL OVER THE PLACE! *Excuse me as I try to regain control of my fangirl rage. Trust me, I'd take Butcher's Nails over a fangirl obsession.*
There was a lot that you are left to assume but the story very enjoyable to listen to. Getting a feel at long last for Angron and the World Eaters.
For a short story a lot of major characters were involved, (including Lorgar, Kharn and Argel Tal)all where shown extremely well. There was nothing lacking when it came to epic fighting scenes in this story.

It felt like you really needed to have read the First Heretic to get some of the more interesting references, (ie. Argel Tal's twin souls)but still not 100% needed.

To make it short: Angron gave me a female moment, I really cannot wait to see more with him.
(OK I can wait until after the Blood Angels get a book but not much longer then that!)

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was Terrific! I completely concur with Sarah's review. :) I'm most glad they didn't make Angron's voice too stupid and unintelligent but still pulled off his pain well. And I'm sorry, but Rupert Degas's voice as Lorgar is the most dreamy thing to listen to since the narrator's voice for "The Lord of the Rings" audio books... *sigh*... Love it!

[Abhinav · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can read the full review over at my blog:

https://shadowhawksshade.wordpress.co...

Shadowhawk reviews the latest Horus Heresy audio drama, Butcher’s Nails, a tale written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden that explores the psyche of Primarch Angron and his relationship with his brother, Lorgar Aurelian.

“This is a fantastic example of that which is Aaron Dembski-Bowden’s strength: exploring the relationships between Primarchs. A must have for any Horus Heresy/Warhammer 40,000 fan.” ~The Founding Fields

My experience with Aaron’s previous audio drama, Night Lords: Throne of Lies, was infamously bad. Infamously bad in that I really didn’t enjoy it on any level and found very, very few things to like about it. The review somehow went viral in a sense and resulted in a fair bit of hate mail and negative commentary directed towards me. That was the closest I’ve ever come to being depressed by reviewing, which I do as a hobby and I was almost put off reviewing any of Aaron’s work. It seemed that people had entirely neglected to take into account my thoughts on Soul Hunter which I ranked quite highly. Ah well. So it was with a LOT of trepidation that I plugged in Butcher’s Nails a few days ago and began listening. My expectations weird towards the negative and try as I might, I couldn’t bring myself to be even neutral for it.

This is definitely the one time I’m glad to have been proven entirely wrong.

Butcher’s Nails is Aaron’s first Horus Heresy audio drama, and his fourth published story for the setting. What’s one of the things going for him here is that he has stuck to variety because this time he’s tackled an entirely different Primarch and legion: Angron of the World Eaters. The other thing is that he has stuck entirely to his strength and delved into the psychology of a Primarch and his relationship with his sons, his servants and his brothers. That strength was the defining aspect of The First Heretic, Aurelian and Savage Weapons. It holds true here and consequently, Butcher’s Nails became a top-of-the-mark audio drama for me.

To be honest, Angron has never interested me, although his legion of crazed Khorne-loving killers has. So it was always going to be interesting for him to get any amount of page-time in the Horus Heresy novels. His portrayal so far has been rather neutral in that it has stuck to his typical characterisation. One of the questions I had going in was if Aaron was going to challenge my perception of the Red Angel or not and whether he would bring something new to the table where he is concerned. The question was answered from the very first moments of the audio drama when Angron is contemplating destroying the Word Bearers fleet and Lorgar with it. Talk about a momentous, shocking beginning. I was hooked from thereon.

[Ebster Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primarchs can somehow have perpetual brain hemmorrage and not die. That is absolutely awesome! And self mutilation is A-OK as long as it furthers the cause of heresy!

Go Team Horus!

Ok, now the story:

It's about two Primarch brothers. Angeron; Primarch "Lord" of the World Eaters and Lorgar Primarch of the World Bearers.

Like their other Primarch brothers they are clones of the Emperor of Mankind; however, in personality they are very very different from each other.

Angeron has anger issues...to put it lightly. Lorgar is the spiritual one and seeks a way to direct his spiritual/religious inclinations.

The character study is pretty intense, I wasn't familiar with the background of the two characters...Except that Angeron is angry and for some reason that's the only state of mind he can ever be in. It turns out he was raised as Super-Gladiator on his home planet and was inflicted with a device called the Butcher's Nails: The way I interpret it is it makes him ferment his anger. Angry is the only emotion or feeling he can enjoy.

That part of the story was fascinating! It also seems like he had is legion (Soldiers,people who are genetically derived from him...like sons but not really) Inflicted with the Butcher's Nails too. That's probably why they're all so eager to pointlessly kill things.

In my opinion, Lorgar was egging him on the whole time. He talks all big, but I get the feeling he kind of wants his brother to instigation the bad things so he won't have to take credit for it.

Spoiler alert below.....

Then, when they're about to kill that Eldar dude:

BOOOOOM!!

"Only one was supposed to be here....the one who is to be the Blood God's Son!" WHOOWOWHHWHHWH ah????

Demonic ascention is evident! I wonder which of the "Monkey King's Children" is destined for that fate?? HMMMM???

Yeah, it's totally the redhead with the bloody nose!

[RatGrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

March 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus X Shadow Crusade III Chosen of Chaos (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.

A glorious prequel to the Shadow Crusade and Betrayer that gives an incredible overview of the two Legions and the major players and issues going on between the brother Primarchs and their Legions!

My love for the World Eaters, empathy for Angron, and pure ambivalence for Lorgar and the Word Bearers knows no bounds! Not to mention the introduction of my absolute favourites, Khârgal Tal!!!

I stand by the review I wrote below, which I have absolutely no memory of writing lol

The only thing I would add was that reading this within the context of the series and especially with the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order I came away from this an aching heart and a lump in my throat. The tragedy of the Red Angel and how all around him, save Khârn and Captain Sarin manipulate, abuse, and/ or resent him has me speared and shot through by countless Ursars Claws of emotion.

Also, I was confused on the chronology with my review of Inheritor because the reading order has that first. It still serves as an amuse bouche for Betrayer and a coda for the Shadow Crusade, but it isn't the first we see of the jolly cooperation of the zealots and the bersekers, this is.

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 18.41 Horus Heresy novels, 11 novellas, 51 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 9 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.


***

Initial Review:

Review Part One (Apparently I have a lot to say and limited capacity right now)

"Angron staggered to his brother’s side, drooling and dizzy – a flawed statue of the perfect warrior, ruined by mistreatment. As bloodstained as they both were, they could almost have been twins."
- Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Butcher's Nails

Once you get past the ridiculous name that, while I do find it very silly, harkens back to a time when Warhammer 40K had a sense of humour and satire about it, Angron might be the most heartbreaking character in any Warhammer lore. Only Curze was anywhere near as abused and ignored by the planets that became their homes and their gaslight, gatekeep, empress father. Angron was designed to be a fearless, bloodthirsty warrior demi-gods by a distant father, but on Nuceria he was forged into a a creature of rage and pain, long before Khorne embraced him as their bloody berserker. Fitted with the Butcher's Nails by his High-Rider slave masters as a punishment for refusing to kill his surrogate father, Angron would live for slaughter and never know peace. In spite of this he still lead his people against their oppressors, only for the Emperor to teleport him out at the pivotal moment. The last thing he saw as he was taken from his abusive home was the crushing of the rebellion with the deaths of everyone that put their faith in him. Everyone he cared for. His creator never acknowledged how it would have been nothing to him to aid the effort or addressed the fact that his son was a heartbreaking statue chiseled from trauma.

"You do like your broken toys."
- My mother, A Sample of My Childhood Trauma

I sure hope no one else disregards Angron's feelings and agency, gleefully leading them into ever more trauma and agony, app for their own nefarious ends...

Review Part Two (OK, I'm back. ACAB)

Butcher's Nails follows the unlikely buddy (demi-god scions of a fascist galaxu-sprawling empire turned traitor champions of the Primordial Annihilator) cop duo, starring Lorgar Aurelian as the crooked detective in the pocket of shadiest powers in town looking for a bloody patsy, and introducing Angronius 'Angron' Nuceria as the hotheaded rookie who used to be an enforcer for the High-Riders MC, as they shake down the Drukhari Droogs for selling pirate wraithbone watches they bring in through the Webway Docks.

The grand schemer is essentially feeling out and putting the Red Angels' temper to good use for the Warmaster and his own nefarious plans, playing the dutiful brother, seeming to give Angron some of that familial connection he is sorely lacking. Sure, Angron considers killing Lorgar and his sons from time to time. Who doesn't? But they work together and we actually see Angron open up and show some vulnerability about his trauma and neurodivergences.

Hopefully no Eldar prophecy will lead to the former Lord of the Red Sand getting literally gaslit into eternal damnation...

This audio drama shows us how multifaceted these brothers actually are, telling a compelling tale that fits neatly within the events surrounding it, providing colour and shade for the big players, as well as leading into the next big events.

Seán Barrett and co do a fantastic job of bringing the story to life with their performances. Shout out to the Kharn voice work that reminds me that while I am most certainly a dyke, I am a panbi one.

Irs actually been so long since I actually listened to an audio drama that was given the full special effects treatment, which is a pretty impressive production, though the las and projectile weapons sound effects might work fine for most sci-fi, but they do sound utterly ridiculous when you consider the weapons Primarchs, Astartes, and their strike cruisers bring to bare.

We even get a little of the greatest couple/ thruple in the galaxy Khargal Tal (and Daemon).

This might not be the best audio drama of tale of Heresy, but it is a bloody good one, pun and Britishness intended.

Initial thoughts straight after finishing this time:

Will do more of a review when I've actually had some sleep, but listening to this again for the first time in years and after having heard a while lot of Black Library audio dramas in between, especially Horus Heresy ones recently, I definitely felt this deserved bumping up to five for just how much it actually explores the characters through the narrative, is a perfect accompaniment to the novel Betrayer, and is beautifully situated in time with connections to other events and media around it, as well as natural references to those who will go on to play a bigger part in the the overarching story, becoming significant figures in the 41st Millennium.

Also, I had a night of insomnia with excruciating chronic pain, tension and contortions from my C-PTSD conversion symptoms, which really seemed apropos for listening to Butcher's Nails.

[Володимир Кузнєцов · Rating 4 out of 5]

Короткий, але потужний епізод, створений одним з кращих авторів Чорної бібліотеки. Брутальний та кривавий, до того ж створений у вигля��і авдіоспектакля.

[Veronica Anrathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how the Butcher’s Nails sang.
I’ve read and listened to this story so many times, it’s definitely one of my all-time favorites. A great addition to the book Betrayer, we get a very clear description of how those nails actually affect the Red Angel, there’s a lot of foreshadowing, a change in Lorgar’s character compared to The First Heretic. AND the fierce Lotara Sarrin, hands down one of the best human characters in HH! It’s fascinating to see the relationship between Angron and Lorgar, knowing what happens next. The dynamic between Kharn and Argel Tal, who is already going through his unfortunate transformation, is the best thing. Even the Eldar add some flavor to this story. Love it.

[Aleksi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best audio dramas published by BL thus far.

[Patt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lorgar and Angon - the ultimate buddy comedy.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nothing was as honest as rage - throughout the history of the human race, what release of emotion had ever been more worthy and true than depthless anger? A parent confronting their child's killer. A farmer defending his family against raiders. The warrior avenging the deaths of his brothers. In rage, anything was justified. It was the highest state of sentience. With rage came vindication, and with vindication came peace."

This short story serves as a prequel to "Betrayer" also written by ADB.

Lorgar and Angron were ordered to bring the 500 worlds of Ultramar to its knees. But Angron's lack of control and refusal to co-operate has come to a head, as both Word Bearer and World Eater fleets are prepared to battle.

Angron is broken, he knows that but perhaps not how deep the damage is. He chases the peace that only bloodshed can provide and has lost sight of any grander plan. His rage is threatening Lorgar's plans and ambitions, and Lorgar's patience can only extend so far.

Lorgar's relationship with Angron is one of the most interesting aspects of "Betrayer" so I'm glad we get to see the beginning of it here. Lorgar seems to genuinely be concerned for his brother, even as he is frustrated by Angron's behaviour. The death of Ferrus seems to have shaken Lorgar somewhat, almost as if he hasn't fully accepted his treachery has killed a brother. This goes on to play a much larger role in the plot of Betrayer. I would speculate that Lorgar's desire to safety Angron's life wasn't just to please the Chaos God Khorne, or to assist with the Siege of Terra, I think it was because of a sense of guilt, of not wanting to lose another brother.

This short story also introduces us to Lotarra Sorin, Captain of the Conqueror and one of the coolest human characters in the Heresy. We also briefly meet Officer Tobin, one of the few bridge crew members that is mentioned consistently. This is the start of Lotarra's story which continues in Betrayer, Heart of the Conqueror, a Rose Watered with Blood, and other stories later in the Heresy.

[Callum Shephard · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is it with the Horus Heresy and the World Eaters legion? Whenever they show up as secondary or background characters they tend to edge out against the protagonists, giving interesting hints about their legion and why the Emperor allowed them to exist in the first place. Yet when they actually get their stories, short ones unfortunately, they’re consistently unremarkable and can easily be passed over. This is the real problem with Butcher’s Nails, it’s the first proper look at the legion and primarch since the betrayal from their own viewpoint, and you could skim over it without losing anything.

To make matters worse the blurb manages to both completely misrepresent the story and spoil a good half of it. It seems to suggest the whole thing will be the pivotal moment in which Angron truly turns to Chaos, becoming Khorne’s champion, and a follow-up to an apparent attempt by the Eldar to kill him while he was young. Instead most of what we get is just conflict between the Word Bearers and some expansion upon Angron’s character from his own viewpoint. It’s not bad but it’s not what the audiobook has been advertised as focusing upon. To make matters worse is that all we really get about Angron becoming the chosen of Khorne is this: Lorgar changes his opinion on the primarch and realises that the combat devices implanted into the back of the legionaries’ heads were always turning them to Chaos. These are things we’ve always known and honestly it feels like Lorgar should have known about the former far sooner than he did.
None of this is to say that Butcher’s Nails is bad, it’s just unremarkable as a story. While it does have the problems highlighted above there are a few points in here which prove to be interesting – Angron himself is presented as being the berserker gladiator king we’ve known him as but he’s written with far more depth than his original concept. This is most obvious when he’s first introduced, showing more value and respect to the non-astartes members of his crew than any other traitor primarch has. He’s still abrasive and perpetually furious but he treats them as he would his astartes and, if the relationship between Kharn and Sarrin are anything to go by, as do the rest of the legion. Angron even objects to being referred to as “lord” or any similar title, which is a nice touch and fits well with his history as effectively being 40k’s Spartacus. It goes some way to humanising the legion while not detracting from their reputation as the eaters of worlds.
A similarly interesting point is that the audiobook suggests that it was the Dark Eldar who tried to kill Angron in his childhood as they show up here to make another attempt upon his life. This is again a decision which is oddly appropriate. Previously everyone had thought it was the craftworld Eldar who had attempted to assassinate him, but their relationship with Slaanesh makes them far more fitting to want him dead.
One noteworthy thing is that this is the first Horus Heresy audiobook with a fully voiced cast and the second one in the Warhammer universe. This allows for a much wider vocal range and helps to distinguish between certain major characters, always a good thing, the problem is that not all of them really fit their roles. Ones like Lorgar, Sarrin, Argal Tal (yes, he has a cameo in this), and the Eldar all work. Kharn and Angron not so much. Kharn sounds far too in control and calm to the point where it’s effectively impossible to imagine him going into a berserk fury. Angron on the other hand actually has a voice which sounds like it’d suit Kharn far better but is too subdued for the primarch. It sounds like he’s frustrated, angry to the point of decking the nearest person at a moment’s notice but still in control. Angron’s supposed to be a walking avatar of blood, death and rage, when he speaks it should sound like the guy is ready to kill at a drop of a hat, with every word as a sheer blast of sound. More like the one we got in the audio adaptations of the opening Horus trilogy.
The final big problem with Butcher’s Nails, and this is going to sound petty, is the cover. On the one hand unlike the cover of Tales of Heresy this actually looks like Angron rather than an overweight man in armour. He looks like a linebacker, a combat monster capable of cutting swathes through armies and one of the most physically powerful of the primarchs. This helps to offset the current attitude of new fans which consider all primarchs bar Guilliman to be easily dealt with and comparatively weak. Even out of his armour Angron looks like he could easily fight the other primarchs we’ve seen to a standstill.
On the other this isn’t artwork worthy of a cover – a man with two axes standing half naked and screaming at the reader is the sort of thing which looks like it came from a bad 90s comic. That or one of Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories. Either way they probably should have kept this one on the inside cover of and used one of the images of him fully armoured. Previous audiobooks have shown Black Library has no problems reusing old artwork from the Horus Heresy Collected Editions, so they could have easily just used Wayne England’s image of the primarch.

Again, in spite of all these criticisms, Butcher’s Nails isn’t overly bad. It’s a big let-down to be sure but it’s not some massive outright betrayal. If you’re a fan of the World Eaters or Aaron Dembski-Bowden then this one is worth getting and you’ll probably be satisfied with it. Everyone else, you can probably skip this one without too much trouble. If you’re looking for more in-depth coverage of some of the less focused upon primarchs’ thoughts and ideologies, you might want to look up the duology of The Dark King & The Lightning Tower. Both of which do a much better job of fleshing out Konrad Curze and Rogal Dorn than this audio does with Angron.
If you do get this though, be prepared for the remarkable stupidity which is the ursa’s claws. No, really, brace yourself – it’s something which when first hearing it I thought I’d accidently picked up a 40K parody.

[Matt Argueta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Butcher's Nails sets a good tone for the relationship between Angron and Lorgar ahead of the events of Betrayer. I feel this would have been a good one to read prior to reading Betrayer to be honest

While there is a slight inconsistency, with Lorgar telling Angron at the end of the short story that "nothing is wrong with the Nails" and "he was mistaken", after hearing Angron's prophecy from the Eldar. In Betrayer, Lorgar uses a plea of brotherhood towards Angron to instigate him committing to landing on Nuceria - this was framed as both an opportunity for vengeance, but also as a means of saving him from the Butcher's Nails in his head as they are slowly killing him

Granted the time-frame where these occur are before/after the invasion of Calth, and Angron seems to be in an accelerated decline, it does slightly contradict Lorgar's tone towards him on the matter.

Either way, this was a solid short-story for the World Eaters/Word Bearers.

[Jake · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to really like this story, as I find Angron and the World Eaters fascinating. A chance to explore the Butcher's Nails and why Angron feels they unlock the potential of his legion seemed perfect!

However, it doesn't really explore much of that. It hints that it will, but then really doesn't explain or even explore these concepts, instead, it does a brilliant job describing the physical appearance of Angron, and demonstrating his physical anguish, but this wasn't quite enough for me.

Its a lot of fluff and nothing really of substance

It's also interesting how easily the Eldar are defeated throughout the Horus Heresy...

[Seb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for the e-book version of this audio drama
Not a bad exploration of the character and thoughts of Angron, Kharn and the World Eaters. Given they are one of the most charicatured legions, it is good to see things from their perspective from time to time. Also, paints an interesting picture of interaction between the legions that threw their lot in with Horus.
You can find the e-book for this audio drama in the compilation Legacies of Betrayal

[Lane Callahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

similarly to the previous audio drama in this set, i found this to be well acted and engaging but a bit surface level. i dont think they need to be as short (1ish hour) as they are but maybe its a tactic to be more mass appealling. i found Lorgar to be an interesting character to see more of in this but as the name suggests it focused largely on Angron who i find to be the most boring and 1 dimensional of the primarchs, so rated it a little bit lower. well produced though

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, poor, poor Angron. His only friend Lorgar Aurelian spends this entire story trying to save him from the butchers nails, only to change his mind the instant he learns of a tony possibility of gaining more power. Perhaps he truly thought he was helping Angron, perhaps he was just naive.

I enjoyed that Angron, when lucid is shown to be quite intuitive, seeing through Lorgar instantly.

[Saud Ghaith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally I am not invested in any Eldar storyline but this was a good read/listen.

[sean reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Urgewyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm not thrilled with the voice actor for Angron, the story is fantastic. Also, hearing everyone's favorite ship captain bellow 'FIRE THE URSUS CLAWS' is worth it.

[TuralyonW3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angron/Lorgar face-off/team-up masterfully written by ADB, nuff said

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest fan of Angron but found this story pretty cool, Angron and Lorgar battle a group of eldar.
Collected in legacies of betrayal book.

[Tyberius · Rating 5 out of 5]

That good stuff!!!

[Alex Olsen-Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

structurally uninspired with little sense of character differentiation. setting was enjoyable though.

[Thomas Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again a nice intro to Angrons story and a nice intro of Lotarra who is well liked in the community and I therefore know she suffers a horrific fate. Yippeee

[Isaac Neubeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book comes between know no fear and betrayer, it's basically a story of lorgar and angron feuding but putting it aside to fight the eldar

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover art of Angron makes him look like a WWE wrestler and his voice actor sounds more like an angry old man than a demigod of martial wrath. Entertaining story, though.

[Garry · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off I need to get the negative points I havew ith this audio drama out of the way. Over the top/distracting sound effects that spoil the voice actors efforts to tell the story and a wholly inappropriate "pirate" accent for Angron did make me wince!

Now with that over with the good points... A great story that leads up to the novel Betrayer also by Aaron Dembski-Bowden. The story begins about a year after the massacre at Isstvan with the Word Bearers and World Eaters Legions about to fight each other over their differing views and methods in fighting the war against the Imperium, after travelling ever closer to Ultramar, the empire of the Ultramarines legion.

Both sides are brought from the brink by an impetuous intervention by Dark Eldar ships who are determined to kill Angron and thus prevent his future elevation as a daemon prince of the Blood God Khorne.

A good story adequetly told by the voice actors, you'll be left wanting more, which you will get in Betrayer. The story ends with news of Kor Phaeron about to attack the Ultramarines at Calth. (A story told by Dan Abnett in his book Know No Fear).

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaron Dembski-Bowden does it again, with an excellent story of the most brutal of the traitorous Primarchs, the Red Angel, Angron. I always did think that he was one of the weakly-characterized Primarchs from the Horus Heresy books, but having this story tackle his psyche was a great idea, especially given the audio book treatment. It's a front-seat view of the sheer depravity that Angron has succumbed to. He's let himself get taken over by his baser instincts of killing and receiving and inflicting pain, with even his brother Primarch Lorgar himself getting a taste of his psychotic "tantrums".

Well for the most part, the characters are well-voiced and well-portrayed. Even traitors like these two Primarchs still follow some "sacred" oaths and orders, albeit on narrower lines. And if you think, this is just about Angron and Lorgar going on a secret mission somewhere, well there's more to it than that, as a Xenos enemy mentions how Angron is on the path to becoming "the Blood God's Son". This may be the book that starts the traitor Primarchs' realization and transformation into Chaos.

I recommend listening to this, especially to get more insight into Angron and Lorgar if you're still on the Horus Heresy trail.

[Fabian Scherschel · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as the audio dramas I've heard from Black Library so far go, this is middle of the road. It isn't bad but it's not outstanding either. It's probably worth for you to pick up if you like the World Eaters or Word Bearers or if you've got to read and listen to every little bit of the Horus Heresy like me. Otherwise, I think you could also pass. The story is decent but it sure isn't great. Some nice little bits in there, especially the interaction between Angron and Lorgar and the characters are good too. There just isn't anything that stands out particularly.

The production value is most excellent as usual, however.