Name changes can be important. Many great bands start out under completely different names only to find a quick re-evaluation of their brand is key to their eventual success.
In the case of Neckbreakker, language appears to have been at least partly responsible as their recent name change alters nothing in its meaning, just the form in which it is delivered. Continue reading
2024 may very well be remembered as the year of comebacks in Modern Metal! So many bands have returned from retirement or hiatus, and few bring the fire, with the proverbial smoke of hype. One eagerly-awaited return band is Kittie, which started its comet-like return at fests such as Sick New World (interview here) and Blue Ridge Rock Fest (RIP)! The band returns with Fire – their first new album in thirteen years and first for Sumerian Records, who scored a coup signing the veteran band. Continue reading
First embarking on a continuous journey of craftsmanship under the name Liquid Mojo in 2017 and then proceeding to present an ever-dynamic resurgence as Nattsvermer, the Norwegian four-piece continues to explore the uncharted realms of alternative metal heavily inspired of the likes of Alter Bridge, Godsmack, and Metallica. Presenting a sonic adventure like no other, Nattsvermer and the sounds they create are guaranteed to blow their listeners’ minds through a set of compelling resonances characterized by hard-hitting riffs and melodic nuances that defy conventional norms and boundaries surrounding genre classifications.Continue reading
Check out Keefy’s video review for Kerry King’s (Slayer) debut solo album – From Hell I Rise, out now from Reigning Phoenix Music!Continue reading
Durban South Africa-based Groove Metal band Thorns of Ivory have shared a new single and a lyric video for the track “Dogs of War!” The track follows the band’s debut single, “Curtain Call,” released in July 2022, topped the charts on “The Doors Rock Radio” for four weeks straight. Thorns of Ivory has shared the stage with South African heavyweights like Vulvodynia and Facing The Gallows and reached the Wacken Metal Battle finals in 2023. Watch the clip here at Ghost Cult right now and stream the track at the links below. Continue reading
Scotland: a country of rolling hills and glens; forests, moorlands, and mountains. A people surrounded and enriched by a proud cultural history.
Also Scotland: bad weather, heroic levels of alcohol consumption, and a widely held intolerance of English politics and sporting teams. Also, Metal. Continue reading
Technological horror, the literal or metaphorical collision of organic life with machines, from JG Ballard to David Cronenburg to Akira, there’s something so compelling (and often terrifying) about the welding of machine and flesh. The jaws of the thresher know no remorse, while the body is destined to suffer in its grip. Such thoughts occur listening to Putrid / Obsolete (Persistent Vision Records), the latest record from Richmond, Virginia’s extreme-metal unit Prisoner. Continue reading
Ministry’s long career began back in 1981 and has seen many different incarnations over the proceeding 43 years with the one constant of producer/singer/multi-instrumentalist Al Jourgensen steering the ship throughout. It’s fair to say the band have had to navigate some severely choppy waters over the decades, with a revolving door style policy of other personnel joining the larger-than-life frontman in his lifelong musical pursuit, and with various controversies never too far away.Continue reading
Kicking off 2024 with bang, we headed out to the first show of the year at legendary The Warfield! Hometown heroes Machine Head have not played the city in a few years, and joining them on this epic tour was Fear Factory who missed last year’s show in the city with Static-X. Joining them on this joint are current buzz band Orbit Culture who just got signed to Century Media Records, and Gates To Hell from Louisville opening This is a very strong bill top to bottom especially with two of the most dominant and enduring names in Metal from the nineties still at the top!Continue reading
After such a fine introduction to the albums that have soundtracked our 2023 (Part 1 – 75-41), we now get into the belly of the beast and plunge on through the never, a testament to the diversity and abundance of alternative and heavy music that availed and impressed us this year.
So, without further ado (fewer words, more riffs…)Continue reading