Let’s get one thing out of the way, Roadburn is still the premier underground fest that it has always been. I know so many people who went into this year’s fest expecting it to be their last, saying the lineup wasn’t for them, or that they didn’t like this change or that change. But I can tell you, they have all already booked rooms and bought tickets for next year. Change isn’t bad.
Sad news as respected and acclaimed Metal music album cover artist and fine arts ambassador Mariusz Lewandowski has died. He was 62 years old. No cause of death has been revealed. News of his death was passed along by his family in a Facebook post, which you can see below. Known for his surrealist and horrifying paintings, Lewandowski came to prominence as an artist with countless commissions and exhibitions over the years, but became known to the heavy music community with stunning album artwork for bands such as Bell Witch, Abigail Williams, Psycroptic, and recently, Lorna Shore, among many others. Rest in power. Continue reading
In some heartbreaking news for this summers’ UK festival circuit, Arctangent Festival, the best fest for Progressive Metal, Tech-Death, Djent and related sub-genres is canceled for 2021 and postponed until 2022. The festival made the announcement on social media today. Bands returning in 2022 include Opeth, Cult of Luna, TesseracT, MONO, Amenra, Maybeshewill, Alces, Perturbator, Leprous, Enslaved, Caspian, The Locust, Agent Fresco, Oathbreaker, Intronaut, AA Williams, Bell Witch, Jo Quail, Svalbard, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, and Bloodlet.
Long-running post-Metal legends Neurosis have been busy this year. A tour of Europe with Godflesh and YOB, followed by a string dates in the USA with Bell Witch and Deafkids have been stoking the engine of activity, along with the recent reissue of the bands’ acclaimed collaboration album Neurosis + Jarboe (Neurot Recordings). Joined by the indomitable chanteuse Jarboe, the grouping created something unique, experimental, and lasting. Ghost Cult caught up with legend Steve Von Till to discuss the pairing, the remasted reissue, the new artwork with Aaron Turner (Sumac, Old Man Gloom), the process of creating the special vinyl edition, how the band writes together, and when we can expect a potential new Neurosis album. Continue reading
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Fresh from their summer tour of Europe with Godflesh and YOB, Neurosis did a quick run of dates in the USA as well. The band is not only supporting their last full-length album Fires Within Fires (Neurot Recordings), but the and has just released a re-mastered and deluxe version of their excellent Neurosis + Jarboe album, remastered by Bob Weston (Shellac), at Chicago Mastering Service, with all new artwork from Aaron Turner (Sumac, Old Man Gloom) and released it on vinyl for the first time ever (also Neurot). Ghost Cult’s Hillarie Jason took in the Boston date of the tour at The Paradise Rock Club with acclaimed Doom band Bell Witch and Neurosis’ hardcore protegees Deafkids opening.Continue reading
Post-Metal legends Neurosis have booked a new tour of the USA this summer, on top of their upcoming spring tour of Europe with YOB, according to a report from Brooklyn Vegan. Direct support on the new dates will come from Bell Witch and Deafkids. Deafkids, for the uninitiated, is a Brazillian hardcore band on Neurosis imprint Neurot Records. Their new album releases on March 25th. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (3/8) at 10 AM with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday (3/6) at 10 AM. Neurosis continues to support their 2016 album Fires Within Fires, and has toured the world celebrating the 30th anniversary of the bands, which was in 2017. Continue reading
When the words ‘experimental’ and ‘French’ precede the word ‘Doom’ in a preamble, surely it’s impossible to ignore. Bordeaux trio Endless Floods, formed by members of cult outfits Monarch and Bombardement, are such a band and third album Circle The Gold (Fvtvrecordings / Bigôut Records) sees them test their expansive minds to new, sometimes more melodic limits.Continue reading
It’s staggering that a city supposedly renowned for everything that is good in life produces such harrowing music in abundance. Maestus’ sophomore album Deliquesce (code666), the full-length extension to their 2017 demo of the same name, is the latest slab of darkness to emerge from Portland, Oregon, and it paints a picture of bleak desolation.Continue reading
Concluding our 2018 In Review guest posts from some of the UK’s rock/metal/alternative music publicists is Becky Laverty of Pioneer Music Press and Cappio Records. Not only does Becky work with a fine selection of the finest alternative, progressive, dark, occult, doomy and, primarily, artistic bands, her work with Damnation and The Roadburn Festival are the stuff of legends. In addition, she also takes time to write advice pieces for bands and others involved in the music industry. She is, indeed, the goodest of eggs and future pub quiz champion of the UK (2019)… Continue reading
Days of Darkness, Ram’s Head Live, Baltimore, MD 10/28/18
Brought to you by the minds behind Maryland Deathfest, Days of Darkness Festival held their 2018 edition last month in the same hallowed halls that host MDF: Rams Head Live and Baltimore Soundstage. Once again, Ghost Cult was on hand with our intrepid photographer supreme Hillarie Jason on hand to capture the moods and the moments from the fest.Continue reading