ALBUM REVIEW: Trelldom – …by the shadows…


On …by the shadows… (Prophecy Productions), Norway’s Trelldom shows how Satan can find subtle ways to drag the listener into hellContinue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Molchat Doma – Belaya Polosa


Belaya Polosa (Sacred Bones Records) is the fourth full-length release from Belarus’ Molchat Doma. The band consists of vocalist Egor Shkutko, guitarist, synth and drum machine player Roman Komogortsev (who is also the primary songwriter), and bass guitar and synth player Pavel Kozlov.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Fourth Dominion – Diana’s Day


Fourth Dominion hails from Rochester, New York already steeped in a rich musical heritage, cue No-Wave legend Lydia Lunch, Swing era Jazz musician Cab Calloway, Garage-Rock revivalists The Chesterfield Kings, and of particular interest to Ghost Cult regulars, Grind gods Brutal Truth. Fourth Dominion therefore appear to be in esteemed company. 

Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Manic Abraxas – Skinformation


Exploding out of some cyberpunk world, Bangor, Maine Hard Rock three-piece Manic Abraxas have got their engines firing at full throttle, and on fourth album, Skinformation (Self-released), a petrol-fueled cloud of dirty Rock n’ Roll and skuzzy, mind-warped Metal sees the trio blasting a hole through the fabric of this universe into dimensions unknown.Continue reading


EP REVIEW: Non Serviam – Labyrinthe


On Labyrinthe, (Self-Released) prolific, anonymous, French genre-defying duo Non Serviam lean into their Goth-Noise tendencies with a lo-fi collection of ghostly, ghastly gloom and dread.    

Originating as a solo project ten years (or more) ago, it was once they became a duo (and released debut full-length Le Cœur Bat) in 2021 that Non Serviam really got going. Continue reading


Raven Black Books Fall Tour with Cultus Black, Casket Robbery, Change My Brain With Cakes, and Dying Oath


 

Theatrical Goth Rock band Raven Black continues their 2023 North American crusade by announcing The Black Hallows Tour! Launching October 5th at Rockhouse Dive Bar Kitchen Venue in El Paso, TX, the tour winds throughout the South and into the Midwest, wrapping up on Halloween at 89th Street in Oklahoma City, OK. Raven Black will be joined by Cultus Black along with special guests Casket Robbery, Change My Brain With Cakes and Dying Oath on select dates.

Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Ministry – Gary Numan – Front Line Assembly Live at Franklin Music Hall  


Currently touring the US are Front Line Assembly, Gary Neuman, and Ministry. This past Thursday saw them descend on Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia and what an experience it was.

Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Grave Pleasures – Plagueboys


 

Grave Pleasures were one of those bands that had been stuck on my ‘must check out at some stage’ list, until now. In case you weren’t aware of the history, they originally formed as Beastmilk back in 2010 and put out debut Climax after which came the name change as well as a string of subsequent releases. Plagueboys is the band’s fourth full-length album overall and the follow-up to 2017’s MotherbloodContinue reading


EP REVIEW: Tribulation – Hamartia


 

Descending consecutive steps of the shadowy nooks and crannies of the psyche, like Werner Herzog revealing more abject layers of vampiric horror, Sweden’s Tribulation have never been a one-trick (bat) pony. They are the rare band with sophisticated songwriting smarts, an ominous and seductive allure, and the self-awareness to not tip their hand too far into unintentional macabre cheese camp while still straddling the gulf between Hammer homage, the deep subconscious mind, rock n’ roll, and death.

Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Soothsayer Orchestra – The Last Black Flower


 

Until his untimely death in February of 2022 there were few singers who could match the gruff, forlorn weariness of Mark Lanegan. But while the world won’t be able to look forward to a new release from the former Screaming Trees frontman in 2023, on The Last Black Flower (Lay Bare Recordings) the second album by Soothsayer Orchestra, the spirit of Lanegan is ever-present. 

Continue reading