For metal fans, the subject of Vikings is nothing new. From wondering why no-one seems to like ‘Invaders’ by Iron Maiden, or suddenly bursting into a frighteningly loud rendition of Led Zeppelin‘s ‘Immigrant Song’ at the merest mention of Thor: Ragnarok, those hairy little pillagers have been part and parcel of our music scene for decades.Continue reading
Typically we try to stay away from rumor mill material with Ghost Cult, as we like to leave that up to our peers who trade your trust for clickbait daily. On rare occasions, we will share a story that is developing that would be of great interest to fans if it comes to fruition and will let you know up front if we only have some of the facts. Such is the case with John Reece, co-founder of the now-defunct Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. Reece posted last night on social media to the Mayhem Festival account, posing the question: should the fest should make a comeback? Reece who also used to run the Taste of Chaos tour with his then partner Kevin Lyman (also of Warped Tour) have been tight-lipped since the farewell messages at the end of the 2015 run of dates that ended the run of eight years straight starting in 2008. As of now, there is no pending announcement or further information we have to indicate the fest is coming back, but we’d love to see it! Once it went dark some of the bands that would typically play the fest went over to play Warped, which is also no longer a touring fest. Even as a destination fest (the current trend), we feel Mayhem would make a huge comeback. Both Reece and Lyman are incredible entrepreneurs with Reece involved with fests like Back To The Beach and the new Real Street Fest, and Lyman still running Warped and FEND, so there is no doubt they can make this happen and bring it back. Mayhemfest, as it was known, was a strictly Rock and Metal fest that was an answer to Ozzfest in America, after that event went on hiatus. The fest boasted lineups that included Slipknot, Korn, Disturbed, Slayer, King Diamond, Marilyn Manson, Lamb of God, Five Finger Death Punch, Avenged Sevenfold, Killswitch Engage, Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Hatebreed, All That Remains, Testament, Godsmack, Megadeth, Anthrax, Motörhead, Mastodon, Amon Amarth, Machine Head, Trivium and more!
A big topic that I have a lot of fun getting pretty deep with is thinking about how people consume content in 2019. This is a place where a lot of bands get confused. They don’t act thoughtfully. Remember that at the end of the day, you need to sell to your audience the way they want to be sold to, not the way that you want to sell to them. It doesn’t matter if the way that you like to create content seems cool to you. If it doesn’t seem cool to your audience, then it’s as good as wasting your time. So how do you operate with this in mind? How are people consuming content nowadays, and how does this impact how (and what) you should create? It’s really hard sometimes to figure these things out because, during the process, you’ll often discover a lot of brutal and uncomfortable truths. The main thing to remember is just that while social media is a one-to-many method of content delivery, you want to make it feel like a one-to-one method. Continue reading
As we draw closer to the highly anticipated new album from Amon Amarth, Berzerker, they have released a new single and video. You can watch the video for ‘Crack The Sky’. Directed by Roboshobo, ‘Crack The Sky’ is the second of a trilogy of music videos from Berserker (the first clip being “‘Raven’s Flight’), all of the videos create and expand the world of Amon Amarth. The cast features Josh Barnett as “the Berserker” Berzerker releases on May 3rd via Metal Blade (North America) / Sony Music (International). Continue reading
So, this is a big question – and there’s been quite the narrative around it as people change their minds about how they’re going to approach social media in 2019. How are you going to create value with your content in order to get people to want to come back? I have this thing – it’s called being a value grinder, and refers to someone who spends a lot of time cranking out valuable content people are excited to come back to see. When you have quality content, nothing else matters, because as long as you can get it in front of people they’ll be stoked to see it. In this article, I want to talk about how you’re going to embrace this, break it down, and reach bold new levels. The music biz is not a kind place and really demands a lot from its participants. Join me as I show you how you can transcend, reach the next level, and engage with people in a way that is engaging and meaningful for all parties.
Major tour news today as Amon Amarth has booked a US Tour with Arch Enemy, At The Gates and Grand Magus. Amon Amarth will be supporting their new album Berzerker coming on May 3rd, from Metal Blade Records. Tickets go on general sale this Friday, April 19th 10 am local time at the link below. Watch the press conference teaser below. Continue reading
Earlier Amon Amarth has announced their new album Berserker, due on May 3rd via Nuclear Blast. The band just released the brutal new single, ‘Raven’s Flight’ And now you can watch the video for the track!Continue reading
Viking Metallers Amon Amarth has announced their new album Berserker, due on May 3rd via Nuclear Blast. The band just released the brutal new single, ‘Raven’s Flight’ Which you can hear below! The album is the first with new drummer Jocke Wallgren (October Tide). The disc was recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with Anthrax, Steel Panther, Uriah Heep, and Stone Sour. Crank it up to 11 and listen to ‘Raven’s Flight’ right now! Continue reading
Formed nearly a quarter of a century ago, Twisted Tower Dire is one of those bands that never made it big, but has always been likable and consistent in their music. This Virginia-based act has been rather quiet since their last release, Mark It Dark (Cruz del Sur Music) in 2011, but now they’re back with a much-anticipated new record. Their sixth full-length album, Wars In The Unknown (No Remorse Records), boasts about how this quartet can still accomplish solid and entertaining Heavy Metal.Continue reading
Rockharz Open Air has added a flurry of new bands for this July’s festival! Soilwork, Omnium Gatherum, Grave, Lordi, Visions Of Atlantis, Burning Witches, Combichrist, Elvellon, Hell Boulevard, J.B.O., Lacrimas Profundere, and Witt have joined the event. The fest already boasts Amon Amarth, Dimmu Borgir, Saltatio Mortis, Children of Bodom, Cradle of Filth, Hypocrisy, Epica, DragonForce, Wintersun, Korpiklaani Overkill and many more! Rockharz Open Air will take place at Flugplatz Ballenstedt from July 3rd to July 6th, 2019. Tickets are available now at the link below.