As cool as it’s been to see some of doom’s most iconic figures go acoustic lately, sometimes it’s even more exciting when fresher faces try their hands at the style. Thomas V. Jäger is one such example, stepping beyond his duties as Monolord’s vocalist/guitarist to release a full-length solo album. It’s an especially interesting transition when you consider that band’s heightened melodicism on 2019’s No Comfort, and this album pushes the idea to even more introspective ends.Continue reading
Doom Metal leaders Pallbearer will release their highly-anticipated new album this Oct. 23 Via Nuclear Blast! Forgotten Days promised to be one of the best albums of the year in any genre, based on the legacy this band has already established. They have just shared their first single and video for the title track, which you can see right here.
While The Path to the Deathless (Desert Records) continues down the psychedelic stoner journey that Red Mesa put forth with 2018’s The Devil and the Desert, its execution is grittier. The atmosphere carries hints of desolation within its imagery of open desert plains and the grainy guitar tone has a certain nastiness even when it isn’t overtly aggressive. There’s also not much emphasis on acoustic playing this time around, and even the tracks that do feature it come with a more noticeably somber air.
There are few lineups that conjure up the magic of underground metal like the twin pairing of Today Is The Day and The Obsessed. Both groups have had an outsized influence on the underground and it’s hard not to be enamored with what they have done for this scene. With their charismatic frontmen, Steve Austin and Wino respectively, this lineup came together as a sort of minor miracle, celebrating the magic of the new Today is the Day record at a release show that reminded those of us in attendance exactly why these guys are viewed as the true masters of noise metal. Riffs and heavy vibes abounded on the Brooklyn faithful, and after a heady warmup set from Prostitution and then punishing riffage from Somnuri, we were ready for the main events! Continue reading
We were back at the Kingsland for a night of epic Doom Metal and Stoner Rock shenanigans. The place was packed in with heshers and hesherettes early. I was running around doing interviews so I dipped in and out of the main room and caught a little of openers Forming the Void and Black Wizard. Between those two bands, you have almost a perfect word cloud for Doom bands. Both bands rep beefy riffs worth getting wrecked over, so smoke ’em if you got em when you see these guys. Continue reading
Stoner Doom legends in the making Spirit Adrift have announced their signing with Century Media Records outside North America, while 20 Buck Spin handling the domestic release. The bands acclaimed 2019 released Divided By Darkness (review here) released via 20 Buck Spin, who also issued their debut Curse of Conception. Continue reading
Black Sabbath in 1970, photo by Warner Brothers Records
On the sleeve: a grainy picture of a woman dressed in black. A stagnant pond. A creepy looking mill house.
And two words. Black Sabbath.
On the record: Rain. Thunder. A tolling bell. Those three notes. That voice.
And just like that, in February of 1970 – appropriately enough on the 13th – the face of music was changed forever.
Desertfest New York has unveiled its first thirteen acts for its 2020 concert this coming fall! Corrosion of Conformity, Dead Meadow, Conan, Stoned Jesus, Toke, High Reeper, Yatra, Stoned Jesus, Atomic Bittchwax, Bongzilla, R.I.P., Crypt Trip, Huntsmen, Leather Lung and more! Desert Fest NYC takes place 11th – 13th September 2020 at The Well in Brooklyn New York, with a pre-party at Saint Vitus. More bands to be announced soon. Check out Ghost Cult’s 2019 coverage of the fest! Continue reading
So far, 2020 has been a cruel mistress as the reaper has claimed several giants of the drumming world. One that hits us particularly hard is the sudden death of Wiliam “Reed” Mullin of Corrosion of Conformity, at the young age of 53. Reed was not only a stellar drummer and musician, but he was also almost universally loved by the Hardcore Punk, Thrash Metal, Doom and Stoner Rock community, which is both amazing and insane. It just goes to show the talent Reed had and the breadth of different styles he helped encompass with C.O.C. Equal to his impact on record and behind the drumkit and the microphone, Mullin impacted a ton of people in the scene with his kindness and sense of humor. Continue reading
We have sad news to report at this hour as Corrosion of Conformity co-founder and legend Reed Mullin has died after an illness. He was just 53 years old. News starting hitting social media earlier today as tributes from his friends and peers, followed by his band started to trend. We are saddened by this loss to the music world and will bring you more news as it develops. We’re sending our sympathies at this hour to Reed, family, band, friends, and fans.Continue reading