From underground gems to headline-worthy drops, it’s New Music Friday for 5-23-25
Tag Archives: Onslaught
ALBUM REVIEW: Onslaught – Origins Of Aggression
Among the decades-old origins of Thrash, Hardcore Punk looms large. Many acts evolved from those humble rage-fueled beginnings. Onslaught never forgot; Origins Of Aggression (Reigning Phoenix Music), a celebration of the band’s forty years, aggressively reminds us of their fidelity.Continue reading
PREVIEW: New Music Friday – Rock and Metal Releases for 5-23-25
Onslaught Share a Cover of Motörhead Classic – “Iron Fist” – New Album Coming Soon
UK thrashers, Onslaught, are celebrating 40 years of their iconic debut, Power From Hell, with the new two disc album, Origins Of Aggression. It is due out on May 23, 2025 through their new label home, Reigning Phoenix Music records. Disc 1 features a selection of ten re-recorded tracks from Onslaught’s early days [1982-1989], while disc 2 presents cover versions of punk and metal songs from the Dead Kennedys, The Exploited, Discharge, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and more. From the second disc, the band have shared a cover of Motörhead’s “Iron Fist,” along with a new video. Watch it below and find out more.
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Swallow The Sun Featuring Ballet Finland to Perform “Plague of Butterflies” at 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise
In a groundbreaking event, Finnish Metal icons Swallow The Sun featuring the Avant-Garde Ballet Finland are set to present their collaborative performance, “Plague of Butterflies”, during 70000TONS OF METAL in 2025. This unique performance will make its World Premiere outside of Finland in January 2025, on board The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, with two separate presentations of the work occurring whilst on board. Following each of the two performances of “Plague of Butterflies”, Swallow The Sun will play two different regular sets as well.Continue reading
BOX SET REVIEW: Sabbat – Mad Gods And Englishmen – Noise Records
Considering the roots of speed and thrash metal can be traced back to the UK with bands like Venom and Motörhead, it was the American and European acts that enjoyed the most success during the mid-late eighties. The Big Four were selling records by the bucketload, Germany had its very own “Teutonic Trio” (which would itself eventually expand to a foursome), and even Canada and South America were producing top-quality acts.
Maryland Deathfest to Return in 2024
Gorguts at MDF 2014, photo by Hillarie Jason Photography
In a statement posted on social media, Maryland Deathfest has announced they will return! After a hiatus for 2023 the fest will return from May 23rd to May 26th, 2024. In a message to fans the co-founders of MDF discussed the hiatus and the the return as well as new dates for 2024. MDF 2024 will be their 20th fest in Baltimore. They did announce that aftert the upcoming London Desertfest, they are discontinuing all other festivals they have put on, Netherlands Deathfest, California Deathfest, and more will be no more. You can read a statement from the co-founders Ryan and Evan, below. MDF has operated for almost 20 years, put on 19 fests, and expanded to a global footprint, all while giving a greater voice to Death Metal, Avant-Garde Metal, Stoner Doom, and more genres, perhaps as much or more than any fest in the world. Continue reading
Maryland Deathfest and Their Related Metalfests to Go On Hiatus in 2023
Gorguts at MDF 2014, photo by Hillarie Jason Photography
In a statement posted on social media, Maryland Deathfest is going on hiatus after the next MDF event in May 2022. That means in 2023 all of their related festivals are going on hiatus, including MDF, Netherlands Deathfest, California Deathfest, and more. You can read a statement from the co-founders Ryan and Evan, below. MDF has operated for almost 20 years, put on 19 fests, and expanded to a global footprint, all while giving a greater voice to Death Metal, Avant-Garde Metal, Stoner Doom, and more genres, perhaps as much or more than any fest in the world. Continue reading
FESTIVAL REVIEW: Damnation Festival 2021- Live at Leeds University
In the time since its 2005 inception Damnation Festival has grown to into a four-stage affair that has become a mainstay of the UK metal scene. 2021’s festival on 6th November was significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, it marked the event’s return after a year off due to COVID restrictions. Secondly, it sold out in record time; as soon as the UK government announced the end of all restrictions (back in March), all tickets were swept up within a matter of weeks. Thirdly, the lineup had to be dramatically changed, with many major international acts such as Wolves in the Throne Room and Pig Destroyer having to have their appearances cancelled due to then-ongoing uncertainty surrounding travel restrictions. Fourthly and finally, 2021’s Damnation marked the end of its 14-year tenure at Leeds University: 2022’s festival will return to Manchester (where it first took place for two years) at a larger arena venue.
PODCAST: Episode 139 – Colleen Kanowsky Interviews Blackstarkids at Riot Fest 2021
The Ghost Cult Magazine Podcast is back! Colleeen Kanosky covered Riot Fest 2021 for the site (read our review here) and she also did some interviews in the Media Tent! She chatted with Blackstarkids, one of the hottest bands in the world right now, on the strength of their killer singles “Juno” – “Fight Club” and now “All Cops Are Bastards! Their debut album Puppies Forever drops October 15th, 2921, and they shared some knowledge about the direction of the band, how they formed, their many influences, and more