As the dog-fighting solos of “Give Her To The River” battle across the sunlit horizon between your ears, flurries of shrapnel-barbed melodic notes and runs fired first from one side of your headphones then the other, for those of us who are battle-hardened Heavy Metal warriors it’s hard not to grin and surrender to the glory of the Ghost At The Gallows, for the Spirit Adrift has claimed another champion to its horde.
When an album opens with nothing but high hat and then adds the guitars, you know you have a banger. Trespass’ Wolf At The Door (From the Vaults) is quintessential NWOBHM. Even in this digital age, Wolf At The Door still has the tonality of analog seventies metal albums. There is a grounding, brownness to the sound. The pacing and mixing give it a throwback, classic feel. The songs come complete with velvety guitar solos over hard-driving drums. ‘Wolf At The Door’ would sound awesome on vinyl as it has the tones and feeling that support analog listening.
Who’s your favourite time traveller? Whoever it is, you’ll surely know about The Doctor’s TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space). Now, Dutch prog-meister Arjen Lucassen, he of Ayreon, Star One, and Guilt Machine, takes us back to the 1970s for some Tremendous Awesome Rock Delivering Intense Sensations! Well, sort of. Continue reading
Ghost Cult’s Keefy caught up with Ricky Warwick of Black Star Riders to discuss their new album, “Wrong Side of Paradise” – out now via Earache Records. Ricky chatted about the new album, signing to Earache, a track-by-track rundown of all the songs on the new album, his past with Thin Lizzy, and maybe a future for his first band The Almighty!
The new Black Star Riders album Wrong Side of Paradise signals the end of one era and the start of a new one. After eight years with Nuclear Blast this, their fifth record, is their first with Earache Records, their first without co-founding guitarist Scott Gorham, and their first as a quartet.
The opening strains of Ballad of a Misspent Youth (MRG Records) by Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts reminds me of old KISS. It’s the sound of the guitars. There is a bit of The Black Crowes thrown in for good measure. It’s hard driving and pop-ish with a punk tinge. The guitars are simple yet sonically pleasing. The album continues this stylistic choice with savage awesomeness. Be prepared, Ballad of a Misspent Youth is solid from start to finish with plenty of songs that will get stuck on constant rotation.
Canadian quartet Monster Truck have returned with new album Warriors (BMG). This is their fourth record and the title track kicks things off in fine fashion – it is a bouncy number with retro, eighties-era Iron Maiden guitar harmonies provided by guest axeman Dave Baksh of Sum 41 fame. This track sticks to Truckers tried and tested formula, fuzz drenched southern rock with chunky riffs, catchy choruses and chant along backing vocals that do not outstay their welcome.
This recipe served them well on 2018 predecessor True Rocker and the same is true here, as the propulsive, no nonsense boogie of ‘Golden Women’ shows. Perhaps the best taster of this is ‘Fuzz Mountain’, a Black Sabbath inspired chugger which is helped along by the insistent background hum of keys.
Metallica has shared yet another pro-shot video of the band performing in concert from their current European headline tour! Watch them play their cover of Thin Lizzy classic “Whiskey In The Jar” live, and some other recent pro-shot live videos from their recent tours!
Night Demon did us a solid by putting together a compilation of all the out-of-print 2020 singles into one scorching album, Year of the Demon (Century Media Records). A huge, “Thank You!” to Jarvis Leatherby, Dusty Squires, and Armand John Anthony; “Y’all got our backs and we grateful!” If you were one of the legions of Night Demon fans that missed out on one or more of the 7” singles in coloured vinyl format, then go forth and buy this compilation album. If you’ve no bloody idea who Night Demon are and why this is awesome sauce, go forth and buy this compilation album. If you just like wicked heavy metal, go forth and buy this compilation album. Should you buy this compilation album? Yes, yes you bloody well should go forth and buy this compilation album.
The Glacially Musical Pouredcast is a weekly Podcast that has three principles: Beer, Metal, and Swearing (and also vinyl)! Hosted by Nik Cameron – grown out of the Glacially Musical blog is all about great music and vinyl collecting. Once per week Ghost Cult’s Chief Ghost Cult Keefy joins Nik to discusses great bands and great era’s of bands. Nik and Keefy share the first episode in our new series exploring the music of Thin Lizzy, starting with their early years and a deep dive into their album Nightlife!