It really is a renaissance time for heavy, melodic experimental doom fans with The Exuviae Of Gods series from Mournful Congregation, the cathartic Katatonia-indebted Mother of Graves making significant waves and now the first album from Portland’s beloved Usnea in over half a decade. A band rooted in care-for-others and awareness of their place in the cosmos making some of the most expansive and also acerbic doom around? What’s not to love?
Desertfest, GloomyLightsPhotography
The full lineup has been revealed for Heavy Psych Sounds Fest Italy, the stoner, doom, and psych rock mini-festival curated by European label Heavy Psych Sounds, and taking place simultaneously on April 29-30th in Bologna and Torino. Two cities, two days, sixteen bands in all including Nebula, Stoned Jesus, Conan, Nick Oliveri, Black Rainbows, Messa, Belzebong, Giobia, Tons, Isaak, Oreyeon, Deadsmoke, Mr. Bison, Ananda Mida, and Lord Elephant.
In the battle for memorable metal, style or substance often battle for dominance. While Germany’s Crom may seem to lean more towards “style” in their sturdy and reliable brand of Trad/Power hybrid metal, the songs on the new release The Era Of Darkness (From The Vaults) also contain a strong measure of strength in the sword arm and fire in the heart.
For years, Conan has shaped themselves into one of the heaviest bands on the planet. With their fifth release, Evidence of Immortality (Napalm Records), they maintain sole possession of that throne with their enemies’ heads at their feet. While the “caveman battle doom” pioneers have their own sound, they continue to push their own boundaries of their older releases ever so slightly to keep everyone coming back for more. Continue reading
Lucifer – Lucifer IV
With Lucifer releasing albums of a consistent style at a workman’s pace, it’s easy to overlook the underlying trajectory that’s been gradually in motion. There’s not much of those Occult Doom roots left on Lucifer IV (Century Media Records) as the band has seemingly completed their transformation from female-fronted Uncle Acid to what sounds like Karen Carpenter singing over KISS riffs. Fortunately, it’s hardly a drastic change as Johanna Sadonis’ sultry croon and the freerolling grooves remain as common denominators.Continue reading
Doom Metal legends Conan will release a live album, Live At Freak Valley, on March 12, 2021 via Napalm Records. Following their 2013 live album, recorded at Roadburn festival, and the self-released Live At Bannermans, their third live album could not have been recorded at a better place than Freak Valley Festival. Pre-orders are live below. Watch a performance clip for “Hawk As A Weapon” now!
In some hypercritical sections of the Stoner world, it was suggested that Hyborian, Volume I (The Company), the debut album from Kansas City heavies Hyborian, was rescued from a certain monotony merely by some lighter, synthetic nuances. Whereas it may seem an indicator of a lack of imagination to see the follow-up named Volume II (Season of Mist), it’s an all-too-common error to assume that the content will follow the same path.Continue reading
Desertfest New York has unveiled its first thirteen acts for its 2020 concert this coming fall! Corrosion of Conformity, Dead Meadow, Conan, Stoned Jesus, Toke, High Reeper, Yatra, Stoned Jesus, Atomic Bittchwax, Bongzilla, R.I.P., Crypt Trip, Huntsmen, Leather Lung and more! Desert Fest NYC takes place 11th – 13th September 2020 at The Well in Brooklyn New York, with a pre-party at Saint Vitus. More bands to be announced soon. Check out Ghost Cult’s 2019 coverage of the fest! Continue reading
Probably due to the bitterly cold December weather, the Academy 2 is already full to bursting by the time opening act Healing Magic hit their stride. Featuring a Cavalera who prefers to spell his name correctly, the Arizona based band are fronted by Max‘s youngest son Igor, and kick off the evening with some Black Sabbath inspired riffery which unsurprisingly goes down well in the home of metal. Continue reading
UK Doom Metal leaders Conan have announced they are preparing a new album due next May 2020, to release via their label Napalm Records. The band has been touring heavily behind 2018’s amazing album Existential Void Guardian. This is major news from one of the most important bands in the world of heavy music right now. Continue reading