When you think of heavy music, images of raw power, defiance, and innovation come to mind—and Black creators have been at the forefront of this movement. Although often underestimated, these innovative musicians are known for their groundbreaking music, which blends punk’s rebellious spirit, metal’s intensity, and unique artistry. I’m a drummer and I’ve done Thrash, Crossover, and Death Metal projects over the years, some known, some not so much. But here in New York, I’ve grown up seeing everyone on stage. So this Black History Month, I want to show off the sounds of ten essential bands shaped by Black visionaries who have left an indelible mark on the world of heavy music. From thrash to hardcore, and everything in between. These bands embody the spirit of heavy music in all its glory. Continue reading
Tag Archives: The Cure
END OF YEAR GUEST POST: Sylvaine Top 10 Albums of 2024
Wrapping up all the business of 2024 with some fun End of Year Guest Posts from bands, friends, music industry pals, label types, and assorted good fiends! Check out this list from Sylvaine to discuss her top picks for best music of 2024!Continue reading
END OF YEAR GUEST POST: Chris Enriquez (Spotlights, Julie Christmas) Top 10 Albums of 2024
Wrapping up all the business of 2024 with some fun End of Year Guest Posts from bands, friends, music industry pals, label types, and assorted good fiends! Check out this list from our friend, Chris Enriquez, drummer for Spotlights, Julie Christmas, and others.Continue reading
GHOST CULT MAGAZINE TOP 75 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2024
Last-minute slinky Norwegian jesters aside, our dedicated and awesome team of writers, photographers, editors, contributors, alumni, designers and what have you, have come together to work through our regular collaborative and demographic confirmation of those albums that tickled our collective pickle in 2024.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Molchat Doma – Belaya Polosa
Belaya Polosa (Sacred Bones Records) is the fourth full-length release from Belarus’ Molchat Doma. The band consists of vocalist Egor Shkutko, guitarist, synth and drum machine player Roman Komogortsev (who is also the primary songwriter), and bass guitar and synth player Pavel Kozlov.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Fourth Dominion – Diana’s Day
Fourth Dominion hails from Rochester, New York already steeped in a rich musical heritage, cue No-Wave legend Lydia Lunch, Swing era Jazz musician Cab Calloway, Garage-Rock revivalists The Chesterfield Kings, and of particular interest to Ghost Cult regulars, Grind gods Brutal Truth. Fourth Dominion therefore appear to be in esteemed company.
The Cure, Dead Can Dance, Alien Sex Fiend, and More Feature on Upcoming Darkwave-Coldwave Compilation “No Songs Tomorrow”
Cherry Red Records are preparing to release a 4 CD compilation of darkwave, ethereal rock, and coldwave classics, titled No Songs Tomorrow. The collection – due May 31st – will include songs from 1981 – 1990, featuring artists such as The Cure, Dead Can Dance, Clan Of Xymox, Cocteau Twins, Soft Cell, Tones On Tail, In The Nursery, Attrition, Iron Curtain, Alien Sex Fiend, Cranes, Kirlian Camera, Neon, and more. Find more details in the article below.
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ALBUM REVIEW: Big Scenic Nowhere – The Waydown
Ranging from members of Fu Manchu to Mos Generator to Yawning Man in their lineup, prolific Stoner Rock overlords Big Scenic Nowhere have left an everlasting legacy through their works for the past years. Now they are back with their third studio release, namely The Waydown– released via Heavy Psych Sounds. Consisting of seven tracks, the album presents the purest form of desert-styled riffs while also fusing them with jazz fusion-inspired elements. It’s fairly off-kilter to combine Desert/Stoner Rock with Jazz Fusion elements, so this has been a unique, newfound take, but of course in the finest way possible.Continue reading
INTERVIEW: From Goth Legends to a New Album: Lol Tolhurst and Budgie Share Their Journey
Ghost Cult caught up with Lol Tolhurst (founding drummer of The Cure ) & Budgie (ex Siouxsie And The Banshees, The Slits) legends of Goth and alternative Rock last fall for a chat. Lol released his book “GOTH: A History,” via Hachette Books last fall and it is a personal and deep account Goth music and the greater culture. Budgie wrote the forward of the book and both gents shared their knowledge about the scene and history! They also released a collab album last last year as Lol Tolhurst x Budgie x Jacknife Lee debut album “Los Angeles,” which we also discussed as well.
FESTIVAL REVIEW: Riot Fest 2023 Live at Douglas Park
After many years of covering Riot Fest at Ghost Cult, your intrepid chief of editor got to experience it for himself. The lineup was too good to be true, even the competition from the many Punk and Metal festivals all happening around the same time in the USA. Having personally covered one other festival in Chicago in the past, (RIP Chicago Open Air), I was excited to spend some time here.