ALBUM REVIEW: Before the Dawn – Stormbringers


 

Finland is home to some of the most acclaimed Melodic Death Metal bands in the scene. This chilly, cool country is heated up by the vast amount of fiery talent offered by their locals. Before the Dawn was one of these great acts that proudly waved the banner of MeloDeath high. Shortly after the release of their very successful record, Rise of the Phoenix in 2012, the band went on hiatus. Now the Finnish fellas are preparing to release their first album after their ten-year absence. With a new lineup, a revived energy, and an eagerness to share their sound again, the band is back with Stormbringers (Napalm Records).

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ALBUM REVIEW: Wolfheart – King Of The North


 

Finland is a country known for their long, cold winters. Wolfheart is a band that captures their nation’s wild and wonderous weather in their dramatic and dynamically dark sound. The group’s appropriately named debut record, Winterborn came out in 2013 and they have consistently been conveying the majestic magic of Suomi ever since. Now this four piece is getting ready to release their sixth full-length, King of the North (Napalm Records) where they dive even deeper into sharing stories about their country’s lore and land. Continue reading


GUEST POST: Sean “ORC Adams” of ORCumentary -Top Albums of the Year 2020


 

Ghost Cult continues our “End of Year Guest Post Extravaganza” with a slew of posts from bands, industry, PR pros, and more! We’ll be sharing lists, memories, and other shenanigans from our favorite bands, partners, music industry peers, and other folks we respect across the globe. Today’s post brings released an “ORChestrated” version of his classic track “Goblin Death March” as a lyric video. The track is from his upcoming album “Fully ORChestrated” which remakes many of his classic tracks.

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Ghost Cult Albums of the Year 2020 – Part 1 (75-41)


It feels rather redundant to preface this year’s celebration of the music that got us through what was annus horribilis maximus unprecedentius with much of a narrative of 2020 because we were all affected. We all lived through it. Some of us in un-splendid isolation. Some of us irreversibly overhauling the way we live, work, and support our dependents. Some of us welcomed changes we had to make while mourning the root cause behind them and that each and every person on this planet we call home was affected, impacted, and touched in a negative way by the events of a global pandemic and high-profile political situations.Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode #84 – Wolfheart’s Tuomas Saukkonen on “Wolves of Karelia”


We caught up with Wolfheart leader Tuomas Saukkonen recently for a new interview. The band has unleashed its amazing new album (review here) Wolves of Karelia, out now via Napalm Records. The follow up to the acclaimed 2018 release Constellation Of The Black Light, Wolves… is a sprawling conceptual masterpiece about the “Winter War” between Finland and Russia. Tuomas spoke at length about the research that went into the album, his view of concept albums in general, how the band continues to be so prolific over time, the travails of making their excellent ‘Hail of Steel’ music video, and how the band plans to stay active and connected to fans during the coronavirus quarantine. Interview by Keefy. Purchase Wolves of Karelia here: Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Wolfheart – Wolves of Karelia


Finland is a country that holds a considerable amount of mystery, melancholy, and magic. The band Wolfheart hails from this special nation and assists their listeners in grasping the greatness of their wintery world. The leader of the pack, Tuomas Saukkonen has been delivering foolproof Melodic Death Metal in several different projects for a substantial amount of years. When Wolfheart released their first album, Winterborn in 2013, it was clear that this act was establishing themselves as a powerful force in the scene. Now the group is releasing their fifth full-length record, Wolves of Karelia (Napalm Records). This new album is expanding the stately, sullen sound of their coined term, “Winter Metal” to new creative crests. Continue reading


NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: January 24th New Music Releases


 

Purchase And Stream All The New Music Released Today!

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ALBUM REVIEW: Dawn of Solace – Waves


The ingenuity, inventiveness, and inclination of Finnish artist Tuomas Saukkonen appears to have no limits. He is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who has been making music magic for a considerable amount of years. One of his many successful ventures is a solo project called Dawn of Solace. Tuomas released his first record, Darkness (Dead Air Records) in 2006 and the betwiching gloom he captured on that release was different from all his other works. Now it’s time to get another taste of this project’s gothic goodness on the new album, Waves (Noble Demon). Continue reading


Wolfheart – Constellation Of The Black Light


Formed in Lahti, Finland in 2012, melodic Death Metal act Wolfheart was originally created as a solo project by producer and multi-instrumentalist Tuomas Saukkonen after the dissolution of his other musical ventures, Before The Dawn, Black Sun Aeon, Dawn of Solace, and RoutaSielu.Continue reading