After such a fine introduction to the albums that have soundtracked our 2023 (Part 1 – 75-41), we now get into the belly of the beast and plunge on through the never, a testament to the diversity and abundance of alternative and heavy music that availed and impressed us this year.
So, without further ado (fewer words, more riffs…)Continue reading
2013 saw Ghost Cult crown Surgical Steel (Carcass) as our inaugural Album of the Year in a democratic aggregated vote process, untouched by editorial hands (other than the sliding of the abacus balls from one side to the other – or rather the logging of votes and the use of a rather rudimentary spreadsheet), a format we continue to utilise as the years pass, and the seasons grey. Our dedicated team of writers, editors, photographers make their submissions on demand following a month of much wringing-of-hands and profanities being aimed into the editorial mailbox.Continue reading
Over the past decade the genre known as “djent” strayed further from paying tribute to Meshuggah into a more slickly produced vein of pop music that just happens to have distorted guitars. Continue reading
All the signs are there: this is not going to be the easiest listening experience. From the likely purposefully awkward moniker, the cacophony of guest musicians (mostly drummers) and the self-processed palette of influences that range from Technical Death Metal to Classical; it does seem that Extreme Metaller’s OWDWYR purpose is to intrigue and to baffle in equal measure. The result of this; debut release Receptor (Self-Released) is, as expected, manic and as such, warrants hearing.
On All Input Is Error (Self-Released), Canada’s Pomegranate Tiger (aka prog multi-instrumentalist and accomplished composer Martin Andres) takes a topical AI concept and runs with it. Does he win the race? Yes, in the end – even if the final fate of humankind is ultimately unknown (there are no lyrics, you see, so you can make up your own mind, all you creatives out there).
Ever since their inception in 2003, TesseracT have marked themselves out as being ahead of the curve in the progressive metal scene, actively adapting and evolving for each new chapter. With the band headlining Arctangent in 2022 and about to embark on another giant world tour, what could be next for the band?
Ghost Cult Keefy sat down with Joe Nally of rising UK metal band Urne, whose new album “A Feast On Sorrow” just released via Spinefarm Records! The album is one of 2023’s best so far and although under the weather, Joe shares a bunch of insights about the album with us, including the impact of producer and mentor Joe Duplantier of Gojira !
Charity-driven, platinum-selling, Progressive Rock and Christmas Music group Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) today announced its highly-anticipated 2023 winter tour, “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve: The Best Of TSO And More”. This year TSO brings a completely updated presentation of the unforgettable, multi-generational holiday tradition, which will hit 62 cities and deliver 104 performances in both matinee and evening sets. A product of the imagination of late Trans-Siberian Orchestra mastermind Paul O’Neill and his wife Desi, and based on TSO’s 1999 multi-platinum CD and TV special “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve” rock opera and holiday album. Tickets for the 2023 holiday tour will go on sale on Friday, September 15 at 10 a.m. local time. Watch a trailer for the tour now! Continue reading
Ghost Cult’s Weslie Negrón interviewed Robin Staps of The Ocean Collective – all about their new album “Holocene” out now via Robin’s own Pelagic Records. Robin discussed the return to touring, creating this different-sounding album from the band, how they create together, the non-stop pace of the music business, and the next album from the band, already in the works!
Johan Lenox kicked off the night at the O2 Ritz venue, and even for the opening act of a two-band bill, the venue was already pretty full and the atmosphere positively electric. Right from the start, Johan’s performance was a sublime mixture of classical and hip-hop, highlighted by his absolutely divine voice. The audience and I include myself in that, was mesmerized, and the sea of phone lights only added to the visual impact.