On a clear summer evening in Manhattan, the Summer of Discontent Tour rolled through The Rooftop at Pier 17, bringing with it a dose of Punk, Celtic folk, and rebellion. With the East River, Brooklyn Bridge, and a setting sun and a glowing full moon like a second stage backdrop, Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, and The Mainliners gave New York City a triple threat of grit, melody, and meaning.Continue reading
Guitars quite literally illustrate the opening action of “By The Light”, a group of paladins attacking an evil necromantic death cult. Their failure and the sole survivor Emaly’s efforts to avenge the deaths form the balance of Burning Sun’s Retribution (Metalizer Records), a Power Metal tour de force of a concept album in the vein of Helloween and my last album reviewed for Ghost Cult, Martyr. Pancho Ireland’s vocals maintain smooth power akin to Bruce Dickinson.Continue reading
Photo credit: Wyatt Clough
The Devil Wears Prada have announced their ninth studio album, Flowers, is coming out on the 14th of November, via Solid State Records. To celebrate, the band have released two new singles; “Where the Flowers Never Grow” and “Wave,” They have also shared the short film, That Same Place Where The Flowers Never Grow. Watch it below along with more from the band.
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Bringing together Adam Bravin (She Wants Revenge) and alternative songstress, Saint Avangeline, new project, The Death of Lilies, have just shared their new single “Savior.” The track is paired with a music video, directed by Bravin and Ben Haslup. Watch it below and find out more.
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From underground gems to the big time, it’s New Music Friday
8-22-25
Who has the best album cover this week?
Yes, William Brent Hinds was the former guitarist of Mastodon. But I knew him as my friend who gave the best hugs and said “Man, Benchpress, it feels like you are going to crush me, that’s awesome!”
Testament 2025 – Photo Credit Fred Kowalo ghostcultmag –
Bay Area thrash metal icons Testament return this Fall with their fourteenth studio album, Para Bellum. The album which will be released on October 10th via Nuclear Blast Records, stands as both a battle cry and an observation of humanity’s uneasy alliance with its own creations. As technology accelerates and disconnection grows, Para Bellum sees Testament reflecting the modern chaos through music that’s urgent, sharp, and unflinchingly human. Now, Testament delivers one of their most intense songs they’ve written to date, “Infanticide A.I.” Led by the blinding speed of their new drummer Chris Dovas, the band shows off its musical talent far beyond their expected norms. Watch the music video for ‘Infanticide A.I.” directed by Joey Durango, here:
Tragic news as according to a published report from Consequence of Sound, Brent Hinds, formerly a creative force in Mastodon, has died. He was just 51. He died in a motorcycle crash in Atlanta when a motorist did not yield for Hinds, who was on his Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. Hinds was an expert rider in his adult life. Mastodon has made a statement, which you can read below. Although the split with the band under acrimonius circumstances earlier in 2025, Hind co-founded the band in 2020 and appeared on all eight of their albums, won a Grammy awards, and made a huge impact, especially with his composing and lead guitar playing on albums such as the classic debut Remission, Leviathan (both Relapse Records), Blood Mountain, Crack The Skye and The Hunter (2011) for Reprise Records. RIP.
Following their self-titled debut album, released earlier this year, Brazilian heavy metal band, Blades Of Steel, recently shared the single “Riders Of The Night.” Featuring a guest appearance from Nervosa vocalist, Prika Amaral, the track also comes with an official music video. It is the first taste of their upcoming second album, scheduled for 2026, and produced by Val Santos (Viper). Watch it below and read more.
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Blood Incantation guitarist, Morris Kolontyrsky, is working up to the release of his new solo album, Origination. His Projekt Records debut, it is due out on October 10th. Keep reading below to find out more.
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