Arch Enemy Parts Ways with Longtime Guitarist Jeff Loomis, Joey Conception (Jasta, Armageddon, The Absence)


Arch Enemy founding guitarist and leader Michael Amott has announced tat Jeff Loomis is no longer a member of the long-running Melodic Death Metal band. The split is apparently amicalble, has been coming for a while and the band has announced a replacement. American shredder Joey Conception (Jasta, Armageddon, The Abscence) will step in. Joe has filled in before with the band. Amott has commented:Continue reading


EP REVIEW: Beltfed Weapon – Darkened Demise


 

Beltfed Weapon has often felt like a fun but sort of long-running vanity (but nonetheless valid) project for Seattle’s talented Frank Hetzel, many years between quite short releases featuring a who’s who of underground metal players guesting in support of a slightly odd discography. It is strange to me that there aren’t a series of full-lengths after so much time spent between releases, but every shorter thing Frank has released still has moments to enjoy for the casual thrash, death, and (at times) power metal fan.

Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Behemoth – Arch Enemy – Carcass – Unto Others Live at 02 Apollo, Manchester


First time at the O2 Apollo, a lovely, antiquated venue, it has a very old-school theatre vibe to it, and as would become apparent for most sets tonight the sound and lighting were top-drawer. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Arch Enemy – Deceivers


Okay, so how do I go about this? Well, here’s the dive into the iciest part of the pool. Arch Enemy has been tiptoeing for quite some time now. Yeah, War Eternal, Will to Power and their latest effort Deceivers (Century Media) are all above the standard metal release, but with all due respect, this lineup of power players should be standing head and shoulders above the competition. I’m thinking what Metallica was compared to the average Thrash Metal act back in 1988. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Annihilator – Metal II


There’s a fine line between “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and “there’s always room for improvement”, and more often than not the re-recording of old albums usually falls snugly into the former category. No matter how much more accomplished the revised version might sound from a technical standpoint, the overall results rarely change. Lightning in a bottle cannot be captured twice.

Continue reading


Disciples of Verity Share Music Video for “I AM I” ft. Joe Gareri


 

Rock and Metal supergroup Disciples of Verity (DOV) have shared a new official music video for their song “I AM I.” Their debut album Pragmatic Sanction is out now (read our review here)! The band counts Corey Glover (vocalist Of Living Colour and Bowie Experience), George Pond (bass, ex Negative Sky), Corey Pierce (drums, God Forbid), Mark Monjoy (rhythm guitar, Sekond Skyn), and their debut album is out now! The album boasts guest appearances from Phil Demmel (Vio-lence) Morgan Rose (Sevendust), Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy), Tara McLeod (Kittie), Mike Antine (Majul), JJ Sammataro (Negative Sky), and solo artist Joe Gareri. The band kicked off a mini-tour of the east coast last fall (2019) but had to postpone future tour dates and their record release party until 2021 due to the pandemic. Continue reading


CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: Nevermore’s This Godless Endeavor Turns 15


While Nevermore never quite broke into the mainstream, they always seemed to be just under the radar ready to make an impression. The band’s signature combination of proggy rhythms, gothic vocals, groovy chugs, extreme drums, and shredding solos seemed to have something for everyone in the Metal sphere, but their eccentric execution also meant they never found belonging in any single demographic. That all seemed like it was poised to change with their sixth album, 2005’s This Godless Endeavor (Century Media Records), which saw them gain greater exposure compared to their earlier efforts and more unanimous acclaim.

Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Binary Code – Memento Mori


Yeah, I know a little bit about Binary Code. My first brush with this New Jersey act traces back to 2010 when I was a mere college student and just starting my internship at 91.5 FM WUML Lowell. It was there that as a metal padawan I delved deeper into more progressive and heavier music and Binary Code’s debut LP Suspension of Disbelief (Metal Sucks Records) certainly fit those parameters. And on their third full length, Memento Mori (Memory Facility), they’ve still got it. Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode 92 – Jesse Zuretti of Binary Code on “Memento Mori”


Ghost Cult caught up with Binary Code leader and guitarist Jesse Zuretti to chat all about his new album, releasing this week, May 15th. The three-year journey to release the record was an arduous one for Jesse and he had many personal issues to overcome. He did so with the help of making music, which, if you hear this new album, is amazing. Jesse went into depth about the ordeal he went through, his creative process, how each member of this band and team stepped on this album on every level, working with producer Aaron Smith (7Horns7Eyes) the songwriting process, their cover of Mazzy Star’s ‘Fade Into You”, their abandoned (for now) covers EP, how Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy/Nevermore) came to play on the album, making music as a composer for Marvel Entertainment and more. Warning: this podcast contains a frank discussion of suicide and mental illness and may cause some distress to the listener. You can pre-order Memento Mori here and listen to our chat now!Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode 81: Daniel Erlandsson of Arch Enemy Talks Covers and New Music


In a throwback to late last year, we caught up with legendary drummer Daniel Erlandsson of Arch Enemy, as they were winding down their tour with Amon Amarth, At The Gates, and Grand Magus. We chatted about the bands recent covers album, Covered In Blood, (Century Media), the decision to represent the entire career of the band on the release, reflections of 2017’s Will To Power album and tour cycle, the job Alissa White-Gluz has done since replacing Angela Gossow, comparisons to his brother Adrian (At The Gates) new material the band is already working and whether Jeff Loomis will get to contribute to the songwriting! Interview by Keefy, with sound production (and final question help) by Omar Cordy. Continue reading