This review is going to break from the normal narrative we normally use here at Ghost Cult, where we steer away from how we feel personally about an album and try to stick to objective facts since Hangman’s Chair is one of my favorite bands. If you think that this will be a gushing love letter only fueled by my fandom, let’s correct that notion. My favorite bands are held to a much higher standard. My expectations here are exalted since I am emotionally invested in them. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Shoegaze
ALBUM REVIEW: Mogwai – The Bad Fire
Robert Smith once called these guys his favorite band and it is easy to hear why. Eleven albums into their career, Mogwai has a clear focus on their sonic journey on The Bad Fire (Rock Action Records). Vocals appear right from the first song, serving as a smooth texture that sits in the swirl of sound. Things get more into their older bran of majestic melancholy on the second song. It’s less pop-oriented than the opening track. If you came here wanting post-rock this is the song for you. “What Kind of a Mix is This” feels like it just spills out from the end of the lingering ebb of the previous song. It takes a minute for a guitar melody to establish the song’s footing.Continue reading
EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: Pillowprince Shares Their Debut Single “Mercurial” – New EP Coming Soon
Springing up from the deep Oakland Indie/underground scene are the doomy/shoegazy Pillowprince. With great songcraft and introspective lyrics, it hits the healing spot just right in these turbulent times. We’ll be on the lookout for more new musidoomy/c from this act in 2025. Their new EP pretty, baby! is releasing from the respected Dune Altar label this spring. In the meantime, check out “Mercurial” now! Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: ISLEPTONTHEMOON – Only The Stars Know Of My Misfortune
ISLEPTONTHEMOON is an anonymous solo project based in Atlanta, Georgia. Only The Stars Know Of My Misfortune (Bindrune Recordings) is their third full-length release.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Amerta – Nodus Tollens
As a result of years of persistence and hard work in exploring the immense depths of their own resonances, Jakarta-based post/sludge/power metal collective Amerta embarks on a new profound milestone through the release of their first full-length entitled Nodus Tollens (Self-Released). Through this release, this Indonesian multi-genre unit invites their listeners to venture on an enigmatic journey fueled by existential dread, contemplations, and the inner conflicts that mankind collectively faces against the banality of everyday chaos and mayhem in the form of an in-depth listening experience. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Nameless – “Shapeshifter”
Hailing from Birmingham, UK Nu-Metal outfit Nameless show a whole world of imagination with their new album Shapeshifter (Self-Released). On this record, the band takes on a progressive genre-bending sound with ambitious track lengths. Drawing from influences from the likes of Deftones and Sleep Token, they combine facets of Metal and Shoegaze in such a way that keeps even the longest songs interesting. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Trash Boat – Heaven Can Wait
It is not until a band evolves and transforms their sound that they are able to unleash their fullest potential. With their last album Don’t You Feel Amazing? in 2021, British alternative rock outfit Trash Boat proved there was more to them than Pop Punk. With their fourth album Heaven Can Wait (Hopeless Records), the band has found their footing in their own unique blend of Rock, Metal, Punk, and experimental elements, taking the most captivating aspects of each to bring their brutal and contemplative vision to life.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Boston Manor – Sundiver
While the band started with a familiar yet distinct brand of pop punk, British rockers Boston Manor’s sound has evolved into something even more defined. Ever since their second full-length Welcome To The Neighbourhood, Boston Manor have been experimenting with and expanding on a sound reminiscent of film noir—one that gets more and more vivid with each release. Their fifth album Sundiver (Sharptone Records) shines a new light to the world they continue to grow. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Alcest – Les Chants de L’Aurore
Alcest began as a solo Black Metal project for French musician Neige at the turn of the millennium, and have since forged themselves a fine reputation as one of the pioneering bands of the Blackgaze sound. Continue reading
EP REVIEW: Graywave – Dancing In The Dust
Starting out as a solo project for singer and multi-instrumentalist Jess Webberley, Graywave have released two previous EPs – Planetary Shift in 2021, followed swiftly by their first for Church Road Records, Rebirth in 2022. Continue reading