INTERVIEW: Bumblefoot of Whom Gods Destroy on Supergroups, Extreme Styles of Metal, and More


Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with Bumblefoot of Progressive Metal supergroup Whom Gods Destroy! Their new album Insanium is releasing via InsideOut Music! We talked to Ron about how the group from from the ashes of Sons Of Apollo – his work at the same time on the new Art Of Anarchy album, the heavy direction of this band and influences such as Pantera! Ron also talked about songcraft, guitar technique, revisiting other projects he has been in such as Asia, and some thoughts on revisiting Guns N Roses’ – “Chinese Democracy!”

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PODCAST: Glacially Musical 170 – Slayer’s “South Of Heaven” Reviewed – The Underrated One


Time for episode 5 of our Slayer series! Nik and Keefy of ghostcultmag review and discuss why “South of Heaven” had mixed reviews when it came out, but now holds its own in the Slayer discography.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Infected Rain – Time


Breaking away from the pack of Modern Metal bands, Infected Rain is fulfilling their promise as one of the the best underground buzz bands of the new millennium. Their new album Time (Napalm Records) goes super hard, but more importantly, showcases their maturity as writers, riff dealers, and how to make every song stand on its own. It’s rare to get to see a label trust a band to follow their muse and really grow and change from album to album. Continue reading


INTERVIEW: Page Hamilton of Helmet Breaks Down His New Album “Left’


Ghost Cult caught up with Page Hamilton of Metal legends Helmet! Their 2023 album “Left” was released via earMUSIC, and is a document of where the band is musically, mentally, and politically. Page shared a track-by-track breakdown, discussed his creative process, why he went so deep on politics in his lyrics this time, the longevity of the current lineup of the band, and much more!Continue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Riot Fest 2023 Live at Douglas Park


 

After many years of covering Riot Fest at Ghost Cult, your intrepid chief of editor got to experience it for himself. The lineup was too good to be true, even the competition from the many Punk and Metal festivals all happening around the same time in the USA. Having personally covered one other festival in Chicago in the past, (RIP Chicago Open Air), I was excited to spend some time here.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Baroness – Stone


 

Since the music of Baroness has been unlike any other band to me, and more akin to a spiritual experience since I first got into them in 2007, I set the mood for myself before listening. I turned the lights down low, cracked the window open to get a nice breeze going, and heard the sound of large late summer raindrops filling my ears. The city’s heartbeat in the deep background was the only other sound besides my breathing. I just stared at the new album artwork for five straight minutes. At peace for a change, in the still and calm of myself, and by chance, present in the city of my birth for a few days, I hit play on the promo and then let the first notes hit me.

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Kim McAuliffe of Girlschool on “WTFortyfive” and the Genius of Lemmy and Motörhead


 

Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with Kim McAuliffe of Heavy Metal legends Girlschool! They just released their fourteen album “WTForty-five?” Kim discussed the new album, her entire career, their close association with Lemmy and Motörhead, and the notorious “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” EP and Record Store Day release from a few years ago, that Keefy loves

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CONCERT REVIEW: Metallica – Pantera – Mammoth WVH – Prong Live at MetLife Stadium


 

The Metallica Family descended on New Jersey from all around the world for the kickoff date of the 2024 North American tour of Metallica’s M72 tour. On the back of the excellent 72 Seasons album released this spring on Blackened Recordings (read our review here). Reports from the European tour were high, especially their impressive turn at Download Festival. The two shows, per city, no repeats in the setlist is matched only in its ambition by the incredible in-the-round staging and all weekend-long Metallica Takeover events, including pop-shops, a Metallica film festival, side concerts with Metallica-related bands, a Ross Halfin photo book Q & A book signing and more.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Sevendust – Truth Killer


Closing in on 30 years into their career, you couldn’t blame Sevendust if they took their foot off the gas at this stage. They have indicated as much that they are looking to tour less intensely as they have been, as the bands have families and are thinking of their futures. The band has slogged it out for decades on countless tours, metal festivals worldwide, and at times, more intimate unplugged gigs as well. While there are surely not a lot of new mountains to climb, it’s refreshing to see that the band is still hungry, and challenging themselves to create quality new songs on their 14th album Truth Killer. Following a successful run at Rise Records, the band has found a new home in Napalm Records, home to many of their peers and touring partners. The vibe at Napalm fits better than Rise did, as they head into this next phase of their career.

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PODCAST: Episode 303 – Kat and Malachi of Scowl at Sick New World Festival


 

Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with Kat and Malachi of Bay Area Hardcore Punk band Scowl! They have had an amazing year with their new EP Psychic Dance Routine (Flatspot Records), tours and fests, and even a ⁠Taco Bell⁠ event! Check out our chat with them at Sick New World Festival where they killed it!

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