Sylvaine is the pseudonym of Norway’s Kathrine Shepard, a classically trained composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. Since 2014 Shepard has been releasing albums as Sylvaine, of which Nova (Season of Mist) will be the fourth (not counting a 2020 split with Unreqvited).
A contemplative, but serene gaze out of the window, as a hazy half-smile plays on the corner of the lips. Half a memory aligns with the story that is playing in the ears, but it has its own shade and hue, something the same but different, but definitely and absolutely connected. ‘Me and Mine’, the second song in a breathy, intimate, quietly sung middle of the album causes pause to reflect. A simple song about children, how being a parent as your kids grow up can be, it’s about closeness… And it is genuine.
They say (well, Turisas did, which is probably as unlikely a band to reference in the introduction to a review of a solo album by the vocalist from The Menzingers as you’re going to get) no good story ever starts with drinking tea. But, maybe, just maybe this one does. For the journey of Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave (Epitaph Records), the first solo album from Gregor Barnett begins with the premature closing of one adventure and the unplanned void of returning home to… no plans. Just peace, quiet, solitude, and, well, whatever hot drink of choice our man from Pennsylvania chooses to imbibe the morning.
Absolute legend of stoner doom and sludge metal, Matt Pike has lifted off with his first solo album entitled Pike vs The Automaton (MNRK Heavy). Being known well for his work in Sleep and High on Fire, Matt takes all of the things he loves from those projects as well as other influences to put together a fantastic psychedelic rock album. Groovy, heavy, and really something for everyone can be found here to be enjoyed.
Amigo The Devil a.k.a. Danny Kiranos returned to his typical massive touring schedule in 2021 with a 50+ date tour across America with Tejon Street Corner Thieves, dubbed “The Bingo Hall” and other appearances such as Riot Fest! He will return to the stage Saturday, February 5th for special global livestream event dubbed, “Murder at the Belasco”. The event will mark the first time Amigo has ever played with a full live band in concert. The show is sold out but tickets are on sale for the livestream at the link below. His last album Born Against was released on his own Liars Club label and was one of Ghost Cult’s Top 75 albums of 2021.
Emma Ruth Rundle seems to have become an artist with a licence to shift around stylistically as much as she wants while still maintaining, and continuing to build, her devoted fanbase. Last year’s revered collaboration with Thou — May Our Chambers Be Full (Sacred Bones) was dense, heavy, aggressive and complex. Whilst everything Rundle turns her hand to shares a certain delicate and fragile emotional openness, Engine Of Hell (Sargent House) in most other senses explores the opposite end of the Emma Ruth Rundle sonic spectrum.
NOÊTA is a duo based between Norway and Sweden and consisting of multi-instrumentalists Ândris and Êlea, the latter of whom also provides vocals. Their music is an intriguing hybrid of dark folk and dark ambient styles, with just a hint of black metal seeping in around the edges.
There are many ways unironically describe the last year or so of human life in a manner we can all appreciate. A lot of us use sarcasm and deflection as a means to cope, and it shows. We may become numb to our own reality based on a lot of loss and sadness, and the mass psychotic break the world seems to have suffered. If you are here reading these words, hopefully,you are looking for an escape from the mundane in some good music. Music is here for you, both as a hug to say “it’s gonna be OK,” but also to commiserate with someone who has been there through the muck, just like you. Danny Kiranos, a.k.a. Amigo The Devil has found a foothold in our musical diet, a needed figure to tell the unpleasant truths about that muck and mire we need to learn from, or just relate to. He asks us to look with him and at ourselves too. He does this to a bold effect on his new album, Born Against (Liar’s Club Records, Regime Music Group).
Dark Folk and Americana artist Esther Ann Gove will release her debut new album, Oh Creation, will release on April 2nd, and is full of gravitas, mournful lyrics, and goose-flesh-inducing vocals. Through captivating songcraft and a penchant for dramatic turns and sparse instrumentation, we just might have found a potential new genre leader. The video for “Home” premieres today at Ghost Cult and we are proud to pair up to share it! Continue reading
Amigo The Devil has released a new track and a positively morbid video for “Quiet As A Rat”, coming off from his upcoming sophomore album Born Against. The new album is set for an April 16th release via Liars Club/Regime Music Group. The video features Amigo The Devil (aka Danny Kiranos) style gallows humor, which is actually depicted in this clip. The “Quiet as a Rat ” video was directed by Courtney and Ray Gauger and the artist is depicted as the narrator and victim of some tongue and cheek attempts at torture and execution that pose more on an annoyance to him than a threat. With a possible guest appearance by the Grim Reaper, you could say this is the most meta video for Danny’s career. Monday, March 1st will also be “Amigo The Devil Day” in Austin, Texas in tribute to the artist. Watch it now!