Mark Morton – Anesthetic


Solo projects are notoriously difficult. Sometimes they are born of internal conflict within a band leading to splintering factions looking to pave their own way. More often than not it proves that a part is not greater than the sum of the whole: who can honestly say they prefer Serj Tankian’s solo work to the output of System of a Down? They can also be the result of an ego attack, a misplaced sense of superiority with often disastrous results. Lamb Of God’s Mark Morton, however, seems to fall into neither category, so his debut solo release, Anesthetic (WPP/Spinefarm Records) can only be viewed as a long-awaited labour of love.Continue reading


Volcano – The Island


For some time now, Californian Psych junkie Zach Oakley has wanted to team up with his percussionist brother Matt, and this wish has finally materialised with new project Volcano. Debut album The Island (Tee Pee Records) is a million miles away from the weird Blues of Harsh Toke, Joy, and Loom, from where the quintet has been culled: introducing African rhythms to whacked-out jams and creating an unusual yet vibrant concoction.Continue reading


Juniper Grave – Of Hellions & Harridans


Edinburgh Occult quartet Juniper Grave is no stranger to the stage, having opened for the likes of Witchsorrow, Slough Feg and the spellbinding Dystopian Future Movies during their short existence. Debut album Of Hellions & Harridans (Wasted State Records) shows a style more in tune with the likes of Alunah, a hugely retrospective feel coating the elements of the band’s sound.Continue reading


Ghost Cult’s Album Of The Year 2017: Mastodon – Emperor Of Sand


Mastodon, photo credit Jimmy Hubbard

We made it! We’ve reached the end of our countdown of the Top Albums of 2017. As voted on by our global team of experienced editors, reviewers, photographers and tabulated by fearless Ghost Cult Associate Editor Steve Tovey: we give you our number 1 pick: MastodonEmperor of Sand (Reprise).Continue reading


PVRIS – All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell


What became of real pop stars? This is a question I have asked myself over and over the last few years. As we’ve lost Prince, George Michael, and David Bowie, and there is no new Madonna, Bjork, Sinead, Tori, or nary even an Alanis in sight, I wondered when the next generation of legends would come, if ever. A few years back I got turned on to PVRIS when I still lived in their home state of Massachusetts, and I heard White Noise right when it came out. Then I saw them live, and whoa, I was blown away by them. However, one of the hardest things to pull off in music is the second album. Sure you have your entire first act to create a sound and cultivate your style. People are fickle and expect a lot as fans. Much tougher to grow from that and keep it going, but PVRIS has pulled it off impressively. Continue reading


Sevendust 20th Anniversary: Live At The Space


Sevendust is a band that has an eternal quality to them. They have consistently put out quality albums, toured the world, and been generous with their fans for the entirety of their 25 years as a band, and 20 since the release of their self-titled début album on TVT Records, now defunct. After a one-off show this spring where they played that début album in its entirety, they have booked a few small tours where they continued to celebrate their legacy, as well as keep an eye on the future. Continue reading


Stone Sour – Hydrograd


It’s not often that a side project from an acclaimed band can stand on par with said original group. After all, a lot of sidebands become the vacation parent to fans; as a stop-gap measure for artists to toss eager followers a bone in between releases. However, that is not true of Stone Sour, launched in the shadows of Slipknot, and for over fifteen years has slowly ascended to the hard rock pantheon on their own merits. In fact, on their new album Hydrograd (Roadrunner), the band has put out an album that actually surpasses a few Slipknot releases outright. Continue reading


Gov’t Mule – Revolution Come… Revolution Go


Revolution Come… Revolution Go (Spinefarm), the first Gov’t Mule record since 2013’s Shout and their 20th-anniversary celebrations a year later, starts off in their customary Blues Rock fashion – evoking their Cream and Free influenced power trio origins.Continue reading


Life Of Agony Discusses New Album, Maintaining Their Common Bonds


Life Of Agony drops their highly anticipated new album A Place Where There’s No More Pain via Napalm Records on April 28th. In this exclusive interview between Ghost Cult’s Keith Chachkes and LOA’s Mina Caputo, Joey Z and Alan Robert, the band discusses the long process of creating new music, their new record deal, how their band dynamic has changed over the years, their hometown record release show at Irving Plaza, what their fans mean to them, and more! Videography by Omar Cody for OJC Photography. Continue reading


Life Of Agony: A Place Where There’s No More Pain


A Place Where There’s No More Pain by Life Of Agony is their first studio album in 12 years, but only their fifth overall in their career. That being said, this is still probably a new band to a lot of people. So I’m going to help you understand the importance of this band and this album. Very few bands at this level can be considered somehow underrated, yet still be vital after twenty-five years. Let alone, make one of their best albums after all this time. From the opener ‘Meet My Maker’, to the final notes of closer ‘Little Spots of You’, this record is an emotional juggernaut that has no filler. With 10 songs that are instant classics, the album represents a heartfelt tour-DE-force sure to resonate with anyone, whether you are an old-school head, or just discovering the band for the first time.Continue reading