With a distinctly American sound and name, you might believe South of Salem hail from sunnier US climes rather than from right here in the good old UK. Only really notable for its beaches and a football team of intermittent quality, Bournemouth might not be a seething hive of metal activity but it is home to one of the best up and coming bands of the last few years. Continue reading
As the old saying goes, change is the only constant, and when you’ve been around as long as NWOBHM legends Saxon, then some form of adjustment – enforced or voluntary – is usually never too far away. For the last eighteen years, the Yorkshire veterans have enjoyed their lengthiest spell ever of an unchanged line-up. This impressive run came to an end earlier this year when guitarist and co-founder Paul Quinn declared a hiatus.
Arriving from suitably prestigious stock, Quinn’s replacement (for this record) is none other than fellow NWOBHMer Brian Tatler, axeman for Midlands metal pioneers Diamond Head. Settling in with unerring ease, Tatler strikes up an instant rapport with co-guitarist Doug Scarratt, the pair going hell bent for leather on their first record together.
The new year is off to a good start because Ryujin’s shining new self-titled album Ryujin (Napalm Records) is about to be released. Continue reading
The renowned venue Le Poisson Rouge hosted an unholy night of Heavy Metal, in the heart of New York City. A triple bill dubbed “The Satanic Panic Tour” – featured Lucifer, Coven, and Early Moods. It was the perfect environment for this tour. The bands did not disappoint, giving a modern throwback feeling of heavy metal.Continue reading
As we barrel down towards the end of the year, we are sharing End of Year lists from staff, bands, and some friends in the business. Check out our Senior Editor Steve Tovey’s picks for his Top Albums of 2023!Continue reading
The nights are getting colder in Michigan, but that did not deter devoted metal heads from trekking out to Flint’s revered venue, The Machine Shop last week. Thrash legends Exodus came to town gifting us with a headlining show. The band just wrapped up a month-long run with deathcore outfit Fit For An Autopsy and they seemed more than thrilled to play a much longer set. Continue reading
The holiday season is here and the zany hair metal act Steel Panther is on the road to get you in the festive spirit. The LA glam group is on a short run titled the “On the Prowl Winter Holidaze” tour where they are supporting their latest album, On the Prowl (Republic Records) that came out earlier this year. One of their twelve tour stops includes Michigan’s Vehicle City. Flint is home to the independent and nationally acclaimed music venue, The Machine Shop. This iconic concert hub was an optimal choice to host this racy, yet lovable group of stylishly bold fellas for two nights in a row. Everyone forgot the dreary December cold as they entered the small-sized venue where these fiery, comedic rockers sizzled things up.Continue reading
Tomi Koivusaari is known for being one of the founding members of the masterful metal act, Amorphis. He has been a champion in one of Finland’s most acclaimed bands for over thirty years and he is now getting ready to release an album from his debut solo project: Bjørkø.Continue reading
2013 saw Ghost Cult crown Surgical Steel (Carcass) as our inaugural Album of the Year in a democratic aggregated vote process, untouched by editorial hands (other than the sliding of the abacus balls from one side to the other – or rather the logging of votes and the use of a rather rudimentary spreadsheet), a format we continue to utilise as the years pass, and the seasons grey. Our dedicated team of writers, editors, photographers make their submissions on demand following a month of much wringing-of-hands and profanities being aimed into the editorial mailbox.Continue reading
Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with Anders Engberg of Sorcerer to discuss their new album “Reign Of The Reaper” out now via Metal Blade Records! Anders discussed the band shedding their Doom Metal past, embracing their modern Trad Metal present, and much more!