ALBUM REVIEW: Polar – Five Arrows


It seemed as if it was the end for the Guildford-based Metalcore stalwarts Polar after having lost a lot of members of the original band in 2023. 

Not content with letting the band be put to rest, Adam Woodford decided to bring on a whole new team and carry on the passion project. Continue reading


Sick New World 2025 Books Metallica, Linkin Park, QOTSA, Evanescence, AFI, Ministry, Gojira, Acid Bath, The Flaming Lips, Down, Melvins, Testament, Meshuggah, Cannibal Corpse, Machine Head, and More


Sick New World 2025 has revealed their huger lineup featuring Metallica, and now Linkin Park, QOTSA, Evanessence, AFI, Ministry, Gojira, Acid Bath, The Flaming Lips, DOWN, Melvins, Testament, Meshuggah, Cannibal Corpse, Machine Head, Sisters of Mercy, Three Days Grace, Tomahawk, Cradle of Filth, Refused, Filter, Kittie, Terror, Mayhem, X, Poison the Well, The Hives, Carcass, Underoath, Daron Malakian’s Scars On Broadway, Sponge, Quicksand, Exodus, Stabbing Westward, Orgy, Lacuna Coil, The Birthday Massacre, Seven Hours After Violet, Dethklok, Dope, Scowl, Show Me The Body, Napalm Death, Dope, Arch Enemy, Twin Tribes, and more!  The presale starts Friday 10/18 at 10am PT. You are signed up and will receive the presale code that morning. Tickets start as low as 19.99 down. Continue reading


PODCAST: The Weekly Ritual Rock and Metal News Show Live 9-20-24


Check out what you missed this week in the world of Rock and Metal! Continue reading


Refused Officially Call It Quits – 25th Anniversary Vinyl Re-Issue Of “The Shape Of Punk To Come” Coming Soon



Originally operating from 1991 to 1998, then reuniting in 2012, Swedish hardcore punk band, Refused, have officially announced the end of their influential run. They have also shared plans for a farewell tour that will mark the band’s final performances in the United States. Additionally, they will be re-issuing their classic album, The Shape Of Punk To Come. Limited to just 2000 vinyl copies worldwide, it is out on November 08th, via Epitaph Records. Keep reading below for more information.
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Season Three of “The Bear” Features Nine Inch Nails, Beastie Boys, Refused, Smashing Pumpkins, James, Radiohead, and More


Season three of the acclaimed FX/Hulu show The Bear is streaming all of its episodes. The series, set in the world of restaurants and chefs in Chicago has always had excellent music and this season is no different. The new episodes feature songs from Nine Inch Nails (and several tracks by Oscar winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross), Beastie Boys, Refused, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Taylor Swift (a repeat artist over three seasons), Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, The Rolling Stones, Kate Bush, and more. Starring Jeremy Allen White (Shameless, star of the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic), and also counts celebrity cher and Hardcore Metalhead Matty Matheson in the cast as well.Continue reading


Refused Vocalist Dennis Lyxzén is Recovering From a Massive Heart Attack


Refused/Fake Names/INVSN/International Noise Conspiracy vocalist and Swedish Hardcore legend Dennis Lyxzén suffered a massive heart attack earlier today (June 13th, 2024). He is currently recovering in the hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery. He shared a positive message with fans on Instagram earlier. Known for his great vocals, political lyrics, and wild showmanship on stage, we wish Dennis a speedy recovery!  Continue reading


INTERVIEW: Fake Names (Bad Religion, Refused, Minor Threat, Girls Against Boys, Fugazi) Interview at Riot Fest


Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with Brendan Canty and Brian Baker of Punk Rock supergroup Fake Names at Riot Fest 2023! The band features Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Bad Religion, Dag Nasty), Michael Hampton (S.O.A., Embrace), Dennis Lyxzén (Refused, INVSN, The [International] Noise Conspiracy), Johnny Temple (Girls Against Boys, Soulside) and Brendan Canty (Fugazi, Rites of Spring),  and released their newest album “Expendables” on Epitaph Records last spring. Brendan and Brian caught up with us, discussed the formation of the band at a past Riot Fest,  and the legacy of punk, bands they enjoy such as Turnstile and Quicksand, and what is so great about Riot Fest as a whole, and more! Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Racetraitor – Creation and the Timeless Order of Things 


 

In dire times of crisis and injustice caused by oppressive systems, the least we can do is to voice our aspirations through the creative media that we have going and that’s what the hardcore unit Racetraitor have been doing. Racetraitor has always been a band that’s ahead of their time – voicing opinions on systemic racism and white privilege before they were even often discussed in a large audience.

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INTERVIEW: Inge Johansson of Gatuplan (ex Against Me ) on Their Debut Album, Political Punk Rock, and More


 

Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with Punk Rock legend Inge Johansson (ex  Against Me!, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Cryssis, CSS) to discuss their new band Gatuplan! The band just released their debut album “Välkommen till underjorden” (Welcome To The Underground) via Sound Pollution Records and is Johansson’s first foray into leading their own band. Full of Pop Punk anthems and rebellious lyrics, the album also features saxophones played by jazz legend Jonas Kullhammar, and Dennis Lyxzen of Refused rocks a fantastic guest vocal appearance on ”Kidsen från provinsen.” We chatted about launching a solo band, a love for all things Ramones, and some cherished memories with Against Me! Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Fake Names – Expendables


 

Think of high-profile collaborations and what springs to mind? Self-indulgent widdling like the simply dreadful Dylan & The Dead live album, Sting, Bryan Adams, and Rod Stewart‘s unwanted ‘All For Love’ for the movie The Three Musketeers, Phil Collins and Phillip Bailey, Korn, and Skrillex? I’m sure there are many other offenders out there but you get the picture, ideas that may have sounded promising on paper but ultimately should have remained there. 

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