Slayer’s iconic second studio album, Hell Awaits, is set to receive a 40th anniversary edition reissue via Metal Blade Records next Spring! Formed in 1981, Slayer assaulted the world with a new hybrid of metal and punk – heavier, faster, and darker than the rest – and set a new standard, defining not only a genre, but an attitude. Throughout Slayer’s history, the band never faltered in unleashing their extreme and focused aural assault, and repudiating temptations, Slayer always chose to remain crushing and brutal, steadfastly refusing to cater to the mainstream.Continue reading
Ghost Cult scribe Wil Cifer ponders the previously unthinkable – what if there was a Type o Negative tribute concert to the late Peter Steele and to the bands’ legacy? Who would be able to fill those massive shoes and do proper justice to The Green Man, we all love so dearly. This is speculative and just a bit of playful, educated spell casting, nothing more. Peter is irreplacaeble, and we know that.
In this episode, Keefy chops it up with Dark Folk and Americana artist (and fellow Ghost Cultist) Don de Leaumont, all about his new album “Dancing On My Father’s Grave and Other Stores” – out on Dark Waters Records this week. Don caught us up on on his path as a solo artist, his musical upbringing, his approach to this album, working with music legend Marissa Nadler, and much more!
Going into silent moments before winter, a change of soundtracks is needed. This album helps to achieve that goal. Gary Arce from Yawning Man started Softsun a couple of years ago. On Eternal Sunshine (Heavy Psych Sounds), Arce uses guitar tones similar to those employed with Yawning Man, but with a more melodic shoegaze vibe. This project’s strength actually lies in the vocals of bassist Pia Isaksen. She brings a more song-focused element to the table by creating a more tangible narrative. Her voice weaves sleepy melodies in the spaces left by the floating guitar parts. The second song works off a similar formula, as the opening track that finds the band continuing to capture a languid mood as the vocals coo their way into a lonely sunset. Continue reading
One of the many things I love about being a music journalist is the never-ending stream of new music that comes my way on any given day. Sometimes it’s good stuff, sometimes it’s terrible, and sometimes it’s “where have you been all my life?” The last one is how I felt after just one listen to Kariti’s latest album, Still Life (Lay Bare Recordings).Continue reading
Drill For Absentee are a Philadelphia trio whose original run lasted from 1995 to 1999. Their catalogue is hardly the most extensive. Since their 2021 covid era reunion the band, Kevin Kelly – Bass, Guitar, Vocals, Michael Nace – Guitar, Vocals and new Drummer Ken Kuniyoshi (replacing co-founding member Bryan Sargent) have been busy in the recording studio. What they’ve come up with are two EP’s which have been put together as one LP (Note – Vol. 1 was put out digitally on September 13, 2022) while Vol 2 was forged between August 2022 to March 2025, out now via Expert Work Records. Continue reading
Nik, Keefy , and Don close the door on our Alice In Chains series (for now) with their “MTV Unplugged!” We discuss both the live broadcast, and the later version on the full album. Also a wrap on the last Layne years, and his sad passing in 2002.Continue reading
Photo credit: Ross Halfin
Megadeth recently shared the second single for “I Don’t Care” – from their new album music from their forthcoming self-titled final album due out in 2026 via Dave Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label. The uncompromising metal titans teamed with director Keith J Leman for the video which mashes scenes of skate culture with dynamic band performance footage. Megadeth will released on January 23rd, 2026 and will close with a cover of Metallica’s “Ride The Lightening.” Watch and stream the new track now!
The festival will return to The Rave/Eagles Ballroom now from June 5 – 7, 2026 with the pre-party kicking off on June 4! Ticket info can be found below!
South African hard rock act, Betty’s Nuklear, have just dropped their new single, “Beach Blood.” It was recorded at the band’s own home studio in Hoekville, in the valleys of the Garden Route. Check it out below and read more from Betty’s Nuklear.
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Hailing from North East England, Osiah have just unleashed their latest single and video, “Within the Web.” It a arrives simultaneously with the digital release of their new EP Aion, via Unique Leader Records. Catch the video and more in the article below.
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