Molder ticks off a lot of my sonic checkmarks, but something isn’t quite right here. If Engrossed in Decay (Prosthetic Records) were a dish in its ingredients section you’d read that it contains Autopsy, early Death, Slayer, and a hint of vintage Carcass. Seems like a pretty appetizing meal, right? And there are several moments to sink your teeth into, but overall, I was left unsatisfied. I’ll still recommend the eatery, no doubt, but here’s to hoping that the next entre hits the spot.
It’s near midnight and I’m driving down New Hampshire Route 111. I’m not headed anywhere of importance and have no real sense of urgency. Not another vehicle for miles and the sole sources of light are the moon and the occasional lonely lamppost. The accompaniment for this very calming dark drive is Deafheaven’s latest, Infinite Granite (Sargent House). May seem a bit moody or even scary to others, but this drive and soundtrack make for a wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here moment for me.
If you can rely on one thing it’s that legendary Norwegian twosome Darkthrone will continue to not give a flying fig about convention or what people think about them until the day they die. No live shows since 1996, an early decisive leap from death metal to black metal, a total lack of adherence to any kind of rule book, and a succession of albums which basically read as unadulterated love letters dedicated to the music on which they grew up. If you don’t get Darkthrone by now then you never will.
Ghost Cult had the massive honor to chat with music legend Thomas Gabriel Fischer of Triptykon (also Celtic Frost, Hellhammer, and Triumph of Death) to discuss his brand new album Requiem (Live at Roadburn 2019) featuring the Metropole Orkest out now via Century Media Records. We discussed the masterpiece creation of this opus that had begun with Celtic Frost in 1987, the massive undertaking that is composing for and working with a live orchestra, how his band also collaborated live, the preparation process, his new band members, the importance of Roadburn Festival and its leader Walter Hoeijmakers, Thomas personal creative journey towards completing Requiem, how he carries on the spirit of Martin Ain (RIP) and his mentor H.R. Giger (RIP) in his work, the progress of future music in the face of the current pandemic, and much more. You can purchase Requiem here (USA https://triptykon.lnk.to/RequiemLiveAtRoadburn, or Europe https://www.cmdistro.de/Category/Requiem/173? Page=1&PageSize=25&Sort=13) and check out our chat below. Continue reading
Twitching Tongues has shared a brand new single, a cover of Celtic Frost’s classic ‘Necromantical Screams’, from their album To Mega Therion. The song is streaming on Bandcamp and released from the bands’ archives “for those under quarantine”. Please support this awesome band with your wallet or purse and jam this cover now! Continue reading
While much of the press materials that came along with ColdClaw‘s Anti-Martyr: Decades to Suffer (Ritual Sound Records) drive the point home about this California act dealing in Black Metal and Crust, I found that description a bit lacking. Yes, there’s gnarly black metal guitar licks all over the album but I’m detecting trace bits of Melodic Death Metal, Hardcore and perhaps some Thrash as well.Continue reading
Triptykon performed at Roadburn 2019 in a special performance with the Metropole Orkest for a special Celtic Frost-inspired live performance. Led by ex-Celtic Frost vocalist/guitarist Tom G. Warrior, Triptykon performed a three-part requiem that included ‘Rex Irae’ off Celtic Frost‘s Into The Pandemonium and ‘Winter’ off Monotheist. The trilogy was completed by a then newly finished part in the series, ‘Grave Eternal’. In a new interview (transcribed by www.ThePrp.com) with Metal Shop TV (see below,) Warrior said that fans can expect that performance to arrive in stores next year along with a potential new album from Triptykon as well. Continue reading
Roadburn, now in its 20th year, is a fest I had promised I would start going to many, many years ago but for one reason or another never did. This year I went and although it is like other music fests in some ways, I can say that it is equally unlike other fests in many other ways. Many of my personal experiences will not be akin to a standard festival goer due to the nature of what I do obviously but if you bear with me here I can explain some things that the average person should expect when and if they decide to go is on their list of priorities. If you already know the drill or aren’t interested in this part please feel free to scroll on through.Continue reading
Created in 2004 by multi-instrumentalist Thomas Eriksen, Norwegian act Mork was intended primarily to be a solo project but has now matured into a fully-fledged live band, although Eriksen still maintains full control of everything in the studio.Continue reading
The preeminent underground music festival in the world has come to a close. Roadburn was another smashing success in 2019, and the festival has sent out a missive to fans and press recapping the weekend and looking ahead. Roadburn 2020 will take place April 16-19, Tilburg, The Netherlands.Continue reading