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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CONCERT REVIEW: Soen – Oceans of Slumber Live at Lincoln Hall


 

Chicago is renowned for being home to some of the country’s most acclaimed concert venues. Lincoln Hall resides just north of downtown and has been voted as one of the best spots for live music in the city by sites like Yelp and Foursquare. The owners of Schubas Tavern opened their second location in 2009 in a hundred-year-old building and have been hosting transcendent live appearances since. Soen picked well to make this their Midwest stop on their one-month-long North American tour.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Oceans of Slumber – Grey Skies Fallen – Solemn Vision Live at Saint Vitus Bar


Waves of melodic metal crashed upon Saint Vitus Bar on Saturday as three bands served an eclectic mix of musical flavors. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Moonspell – From Down Below – Live 80 Meters Down


 

Portugal’s finest mercurial sons Moonspell‘s knack for reinvention while still holding true to their core elements is scarcely paralleled in all of dark music; a master class in constant growth. They have always deserved to be considered one of the most important world metal bands. “Metal” however is also too limiting a boundary for them, even though it is in the blood which beats through their lycanthropic hearts.

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EP REVIEW: De Arma – Nightcall


De Arma’s new three-track EP Nightcall marks something of a turning point for the Swedish gothic rock band. Following their 2021 album Strayed in Shadows, the band have now signed a multi-album deal with Silent Future Recordings, for whom Nightcall is the first offering.

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