For a band composed of members of other prog bands, creating something more melodic based in the post-hardcore-meets-hard-rock project, Black Map was something not entirely expected over a decade ago. Now three albums into the band’s career, and the band have made huge strides, having the technicality of their previous progressive bands and bringing it into a whole new scene, Black Map captured something new. For Hex (Spinefarm Records), the trio went in a more upfront approach to the creation process. While a complete U-turn from their previous album, how will this fare for the new release? Continue reading
Tag Archives: prog
ALBUM REVIEW: Fractal Universe – The Great Filters
ALBUM REVIEW: David Judson Clemmons – Everything A War
Those who dwell in these dark territories of underground Rock and Metal, of the noisy, the abrasive, the alternative, and the avant-garde are not always so open to big anthemic hooks. Sometimes our reaction to music that dares to rouse the spirits and attempt to soar can be somewhat dismissive. But let us not entirely close our ears and our hearts to hope, because sometimes in the right hands, the results of such sincere passions can be glorious and in the case of Everything A War (7 People Records/ Village Slut)—the latest record by former Prog-Metal frontman David Judson Clemmons (previously of Damn The Machine)—glorious is exactly what they are. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Night Flight Orchestra – Give Us The Moon
Retro-flavoured Swedes The Night Flight Orchestra (ft. Soilwork, Arch Enemy, Mean Streak members) are still at it with their seventh album Give Us The Moon (Napalm Records). With an insanely catchy AOR style, with an unabashedly high level of seventies and eighties-style cheese front and centre. Half the tracks here sound like they belong in some long-forgotten, coming-of-age film from 1985. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Vertex – The Purest Light
For a microgenre that asserts itself to be progressive and quite serious, the result in regards to band members is quite the opposite. Djent, while having quite serious origins in the progressive metal-sphere, quickly turned quite tongue-in-cheek, with even big hitters Periphery using their tongue-in-cheek album title Djent is not a genre as a light-hearted jab at the genre. Vertex, on the other hand, seem like they’re bringing in a more serious tone to the scene, taking inspiration from huge acts in the acne with their debut EP in 2019, the band have been hard at work to follow this up with their debut album, The Purest Light (Le Cri Du Charbon). This may have taken over 5 years, but the band has grafted hard to create this 53-minute behemoth. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: VOLA – Friend Of A Phantom
Like with their last record a three year wait brings us Friend of A Phantom (Mascot Label Group), the new album from those musically restless Scandinavians VOLA. Their fourth album serves up more of their dynamic wall of sound, which mixes Metal heaviness, Prog Rock changeability, in your face electronica and radio friendly hooks.Continue reading
PODCAST: Episode 594 – The Power Hour – October Recap and Album of The Month with Keefy
The gloom of fall is here, but at least we have great music! The Power Hour is back with just Chief Editor Ghost Cult Keefy! We look back at albums released in October 2024, and a forecast of new music out this month. Continue reading
Ghost Cult Magazine Turns 12 Years-Old
Time marches on!
We are officially in our awkward tween phase! October sees Ghost Cult Magazine’s 12th year around the sun! Established in the doomsday year of 2012, Ghost Cult Magazine has been a daily music news, interviews, and reviews portal dedicated to covering Rock, Metal, Punk, Metalcore, post-Hardcore, Hardcore, Indie Rock, Doom, Prog, Death Metal, Black Metal, Sludge, Industrial, Grindcore, Dark Folk, Synthwave, other related genres, and geek culture as well! Shout out to our founders, past collaborators, partners, and you dear readers!
CONCERT REVIEW: Leprous – Annex Void – Nighdrator Live at The Crofoot
Pontiac is a northern suburb of Detroit known for having colorful nightlife and last Tuesday evening proved why. Their downtown was a buzz with streets closed and stages set up. The Crofoot, an acclaimed entertainment complex, was hosting a community concert series with hundreds of locals gathered. The venue was also hosting Norway’s own Leprous who is on a headlining tour promoting their new album, Melodies of Atonement (InsideOut Music). Having provincial rap acts perform outside and having a hot, progressive band play inside showed off the versatility and innovation of the beloved music venue. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Leprous – Melodies of Atonement
Leprous is a band that stands apart from other progressive acts. Their ability to effortlessly experiment while remaining exceptionally grounded in their superior signature and skillful sound is uncommon. This Norwegian five-piece has been labeled as unique and is known to be creatively inventive within the heavy music sphere. Each record they make manages to explore new ground and deliver world-class wonders. They are about to release their eighth full-length record, Melodies of Atonement (InsideOut Music) and its distinctively different approach compared to their previous works proves once again how aptly ingenuous the band is. Continue reading