ALBUM REVIEW: Imminence – The Black


Arising from Trelleborg, Sweden, the ambitious quintet Imminence continues to reinvent Metalcore with their new album The Black. The group is known for breaking the genre’s boundaries with their use of violin and combining classical arrangements with breakdowns, blast beats and cataclysmic vocals. While Metal and Classical is one of the last combinations you would ever expect to hear, the band has always blurred the lines seamlessly between the styles. However, with this album, the Classical is more prominent than ever, while somehow making the Metal aspects hit an even deeper part of the soul for an almost spiritual experience. Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode 460 – The Power Hour with Keefy and Tom Osman – April 2024 Metal Album Releases Forecast


The Power Hour is back with another episode recapping all the essential Rock and Metal releases we had in March ’24, and the new albums due out in April! Ghost Cult’s Reviews Editor and scribe Tom Osman joins Chief Editor Keefy, they chat about all the new music we have been digging, Black Metal more, Butt Rock, and our Album of the Month for March 2024! – It’s Mastiff, and it’s massive!Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Queensryche and Armored Saint – Live at Ace of Spades


Ace of Spades is a short drive from my home, here in Sacramento, but unless I really want to deal with humans, I do not get there often. In this town, I do not know security, the will-call person, or anyone for that matter, so when I do go it is always a crap shoot if something goes sideways. However, this time I made sure I was getting in; no matter if a photopass was waiting for me or not. With tickets in hand, I was not missing this show, I checked in!Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Necrot – Lifeless Birth


 

Despite crust death metallers Necrot forming in 2011, the Oaklanders’ newest slab is only the trio’s third full-length in their brief-yet-inviting discography.

Essentially, the band doesn’t rush to put out a record, nor do they seem to want to release something before every “i” is dotted and “t” crossed.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Nest – Endeavors


Nest is helmed by multi-instrumentalist John Jarvis of Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Scour. Given his connection to Phil Anselmo through Scour, it only makes sense for this project to be on Housecore Records. Endeavors marks the third full-length album of the project. They opened select dates for Pantera’s recent tour; they are at least heavy enough to warrant having a slot on that run. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: TÝR – Battle Ballads


Photo by Gaui H.For their ninth full-length studio release, Battle Ballads (Metal Blade), Faroe Islanders Týr bring more of their brand of Viking themed folk metal to the banqueting hall but this time come armed with an orchestra. Sort of.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Northlane – Mirror’s Edge


With time being the ever tricky and questionable beast, it is easy to still consider Aussie’s Northlane as a brand new band and not 15-year veterans with six prior studio releases under their belt… yet here we are. What is perhaps also overlooked is their nature of change across their sound with releases encompassing progressive tinged modern Metalcore to more electronic ambient sounds elsewhere; meaning, every new release may offer something different and comes with anticipation as a result.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Belore – Eastern Tales


The concept of Epic/Atmospheric Black Metal seems to thrive on extreme ends of the spectrum: it’s either performed as passionately and pristinely as a fantastical saga, or it’s generic drab that breeds vague cliches and untethered musical arrangements. There is no in-between.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Blue Oyster Cult – Ghost Stories


One of the least high-profile sign-offs since Button Gwinnett affixed his moniker to the Declaration, Ghost Stories (Frontiers Music srl), billed as Blue Oyster Cult’s final studio album, still qualifies as a “must have” for aficionados, even if it will never be widely celebrated or remembered in the same way as Secret Treaties, Agents Of Fortune, Cultosaurus Erectus, or Fire Of Unknown Origin.Continue reading