Everyone’s perspective of what they enjoy while watching a live performance is subjective. Some like to have that big splash of energy being thrown at them, others simply like to watch a well-played performance by their favorite musicians. In rare cases, you get to have both moods in the same set, particularly when we talk about instrumental music and that is precisely what The Aristocrats bring in their latest live album Freeze! Live in Europe 2020. The trio composed of Marco Minnemann on drums, Guthrie Govan on guitars, and Bryan Beller on bass released a live album that showcases perfectly what is “The Aristocrats live experience” is. The combination of comical glimpses in their jamming sessions, lots of musical influences, and the extreme dexterity of each of the musicians in their instruments is the order of the day in their live performances and you can listen to all of this in this album.
Tag Archives: pop
ALBUM REVIEW: Melvins 1983 – Working with God
Working With God (Ipecac Records/Liberator Music) is the 24th release by the Melvins and features their 1983 lineup of Buzz Osbourne, Dale Crover on bass, and original drummer Mike Dillard (although they have been doing a ton of regular Melvins lineup activities with Steven Shane McDonald of Redd Kross). The record encapsulates the Hardcore and Sludge style Melvins have delivered since their genesis. The result is a fresh album that is thrilling and cathartic.
The Offspring Shares New Single and Lyric Video – “Let The Bad Times Roll”
Legendary Pop Punks The Offspring will release their new album Let The Bad Times Roll on April 16 via Concord Records. The new album will be their first in 9 years, the follow-up to 2012’s Days Go By and was once again produced by Bob Rock, who also worked on the band’s last two LPs. Check out the debut single, the title track, right now! Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Steven Wilson – The Future Bites
It would be an understatement to say that Steven Wilson’s sixth full-length album continues down the more commercialized path that was established on 2017’s To The Bone. While that album has ultimately proved to be a simplified variation of its predecessors in hindsight, The Future Bites opts for a very different approach as the guitars are downplayed and Pop and Electronica influences completely take over. It’s far removed from the Prog dog days of Porcupine Tree but also not unprecedented when you consider No-Man’s Synthpop side. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Corey Taylor – CMFT
Metal heavyweight Corey Taylor has officially made his solo debut with the release of a full record. This new space has granted him the freedom to create songs you’d never find on a Slipknot record, for better or for worse. If you follow Taylor’s career exclusively because of Slipknot, CMFT (Roadrunner) might not be worth your time. But, for fans of Stone Sour, the collection of different hard rock styles and adjacent alternative influences are sure to please. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Mastodon – Medium Rarities
We have been blessed with a lot of great Mastodon news of late, from celebrating their 20th anniversary, their new song on the Bill And Ted Face The Music soundtrack – “Rufus Lives”, to the band hitting the studio to work on full-length number eight. So 2020 seems like a good time for a good old odds and sods release, the cleverly titled Medium Rarities (Reprise).
PODCAST: Episode 122: Ihsahn on “Pharos” EP, the Creative Process, and More
We chatted recently with music legend Ihsahn over Skype to discuss his upcoming new EP, Pharos, due out on September 11th, via Candlelight Records. Ihsahn contrasted the music from the current EP to his last one, Telemark, the many different sides of his moods and styles, how he chooses cover songs, the evolution of his singing voice, thoughts on performing live, some of his other projects over the years, and next years Emperor full album performance of “In the Nightside Eclipse” at Beyond The Gates Festival in Norway in 2021. Purchase Pharos here and check out our chat! Continue reading
EXCLUSIVE STREAM: Shawn Perry – “Six Feet Apart”
Ghost Cult is bringing you the premiere of a brand new song from Shawn Perry – “Six Feet Apart”. This ode to love in the time of the pandemic is a funny and fun summertime jam. Check out the single and the visualizer here!
ALBUM REVIEW: Carol Hodge – Savage Purge
Songwriters are often in pursuit of honesty. They want to express the contents of their souls with authenticity and truth. However, these expressions are often refracted through lenses of ambiguity which can leave the listener guessing as to the real truth at the source. It is perhaps less common, and maybe more courageous, for a songwriter to tell us what’s really going on in their day-to-day thoughts without hiding beneath the mystery of their poetry. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: ÆGES – Drømmen
Los Angeles-based act Æges is a genre-defying group of guys that are turning heads in multiple music scenes. This budding band has flourished in the last few years because they have a remarkable ability to avoid being pigeonholed. Now, this ear-catching gang is ready to independently release their fourth full-length album, Drømmen (Self-Released). The animation and spirit presented on their last release, Weightless (Another Century), which came out in 2016, is taken to a deeper level on this new record. They are showcasing their exploration of new energy by making some real, heartfelt pieces. Continue reading