REVIEW: The MegaCruise 2019


Like most metalheads, I’ve been to a lot of metal shows over the years. Over the hundreds of metal shows I’ve attended, never once did I think to myself “You know what would make this even better? Being trapped on a boat in the middle of the fucking ocean.” And yet, having taken some time to reflect on my experiences aboard the inaugural MegaCruise by Megadeth, I revel in the memories of experiencing choppy water while thrashing through the Pacific, convinced I’m going to die on a boat watching Dragonforce and being oddly ok with it. Continue reading


PREVIEW: MegaCruise Makes Its Debut at Sea Today!


Following the pre-cruise party last night with UFO, Raven, and Armored Saint, the Megacruise tales off today from Los Angeles for its maiden voyage! The cruise features members of Megadeth, and performances from Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament, Dragonforce, Overkill, Corrosion Of Conformity,  Queensryche, Suicidal Tendencies, Death Angel, Sacred Reich, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons, Doro, Armored Saint, John 5, Metal Church, Danko Jones, Beastö Blancö, Metalachi, and Toothgrinder. Megadeth tribute band Mechanix will also take part in the cruise, hand-selected by Dave Mustaine himself. In addition, Official Cruise Hosts Eddie Trunk (VH1, SiriusXM, Axs), Luc Carl (SiriusXM) and Jose Mangin (SiriusXM) will be moderating Q&As and events. Departing out of Los Angeles aboard the Norwegian Jewel, the five-day/five-night full ship charter cruise will set sail toniht, October 13-18, 2019, visiting two ports of call (Ensenada, Mexico and San Diego, California) and host two heavy metal-filled days of music and events. The cruise will also feature an optional pre-cruise party in Los Angeles (details to be announced), Megadeth wine and beer tastings and a ton of metal fan frivolity! Stay tuned for our review coming in a few weeks!

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Dave Mustaine of Megadeth Gives Health Update, Megacruise Draws Nearer


In an email missive to fans and cruisers going on next month’s Megacruise, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine gave an update on his ongoing battle against cancer. Dave says he is almost done with his regiment of treatments and is looking forward to the cruise and doctors are feeling positive about his recovery. Dave also thanked the fans for their support during this undoubtedly trying time. Read the update from the man himself, whom we wish nothing bust the speediest and best possible recovery. Megacrusie sets sail next month on October 13th from Los Angeles aboard the Norwegian Jewel for five days and nights of metal legends. Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Queensrÿche, Suicidal Tendencies, Dragonforce, Overkill, Death Angel, Corrosion Of Conformity, Devildriver, Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons, Doro, Armored Saint, John 5, Metal Church, Danko Jones, Beasto Blanco, Metalachi, Toothgrinder, and Mechanix will participate.Continue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2019


Now in its nineteenth year, the annual metal pilgrimage to Bloodstock Open Air at Catton Hall in Derbyshire was joined this year by a very special, but highly unstable, guest.

The weather.

Yes, I know it’s England in August, and we should be more than accustomed to inconsistent weather conditions, but this really was something else. Tents too hot to be inside one moment were waterlogged the next. People soaked to the skin by sudden, torrential downpours were suffering sunburn minutes later. Grass turned to mud, mud became rivers, and the unprecedented winds would go on to cause problems all of their own.Continue reading


FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2019


The time is nigh! Bloodstock 2019, the best major independent music festival in the world is here! Ghost Cult’s crack team will be on-site as we have been every year in our existence, bringing you this vital heavy music event and experience! Featuring Sabaton, Parkway Drive and Scorpions, along with Anthrax, Batushka, Children Of Bodom, Code Orange, Cancer Bats, Powerwolf, Soilwork, Cradle Of Filth, Thy Art Is Murder, Tesseract, Metal Church, Soulfly, Death Angel, Dee Snider, Queensryche, Eluveitie, Swallow The Sun, Evil Scarecrow, Ross The Boss, Grand Magus, Krysthla, Rotting Christ, Aborted, Skeletal Remains, All Hail The Yeti, Incite, Hypocrisy, Taake, The Lazys, Xentrix, and many more on the Catton Park stages this August. More bands are still being announced, but see the line-up so far here. Check out our day by day list must-see list below and everything else you need to know! Continue reading


Lamb of God is the Final Band Added to Megacruise, Limited Cabins Available


Lamb of God has been named as the final band for the inaugural Megacruise! They will join Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Queensrÿche, Suicidal Tendencies, Dragonforce, Overkill, Death Angel, Corrosion Of Conformity, Devildriver, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons, Doro, Armored Saint, John 5, Metal Church, Danko Jones, Beasto Blanco, Metalachi, Toothgrinder, and Mechanix. Sailing out of Los Angeles October 13-18, 2019 aboard Norwegian Jewel. Limited cabins remain. The cruise will visit two ports of call (San Diego, California, and Ensenada, Mexico) as well as two days at sea filled with heavy metal music and events. The cruise will also feature an (optional) pre-cruise party on Saturday, October 12th at Avalon Hollywood (1735 Vine St.) featuring a performance from English rock band UFO as part of their farewell tour. This show marks UFO’s only scheduled performance in L.A. and will also feature a performance by hometown heavy metal band Armored Saint.Continue reading


Heavy Montréal 2019 Announces Daily Schedules


Heavy Montréal returns next month! Presented by Black Label, the tenth Heavy MTL on July 27 & 28 at Parc Jean-Drapeau as well as its sister fest on July 26 with Heavy In The City (77)! has announced its daily schedules. The city of Montréal has revamped Île Sainte-Hélène of Parc Jean-Drapeau, one of the most renowned festival sites in North America! More than thirty bands have joined previously announced Slayer, including Ghost, Godsmack, Evanescence, Anthrax, Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, In This Moment, Killswitch Engage, Anthrax, Steel Panther, Clutch, Gamma Ray, Testament, Hatebreed, Beartooth, Skillet, Metal Churh, Municipal Waste, Atreyu, All That Remains, Quiet Riot, Cancer Bats, Fever 333, and many more! Passes on sale now!Continue reading


Bloodstock Open Air is in 8 Weeks, Adds More Jager Stage Bands


Bloodstock Open Air, the best independent Metalfest in the world has added two more bands to its 2019 bill. Skypilot, Graves, Beggar, Black Shuck, Foul Body Autopsy, Jailbirds and Womanowar have all been added. More Jager stage bands will be announced next month. BOA also announces more Metal 2 the Masses winners: Grand Elder, Blind Divide, Scars of Remembrance, Elyrean, Fear Bound, Lost in Lavendar Town have all joined the fest. Bloodstock boasts headline bands Sabaton, Parkway Drive and Scorpions, along with Anthrax, Dimmu Borgir, Children Of Bodom, Code Orange, Cancer Bats, Powerwolf, Soilwork, Cradle Of Filth, Thy Art Is Murder, Tesseract, Metal Church, Soulfly, Death Angel, Dee Snider, Queensryche, Eluveitie, Swallow The Sun, Evil Scarecrow, Ross The Boss, Grand Magus, Krysthla, Rotting Christ, Aborted, Skeletal Remains, All Hail The Yeti, Incite, Hypocrisy, Taake, The Lazys, Xentrix, and many more on the Catton Park stages this August. More bands are still being announced, but see the line-up so far here.Continue reading


Bloodstock Announces First Metal 2 The Masses Winners, Day Tickets on Sale This Week


Gojira, photo credit Bloodstock Open Air on Facebook

Blood Stock Open Air will release their day tickets this week. A limited amount of day tickets for 2019’s event go on sale at 9.00am this Thursday 30th May, priced at £65 (+ fees) for adults and £20 (+ fees) for children aged 4-11. Children under 4 go free! Head here to snap them up! You can still also pick up 4-day ‘weekend tickets with camping’, priced £145 (+ fees) and children’s weekend tickets at just £35 (+ fees). VIP tickets are expected to sell out shortly, including limited Podpads, Bellepads and Octopads, plus limited remaining VIP upgrades (for those who’ve already purchased a standard ticket). Camper van plots & Luxpads are already sold out. Links below for more details. BOA also announces the first batch of New Blood winners from their ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals, who all bag a slot to perform on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage! The finals are still taking place around the country. Saturday’s New Blood stage bill welcomes Coventry winners Djinova, Glasgow victors Inferiem, and Deformation Of Man, who took top prize in the Sheffield heat. They’ll be joined by Belfast top dogs, Lock Horns. Black Country band Masters Call also win a New Blood slot after impressing the booking team via their CD submission. Sunday brings Dublin champions Aesect, Norwich leaders Bastard, and Take Refuge, having clinched first place in the Milton Keynes final. You’ll also get to see 28 Double, who took Leicester’s gold medal! Continue reading


Megacruise Adds Raven, Ben Woods and Hollywood Pre-Party


Rooms are selling out fast for Megadeth’s inaugural Megacruise, setting sail next from Los Angeles, California on Sunday, October 13, 2019, for five days. The cruise has added metal legends Raven, as well as Ben Woods and booked a Hollywood pre-cruise party at Avalon featuring UFO, Armored Saint, and Raven as well. joining Anthrax, Testament, Dragonforce, Overkill, Corrosion Of Conformity, Devildriver, Queensryche, Suicidal Tendencies, Death Angel, Sacred Reich, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons, Doro, Armored Saint, John 5, Metal Church, Danko Jones, Beastö Blancö, Metalachi, and Toothgrinder. Megadeth tribute band Mechanix will also take part in the cruise, hand selected by Dave Mustaine himself. In addition, Official Cruise Hosts Eddie Trunk (VH1, SiriusXM, Axs), Luc Carl (SiriusXM) and Jose Mangin (SiriusXM) will be moderating Q&As and events. Departing out of Los Angeles aboard the Norwegian Jewel, the five-day/five-night full ship charter cruise will set sail October 13-18, 2019, visiting two ports of call (Ensenada, Mexico and San Diego, California) and host two heavy metal-filled days of music and events. The cruise will also feature an optional pre-cruise party in Los Angeles (details to be announced). Cabins start at $1,349 per person (double occupancy). Government fees, taxes, and gratuities are additional and mandatory for all passengers, regardless of age.Continue reading