You got to give some major props to these smaller boutique labels like Vinegar Syndrome, Synapse Films, and so many more, that keep putting out some rare titles that are either out-of-print on DVD or maybe never even been released in a digital format before. Today saw the announcement of two different box sets that I’m pretty excited about. One of the sets, I already all the titles, but upgrading to Blu-ray, especially with all the extras, it’s a no-brainer.

But let’s get to the first one that I’m most excited about. Today Severin Films announced Danza Macabra: The Italian Gothic Collection – Volume 1! For someone that is a huge Euro-Horror fan, especially the gothic horror titles, I’m very excited about this one. Coming out at the end of May, this box set will contain 4 features: The Monster of the Opera (1964), The Seventh Grave (1965), Scream of the Demon Lover (1970), and finally, Lady Frankenstein (1971), each one packed with extras.

The Monster of the Opera has a new 2K scan from the original negative, and will include audio commentary by Kat Ellinger, author of Daughters of Darkness. It will also have interviews with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi, Italian film devotee Mark Thompson-Ashworth, and an archival interview with director Renato Polselli.

The Seventh Grave is also presented in a new 2K scan from a recently discovered negative, and will come with an audio commentary by film critic and co-host of Fragments of Fear, Rachael Nisbet, an interview with film historian Fabio Melelli, and a video essay by Gothic scholar and author Rachel Knightley.

Scream of the Demon Lover (how is that for a title!?!?!) is presented in a 4K scan from the negative, and will feature audio commentary with Co-Host of NaschyCast, Rod Barnett, and writer and editor of I’m In a Jess Franco State of Mind, Robert Monell, an interview with actress Erna Schurer, and a video essay by Stephen Thrower called In the Castle of Blood.

Saving the best for last is Lady Frankenstein, one of my all-time favorites of Euro-Trash Horror! This release is a 2K scan from the original negative, with alternate scenes. There is an audio commentary with Kat Ellinger, and film scholar and host of Girls,Guts, Giallo, Annie Rose Malamet. There is also another commentary with authors Alan Jones and Kim Newman. Add in a featurette with actress Rosalba Neri and film historian Fabio Melelli, a documentary short on director Mel Welles, a German TV documentary called The Truth about Lady Frankenstein, clothed insert shots, and so much more!

I can’t wait to see what will be in volume 2!!!

Now fans of Mexican horror films will be thrilled to see four staples of the late ’50s / early ’60s are coming to Blu-ray for the first time from Indicator Films, the same company that recently gave us the incredibly packed box set of Michael J. Murphy films in the Magic, Myth, & Mutilation box set. But now, with their Mexico Macabre set, we’ll get four titles are really must-see films: Black Pit of Dr. M aka Misterios de ultratumba (1959), The Witch’s Mirror aka El espejo de la bruja (1961), The Brainiac aka El barón del terror (1962), The Curse of the Crying Woman aka La maldición de la Llorona (1963).

Also being released at the end of May, all four films have high-definition remasters, optional Spanish mono audio, and optional English mono audio tracks for all except Black Pit of Dr. M. Each film with include an audio commentary. Abraham Castillo Flores, a film programmer and curator who specializes in the preservation of Mexican horror films, will be doing the commentary for Black Pit of Dr. M, David Wilt, film historian and Mexican cinema specialist, will be doing the commentary for The Witch’s Mirror, Keith J. Rainville, publisher of From Parts Unknown will supply the commentary for The Brainiac, and lastly, Morena de Fuego, doctor in film studies and LatAm horror specialist, will be contributing the commentary for The Curse of the Crying Woman.

There will also be other extras, such as segments on the history of Alameda Films and producer Alfredo Ripstein, directors Fernando Méndez, Chano Urueta, and Rafael Balédon. Also included is the Mexican Horror Movies episode of the British TV series, Mondo Macabro, where it gives us an overview of the Mexican genre cinema from the ’50s to the ’70s. Add in trailers, promotional and publicity material, exclusive art cards, and a limited edition 100-page book with new essays by José Luis Ortega Torres, David Wilt and Abraham Castillo Flores.

If you’re not familiar with these films, now is your chance. If you like the old Universal classic films, then these are a must. They are just oozing with atmosphere, bizarre plots and storylines, and some truly creepy moments. Plus, with The Brainiac, while it is a little cheesy, it is one of the best and memorable monsters you’ll ever see!