Lord Mantis New Music Video for “Santa Muerte” Video; Universal Death Church LP Out Now


Extreme metal band Lord Mantis has shared their new video for their song ‘Santa Muerte’, off of their recent Universal Death Church album, released last fall via Profound Lore Records. Universal Death Church was produced by Sanford Parker, who provides synth work to the album. The album also features guest performances by Dylan O’Toole of Indian, Dallas Thomas of Pelican, and Bruce Lamont of Yakuza, and is completed with artwork and design by VENIEN. The video for ‘Santa Muerte’ was created by Chariot Of Black Moth and you should watch it right now!Continue reading


Kuma’s Corner Restaurant to Host 15th Anthrax, Converge, Russian Circles, The Atlas Moth and Indian


Kuma’s Corner, the legendary Chicagoland restaurant and magnet of music fans is celebrating their 15th anniversary in 2020. Kumas’s was founded in 2005 and now has five locations in the Midwest with countless accolades for the finest burgers available on this planet or any other. They will host a day-long festival, Kuma’s Fest, featuring some of music’s greatest bands. The loaded lineup includes metal mainstays Anthrax, Converge, Russian Circles, and hometown bands The Atlas Moth and Indian. Taking place on June 27th in Chicago. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Lord Mantis – Universal Death Church


It’s no secret that Charlie Fell has issues. Anyone reading the few interviews he gave to promote Death Mask (Profound Lore Records), his last outing with Chicago’s Lord Mantis prior to his acrimonious departure from the band, won’t fail to be staggered by some of the personal revelations feeding his lyrical contribution to that album. Coupled with the tragic loss of revered drummer Bill Bumgardner in 2016, it was hard to see a way for the soul of this truly disturbing entity to continue forward: yet here we are with Universal Death Church (Profound Lore Records), Fell back behind both bass and microphone and re-absorbed by the nucleus of Andrew Markuszewski, fellow returnee Ken Sorceron and honorary fifth member, vocalist Dylan O’Toole.Continue reading


Lord Mantis Streams New Single – “Qliphotic Alpha”, New Album Incoming


Midwestern Sludge metallers Lord Mantis (members of Cobalt, Abigail Williams, Indian etc) will release their new album Universal Death Church on November 22nd via Profound Lore. They just streamed a new single, ‘Qliphotic Alpha’ which you can hear below. The new album follows their 2016 EP NTW and their last full-length, 2014’s Death Mask.

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REVIEW: Maryland Deathfest 2019


Maryland Deathfest held their annual festival in the venerable city of Baltimore a few weeks back. The four-day is one of the best-run independent underground metal festivals in the world. As usual Ghost Cult was on hand for the festivities, with Hillarie Jason bringing you her spectacular eye on bands through photos. Continue reading


Inter Arma – Sulphur English


Despite third album Paradise Gallows (Relapse Records) establishing Virginian quintet Inter Arma as one of the World’s premier exponents of Harsh Progressive Metal, it’s nevertheless arguable as to whether or not the band remains in the shadow of 2014’s staggering opus The Cavern (Relapse Records). Fourth full-length Sulphur English (also Relapse), surely their most brutal yet, will lay such doubts to rest.Continue reading


Psycho Las Vegas 2018: Live From Hard Rock Hotel And Casino


Psycho Las Vegas has grown and evolved over the years and has shaken off any comparisons to niche European fests and your traditional US fest, itself having no close comparisons, and being its own beast. Having everything under one roof including your stay can lead to late and debaucherous nights for some, packed and planned diverse schedules for the devout, a little compromise of both for others, but an all around good time for all. For a journalist working the fest, it goes by in a blur but you still experience having those stand out moments as well as highlights of your own. Continue reading


Maryland Deathfest 2019 Announces Daily Lineups, All Tickets On Sale


Maryland Deathfest has announced their daily lineups for the 2019 festival. Last week they made their “round two” announcement, but “a handful of bands will be announced this week to wrap up the billing”. All ticket options are now on sale at the link below. Continue reading


Maryland Deathfest 2019 Books Borknagar, Unleashed, Voivod, Anaal Nathrakh, Churchburn And More


Maryland Deathfest has added a plethora of new bands to the 2019 festival. Borknagar, Unleashed, and Benediction will all play Exclusive USA shows at the fest and joining them are Voivod, Anaal Nathrakh, Churchburn, Revenge, Primitive Man, Spectral Voice, Neckbeard Deathcamp and many more. Usually, round two is the “final announcement for MDF, but “a handful of bands will be announced next week to wrap up the billing”. All ticket options are now on sale at the link below. Continue reading


Cryptic Slaughter, Messiah, Naglfar, Malignancy, Devourment And More Added To Maryland Deathfest 2019


In what is shaping up to be a banger of a festival, Maryland Deathfest 2019 has added their second wave of bands, Among the chosen are Cryptic Slaughter, Messiah, Naglfar, Malignancy, Devourment, Disharmonic Orchestra, Rippikoulu, Drogheda, Sorrower and many more listed below. Maryland Deathfest XVII is set to take place at Rams Head Live and Baltimore Soundstage on May 23-26, 2019. Early bird tickets on sale now at the link below. Continue reading