Tag Archives: Chris Tippell

Nailed To Obscurity – Black Frost

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2017’s release of King Delusion (Apostasy Records) was a watershed moment for Nailed To Obscurity. It was an impressive and emotive effort which began to win them wider press and, as far as the UK is concerned, a coveted main stage slot at 2018’s Bloodstock Festival and signing to titans Nuclear Blast, evidence of a much deserved rise in fortunes and out of, ahem, obscurity. Where a brand new album would have hoped to really build upon this success however, sadly Black Frost (Nuclear Blast) isn’t quite the revelation as perhaps hoped.Continue reading →


Festerday- iihtallan

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To say the history of Finnish Death Metallers Festerday is convoluted is like saying that the British Tory government has had a few mishaps recently. In a, sort of, thirty-year history, the band have undergone several changes of moniker and style, only returning to the name Festerday back in 2013, maintaining much of their core from 1989 with a line-up that has only taken a slight change since their return with Jani Kuoppamaa joining on drums. After a string of EP releases and splits in their early incarnation, this month sees them finally release a full-length debut in the solid, if unspectacular, iihtallan (Season Of Mist), where perhaps this varied history has had an impact.Continue reading →


Great Falls- A Sense Of Rest

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It is coming to the end of another year, a time with some celebration you may have heard of on the horizon and, more importantly, for end of year lists, where mostly sane people agonise and debate about ranking excellent things they enjoyed in an arbitrary list format which simultaneously means nothing and everything at the same time. It also means that albums released between now and the start of January will normally get overlooked; which, in the case of Great Falls and A Sense Of Rest (Corpse Flower Records), is a criminal injustice.Continue reading →


Deathrite – Nightmares Reign

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By now a stalwart of the German Death Metal scene, Deathrite have, on the outside at least, been quietly plugging away under the radar, building a solid back catalogue and a strong reputation. Certainly, the name has cropped up more in 2018, both by signing to Century Media and with some high profile support slots, such as recently with Skeletonwitch. With this heightened attention, perhaps the expected thing to do would be to cement themselves and continue their formula up to this point, so it is surprising and a little bold to see them instead take some experimental steps; whether they be hit or miss.Continue reading →


Svarta Stugan- Islands/Öar

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When we think of island land masses, amongst many things, there are a couple of notable thoughts and ideals which spring to mind. First is the idea of separation and seclusion, with the idea of remote, undiscovered or unknown locales, untouched by outsiders. Second is the diversity and uniqueness that they provide from both one another and from other land masses; different climates, cultures, unique creatures and flora.Continue reading →


Order Of The Nameless Ones – Utter To Me The Word Of Wrath

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By today’s standard, hearing of any Extreme Metal band being in some way influenced by the works of H. P. Lovecraft is about as surprising the influence of Satan, or of hearing a Black Metal band might be a bit racist. Roll up the enigmatic, worshippers of the darkened literature, Order Of The Nameless Ones who finally rise once again after a four-year wait since their debut EP release, with their full length debut Utter To Me The Word Of Wrath (Iron Bonehead).Continue reading →


BEYOND THE BLACK: Reviews Round Up ft. Nature Morte, Second To Sun, Unreqvited and more…

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Tis the season… for Black Metal! To celebrate, Ghost Cult runs the rule over several of this Winter’s coldest releases… Continue reading →


In The Woods… – Cease The Day

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Following their return from hiatus in 2014, much to the delight of a sharp, in-the-know fanbase, Norway’s In The Woods… showed a glorious return to form with 2016’s Pure (Debemur Morti), an album that wasn’t a re-treading of past glories, but an alternate and matured direction for the band that highlighted their esoteric nature. Ever the shape-shifters, latest release Cease The Day (Debemur Morti) sees further subtle alterations, in what is their most commercially ambitious and accessible (within reason) to date.Continue reading →


Damnation 2018 – Leeds, UK

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In the face of trying financial times for bands and gig-bookers alike, the fact that Damnation Festival still pulled off another sell-out edition is both impressive and heartening. Despite their own admissions about a couple of missed opportunities this year, Damnation always manage to bring an unmissable line-up that caters for a wide fan base, be it lovers of Extreme or the more Progressive, and once more they have done so with love and more than a few surprise additions!Continue reading →