EP REVIEW: Slower – Slower


Covering Slayer is a tricky business. Many bands have tried and failed, and despite displaying obvious reverence to the Californian Thrash legends, only a handful have ever really been able to do real justice to the source material. And of those, it’s the ones who arrive from left field that remain in the memory the most.

From Finnish cellists Apocalyptica to LA rap-metallers Body Count, it’s US singer/pianist Tori Amos who produced arguably the most innovative cross-genre take back in 2001 when she gave the world a very different version of “Raining Blood”. And now it’s the turn of Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch, the stoner metal legend getting the idea after teaching a student how to play “South of Heaven” in a different tuning and, well… Slower.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Lord Dying- Clandestine Transcendence


It was back in 2019 when we last saw a release from Portland, Oregon’s own Lord Dying. The album in question being Mysterium Tremendum proved to show a widening in their sound with an ever increased air and nod to progressive rock alongside their more notable sludge elements, as well as a narrative which includes a large focus on the notion of death, mortality and questions around these.

Four years later, events of the world have hardly made this subject matter any less focused in people’s minds and certainly not in the band, as latest album Clandestine Transcendence (MNRK Heavy) continues with this overarching narrative, as well as a continuation on their ever-expansive song writing. Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode 390: John Gist of Vegas Rock Revolution Talks Planet Desert Rock Fest IV


Keefy caught up with John Gist of Vegas Rock Revolution Presents to discuss the upcoming Planet Desert Rock Fest IV! The fest features ⁠Brant Bjork⁠, ⁠Spaceslug⁠, ⁠FATSO JETSON⁠, ⁠Freedom Hawk⁠, ⁠Spiralarms⁠, ⁠Scorpion Child⁠, ⁠Borracho⁠, ⁠Beastmaker⁠, ⁠Sandveiss⁠, ⁠Black Elephant⁠, ⁠WARLUNG⁠, ⁠Sun Crow⁠, ⁠Mezzoa⁠, ⁠Flames Of Durga⁠ and ⁠Sonolith⁠. Planet Desert Rock Weekend returns for its 4th installment on January 25-26-27, 2024 in Las Vegas! John discussed how he got into booking shows, and what it takes to book a fest like this, he shared his thoughts on other festivals like Psycho Las Vegas, things to do and enjoy in Vegas, and more! Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Saevus Finis – Facilis Descensus Averno


For quite some time now, but arguably in the last few years especially, Transcending Obscurity Records has been one of the most consistently excellent champions for new, exciting and often innovative extreme metal acts, both in quality and in the sheer volume of their releases. Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Lucifer – Coven – Early Moods Live at Le Poisson Rouge


The renowned venue Le Poisson Rouge hosted an unholy night of Heavy Metal, in the heart of New York City. A triple bill dubbed “The Satanic Panic Tour” – featured Lucifer, Coven, and Early Moods. It was the perfect environment for this tour. The bands did not disappoint, giving a modern throwback feeling of heavy metal.Continue reading


PODCAST: Ghost Cult’s Weekly Rock and Metal News Livestream 12-29-23


Catch up on what you missed this week in the world of Rock and Metal news with our show! Continue reading


Doom Metal Band Bong Coffin Releases a Compilation of Cover Songs ft. Led Zeppelin, Melvins, and Mariah Carey – “Forbidden”


Adelaide Sludge/Doom Metal band Bong Coffin has a had a brief, but prolific and strong run of EPs and their early 2023 full-length debut album, The End Beyond Doubt. To cap off a stellar year and a a gift to fans, the band has compiled their many covers on to one release via Bandcamp. Forbidden includes ten previously released covers, and features Led Zeppelin, Melvins, and yes, Mariah Carey as you have never heard her covered before! If you love Doom Metal it is your sworn duty to burn one and jam this as loud as possible right now! Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Racetraitor – Creation and the Timeless Order of Things


 

In dire times of crisis and injustice caused by oppressive systems, the least we can do is to voice our aspirations through the creative media that we have going and that’s what the hardcore unit Racetraitor have been doing. Racetraitor has always been a band that’s ahead of their time – voicing opinions on systemic racism and white privilege before they were even often discussed in a large audience.

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