The occult has a questionable history in Rock music, as it is typically used for window dressing with little substance behind it. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Witchcraft
ALBUM REVIEW: Ruim – Black Royal Spiritism – I – O Sino da Igreja
Rune Erickson aka Blasphemer has created an impressive career in black metal. After a decade-long run in Mayhem, he has also found himself performing with Aura Noir and Hammer of the Gods, along with many other side projects that fall into other sub-genres of metal. Here is his newest project which sonically falls closer to Mayhem. This was started in 2020 with Aggressor drummer Cesar Vesvre.
FESTIVAL REVIEW: Into The Void Festival Live at Effenaar
After years of no gigs, many festivals moved, or revamped. Into the Void has been around a while, but this year is the first time it is held in Eindhoven, Just one day we have 11 bands to get through in the Effenaar, with a nice mix of genres that the Club Void shows also share. Given the rather solid line-up for those who love Stoner, Doom Metal, Psych, and even some post-Metal, Ghost Cult went to have a look.
ALBUM REVIEW: Tidal Wave – The Lord Knows
Here’s to genuinely hoping that 2023 would be a decent year for stoner rock releases – with the existence of records like The Lord Knows (Ripple Music) by the Swedish newcomers Tidal Wave. The Swedish stoner scene has always been all-around fascinating to me, with big names I admire such as Besvärjelsen and Skraeckoedlan, or even the all-time legendary Truckfighters. It’s always refreshing to see up-and-coming names coming right in, too.
Into The Void Festival 2023 Books Witchcraft, Orange Goblin, Spidergawd, Alunah, Stake, Kamchatka, and More
Desertfest, gloomylightsphotography
Stoner Doom Metal festival Into The Void is coming up soon in The Netherlands, on the 28th of January, 2023! Taking over the excellent Effenaar venue, in Eindhoven, NL, the fest is headed up by legends like Witchcraft, and Orange Goblin, as well as Spidergawd, Alunah, Stake, Kamchatka, Kal-El, Deville, Skemer, and Black Capricorn! Tickets are available at the link below!Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Frayle – Skin and Sorrow
Skin & Sorrow (Aqualamb) is the second full-length release from Cleveland, Ohio’s “heavy, low and witchy” duo Frayle. The band consists of multi-instrumentalist Sean Bilovecky and singer Gwyn Strang, who between them cite the influence both doom metal (Black Sabbath, Kyuss, Sleep) and avant-garde pop (Björk, Portishead). Frayle’s stated aim is to create “music for the night sky”.
ALBUM REVIEW: Hour of 13 – Black Magick Rites
A lot has changed since Hour of 13’s last album, 333, came out in 2012. The project is now a one-man affair with bandleader/multi-instrumentalist Chad Davis playing all the parts himself, including vocals with Phil Swanson long out of the picture. That nine-year gap also saw a minor genre tug ‘o’ war take place as singles and EPs were torn between the Traditional Doom of albums past and Samhain-style Deathrock, often determined by whether the 13 was retained as a number or spelled out. With this somewhat convoluted frame in mind, it’s a relief to see the former style win out on their fourth full-length, Black Magick Rites (Shadow Kingdom Records).
Wooden Fields (members of Witchcraft, Angel Witch, Siena Root), Three Seasons) Signs with Argonauta Records
Swedish Stoner rock supergroup Wooden Fields has signed to Argonauta Records and will release their debut album later in 2021. The band features members of prominent stoner bands such as vocalist and guitarist Sartez Faraj (Three Seasons, Mouth Of Clay), Siena Root- bassist Sam Riffer, and Fredrik Jansson Punkka (Witchcraft, Angel Witch) on the drums. The band has shared a teaser from the studio which you can see here.
CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: Black Sabbath – “Paranoid” Turns 50
With bands taking so much time between studio albums these days, it’s astonishing to believe that in the space of just three years, between 1970 and 1973, Brummie icons Black Sabbath released no less than five of the most important records in the annals of heavy metal.
PODCAST: Episode 105: Iva Toric Talks Occult Rock, Self-Care, and More!
Ghost Cult caught up with singer, musician Iva Toric recently to chat about her music career and her spate of singles and videos she has released in 2020. We chatted about the three tracks out now, ‘Finally Today’, ‘Actions Speak Louder’ (which Ghost Cult premiered), and ‘Dark Side Of Me’. We also discussed a myriad of topics such as Iva’s interesting musical training, her many influences, mental health concerns, her plans for her upcoming full-length album, and much more. Follow and purchase Iva’s music at this link and check out our chat below. Continue reading