What is a witch? What is her purpose? And more importantly, what makes her a witch? These
are the very questions Karyn Crisis (Crisis) has spent many years trying to answer during her spiritual journey and work as a psychic medium. Blessed with the gift of clairvoyance, Karyn, has always felt connected to the spiritual world. But it was when while working in Tuscany; she first saw the appearance of Aradia, an ancient witch who had taught her about healing, the witches of Tuscany, and the medicine women throughout rural Italy. It was at that moment that Karyn learned about her past life and lineage as a healer and began her journey to uncover the truth about Italy’s witches. It was also the moment that inspired Karyn to get back into music and form Gospel of the Witches. Today, they share that journey with us on their sophomore album, Covenant (Aural Music).Continue reading
Tag Archives: Occult Metal
Electric Wizard – Time To Die
As Dorset’s premier exponents of unrelenting heaviness Electric Wizard have never had it easy. Those familiar with their monolithic dirges will be aware of the turmoil the band has undergone since its inception with more line-up changes since recording 2010’s ‘Black Masses’ with drummer Mark Greening entering and rapidly departing the fold due to more issues with substance abuse and a lengthy legal battle with former label Rise Above to say that Time To Die (Spinefarm) has undergone a difficult conception would be an understatement.
All the hallmarks of Wizard’s sound remain present yet there is definitely a feeling that some ideas have been recycled with some familiar patterns reoccurring. Satan and the Supercoven are reprised in the lyrics but this is one bad trip that’s hard to get out of.
An epic peon to infamous acid murderer Ricky Kasso who allegedly cut out his victims eyes in a drug induced satanic ritual back in June 1984. ‘Time To Die’ is a vicious and negative record which starts slowly but lures you into its murky depths. The sinister hallucinogenic organ work which permeates ‘Destroy Those Who Love God’ delivers all the nocturnal Lovecraftian evil with its fitting samples from documentary ‘The Devil Worshippers’ to good effect. ‘Funeral Of Your Mind’ drags you into the vortex with a nasty tumultuous riff and Jus Oborn’s anguished vocal lurking beneath the sea of feedback and percussion which producer Chris Fielding (Conan) has done a bang up job in retaining the feel of the bands early work while allowing for some of the greater tonal clarity the later work has enjoyed.
Trance inducing repetition has long been the bands calling card and the ethos of tune low, play slow and worship Satan is adhered to with rigid stoicism. The organ adds atmosphere to the oppressive terror on ‘Saturn Dethroned’ yet this is a fairly typical effort from Osborn and company which neither tarnishes their legacy nor will increase their ‘Witchcult’ greatly in size. A consistent album which falls short of reflecting the majesty of their live ceremonies.
7/10
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Huntress – Starbound Beast
Releasing a praise-worthy album is never an easy feat but attempting to release two in as many years is even more of a tough challenge. Huntress however, are seemingly not a band to shy away from difficult trials and having delivered a successful debut last year, the critically acclaimed Spell Eater, Huntress are back to try their melodic metal luck again.Continue reading
A Sense Of Destiny – An Interview With Huntress
Huntress is one of the leading exponents of the whole current occult rock and metal movement. They recently released Starbound Beast, their latest album. Ghost Cult caught up with the ever charming singer Jill Janus to discuss the new album, being on the road and their steady march on the proverbial metal ladder..Continue reading
Witch Mountain – Live @ Sound Control, Manchester (May 2, 2013)
Lanky Rae, a slender gangrel, wicked and base with a flagrant disregard for life and law. She’s the eponymous demon child portrayed in tonight’s opening track and her spirit seems entirely inhabited by vocalist Uta Plotkin, who croons with an impudence perfect for the role. A sharp stomp that oozes character and style, ‘The Ballad Of Lanky Rae’ is Witch Mountain at their brazen best.Continue reading