FESTIVAL REVIEW: Damnation Festival and a Night of Salvation 2023 Live at Bowlers Exhibition Centre


 

This year’s Damnation Festival is the second since it has returned to its original home of Manchester after many years at the University of Leeds. The festival had outgrown the confines of its erstwhile venue and now takes place at Manchester’s Bowlers Exhibition Centre across three large stages. Continue reading


The Top Ten Stories at Ghost Cult This Week 12-11-22


In a new feature here, we recap the biggest stories of the week that was here at Ghost Cult! We went over ten, but we are rebels at heart! This week the big stories include Metallica ending their vinyl club, Slipknot growing the Knotfest brand some more, our Album of The Year countdown coverage, new interviews with Bayside and Candlemass, Damnation Festival review, Led Zeppelin reunion concert stream, remembering Dimebag Darrell, Muddy Roots tickets on sale, a review of Soen and Oceans of Slumber, Ne Obliviscaris returns, a Tool statue drops this week, Crosses (deftones + far) and more! and more.

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FESTIVAL REVIEW: Damnation Festival 2022 Live at BEC Arena Manchester


Crowd at Damnation – Credit: Rich Price Photography

Following the highly successful 2021 post-lockdown return of Damnation Festival to Leeds University, 2022 sees the event move back to its original home city of Manchester, now expanded to take place in the 6000-capacity BEC Arena.

 

The move, whilst probably inevitable, was always going to be something of a gamble. Some of the smaller rooms at the Leeds, Damnation were getting dangerously crammed, and the festival’s repute, ticket-buying demand, and band-booking clout had outgrown its former venue. But, on the other hand, many had come to regard the Leeds University Union, for all its quirks and eccentricities, as Damnation’s home.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Dystopian Future Movies – Din of Celestial Birds – Civil Service Live at The Wharf Chambers


 

Dystopian Future Movies – 2022 – Credit: Rich Price Photography

Leeds’s The Wharf Chambers is an interesting little venue, a worker’s co-op pub and music space which at first was a little bit difficult to find. But once you do there’s a feeling of going back in time, not only in feel but also prices, 70p for a pint of diet coke no less. I’m coming back here, definitely.

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The Top Ten Stories at Ghost Cult This Week 11-04-22


In a new feature here, we recap the biggest stories of the week that was here at Ghost Cult! We went over ten, but we are rebels at heart! This week you seemed to realy enjoy our Devin Townsend content, a new version of a GNR classic, a live review about the upstart band Soap Girls, Metallica stuff, Slipknot’s future plans, the return of The Black Dahlia Murder, our interviews with In Flames – author Andrew Thorp King – and the co-founder of Damnation Festival, Lamb of God saying take a good hard look at the m@!%!% boat, our coverage of Riot Fest, sending love and support to Lingua Ignota, and more!Continue reading


Justin K. Broadrick (Godflesh) Releases a New Album via JK FLESH – “Sewer Bait”


 

Heavy music legend Justin K. Broadrick, best known for Godflesh, has surprised released a brand new album under his JK Flesh project – Sewer Bait, via label Pressure Records. The sixth album from JK Flesh, the project continues to explore eclectic, electric sounds. You can purchase and stream the album from Pressure Records below. Justin will perform at Damnation Festival this weekend with Godflesh, performing his classic Streetcleaner album in full, for the first time in the UK.

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PODCAST: Episode 205: Gavin McInally of Damnation Festival – 2022 Preview


 

We chatted with Damnation Festival Director, co-founder, and booking agent Gavin McInally to preview this weekend’s 2022 festival in Manchester, UK. Gav discussed this year’s festivals, what goes into planning a festival, booking artists to perform exclusive sets (Converge, Godflesh, Pig Destroyer, At The Gates), how the fest pivoted to new headliners when they lost one (Ministry), booking the “Night of Salvation” event, the move from Leeds to Manchester, the current state of the UK heavy music scene, and more!

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Anders Björler Has Returned To At The Gates


In a new post, At the Gates has announced the return of founding guitarist, Anders Björler after five years out of the band. This is following the dismal of former guitarist Jonas Stallhammmer, who himself replaced Anders. The band finished tour commitments in the UK and USA with The Haunted’s Patrik Jensen and Atheist guitarist Daniel Martinez. In November, Anders’s first show back in the band will be Damnation Fest in the UK, followed by a tour of Europe with In Flames.Continue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Damnation Festival 2021- Live at Leeds University


In the time since its 2005 inception Damnation Festival has grown to into a four-stage affair that has become a mainstay of the UK metal scene. 2021’s festival on 6th November was significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, it marked the event’s return after a year off due to COVID restrictions. Secondly, it sold out in record time; as soon as the UK government announced the end of all restrictions (back in March), all tickets were swept up within a matter of weeks. Thirdly, the lineup had to be dramatically changed, with many major international acts such as Wolves in the Throne Room and Pig Destroyer having to have their appearances cancelled due to then-ongoing uncertainty surrounding travel restrictions. Fourthly and finally, 2021’s Damnation marked the end of its 14-year tenure at Leeds University: 2022’s festival will return to Manchester (where it first took place for two years) at a larger arena venue.

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Imperial Triumphant Will Perform Rotating Setlist on Tour Next Month


In a post to Facebook, the Blackened avant-garde masters Imperial Triumphant will perform a rotating setlist of their previous albums and a brand new song! Catch the band on tour next month and at Damnation Festival and Tyrant Fest.Continue reading