Proving that career paths often never work out quite the way you imagine, Finnish experimentalists …And Oceans was founded by the two guitarists of Death Metallers Festerday and began life as a fairly straight-forward Black Metal act. After metamorphosing into something more akin to Black Cybermetal on their 2001 album A.M.G.O.D., in 2005, the band changed their name to Havoc Unit before reverting to Festerday a few years later. A band that continues to exist despite the reformation of …And Oceans in 2019. Continue reading
Tag Archives: symphonic metal
ALBUM REVIEW: Manntra – Titans – Napalm Records
This record is BIG. Titans is suitably apropos for Manntra‘s Napalm Records debut. Titanic in size and scope. Billed as “Croatian Folk Metal,” the “folk” element is a much smaller element than, say Tengger Cavalry. This thing is an NWOBHM/ Power/Symphonic Metal tour de force (emphasis firmly on “force”.) Even the cover is huge: Lord of the Rings meets Templar Knights in a pitched battle.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Cradle Of Filth – The Screaming Of The Valkyries
It’s quite astonishing that fourteen albums and thirty-four years into their career, Goth metal act Cradle of Filth are yet to produce something that could be overwhelmingly described as poor. At the top end of the scale we’ve got classics like Dusk and Her Embrace, Cruelty and the Beast, and Midian but at the other end, it’s more a case of least best, rather than worst with not a single St. Anger in sight. Some bands barely get to release two albums without the first rumblings of discontent but while hardcore black metal fans might still turn their noses up, the fact is that Cradle is as popular now as they’ve ever been. And it’s been that way for years. Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Sofia Fraz of Exiled Hope and Forgotten Shrine on Her New Album, and Navigating Law School
In this episode, Ghost Cult’s Keefy chats with prolific artist Sofia Fraz of Exiled Hope and Forgotten Shrine. Sofia released a series of recent singles, including “Lightborn” in 2024. Her new album, the culmination of several years of work, Apocrphya releases in spring of 2025. Exiled Hope will also release a split album in early 2025 with Steel Forge, and also put out the Where Shadows Lie album with Forgotten Shrine this year as well! In addition to all her music, Sofia is a full-time law student and is fast becoming a trusted source of expertise in legal matters and PR in the music industry. We cover a lot of ground in this fun chat. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Frozen Crown – War Hearts
Frozen Crown is a blossoming band that has captured the pep, passion, and potency of the Power Metal genre.
ALBUM REVIEW: Nightwish – Yesterwynde
Despite the unwavering presence of founder member, composer, and keyboard player Tuomas Holopainen, the Nightwish of today is very different to the Nightwish which began in 1996. From a three-track demo to multi-million dollar selling albums featuring full orchestras and huge production values, the band has grown from three Finnish musicians to becoming a multinational enterprise.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Unleash The Archers – Phantoma
Unleash the Archers is a band that reliably produces songs that are unconventional and wildly exciting. This Canadian Power Metal act has broken barriers in the genre by their dauntless divergences, hearty songwriting, and overall efficacious passion. The quintet is preparing to release their sixth full-length album, Phantoma (Napalm Records), which elevates their innovative skills and strengths to new heights.
ALBUM REVIEW: The Monolith Deathcult – The Demon Who Makes Trophies Of Men
Avant-Garde Death Metal mentallers with serious swagger and a slew of crazed ideas, Netherlands-based wild bunch The Monolith Deathcult are back.
The Demon Who Makes Trophies Of Men (Human Detonator Records) is an imaginative, irreverent slice of noise that screams “Attack! Attack! Attack!” for much of its grim, punishing but seriously rewarding running time.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Sonata Arctica – Clear Cold Beyond
Finland is reported to be one of the happiest countries in the world. Even though it can produce some fantastically grim Metal acts, this Nordic nation has some jubilant bands as well. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Myrath – Karma
The Myrath sound is an exciting, intoxicating and entertaining one. On Karma (earMUSIC), there’s a dark side to some of the lyrical content (“Wrath of a raging sea …” Demons, oblivion, etc), leaning towards the heavy and the epic, but the overall impression is relatively light, hooky and generally uplifting. Continue reading