In terms of a normal year for me, this has been anything but normal for attending concerts so far. This is actually been a good change. I decided for my health mental and physical well-being that I need to do less concert and Festival-going than in the past. Five years ago, I might have been at a show 6 days a week when I lived in Brooklyn. Now I’m down to a few every few months. Even though I do suffer from some fomo, I am picking and choosing my spots of when to make an appearance in the local scene here. We’ll see if it keeps up. Not attending my first show until mid-month February is weird for me, let’s just say that.Continue reading
Tag Archives: black metal
ALBUM REVIEW: Scour – Gold
Trading Louisiana sludge for a more European soundscape, black metal act Scour is the latest project from Phillip H. Anselmo, the former frontman of Texan bruisers Pantera and New Orleans supergroup Down. Although quite some distance away from his usual musical stamping ground, this isn’t the first time Anselmo has turned his hand towards black metal, but where the likes of Eibon and Viking Crown merely laid the groundwork, it’s with Scour where all the pieces have finally come together.Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Joel Stroetzel of Killswitch Engage Talks “This Consequence” Album, and More
In this episode – Keefy chats with our old friend Joel Stroetzel of Killswitch Engage! Their new album This Consequence is out soon via Metal Blade Records! In our second interview with Joel and the fifth with the band in the history of Ghost Cult, Joel discussed the new album, how the band creates music together, his continuing approach to growing as a guitarist, the entire history of the band, and other trips down memory lane!Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Nachtblut – Todschick
Out via Napalm Records which initially specializes in releasing Folk Metal and Black Metal units (but later expands in terms of genre diversity), Germany’s very own Nachtblut drop their seventh studio album entitled Todschick after previously having achieved a milestone regarding their previous release Vanitas, which peaked at #19 on the German album charts.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Open Kasket – Trials Of Failure
You either love Beatdown Death Metal and all its violence-even-though-it’s-carefully-controlled live atmosphere, or you think it’s a bunch of amped-up spinkickers with no respect for their surroundings.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Unreqvited – A Pathway to the Moon
As a consistently profound blend of blackgaze, ambient, post-rock, and black metal, the Ottawa-bound Unreqvited led by 鬼 (Ghost) takes a groundbreaking step toward a rather structured approach in terms of their soundscapes on their new album; incorporating elements from their past releases. With the release of A Pathway to the Moon –out via Prophecy Productions–, they transition into something beyond their borders; inclined more towards intricate lyrical expressions and clean vocals rather than instrumental-heavy elements. This change of trajectory also happens because of the fact that they recently transitioned into a full touring band with heavy focus on live performances. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Harakiri For The Sky – Scorched Earth
Getting a Harakiri For The Sky record release in the heart of winter will pull at your heartstrings. Scorched Earth (AOP Records) does just that for over an hour and doesn’t overstay its welcome. It is an audible voyage through pain, suffering, and loss that is both cathartic and beautiful. Every song has its own story and emotional journey that compliments the songs around it. Oh, and there’s also a sweet Radiohead cover at the end to ice the cake.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Great Old Ones – Kadath
It’s been six years since the last malformed utterances of The Great Old Ones, but now the French H.P. Lovecraft worshippers have returned from the cosmic void, not only with new album Kadath (Season of Mist) but with a change in direction.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Bergthron – Neu Asen Land
Despite coming from Germany, the 30-year-strong Atmospheric Black Metal unit Bergthron tend to incorporate strong Norse-themed concepts and influences into their songs. Playing mostly Black Metal with a touch of progressive undertones —that would remind their listeners of Sólstafir and the likes–, they are best known for writing songs that pay homage towards the North and its pulchritude, and the ancient times; references of Norse myths included. This fact somehow also bears relevance with how the concepts of their sounds –both lyrically and sonically– are strongly associated with the cold and winter. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: PATRIARKH – ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ
After the dust settled, PATRIARKH emerged to carry on the legacy of Batushka. They take their sound to loftier places on ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ (Napalm Records). There is a more grandiose nature to the sound this album unveils. It leans more in the direction of symphonic black metal. Rather than being bolstered by a string section, they have incorporated an array of lush Eastern European sounds. This brings an almost Dead Can Dance vibe to the sonic tapestry putting them closer to what Rotting Christ does than Behemoth.Continue reading