ALBUM REVIEW: Unto Others – Strength


Effectively serving as the second Idle Hands album under a new name, it only makes sense for Unto Others’ Strength (Roadrunner Records) to continue the mix of Classic Metal and Gothic Rock last seen with 2019’s Mana. However, debuting with a sound balancing two distinct styles like this inevitably raises the possibility of a tug o’ war taking place on subsequent offerings. In this scenario, it begs the question whether the band will prioritize their Metal side or their Gothic side. But as they say in that one Taco Bell commercial: “Why not both?”

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EP REVIEW: Poltergeist – Hallucinations In The Catacombs


 

Of all the bands on the Gothic Rock/Heavy Metal fusion bandwagon, Poltergeist may be the most committed to those Post-Punk aesthetics. The style on their third EP remains closer to Joy Division than Judas Priest with a heavy emphasis on chilling synths, stiff bass-heavy rhythms, and disinterested vampiric baritones. This is especially true on the first two tracks as the opening ‘Electricity’ goes full Synthwave and ‘Through Clouded Eyes’ follows it up in ominously subdued fashion.

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PODCAST: Episode 112: Cammie Gilbert of Oceans of Slumber on their New Album and Shattering Expectations


Ghost Cult caught up with Oceans of Slumber’s frontwoman Cammie Gilbert recently to discuss their upcoming new album, Oceans of Slumber, due out September 4th via Century Media. We discussed the current state of affairs with both the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests in their hometown of Houston, their new self-titled album, new sounds and styles the band felt emboldened to incorporate on the records, Cammie’s own background as a singer and her goals for the album, the influence of bands like Katatonia and Opeth, the bands phenomenal cover of Jazz legend Billie Holliday’s “Strange Fruit”, the bands’ Type O Negative cover of “Wolf Moon”, some love for Peter Steele, and much more. You can pre-order the album here! and check out our chat.Continue reading


Philip H. Anselmo’s En Minor Share’s “When the Cold Truth Has Worn Its Miserable Welcome Out” Video


Philip H. Anselmo’s En Minor has shared a new video for the song “When the Cold Truth Has Worn Its Miserable Welcome Out”. The band will release their debut full-length album on September 4th, 2020 via Anselmo’s Housecore Records label, with pre-order’s going live tomorrow.


PODCAST: Episode 92 – Jesse Zuretti of Binary Code on “Memento Mori”


Ghost Cult caught up with Binary Code leader and guitarist Jesse Zuretti to chat all about his new album, releasing this week, May 15th. The three-year journey to release the record was an arduous one for Jesse and he had many personal issues to overcome. He did so with the help of making music, which, if you hear this new album, is amazing. Jesse went into depth about the ordeal he went through, his creative process, how each member of this band and team stepped on this album on every level, working with producer Aaron Smith (7Horns7Eyes) the songwriting process, their cover of Mazzy Star’s ‘Fade Into You”, their abandoned (for now) covers EP, how Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy/Nevermore) came to play on the album, making music as a composer for Marvel Entertainment and more. Warning: this podcast contains a frank discussion of suicide and mental illness and may cause some distress to the listener. You can pre-order Memento Mori here and listen to our chat now!Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: The 69 Eyes – Wednesday 13- Sumo Cyco – Suicide Puppets: Live at Reverb


The anticipation of the crowd was building for the show to begin. This was the moment they had patiently waited for. The final show of the run for The 69 Eyes, Wednesday 13, Sumo Cyco, and special guests the Suicide Puppets would happen here at the Reverb in Reading, PA.Continue reading


Flat Earth – None For One


Hailing from the heavy music haven of Finland (seriously they must put something in the water over there) and with members previously in HIM and Amorphis, is Flat Earth. On their debut album, None For One (Drakkar Entertainment) the Finnish four-piece combine a Heavy Metal approach with melancholic and emotive sensibilities, the result being a supercharged take on Grunge and a textured record with equal amounts light and dark.Continue reading


Lacuna Coil – The 119 Show Live In London (DVD)


Lacuna Coil celebrated twenty years by filming The 119 ShowLive in London (Century Media) in that bastion of musicality, London Town. The more than two-hour show showcases all that’s good about Lacuna Coil and features amazing performances by Incandescence Circus Theatre Company. From the freaky circus backdrop to the band taking the stage in unsettling white face paint, The 119 Show is a mélange of American Horror Story Season 4, a wicked Lacuna Coil show, and amateurish editing.Continue reading


Bloody Hammers – Lovely Sort Of Death


Bloody Hammers Lovely Sort of Death cover ghostcultmag

Born in 2012 Bloody Hammers are a husband and wife gothic/doomy metal duo from North Carolina, founded by singer, guitarist and bassist Anders Manga with said wife Devallia providing the keyboard, organ and synth sounds. They may be new but by Jove are they productive, as this album Lovely Sort of Death (Napalm Records) is their fourth in as many years.Continue reading