Maryland Deathfest and Their Related Metalfests to Go On Hiatus in 2023


Gorguts at MDF 2014, photo by Hillarie Jason Photography

In a statement posted on social media, Maryland Deathfest is going on hiatus after the next MDF event in May 2022. That means in 2023 all of their related festivals are going on hiatus, including MDF, Netherlands Deathfest, California Deathfest, and more. You can read a statement from the co-founders Ryan and Evan, below. MDF has operated for almost 20 years, put on 19 fests, and expanded to a global footprint, all while giving a greater voice to Death Metal, Avant-Garde Metal, Stoner Doom, and more genres, perhaps as much or more than any fest in the world. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Kamchatka – Hoodoo Lightning


GC might have already released it’s End of Year list, but that doesn’t mean the machine stops rolling. There’s always more to review. And Swedish stoner trio Kamchatka have dropped Hoodoo Lightning (Border Music) as a last-minute Christmas present for those who dig the late-60s and 70s. Continue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Exit 111 Festival 2019 – Manchester, Tennessee


Exit 111 Festival, aptly named for the highway exit in Manchester TN, made its début October 11-13, 2019. Arriving in powers of three, it was three days of riffs, rock, and rowdiness. One part Metal, one part Rock, one Southern rock, and a whole lot of nostalgia, the event hosted three stages: the Rise Above Stage (honored suicide awareness and featured many of the Classic rock/Southern rock acts), Heaven Stage (the main stage and home to the headliners), and Hell Stage (spotlighted mainly heavy artists).Continue reading


FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Exit 111 Festival


Guns N Roses. Photo credit: Katarina Benzova

The inaugural Exit 111 Festival takes place starting today at Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tennessee — the home of Bonnaroo — October 11 – 13. Ghost Cult is honored to be a part of this historic event! Headlined by Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard and Lynyrd Skynyrd, with appearances by Slayer, ZZ Top, Deftones, Megadeth, Mastodon, Coheed & Cambria, Blackberry Smoke, Ministry, Cheap Trick, Killswitch Engage, Seether, Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society and many more! In addition to the hours of great music, Exit 111 will host experiences such as “The Paranormal Cirque,” “The Red Bull Freestyle Motorcross Experience,” “Mega Sports Bar” and more. Radio personality and metal legend Eddie Trunk will host. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, April 25 at 12 p.m. ET via Front Gate Tickets. Check out our day by day preview:Continue reading


REVIEW: Psycho Las Vegas 2019 – Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino


As far as large multi-day fests go, Psycho Las Vegas is still pretty wet behind the ears having only just had their fourth annual incarnation this August but already it has begun growing into what will likely continue to be the summer juggernaut of partying and music. New this year, to the dismay of many, was the location change from the off the strip and perfectly themed haunt, The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, to the megaplex that is Mandalay Bay. Gone is the feeling of a true fest take over and in its place, a sprawling amalgamation of “psychos” and people from any town USA or abroad there simply to gamble, throw pre-wedding bashes, get drunk or maybe attend a conference (*ahem* “conference”). Once everyone got their bearings and navigated through this corporate mega casino/hotel/shopping mall, pushed back a few drinks or whatever preferred substances they were into, and found the locations of the four stages, the complaining ebbed and instead, people experienced the fest for what it is. A gigantic party with a great combination of bands playing for four days.Continue reading


FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Psycho Las Vegas 2019


Ghost Cult is once again honored to be part of Psycho Las Vegas, a goddam heavy metal casino/beach party extravaganza if there ever was one. The filth of Rock, Sludge, Doom, Trad, Hardcore, Prog, and Stoner Metal genres and the glitz of Vegas- baby, all rolled into one. Headlined by Original Misfits, Opeth, Electric Wizard, Corrosion of Conformity, Bad Religion, YOB, Lucifer, High on Fire, GsY!BE, Clutch, Carcass, Triumph of Death, Graveyard, ASG, Primitive Man, Deafheaven, Kadavar, Vio-Lence, Soft Kill, Andrew W.K., Tomb Mold, Power Trip, Full of Hell, and a ton more bands, it promises to be a rager. Sadly, Oranssi Pazuzu and Rotting Christ have dropped out. Every band is carefully curated and picked, so try to see them all if you can. If you can’t get set with the full lineup, and our “must not miss list” picks for each day!Continue reading


Desertfest London 2019: Live At Various Venues


It’s spring bank holiday in the UK, which can mean only one thing; a long weekend of headbanging in London’s dingiest venues. 2019 marks the eighth edition of London’s Desertfest; a festival dedicated to the slow, the slower, and the heavy. With a healthy dose of bong and Satan worship thrown in for good measure. Continue reading


FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Desertfest London 2019


 

Desertfest London kicks off for their eighth edition today, taking place all weekend from 3rd May – 5th May 2019 in Camden, London UK. Tickets are still available at the link below. The fest is headed up by immense talents such as Om, Amenra, Fu Manchu, Electric Citizen, Black Tusk, Mondo Generator, Wovenhand, High Reeper, Kadavar, All Them Witches, The Skull and more! Get ready with our day by day list of must-see bands! Continue reading


Desertfest Announces Final Bands, Stage Times


Desertfest London is around the corner with just a month to go before the eighth edition. The fest had added the final dozen bands including an entire stage takeover from the incredible Black Deer festival! Their Sunday curation stage welcomes The Devonshire Arms, The Vanguards, The Fargo Railroad Co., The Southern Companion, The Outlaw Orchestra and more have been added such as Whoremoan, Cities of Mars, Orbital Junction, Drore, Årabrot, Vokonis, The Great Machine, and Wren. Desertfest takes over London 3rd May – 5th May 2019 | Camden, London UK. Tickets available at the link below. Continue reading


Psycho Las Vegas 2019 Adds Fu Manchu, Graveyard, Clutch, Amenra, Deafheaven and More


Psycho Las Vegas rolled out a bunch of new bands today for 2019, via their Instagram account and first reported by The Obelisk. Fu Manchu, Graveyard, Clutch, Amenra, Deafheaven, Old Man Gloom, Powertrip, Bad Religion, and Rotting Christ have all been added to the bill. Psycho Las Vegas take place August 16-18, 2019 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino for Psycho Las Vegas––featuring four stages, late night parties, and exclusive performances you won’t see anywhere else. Tickets on sale at the link below.Continue reading