Tag Archives: Svalbard

FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2021 Part 1

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We’re back!

Sure, we might be having to follow a series of new Coronavirus safety protocols which may or not become a regular thing for live shows, but we’re back. And judging by the size of the opening day crowds spilling out from the main entrance, car parks and campsites, not a moment too soon. Since its inception Bloodstock Open Air has always attracted early birds who like nothing more than to arrive long before the gates even open, but this time feels different. Everyone seems to be here early. Coiled springs desperate for release. The festival’s twentieth anniversary isn’t just a celebration of metal this year, it’s a genuine escape.

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FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2021 Kicks Off Today

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Bloodstock Open Air (BOA) 2021 here! The festival kicks off today after much planning with sdafety and security in mind, considering the current state of the world. With weekend passes selling out, there might still be a few day tickets left, but check in advance before heading there. Starting today, August 11th -15th at Catton Park, the main stage headliners are Devin Townsend (Friday), Kreator (Saturday), and Judas Priest (Sunday). The festival will also feature sets from Skindred, Paradise Lost, Bury Tomorrow, Diamond Head, Therapy?, Jinjer, Vio-lence, Saxon, The Wildhearts, Gloryhammer, Dark Tranquillity, Bleed From Within, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, Memoriam, Ramage Inc., Green Lung, Conjurer, Orange Goblin, The Night Flight Orchestra, Raging Speedhorn, Unleash The Archers, Sylosis, Winterfylleth, Hacktivist, The Crawling, Raised By Owls, Acid Reign, Svalbard, Soen, Blasphemer, Pist, Sharks In Your Mouth, Seidrblot, Noctem, Mother Vulture, Bloodshot Dawn, Evile, and many more. Get your tickets at the link below!

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Bloodstock 2021 Weekend Passes Sell Out, More Bands Added to The Bill

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Bloodstock Open Air (BOA) 2021 is approaching at just 3 weeks away and news is ramping up! Weekend passes have sold out, but day tickets are still avaialble but selling out fast. The fest has added a gang of new bands, the Metal to The Massess bands, and much more! The fest takes place from 11-15,August, 2021 at Catton Park! The main stage headliners are Devin Townsend (Friday), Kreator (Saturday), and Judas Priest (Sunday). The festival will also feature sets from Skindred, Paradise Lost, Bury Tomorrow, Diamond Head, Therapy?, Jinjer, Vio-lence, Saxon, The Wildhearts, Gloryhammer, Dark Tranquillity, Bleed From Within, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, Memoriam, Ramage Inc., Green Lung, Conjurer, Orange Goblin, The Night Flight Orchestra, Raging Speedhorn, Unleash The Archers, Sylosis, Winterfylleth, Hacktivist, The Crawling, Raised By Owls, Acid Reign, Svalbard, Soen, Blasphemer, Pist, Sharks In Your Mouth, Seidrblot, Noctem, Mother Vulture, Bloodshot Dawn, Evile, and many more. Get your tickets at the link below!

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ALBUM REVIEW: Noctule – Wretched Abyss

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Those of you who tuned into our 2020 Album of the Year podcasts will be very aware that both Da Ed and I have a serious amount of admiration for British post-hardcore artists Svalbard, whose When I Die, Will I Get Better? (Church Road) caught our attention with the subtle expansion revealing an icy Black Metal core, most prevalent in the proliferation and development of tremolo-picked motifs. Guitarist Serena Cherry goes one step further with her debut Black Metal solo outing, Wretched Abyss (Translation Loss), released under the Noctule banner, indulging her frozen soul and frostbitten inspirations. Continue reading →


Arctangent Festival 2021 is Postponed to 2022

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In some heartbreaking news for this summers’ UK festival circuit, Arctangent Festival, the best fest for Progressive Metal, Tech-Death, Djent and related sub-genres is canceled for 2021 and postponed until 2022. The festival made the announcement on social media today. Bands returning in 2022 include Opeth, Cult of Luna, TesseracT, MONO, Amenra, Maybeshewill, Alces, Perturbator, Leprous, Enslaved, Caspian, The Locust, Agent Fresco, Oathbreaker, Intronaut, AA Williams, Bell Witch, Jo Quail, Svalbard, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, and Bloodlet.

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Cradle of Filth, Onslaught, Beholder, Ward XVI,and More Booked for Bloodstock 2021

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Bloodstock Open Air (BOA) 2021 is a go and is about two and half months out at 85 days until the fest. In addition to adding a stacked extra night on Wednesday, the fest has announced some additions. Replacing Dimmu Borgir, who have vowed to return in 2022, Cradle of Filth joins the madness. Hot on the heels of their stellar livestream even, this promises to be huge. For the Wednesday bill, joining the fest are Onslaught, Beholder, Ward XVI, as well as Raised By Owls, RAISED and Anakim, both move across to a Wednesday slot, from their previously announced Thursday.

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STAFF PICKS: Dave Keevill’s Top Albums of 2020

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In a year of great tragedy and upheaval, where the word ‘unprecedented’ became a mantra spoken around the world, music has been a stabilising force for millions of us. It has been a consistent power for good at a time when many of us have struggled with unemployment, illness, and bereavement. Whether providing companionship during stretches of isolation, rallying us to fight for change when faced with corrupt political machinations, or even just handing us a convenient distraction from the horrors outside our window, never have I felt such a kinship with music and the people who dedicate their lives to the art.

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STAFF PICKS: Mat Davies – Top 20 Albums of the Year 2020

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Ghost Cult stalwart, mainstay, and truly valued senior writer Mat Davies blesses us with his top twenty albums of the year, plus some thoughts on the year that has been, and that which is still to come… Continue reading →


Ghost Cult Albums of the Year 2020 – Part 2 (40-21)

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Following on from Part 1 of our celebration of the very best albums of the year, we continue to uncover those albums that made the biggest impression over the course 2020.Continue reading →


PODCAST: Episode 132 – Ghost Cult’s Album of the Year Countdown Part 1 with Steve Tovey

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Ghost Cult kicks off our massive 2020 Album of the Year Countdown! Chief editor Keefy is joined by the esteemed Steve Tovey (The King is Blind), our Senior Editor Emeritus of Ghost Cult! We run down the big list with a brief discussion of our rankings from 75-31, with a deep dive into the albums ranked 50-31! All in all, over 300 albums were considered and voted on by our staff of worldwide contributors: writers, correspondents, photographers, and more. Check back here for the full list and a deeper look at albums 75-31 on our site and for Part II of the podcast series click here:

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