Slash’s much-anticipated blues cover album is studded with fine performances – Chris Stapleton singing on “Oh Well”, Iggy Pop on “Awful Dream”, Brian Johnson loving it on “Killing Floor”.Continue reading
Tag Archives: solo album
Courtney Love is Nearly Finished with Her New Solo Album, Has Penned a Song for Kurt Cobain of Nirvana
In a new interview with Marc Maron for his WTF podcast, Courtney Love has revealed she is nearly finished with her long-in-the-works new solo album, eyeing a 2023 release. This would be Courtney’s second solo album under her own name, following her 2004 debut, America’s Sweetheart. Rather than studio albums or EPs, she has focused on standalone singles, movie soundtracks, and collabs for her solo work, and sporadic work and albums with Hole (2010’s Nobody’s Daughter album was basically a Courtney solo album under the Hole banner). In a wide ranging interview about her career in music and acting (she was nominated for a Golden Globe for The People vs. Larry Flynt in 1996) she discussed making music, humbling herself to open for Lana Del Ray (now one of her closest friends) moving to London, rejecting all social media as an artist, the choice to retire her most popular song “Violet” permanently, and her many public and private relationships under the magnifying glass of celebrity for 35 years. She also mentioned writing a new song “Justice for Kurt” for her late husband and Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, calling it a “2 minute earworm.” She also said she is omitting it from the album, because it will overshadow the rest of of the album. Maron is a brilliant interviewer, comedian, and actor (Almost Famous, Joker), so it’s worth a listen.
ALBUM REVIEW: Ibaraki – Rashomon
Ibaraki is the new solo project from Trivium’s Matt Heafy, and Rashomon is released through Nuclear Blast, having been over a decade in the making. The name translates as “Wild Trees”, but is also taken from a terrifying Japanese demon of feudal legend, and the concept is a profound affirmation of Heafy’s Japanese-American heritage, incorporating a number of different musical styles. Although the main inspiration clearly sits within the black etal genre, taking influence from the experience of Emperor’s Ihsahn, who co-produced, and whose quirkier ideas from his solo work are peppered throughout the release. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Gregor Barnett – Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave
They say (well, Turisas did, which is probably as unlikely a band to reference in the introduction to a review of a solo album by the vocalist from The Menzingers as you’re going to get) no good story ever starts with drinking tea. But, maybe, just maybe this one does. For the journey of Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave (Epitaph Records), the first solo album from Gregor Barnett begins with the premature closing of one adventure and the unplanned void of returning home to… no plans. Just peace, quiet, solitude, and, well, whatever hot drink of choice our man from Pennsylvania chooses to imbibe the morning.
ALBUM REVIEW: Tony Martin – Thorns
Tony Martin has kept his name out there with some guest performances in recent years but full-lengths have been unfortunately rare to come by. Thorns (Dark Star) the singer’s third solo album, has been a long time coming, being his first full appearance since Giuntini Project‘s IV in 2013 as well as his first proper solo outing since 2005’s Scream (MTM). While this effort could’ve just been a stopgap for Martin to reassert his brand of doomy AOR, it ends up being an opportunity for him to explore some different aspects of his style.
PODCAST: Episode #150 – Jimmy Bower of Eyehategod and Down Interviewed!
As our podcast continues its grand return on a new platform – Anchor.fm, we are resuming interviews with an EXCLUSIVE chat with Jimmy Bower of Eyehategod and Down! EHG is on tour with GWAR, and Napalm Death and Jimmy talks about the return to the road for the band, how he spent his down time in 2020, news on Down going back on tour, his still in the works solo album, and more! Check it out our convo here!
Mina Caputo Releases New Album “The Mones”
Life of Agony frontwoman and Rock and Metal legend Mina Caputo has surprise-released her latest solo album, The Mones exclusively via Caputo’s Bandcamp. Caputo has been a solo artist for many years and has released 17 albums either as a solo act or inside bands outside of LOA. Mina’s ability to marry her powerful voice with vulnerable, yet hero lyrics is her calling card. Mones contains 12 more tracks that further this legacy. The album features bass performances from John Norwood Fisher (Fishbone) and Rick Boston (Joe Cocker). Mones was produced by Mina and Andy Kravitz, with Mastering and Artwork/layout by her LOA bandmates Joey Z and Alan Robert respectively, with an album cover photo by Michael Anthony Alago. Stream and purchase the album here.
Laura Jane Grace (Against Me) Drops a Surprise Solo Album – “Stay Alive”
Iconic Rocker Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! and The Devouring Mothers has released a surprise digital album today on all streaming platforms. The album Stay Alive (Big Scary Monsters) was created during the pandemic and recorded in July by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio. The physical release will arrive on December 11th. You can pre-order it at the link below, and listen to the album now!
PODCAST: Episode 123: Derek Sherinian on “The Phoenix”, Prog, and More!
Ghost Cult caught up with progressive music legend and keyboardist/producer Derek Sherinian, (Sons of Apollo, Black Country Communion, ex-Dream Theater) to chat all about this new solo album, out this week, September 18th, via InsideOut Music. Derek discussed the new album, working with special guests such as Tony Franklin, Jimmy Johnson, Billy Sheehan, Joe Bonamassa, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai, Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, Kiko Loureiro, Derek’s approach to composition, how he lays down guest tracks for bands around the world every day from his home studio, his with mentor and friend Simon Philips, covering Buddy Miles, a hint at future Sons of Apollo plans, discussing his keyboard heroes from history, and a cool story about Patrick Moraz. Pre-order the album here: https://dereksherinian.lnk.to/ThePhoenix and check out our chat. Continue reading
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PODCAST: Episode 93 – Floor Jansen of Nightwish Talks New Album, Life After Coronavirus
Ghost Cult was honored to chat recently with Nightwish singer Floor Jansen, all about their new album Human :II: Nature (read our review here) out now via Nuclear Blast Records. Floor spoke about releasing a new album during the pandemic, shared her thoughts on what life will be like and when we might get back to shows and tours, the new album, rising to meet the challenge of the new material, the sprawling and unique style of Human :II: Nature, how she stays humble, thoughts on the legacy of Nightwish, other projects she is working on, and much more. Order Human :II: Nature here, and check out our chat. Continue reading
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