If Noise-Rock, and Punk were musical movements built on no more destructive behaviour than a gigantic excess of sugar, and were intrinsically aligned with computer game soundtracks, the world might have many a Melt-Banana. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Punk
CONCERT REVIEW: Stray Cats Live at the Rose Music Center
Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom, and Lee Rocker took the Stray Cats out on a fifteen-date summer tour for the first time in five years.Continue reading
EP REVIEW: GEL – Persona
As the world comes to an end, one can only hope punk and metal bands will get angry regarding our collective demise to provide a decent soundtrack. Thanks to record labels who want products that can be easily marketed a more pop element has been diluting genres that should be holding the middle finger up to the imminent mushroom clouds to come. A few brave bands are shunning this kinder and gentler direction. New Jersey’s GEL is one of them. Their new album Persona (Blue Grape Music) finds the band ready to give the middle finger, as they get right up in your face with their pumped-up take on punk. 2023’s “Only Constant” had not only momentum but did not compromise when it came to the songwriting. This time around the energy leans more into the hard-core side, throwing more weight behind its punches. Continue reading
Riot Fest Announces its Return to Chicago’s Douglass Park After an Initial Move
After deliberations with the Mayor of Chicago’s office, the Chicago Park District’s leadership, and Alderwoman Monique L. Scott, Riot Fest has decided to relocate the festival from the SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview back to its original home at Chicago’s Douglass Park. This is effective immediately for the 2024 festival! Continue reading
GIVEAWAY: Last Chance to Win Passes to Riot Fest to See The Return of Slayer, with Rob Zombie, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Suicidal Tendencies, Offspring, NOFX and More
For the second time this summer, we are giving fans a chance to attend Riot Fest 2024, the iconic annual punk rock and alternative music festival! Well known as a festival home to Punk, Hardcore, legendary Alternative Rock is going particularly Metal this year! Home to the exclusive and very first reunion show from Slayer, the fest will also host Rob Zombie, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Suicidal Tendencies, Clutch, GWAR, Drug Church, HEALTH, Brutus, Sunami, GEL, Lord of The Lost, Poison The Well, Pixel Grip, and more! In addition to the recent announcement of the daily lineups, the fest has announced shuttle service, a community band contest in the Lawndale & Little Village neighborhoods and more! This year’s festival will take place at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, from September 20-22nd, featuring 90+ bands over 3-days, and will feature RiotLand, an immersive “Choose Your Own Adventure” world that promises to elevate the festival experience to new heights. Riot Fest, while reluctant to leave its longtime home in Chicago, made the difficult decision to relocate due to issues with the Park District, which paved the way for RiotLand, a 3-day version of which will be explorable on the Riot Fest website starting tomorrow. Fans can double tap their way through the various locations in this punk rock town. The giveaway ends in a few days, so enter to win now!Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Fourth Dominion – Diana’s Day
Fourth Dominion hails from Rochester, New York already steeped in a rich musical heritage, cue No-Wave legend Lydia Lunch, Swing era Jazz musician Cab Calloway, Garage-Rock revivalists The Chesterfield Kings, and of particular interest to Ghost Cult regulars, Grind gods Brutal Truth. Fourth Dominion therefore appear to be in esteemed company.
ALBUM REVIEW: Respire – Hiraeth
In 2020, Canadian Post / Avantgarde Black Metal collective Respire, released their memorable third album Black Line. A record with a spin on the genre that stood out as the works of a band who were comfortable in pushing the boundaries of what was possible with the Black Metal sound. Hiraeth now follows, four years in the making and diving deeper into the use of experimentation, with grand orchestral arrangements creating a sound that owes as much inspiration to the likes of their fellow countrymen Godspeed You! Black Emperor, as it does classic Black Metal bands such as, well Emperor.Continue reading
GIVEAWAY: Riot Fest Announces Single Day Band Lineup, Shuttle Service to RiotLand and the Community Band Contest
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UPDATED: Win another pair of tickets to Riot Fest from Ghost Cult below!
Riot Fest, the iconic annual punk rock and alternative music festival, is excited to announce its 2024 daily lineup, shuttle service, a community band contest in the Lawndale & Little Village neighborhoods and more! This year’s festival will take place at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, from September 20-22nd, featuring 90+ bands over 3-days, and will feature RiotLand, an immersive “Choose Your Own Adventure” world that promises to elevate the festival experience to new heights. Riot Fest, while reluctant to leave its longtime home in Chicago, made the difficult decision to relocate due to issues with the Park District, which paved the way for RiotLand, a 3-day version of which will be explorable on the Riot Fest website starting tomorrow. Fans can double tap their way through the various locations in this punk rock town.Continue reading
EP REVIEW: Non Serviam – Labyrinthe
On Labyrinthe, (Self-Released) prolific, anonymous, French genre-defying duo Non Serviam lean into their Goth-Noise tendencies with a lo-fi collection of ghostly, ghastly gloom and dread.
Originating as a solo project ten years (or more) ago, it was once they became a duo (and released debut full-length Le Cœur Bat) in 2021 that Non Serviam really got going. Continue reading
Riot Fest 2024 Books Fall Out Boy, Beck, Slayer, Pavement, St. Vincent, NOFX, Rob Zombie, Bright Eyes, Sublime, The Offspring, GWAR, Dr. Dog, Mastodon, Suicidal Tendencies, Laura Jane Grace, and More
Riot Fest, the iconic annual punk rock and alternative music festival, is excited to announce its 2024 lineup, along with the introduction of an innovative new world, and a venue change, now with parking! This year’s festival will take place at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, from September 20-22nd, featuring 90+ bands over 3-days, and will feature RiotLand, an immersive “Choose Your Own Adventure” world that promises to elevate the festival experience to new heights.Continue reading