ALBUM REVIEW: Lord Of The Lost – Weapons Of Mass Seduction


Ah, Eurovision.

That strangest of competitions where coming last can be as much of a badge of honour as winning. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Paradise Lost – Icon 30


 

Named after the epic 17th-century biblical poem by John Milton, Paradise Lost are without a doubt one of the real success stories of British Heavy Metal. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Within Temptation – Bleed Out


 

More so than many records, the eighth full length studio release from symphonic metal act Within Temptation serves as a perfect snapshot of current times. A combination of the ongoing recovery process from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the way that modern presentations of popular music consistently change and mutate, by the time Bleed Out (Force Music Recordings) finds its way into your grubby little paws, seven of its eleven songs will already have been released into the world of Spotify and YouTube.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Ghost – Rotting Christ Live at OAKA Stadium


Summer has just begun in Athens, Greece and festival season has made its way all around the city. Presented by Athens Rocks, June 26th was a day for the masses, literally, as the band Ghost have arrived to perform their Gospel to their Greek clergy at OAKA Stadium. Supporting them were national favorites Rotting Christ, and also presenting were Candlemass and Tyhus for those who braved by arriving early into the hot and sunny Grecian sun.

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PODCAST: Episode 265 – Jyrki 69 of The 69 Eyes on “The Death of Darkness” – Goth Rock, and More!


 

Ghost Cult’s chief Keefy chatted with Jyrki 69 of The 69 Eyes recently to discuss their new album “The Death of Darkness” out now on Atomic Fire Records. Jyrki is as amazing at interviews as he is ruling the stage. We discussed their entire career, the new album, signing with Atomic Fire Records, touring, discussing the Sick New Work Festival, doing guest appearances on records with friends – such as his recent collab with Blak29 (Steve Zing of Danzig), the age-old question of cassettes versus vinyl, and much more!

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CONCERT REVIEW: Ville Valo – Kælan Mikla Live at Saint Andrew’s Hall


HIM (aka His Infernal Majesty) is one of the biggest, most successful bands to come out of Finland. Love Metal is not only the name of their fourth full-length album, but it is a genre of music they invented. So, it is fair to say many were dismayed when these Finnish fellas broke up six years ago. Yet hope was rekindled when frontman Ville Valo (aka VV) announced his debut solo album in 2022. Neon Noir (Heartagram Records, read our review here) was released earlier this year and has received high praise. Now the man is on the road again sharing his new tunes and some HIM classics on his headlining world tour. Valo brought his romantic rock to Detroit and blessed Saint Andrew’s Hall with his presence. The Live Nation venue was a perfect pit stop for this tour since it is a premiere music site that caters well to hot and flashy rock bands. Our local baseball team, The Detroit Tigers, had their opening day the same evening as Valo’s big show so the streets of the city were bustling and full of hubbub. That energy spilled into the beloved hall and made the night a colorful experience.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Mono Inc – Ravenblack


 

The German Rock scene is legendary for producing exceptional bands like Scorpions and Rammstein. This schnitzel-loving nation is also known for its more niche music acts. Mono Inc. has been at the helm of the Gothic Rock movement since the early 2000s and they show no sign of slowing down.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Katatonia – Sky Void Of Stars – Napalm Records


 

It is an often overlooked but undeniable fact that up to the present day, Katatonia is on a phenomenal creative run; arguably one of the best in Metal music, in general. Since 2006’s The Great Cold Distance (and arguably even before this), Katatonia have been consistently put out near classics up to 2016’s excellent The Fall Of Hearts, with even 2020’s hiatus ending City Burials (all Peaceville) standing shoulder to shoulder with such works. Firmly returned from a brief absence, 2023 sees the band’s second album since this return, on a new label home for the first time in their career.

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ALBUM REVIEW: VV (Ville Valo) – Neon Noir


 

Following the 2017 death of HIM and a brief hiatus, Ville Valo debuted his solo project VV in the spring of 2020. After surviving on drip-feeding of singles over the past few years, romantics and vampires everywhere can finally rejoice as we’ve been given a feast in Valo’s first full-length record in a decade, Neon Noir (Spinefarm).

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