ALBUM REVIEW: Baest – Necro Sapiens


Death Metal is in rude health. It is a status that has been brewing and broiling over the last ten years, with pushes and spurts in pocketed sub-sub genres, until now the whole scene, and its multitude of variants and mutations and off-shoots, feels like it is not just doing alright, but burgeoning with a lush virility unseen since it’s fomentation some thirty years ago.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Fumarole – Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes



Today on the block we have Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes by Australian Stoner Doom band Fumarole, out now from the excellent Interstellar Smoke Records. I’ve heard a couple of their singles and dug what I heard, so I was definitely stoked to get the album in hand. Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes starts off pedal down and never really lets up. Loaded with hooky as hell riffage, driving rhythms, and killer spots where the bass and drums lay down the groove while the guitar has its fun. The solos are tasty, they have a rock feel sprinkled with some blues that truly add to the overall vibe.

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PODCAST: Episode 126: John Connolly of Sevendust on “Blood and Stone”


Ghost Cult’s Keefy caught up with John Connolly of Sevendust to chat about their new album, Blood and Stone, releasing on October 23rd, 2020 via Rise Records. We discussed the making of the new album, releasing new music during this uncertain time, the more adult themes of the band’s music these days, how the band approaches songwriting, working with producer Elvis Baskette, the decision to cover Soundgarden’s “The Day I Tried To Live” and how they almost didn’t go through with it and more. Purchase the album here and listen to our chat right now.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Deftones – Ohms


“Deftones 2020” would be quite the fitting campaign slogan this year. Faced with frightening realities, unexpected downs, and challenging changes, Deftones have swooped in to provide a sonic escape and maybe even a ray of hope in a time that has been plagued by a series of unfortunate events. Though President Chino Moreno may seem like a stretch (for now), Deftones have spun these unforeseen circumstances and unprecedented experiences into something fans can hold onto during this period of struggle: the highly-anticipated LP, Ohms, due out September 25th (Warner Records). 2020 is also a hallmark year in the Sacramento-born band’s career, as they celebrate 25 years since dropping their searing debut Adrenaline, 20 years since releasing their incomparable album White Pony, 10 years since unveiling their emotive and piercing record Diamond Eyes, and one presidential term since gracing fans with their eighth studio album Gore. Now, vocalist Chino Moreno, guitarist Stephen Carpenter, drummer Abe Cunningham, programmer Frank Delgado, and bassist Sergio Vega welcome Ohms, 10 tracks of heavy and reflective material that mirror the emotional distress of the pandemic and lockdown, the political power struggle that the world is witnessing, and the internal conflicts many are facing.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Plague Years – Circle Of Darkness


Relative newcomers to the scene, Detroit’s Plague Years follow up their independently released 2018 debut EP with their first full-length offering, Circle of Darkness (eOne Music). Continue reading


EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE: The Naked High – “Jewel of The Crowd”


Montreal hard rock and metal band The Naked High released their new EP this spring Tap Into The Evil, and have just released a new video for their single – “Jewel of The Crowd’! The live performance clip features the band’s visceral, heavy nature of the band and what they bring to the table with their massive riffs, bassy grooves. Formed in 2015, their DNA comes from the same well-spring as heroes such as Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Black Label Society, and of course, the kings Black Sabbath! You can watch the clip for “Jewel of The Crowd’ here at Ghost Cult right now!

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CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: Pantera’s “Reinventing The Steel” Turns 20


What happens when a band hits maturity? It’s bound to happen to all the bands you love. It’s definitely hard for some fans to accept when their favorite band, was once new and youthful have become the elder statesmen of the scene. Some bands also struggle to come to terms with aging and changing. Others try and recapture their earlier sounds, while others strive to evolve. This is what happened to Pantera twenty years ago when they created their album Reinventing The Steel (East/West). Continue reading


REVIEW: Carnivora – Bogdweller


Salem, Massachusetts modern metallers Carnivora is a band Ghost Cult has been following for many years and through several incarnations. The band has continued to grow and improve while keeping what makes them, them for a lack of better verbiage. They have always placed an importance on monster riffs, deep grooves and generally short blasts of fun metal tracks that don’t overstay their welcome. On their new single ‘Bogdweller’, the band has hit a new level with the addition of vocalist Haydee Irrizary (Aversed, Zahra Lux). Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Gatecreeper – Deserted


The fresh-faced group, GatekrGatecreepereeper has been making waves in the scene for the last couple of years. Their undaunted aggression and sinister viciousness made a mark when they released their first full-length album, Sonoran Depravation (Relapse Records) in 2016. They have a thought-provoking take on the classic Death Metal sound which sets them apart from a lot of other young, hungry acts. Now, this budding band is back with their sophomore record, Deserted (Relapse Records) and their magnetic extremes have reached a new level of exceptional. Continue reading


EXCLUSIVE STREAM: Ovtlier – “Spineless”


Rising Metal force Ovtlier stormed the world with their powerful music, bringing an all-out assault on all the senses. Ghost Cult brings you the single premiere of their insense song ‘Spineless’, whose video also just dropped over at Dread Central. The band recently signed with InGrooves Music Group & The Label Group. The raging track was inspired by vocalist/primary songwriter, Joey Arena’s experience with watching his grandmother pass on and his “personal views on medical and governmental studies: that we are nothing but lab rats and test subjects.” The band brings a myriad of Modern Metal influences, Hardcore, and are not afraid to rep their love of OG Nu-Metal as well. Check out the single and video for ‘Spineless’ now!Continue reading