Messa Suffered a Horrific Tour Bus Accident, a GoFundMe Has Been Launched 


Terrible news as Doom Metal band Messa was involved in a head-on collision bus accident while on tour this weekend. There were no fatalities, but all members of the band and crew suffered multiple bad injuries, some requiring surgery, and apparent rehabilitation. The band’s van was totaled and possibly their gear as well. They  has issued an update on social media and has thanked the fans for their support. A GoFundMe was launched to support their recovery, or feel free to buy music from their Bandcamp. Messa who released their amazing album Close via Svart Records earlier this year. Please help if you can. 

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FESTIVAL REVIEW: ROADBURN 2022 – Part 2


Rejoicing still in the simple fact we can have a physical Roadburn again, the final two days definitely wore on our pandemic shocked psyche and physique. Stumbling more and wearing down in a way I’m not used to, I mentioned to some friends during the weekend the Pandemic has made us all old, and 5 days on our feet now feel a lot longer. Saturday started with the feeling it felt like a Sunday, traditionally called the afterburner, because by that time you are fairly burnt out.

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FESTIVAL REVIEW: ROADBURN 2022 – Part 1


After three years of waiting and longing, finally there will be an in person Roadburn Festival again. While the 2021 online edition Roadburn Redux, was in itself, innovative and the best digital festival I’ve seen set up during the dark days of the pandemic, nothing beats being physically shaken by bass heavy music and  hugging friends from all over the world you only see once a year. 

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FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Roadburn Festival 2022 — Welcome Back!


As we continue to live in one of the most challenging times in history, one this for certain: music lovers are relieved to have somewhat of a return to normalcy. The return of live music, especially heavy music, provides the cathartic relief we have all been looking for. After over a year of postponements, cancellations, and livestreams, it’s a relief to get to experience live music, and return to experiencing art in the best way possible – together!

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ALBUM REVIEW: Messa – Close


Italian Doom Metal band Messa has completed the follow-up to their critically acclaimed Feast For Water (Aural Music) entitled Close (Svart Records). Messa is one of those bands that instantly caught my attention by combining melancholic, haunting music with impressive, powerful vocals. After the release of Feast For Water, which is considered one of the best Doom Metal records in the past five years, I was already wondering about how a new album from the band would turn out. I believe that there is always a bit of extra pressure to write a follow-up album after a “breakthrough album”, but the Italians were able to just knock it out of the park once again with Close.

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Roadburn 2022 Adds Lingua Ignota, Emma Ruth Rundle, 40 Watt Sun, Mizmor and More!


Roadburn 2022 has announced a massive wave of essential artists added to the line-up! Lingua Ignota, Emma Ruth Rundle, 40 Watt Sun, Mizmor and many more now  join the festival! These bands join the previously announced acts Ulver, Sólstafir, Alcest, Backxwash, Russian Circles, artist in residence – Full of Hell and many others. Roadburn Festival will take place between April 21-24 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. Tickets for Roadburn 2022 are on sale now. Friday and Saturday day tickets are sold out. Thursday and Sunday day tickets, 3-day and 4-day tickets remain in limited numbers.

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Roadburn 2019 – A Fest of a Different Color


Roadburn, now in its 20th year, is a fest I had promised I would start going to many, many years ago but for one reason or another never did. This year I went and although it is like other music fests in some ways, I can say that it is equally unlike other fests in many other ways. Many of my personal experiences will not be akin to a standard festival goer due to the nature of what I do obviously but if you bear with me here I can explain some things that the average person should expect when and if they decide to go is on their list of priorities. If you already know the drill or aren’t interested in this part please feel free to scroll on through.Continue reading


Roadburn Festival Closes, 2020 Dates Announced


The preeminent underground music festival in the world has come to a close. Roadburn was another smashing success in 2019, and the festival has sent out a missive to fans and press recapping the weekend and looking ahead. Roadburn 2020 will take place April 16-19, Tilburg, The Netherlands.Continue reading


FESTIVAL PREVIEW: ROADBURN 2019


 

Today is the day! After the pre-fest party last night, the sold-out Roadburn 2019 kicks off today, and for the next four days in Tilburg, Netherlands will smash you a full slate of bands. Major artists like Sleep, At The Gates, Thou, Cave In, Old Man Gloom, Daughters, Myrkur and more will perform in intimate settings you won’t see at any other festival. The fest even added last minute local artists Doodswens (Dutch for Deathwish), a two-piece black metal group that we’ll have our ears peeled for. Some of the the can’t miss groups include two sets by Sleep, three sets from Mono and the Jo Quail Quartet, Pharmakon, Crypt Trip, Emma Ruth Rundle, Twin Temple, Crowhurst, Hexvessel, Craft, Triptykon & Metrolope Orkest (new song performance ‘Requiem’) Drab Majesty, Street Sects, Bosse-De-Nage, Thou & Emma Ruth Rundle, Svalbard, Conjurer, Soft Kill, Imperial Triumphant, Cave, Birds In Row, Bossk, Coilguns, Old Man Gloom, Crowhurst & Gnaw Their Tongues, Ulcerate, Marissa Nadler, Wrong, Daughters, and many more. Ghost Cult is here with our preview of essential bands day by day. Just our humble take on whom we would prioritize (so please no comments about whom we chose or omitted). Really with a festival like this, there is something for every type of music fan, and most of these artists represent the best of the best in the world. Still, for those unprepared, check out the following day-by-day breakdown. Continue reading