ALBUM REVIEW: Zeal and Ardor – Greif


Hailing from the Swiss city of Basel, Zeal & Ardor are an Alternative Metal act that have always well and truly had a sound of their own. Initially, a one-man studio project from the extraordinary musical architect Manuel Gagneux, Zeal & Ardor dropped into our speakers with thei debut album Devil Is Fine in 2016. Providing a highly experimental blend of Black Metal and Delta Blues, before exploring the sound further two years later with record number two – Stranger FruitContinue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Roadburn Festival 2024 Part 2 – Various Venues 


So now hopefully you are asking yourself what are the bands I had as “do not miss” other than Inter Arma?  

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FESTIVAL REVIEW: Roadburn Festival 2024 Part 1 – Various Venues 


Full disclosure there is in no way I can present an unbiased opinion about Roadburn. This is my seventh straight year and I’m gifted a much greater amount of privilege than the average attendee. I’ve earned lifelong friendships. It’s become more than just a music festival for me. It’s a second home for five days out of every year. I’m allowed to work alongside other extremely talented and hard-working photographers and for a limited time at the beginning of every set I’m granted the best spot in the house.  For me music is my safe space vs photography which is my special interest.Continue reading


Cult Leader Shares a New Single and Visualizer for “Learn to Love It” – European Tour Dates and Roadburn Festival Appearance Incoming


Salt Lake City Noise Rock/Hardcore band Cult Leader shares a new single and visualizer, “Learn to Love It,” ahead of their European tour next month. The track was recorded during the same studio session as “Ataraxis” and “Long Shadows” from their split with END in 2022 titled Gather & Mourn. The band is kicking off a run of European tour dates, ending with an appearance at the vaunted Roadburn Festival. Watch a music video for the single now!Continue reading


Inter Arma Shares a New Single and New Album Title Track “New Heaven”


New Heaven, Inter Arma’s anticipated new album, is a compelling testament to perseverance, top to bottom. The album releases April 26th, 2024 via their long-time label Relapse Records. Its thicket of ever-dense layers of doom, death, and black metal occasionally let bits of light slip in, fleeting reminders to keep going amid the tumult. The record marks a sharp turn for Inter Arma, showcasing some of the most extreme and angular songwriting the band has ever laid bare. Known for their cinematic take on sludgy, extremely cavernous, and borderline psychedelic Metal, the Richmond band broadens their dynamics by seesawing between piledriving momentum and swirling oblivion. New Heaven crushes and conquers, and illustrates what Inter Arma can truly be. Stream “New Heaven” now and pre-order the album now.Continue reading


Roadburn 2024 Adds HEALTH, Kavus Torabi, Ragana Royal Thunder Birds In Row, Body Void, Darsombra, Sunrot, Thantifaxath, and More


 

Roadburn has added thirty new bands to the bill for 2024, including several special commissioned performances which are the hallmark of this festival. In addition, to HEALTH performing on the main stage for the first time, Kavus Torabi, Ragana Royal Thunder Birds In Row, Body Void, Darsombra, Sunrot, Thantifaxath, are among the new artists for the fest. You can see or extensive coverage of Roadburn 2023 here. See the full new list below and buy tickets at the link below.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Mizmor – Prosaic


 

Prosaic (Profound Lore Records) is the latest release from the impressive solo Black Metal project, Mizmor. Hailing from the US Pacific Northwest and recorded in multi-instrumentalist A.L.N’s home studio in Portland Oregon, the record follows last year’s Wilts End EP, and Long-Players Cairn in 2019 and Yodh in 2016, which also received a live release following a rare performance recorded at the prestigious 2018 Roadburn Festival.

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FESTIVAL REVIEW: Roadburn Festival 2023


 

Let’s get one thing out of the way, Roadburn is still the premier underground fest that it has always been. I know so many people who went into this year’s fest expecting it to be their last, saying the lineup wasn’t for them, or that they didn’t like this change or that change. But I can tell you, they have all already booked rooms and bought tickets for next year. Change isn’t bad.  

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The Weekly Ritual Rock and Metal News Show 12-01-22


 

We’re going live on YouTube every week to end 2022! Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode #196: Duncan Evans Interviews Jo Quail at ArcTanGent Festival 


 

Intrepid artist and writer Duncan Evans interviewed the incomparable cellist/avant-garde composer and metaller Jo Quail at the recent ArcTanGent Festival. Jo discussed her recent collaboration with Emma Ruth Rundle and tour, how her solo efforts and shows differ, the new projects she is currently composing and their possible future releases (including one with Maria Franz of Heilung), how she was commissioned by Walter of Roadburn Festival to create the acclaimed work “The Cartographer” and how she still utilizes music theory.

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