ALBUM REVIEW: Vulture Industries – Ghosts from the Past


 

With the very existence of renowned black metal overlords Helheim, Enslaved, and Gorgoroth, the west coast of Norway undoubtedly always got new enthralling releases to look forward to all year round. The key figures of the Bergen scene truly know what they’re doing, particularly in their respective nichés– and even though it’s not black metal this time, Vulture Industries and their new release Ghosts from the Past (Dark Essence), have gotta be one of the noteworthy releases from Norway’s west coast that everyone ought to keep an eye on.

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Beyond The Gates Festival Books Dimmu Borgir, Kreator, Gorgoroth, Deicide, Enslaved, Alcest and More for 2023


 

Beyond The Gates Festival has revealed its full lineup for 2023, taking place in Bergen, Norway from August 2 – August 5, 2023! The full lineup and daily schedules, which includes Dimmu Borgir’s only performance in 2023 as well as special album sets from Deicide, Enslaved, and Primordial, is as follows:

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Hellfest 2023 Books Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Def Leppard, Pantera, Porcupine Tree, Amon Amarth, Alter Bridge, and More


After their biggest year ever this year, Hellfest 2023 has booked headliners Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden, and Slipknot! Set to take place June 15-18, 2023 In Clisson, France, the bill also includes Def Leppard, Pantera, Porcupine Tree, Amon Amarth, Alter Bridge And Within Temptation, and more! Headliners for the 2022 edition of Hellfest included Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Judas Priest, Deftones, Ghost, Scorpions, and Korn over two long weekends to make up for the missed pandemic year of 2020.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Inexorum – Equinox Vigil


 

Nailed it. On first listen of Equinox Vigil (Gilead Media), I suspected this to be the work of one man, two at most. Wrapped up my first listen and immediately checked online only to confirm that Inexorum is indeed a two-person operation and from the Midwest no less. Those drab icy winters would likely compel a musician or two to abandon polite society and embrace extreme metal whole hog.Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Wardruna – Jo Quail: Live at Manchester Albert Hall


It’s a sight to behold the lengthy queue of hairy Viking looking metalheads snaking around Manchester Albert Hall, assuming of course the snake in question was quite hairy and dressed like a Viking, which I feel is probably stretching the metaphor a bit too far. You’d assume that said hairy, mead quaffing snake (alright, I’ll stop now) was going to be finding its way inside to some sort of very loud and very metal sort of gig. You’d be wrong, as indeed despite the roots of the headliners in Black Metal group Gorgoroth the queue is in fact for the mesmerizing solo cellist Jo Quail, and Nordic Folk legends Wardruna.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Dark Funeral – We Are The Apocalypse


Not exactly the most prolific of bands, Swedish black metal act Dark Funeral have been around for virtually three decades but their latest album We Are the Apocalypse (Century Media) is only their seventh full-length studio release in that time. With more former members than overall releases, it’s easy to see why there has been so much inconsistency over the years. The only remaining original member is guitarist Jan Michael Svanberg (aka Lord Ahriman).

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ALBUM REVIEW: Gaahls Wyrd – The Humming Mountain


Having been involved in making underground music for nigh on thirty years, vocalist Gaahl has amassed a body of work ranging from high voltage Black Metal with Gorgoroth and the less polished Trelldom, to the traditional folk stylings of Wardruna, ramping up his progressive blackened leanings with God Seed, before releasing GastiR – Ghosts Invited (Indie Recordings), the debut offering of current vehicle Gaahls Wyrd, in 2019.

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Inferno Festival 2020 Has Been Cancelled Due To Coronavirus Restrictions


Sad news as one of the greatest metal festivals in the world, and a favorite of Ghost Cult, Inferno Festival 2020, set to take place in Oslo, Norway has been totally canceled. The fest was to feature Kreator, Mayhem, Triumph of Death, Amorphis, Venom, Gorgoroth, Marduk, Ihsahn, Kampfar, and many more! According to a message from the festival, “all public events in Norway are banned until the end of April, and this period might be extended. The health authorities estimate 4-5 months. So, there are no chance that we can make Inferno happen this year.” See a message from the fest here: Continue reading


Triumph of Death, Amorphis, Asphyx, Oranssi Pazuzu, and The Great Old Ones are The Final Bands Booked for Inferno Metal Festival 2020!


Events Center, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV 8/17/19

Inferno Metal Festival has booked its final five bands for the 20th anniversary in 2020, and they are all legends. Triumph of Death (Hellhammer/Celtic Frost band led by Tom G. Warrior), Amorphis, Asphyx, Oranssi Pazuzu, and The Great Old Ones will perform at the fest in Oslo, Norway next spring, on 9-12 of April. The full lineup and details can be found below. Continue reading


Gahhls Wyrd – Gastir – Ghosts Invited


The realm of Black Metal is often noted for it’s colourful, yet usually monochrome, characters, and definitely one of the most infamous is the iconoclastic and enigmatic Gaahl, former frontman of Gorogorth, Trelldom, Godseed. An obvious showcase for Gaahls considerable vocal talents Gaahls Wyrd Debut, Gastir – Ghosts Invited (Season of Mist) is an extremely potent album and well worth a listen. Continue reading