Ghost Cult Top Five – Richie H-R


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Every month Ghost Cult polls our awesome staff of writers worldwide to see what they are listening to at the moment. Sometimes it’s the latest underground album, and sometimes it’s an old favorite. Sometimes the music isn’t even metal, and that’s okay too. You can always find the Top Five list in our digital magazine, up front near the table of contents. This month mysteriously initialed scribe Richie H-R shares with us what he is listening to right now.

 

Stargazer A Great Work Of Ages

Something I managed to miss completely when it first came out, but have recently discovered due to Profound Lore’s Bandcamp page. A genuinely distinctive, adventurous mix of Progressive Black, Death and traditional Heavy Metal which references a number of classic bands while always managing to sound like itself. A real undiscovered gem.

 

Castle – Under Siege

A band I’d never heard of before picking the album up for review this month, but it’s hardly left my headphones since then. A powerful, emotionally resonant blend of Doom and Classic Heavy Metal (with maybe a touch of that “Occult Rock” thing that’s been getting stale recently, but with none of the negative associations), Castle pull of that difficult trick of sounding “mature” and serious without losing any of the things that make them so Metal. Genuine understated class.

The Monolith Deathcult – Tetragrammaton

If Psalm 69 era Ministry were a Death Metal band obsessed in equal parts with genocide, religious extremism and Transformers, they’d probably sound a fair bit like this. And be incredible. Like Castle, TMD also pull off a very rare trick – this time balancing genuine Metal power with an actual sense of humour and self-awareness without seeming “ironic” or flippant. Also guest vocals from Optimus Prime, which would make even a bad album worth hearing.

 

The Atlas Moth – The Old Believer

Unlike some of my other choices, this is an album I’ve come to already loving the band, and has required a bit of work to “get”. Not quite as instantly diverse or dramatic as their previous albums, The Old Believer (Profound Lore) shows a rounded, more integrated approach to composition which is less showy but leaves greater room for expansive, emotive song-writing. A slow builder, but one which I anticipate being worth the wait.

 

Morbus Chron – Sweven

Despite all the praise heaped on it, I didn’t really get on that well with Morbus Chron’s debut – it’s hard to see the appeal of straight-up Autopsy worship when the originals are still around and doing it better than anyone. Sweven, however, has won me over by imaging what Autopsy could have sounded like if they’d have taken a completely different route after Mental Funeral, ditching the distortion, dirtiness and violence they focused on with Acts for a more progressive, melodic, even psychedelic approach to horror. Vivid, powerful and genuinely distinctive, one of the real highlights of the year.

 

RICHIE H-R


Ghost Cult Top Five- Steve Tovey


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Every month Ghost Cult polls our staff to see what they are listening to at the moment. Sometimes it’s the latest underground album, and sometimes it’s an old favorite. Sometimes the music isn’t even metal, and that’s okay too. You can always find the Top Five list in our digital magazine, out monthly. This month UK Deputy Editor Steve Tovey shares with us what he is listening to right now.

 

PyrrhonThe Mother Of Virtues

Picked up for review, but keep spinning it, with each listen a new challenge. Cracking this is harder than cracking the Enigma code. Incredible intensity taken to the very extreme boundary of what is still music.
Amon AmarthDeceiver Of The Gods

My favourite album of last year. Great for cardio! Stick this on, beast the first 20 mins, hit a good mid-tempo rhythm for 15 then amp it up for ‘Warriors of the North’ to round off your cardio work out.

 

SlayerShow No Mercy

Hadn’t listened for a while, stuck it on while working out – instant grin, instant extra 5%, instantly reminded what a great album this is, instantly listened again. Perfect mix of Maiden, Venom and Metallica and possibly my favourite Slayer album. Yep.

EdguySpace Police
I love a good bit of power metal, but I’m picky and most power metal albums fall short of my standards. This stands head and shoulders as best power metal album of last 2 years. All together now “Love T-T-T-Tyger!!!”

 

Whitesnake – Trouble
1987 is one of my all time favourite albums, but recently been dipping into the ‘snakes back cat a bit more, and this is timeless. Dave Trousersnake says he never stole another man’s woman but I find it hard to believe that…

 

STEVE TOVEY

 


Ghost Cult Top Five – Wren Leader


horrible earth

Every month Ghost Cult polls its staff to see what they are listening to at the moment. Sometimes it’s the latest underground album, and sometimes it’s an old favorite. Sometimes the music isn’t even metal, and that’s okay too. This month our scribe Wren Leader gets deep with us about what he is spinning right now.

 

Horrible EarthHorrible Earth: These guys totally tore it up at Ralph’s in Worcester a few weeks ago. Their record is equally as awesome. Killer death metal with a little grind/hardcore touches to make things bad ass.

Beth HartScreamin’ For My Supper: Was driving back from DC listening to this album. For fans of chick rock that has a bit more bite and bitch then sweet and poppy.

AlcestLes Voyages de L’ame: Last year I must’ve listened to this album at least twice every week. Sometimes 2 or 3 times in a row. When Neige brings on the black metal vocals on “Là où naissent les couleurs nouvelles” I literally get goosebumps

BabymetalBabymetal: I was into Babymetal before everyone and their mother loved/hated them! Gotta say, this is a damn fine merger of some of the most sweet cute pop I’ve ever heard and the gnarliest metal riffs ever.

Kevin Hufnagel Ashland: Gorguts/Dysrhythmia guitarist playing solo ukulele. Very chill and relaxing but still complex. Great record to sit back and sip on some wine or tea and let the music comfort you.

 

Wren Leader