Messa’s fourth album, The Spin (Metal Blade Records), finds the band embracing their inner prog rock guitar gods, and channeling that energy in a few different directions. The first few songs might fake you out as they sound as if the band is heading in a more post-punk direction. The guitars gallop with more tension at a fairly brisk pace. This is certainly a shift from their earlier material that found them as more of a doom band. The vocals are very strong and well-defined from a songwriting perspective, which is the most important element of their sound. The band has always carried a smoky blues-based undercurrent, which is still present, though at times they wander off into more atmospheric shadows, as heard on ” At the Races”. Their guitarist begins to shine on this one, and his heroics do not let up from here. Continue reading
Tag Archives: songcraft
ALBUM REVIEW: WREN – Black Rain Falls
London’s WREN have been releasing music for over a decade and Black Rain Falls (Church Road Records) is their third full-length record. The band describe it as “a crystallisation of the conceptual voice-giving to natural collapse, humanity’s decline and the shadowed spectre that has imbued WREN since the beginning.” Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Tuomas Saukkonen of Wolfheart Discusses “Draconian Darkness” with Ragin Rosie
In this episode, Ghost Cult’s Ragin Rosie chatted with Wolfheart leader, guitarist/vocalist Tuomas Saukkonen to discuss their new album “Draconian Darkness” out now on Reigning Phoenix Music! One of the best, longest-running bands in extreme metal, Rosie and Tuomas covered a lot of ground!Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Ryan Knight of The Black Dahlia Murder Discusses The Making of Their “Servitude” Album
In this episode, Ghost Cult’s Ragin Rosie chatted with Ryan Knight of The Black Dahlia Murder! Their new album “Servivtude” is coming soon via Metal Blade Records, and it will be their first since the passing of Trevor Strnad. Ryan and Rosie discussed writing the new album and a lot more! Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Bones UK – Soft
LA-based London natives Bones UK are releasing their sophomore studio album Soft via Sumerian Records. Nearly five years in the making and recorded across London, LA, Chicago, and Texas, Soft follows Bones UK’s debut self-titled album from 2019. Featuring contributions from Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins and Mike Shuman from Queens of the Stone Age, Soft conveys an overall heightened intensity, maturity, and vulnerability within the musicality of Bones UK.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: A Swarm Of The Sun – An Empire
It doesn’t take long at all to realize that A Swarm Of The Sun have a knack (and an ear) for the sprawling cinematic nature that absolutely thrives especially in the post-Metal landscape.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Mondo Cozmo – IT’S PRINCIPLE
Josh Ostrander has had a unique and eclectic career stretching back the majority of this millennium so far. Beginning with Laguardia, to working with Eastern Conferences Champions, each one of his projects has brought something completely new and interesting to the table. Now having produced three solo albums under his moniker, Mondo Cozmo, it was time for the solo artist to explore even further into his sonic repertoire with his fourth studio album, IT’S PRINCIPLE (Last Gang Records). With the tragic passing of his namesake’s dog, Cozmo, it was clear that this was set out to be one of his most emotional and vulnerable material to date.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Grumpster – Grumpster
Contrary to popular belief, Pop Punk and Emo are far from dead and buried. There are tons of true-school cool pocket scenes all over with great bands and fans supporting the hell out of them. One of best bands that have come from the underground recently to earn props is Grumpster from Oakland. Always a legendary place for Punk (thank you East Bay scene, 924 Gilman Street), but has had more than a few killer bands of late too. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Wayfarer – American Gothic
American Gothic (Profound Lore) opens with a great deal of fanfare – a Western-tinged throb of guitar before you are reminded Wayfarer are a Black Metal band: snarled vocals control the mic, the drummer leans into a deliberate double-bass attack rather than joining the blast-beaten status quo… the band displaying a dynamic progression as songwriters on their fifth album as they continue to get even better with each release.
INTERVIEW: Josh Elmore of Cattle Decapitation Discusses “Terrasite” and Making a Career Out of Death Metal
Ghost Cult’s Ojaay chatted with mainstay guitarist Josh Elmore of Cattle Decapitation! The band is releasing their new album “Terrasite” soon via Metal Blade Records! Josh discussed how he joined the band, his impact as one of the longest-serving members, his past non-metal project with Weasel Walter, CDs’ return to a hearty touring schedule, and more!