Perhaps the noticeable increase in crossover thrash coming out this year is intended to fill the void left by bands like Power Trip and Slayer. Rather than jump on this bandwagon, British thrashers Evile are slowing things down on The Unknown (Napalm Records) to focus on songwriting.
Finland is home to some of the most acclaimed Melodic Death Metal bands in the scene. This chilly, cool country is heated up by the vast amount of fiery talent offered by their locals. Before the Dawn was one of these great acts that proudly waved the banner of MeloDeath high. Shortly after the release of their very successful record, Rise of the Phoenix in 2012, the band went on hiatus. Now the Finnish fellas are preparing to release their first album after their ten-year absence. With a new lineup, a revived energy, and an eagerness to share their sound again, the band is back with Stormbringers (Napalm Records).
Ghost Cult’s Keefy chatted with metal legend David Ellefson (ex Megadeth) to discuss his new Death Metal supergroup Dieth! The band also features former members of Entombed A.D. and Decapitated. Their debut album To Hell and Back is out now via Napalm Records and David gave us a track-by-track breakdown. In addition, he discussed songwriting, penning lyrics, his first ever lead vocal on an album, and his take on the end of MTV News and his “Peace Sells” bass line forming its iconic theme.
Ghost Cult’s Keefy chatted with Dez Fafara of Devildriver and Coal Chamber! Dez talked about the new DD album Dealing With Demons Vol. II out now via Napalm Records! Dez discussed the last few years in the music world, his near-death experience, the return of Coal Chamber at Sick New World Festival, the resurgent popularity of Nu Metal, his many business ventures such as The Oracle Management, and how to get the most out of a work day.
If you would have told me a few years ago that I’d be reviewing Dave Ellefson’s new Death Metal band I probably would have thought that you were fucking with me. Megadeth has always been a favorite of mine and I have always enjoyed catching him live. He’s been a thrash titan for years, is heavily involved with his Christian faith and just comes off as a laid-back and mellow dude. The last type of project I thought I’d ever see him as a part of is a skull-crunching Death Metal group.
Ghost Cult’s Keefy chatted with Lena Scissorhands of Infected Rain! The band just released their first live album and DVD/BluRay – “The Devil’s Dozen” (Napalm Records) from their 2021 global live stream of the same name. In a candid conversation, Lena discussed her struggles of the last few years, celebrating 15 years of the band, her love of music and the fans, getting back to touring, the new music the band is creating, and much more!
Dez Fafara is a man who needs little introduction, having arrived on the scene at the height of the nu-metal explosion with Coal Chamber, whose debut album landed in 1997 to provide Roadrunner Records with a band to rival the impact that the likes of Korn and Deftones were having on the genre. But when relationships started to turn sour in Coal Chamber signaling the end of their initial run, rather than fading into obscurity, the larger-than-life vocalist reinvented himself for round two of his unique career in metal, with DevilDriver.
Sevendust are back with the announcement of their 14th studio album, Truth Killer, slated for worldwide release via the band’s new label, Napalm Records. Truth Killer is the follow-up to the band’s 2020 critically acclaimed release, Blood & Stone, that saw the band gain newfound notoriety with their cover of Soundgarden’s “The Day I Tried To Live.” Truth Killer showcases that the original and current lineup – comprised of Lajon Witherspoon, Clint Lowery, John Connolly, Vince Hornsby and Morgan Rose – sound as relevant today as they did on their 1997 self-titled debut. Producer, friend and collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette returns to produce. The new album is available for pre-order in multiple configurations At the link below. Watch the new video for “Fence” and stream the song on all DSPs. Continue reading
Wederkeer (Napalm Records) is the seventh album from Dutch folk metal outfit Heidevolk. The record’s title means “return” or “revive”, and indeed the accompanying press release pitches Wederkeer’s “bombastic folk and pagan metal” as Heidevolk’s “glorious return”.
Boston Massachusetts was invaded by Alter Bridge and tour mates Mammoth WVH and RED for the Kings and Pawns Tour. Alter Bridge is out supporting the band’s latest effort which is a fantastic record. As I walked up to the venue a long line of music fans were eager to get into the building to get the night started. After a short wait as the nearly sold-out crowd filtered into Roadrunner one of Boston’s new venues.