FESTIVAL REVIEW: Download Festival UK 2019


Throughout the journey from my home in the North of England to Leicestershire’s infamous Download Festival, I could be sure of only two things as a first time attendee; that I would absolutely see Tool headline, and that I would have to endure what was to become the muddiest weekend of my life in order to reach that point.Continue reading


FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Download Festival 2019


The granddaddy of UK music festivals, Download Festival takes flight this weekend and Ghost Cult is there! The forecast calls for rain (surprise!) but the spirits will not be dampened! Here is the day by day rundown of indispensable bands to not miss and the running order! Continue reading


PODCAST: EPISODE 23: Kaan of Heart of A Coward Talks New Album and New Beginnings


Ghost Cult caught up with Kaan Tasan, vocalist for UK-based Metalcore act Heart of A Coward. Kaan has been in the band for several years, but their brand new album, The Disconnect (Arising Empire/Nuclear Blast Records), is their first new album with him in the band. We chatted with Kaan about how he came to join the band, the pressures he felt about recording with the group, recording with Justin Hill and Will Putney, how he keeps his voice in shape, and much more! You can catch the band this weekend at Download Festival 2019! Continue reading


Heart of a Coward – The Disconnect


I remember the great commercial Metalcore boom of the mid-aughts like it was yesterday. I was in the twilight years of high school, about 30 pounds lighter and with no useful insight into how to drive a car or pleasure a woman. I had it all figured out. You may not believe it, but I am wearing an As I Lay Dying tee as I type this. Heart of a Coward‘s The Disconnect (Arising Empire) takes me back to many an evening in 2004 hanging with the homies. Continue reading


Sworn Amongst – Reclamation


Sworn Amongst are one of the best-kept secrets in UK Metal – there is something familiar yet different to their approach to modern Metalcore. Indeed new EP Reclamation (Famined Records) is full to the brim with newly added strings to their musical bow.Continue reading


From Sorrow To Serenity – Reclaim


From their self-released debut album, Remnant of Humanity, From Sorrow To Serenity showed they have what it takes to sit alongside comfortably with their peers in the Metalcore/Djent scene. Almost three years has passed on from then and with that time has come growth as they’ve risen through the ranks, supporting the likes of Chelsea Grin and Veil of Maya.

What musical progress have the band made for their sophomore release, Reclaim (Long Branch Records) and does it live up to their first efforts?Continue reading


Download 2019 Books Stone Temple Pilots, Halestorm, Clutch, Behemoth and more


Download 2019 has mad a major announcement today as forty-three new bands have been added! Among the new bands added are Stone Temple Pilots, Halestorm, Clutch, Behemoth, Beartooth, Alcest, Animals As Leaders, At The Gates, Bad Wolves, Three Days Grace, Twelve Foot Ninja and more. Slipknot, Tool, and Def Leppard are the headliners for the annual rock extravaganza. The three-day festival takes place on 14-16 June 2019 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Kerrang! Radio have also launched a talent search for a chance to open the Avalanche Stage at the festival.Continue reading


The Uncharted – Perspectives EP


I’m an absolute sucker for any art form which tries to tell a story and has some form of concept to it. I just love to have my nerd string pulled on I find I get way more invested in something if the artist(s) has gone that extra mile in creating something. In line with this come The Uncharted with debut EP Perspectives (self-released) where the story behind this release is that the technicality and progressiveness of the music is paired with an unknown narrator looking for the meaning of life through various ideas and philosophies he encounters.Continue reading


Ghost Iris – Blind World


It is safe to say that tech metal is currently thriving, both in terms of numbers and wealth of talent. With festivals completely dedicated to such artists, including the world-famous Euroblast, there are no shortage of acts to delve into. Of course, this means a risk of over-saturation, which is arguably already a problem. Now whilst Danes Ghost Iris are far from reinventing the wheel, they at least offer a somewhat alternate outlook on the Djent sound when it comes to song structure, and latest album Blind World (Long Branch/SPV) should rightfully make some waves in the scene.Continue reading