Tag Archives: Nicola Stocchi

You’ll definitely hear this 8,000 piece LEGO Tremortusk coming

Man, I really need to play the Horizon series of video games. Now that might seem like a bit of a random ramble from yours truly (hey, it’s what I do best). After all, Horizon: Forbidden West came out 18 months ago now. The reason it’s suddenly on my mind is down to this mean-looking machine that Nicola Stocchi has built from nearly 8,000 pieces. This elephant-like creature, called Tremortusk, is apparently designed “to cull the human population”. I’m glad I read that particular piece of information. Had I only heard the name I would’ve guessed Tremortusk was a Pokemon or something. Somehow, I doubt this thing will take kindly to a Pokeball being lobbed at its head. So now I know not to try that. Every day is a school day!

Lego Tremortusk UCSThis isn’t the first creature in Nicola’s Horizon menagerie either – have a look at some of the others. They’re not all as friendly as Tremortusk here, mind, so tread carefully.

Check out this deadly predator from Horizon Zero Dawn

After the successful release of the recent Tallneck set, it seems fitting that we would see more talented builders construct other creatures from the game, Horizon Zero Dawn. Poised and ready to pounce, comes this fantastic model of a Sawtooth, created by Nicola Stocchi.The build has a great heavily armoured look to it, emphasized by the layers of plating. Long antenna sprout up from the machine’s back which feature paddle heads at their ends. At the feet, two types of clip pieces have been used to create thick pointed claws. Hopefully, this Sawtooth doesn’t fancy a Tallneck snack tonight…

LEGO Sawtooth

An even taller Tallneck

Fans of Horizon: Forbidden West and/or fans of mechanical giraffes with disks for heads were thrilled to learn that LEGO has launched an official LEGO Horizon Tallneck set. Clearly, Nicola Stocchi falls into one or both categories, as he has built a UCS Tallneck. (I fall into only one category but more on that later.) What does this whole UCS business mean, exactly? Well, UCS stands for Ultimate Collectors Series. When someone slaps that moniker onto anything they have built this means you’re bound to get something bigger and much more detailed than your usual fare. This model lives up to its name as it was rendered using a whopping 7391 pieces! It stands 94 centimeters or nearly three feet high.

Lego Tallneck UCS

As I have never heard of the Horizon: Forbidden West game until we featured the article on the Tallneck set, I have learned that I fall into the category of people who love mechanical giraffes with disks for heads. This thing is amazing, even if you’re clueless about the source material. A quick Google search proves these are peaceful machines that serve as great communication towers. The 5G must be amazing around these things! My personal 5G coverage is great because I am vaccinated. While you’re mulling over that logic, tune your 5G to our archives and check out some other wild and weird creatures from the Horizon Zero Dawn francise.

Sound and Fury: The Doof Wagon is the personification of driving music

The 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road is a ton of fun. It has stunning visuals, great acting, an engaging story, and rich world building. And, oh yeah, just a touch of hyper-modified post-apocalyptic vehicles that really define the word “awesome.” Take, for instance, the Doof Wagon – Immortan Joe’s idea of driving music. Nicola Stocchi has created a stunning rendition of this beast that lives up to its on-screen origins. From the dual flamethrowing guitars to the towering tower-speakers, it took just over 3000 LEGO elements to bring this beast to life. There are lots of excellent details to call out, like the different types of 1×1 round plate that mix up the look of the speakers. Check out the use of Technic pins to add texture to the engines. And did you spot the minifigure squeeze-bulb horn? You have to wonder what luckless warboy gets to work that particular instrument.

The Doof Wagon + instructions

The rear view shows off the build on the giant drums. Each is made from hard plastic wheel with a drum head cleverly made of a 2×2 round tile surrounded by four 2×2 macaroni tiles to create the equivalent of a 6×6 round tile. I’m also fond of the expert usage of wedge plates to match the industrial feel of the resonators.

The Doof Wagon + instructions

Overall, this is one sweet ride. Why settle for rattling your car windows with a pathetic in-dash sound system when you could have the Doof Wagon blasting out “Sweet Home Chicago” at 220 decibels?