I’ll let you in on a little secret when it comes to reviewing metal and hardcore. If Converge’s Kurt Ballou produced or recorded an album, chances are that the getting is going to be pretty good. Two songs into Crowhurst’s III (Prophecy Productions) I found myself wondering who manned the boards and – lo and behold – the aforementioned Ballou handled the affair at the now legendary GodCity Studios. Praise the maker.Continue reading
For many people a live album is hardly worth bothering with. The performances can vary from being exact replicas of the studio recordings to blandly and barely played. However, a great live album is a thing of beauty, and any naysayers of the format are hard pressed to deny the electricity that jumps out of one’s speakers or headphones. Think of how enthralling Slipknot’s live material sounds, or how well crafted an Iron Maiden set-list can be and you’ll find the value in live recordings.Continue reading
I don’t know how Matt Pike does it. Six months since Sleep dropped The Sciences (which is still ace and you should totally buy if you haven’t already) seemingly out of nowhere, the man who has forgotten more brilliant riffs than most of us will ever know has effortlessly created another world-beater. I admit that might be a case of me showing my hand a bit too soon – saying a High On Fire record is great is about as predictable as the sun rising in the morning, but both are positive reminders that good things are always on the horizon.Continue reading
Big time artists do big-time things, at big times, to paraphrase my favorite sports analogy. 2018 is shaping up to be a crazier time in the world than ever, full of chaos, and special kind of hubris that fuels the mania. Art is typically a reflection of society, and for me personally, I have been clinging to art in a vain attempt to help save my own life in this tumultuous time. One of those artists giving me life has been underground supergroup SUMAC, with songs as big as the all caps in their name. Turning in yet another massive release with Love In Shadow (Thrill Jockey), the band peels back the curtain on this undercurrent running through all of us and shows us the glorious ugliness many choose not to see.Continue reading
Cult Leader (ex-Gaza) has dropped a crushing new single, ‘I Am Healed’. The track comes from their forthcoming new album A Patient Man, due out on November 9th via Deathwish Inc. Jam this track out now and try not to break up every piece of furniture in the house! Continue reading
Converge has shared their cover of Negative Approach’s ‘Whatever I Do’, originally released as part of the Tomorrow Seems So Hopeless: A Tribute to Negative Approach compilation from 200. That album has been out of print and original label is out of business, according to Converge’s Bandcamp page. It was recorded at Kurt Ballou’s God City Studios in Salem, Massachusetts. Buy or stream the track right now!Continue reading
As previously reported at Ghost Cult, High On Fire’s new album will be released on October 5, 2018, via Entertainment One (eOne). The legendary band has shared the first new music, the title track for you to rock out to over at NPR. It is a tribute to band hero and late Motorhead frontman Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister. Check it out!Continue reading
Stoner metal kings High On Fire have announced they are releasing their new album dubbed Electric Messiah via the eOne Label this October. Some details such as the track listing are available, with the first new music hopefully coming soon. Frontman Matt Pike recently gave an interview to the DC Heavy Metal Podcast in which he shared some of the details, including a headline tour soon with Municipal Waste. The follow-up to 2015’s Luminiferous, Electric Messiah was recorded at producer Kurt Ballou’s GodCity Studios where the last two HoF LPs were created. Additional tracking was done by Bryan Sours of Sour Sound.Continue reading
Skeletonwitch is streaming their entire new album today, ahead of its release this Friday, July 20th. Devouring Radiant Light marks a new chapter for the band, and their label Prosthetic Records. Recorded by Converge guitarist and engineering deity Kurt Ballou (High on Fire, Kvelertak, Chelsea Wolfe), you can stream it and pre-order it below. Continue reading
Mid-western blackened death metallers Skeltonwitch have parted ways with drummer Dustin Boltjes. The band has also announced Jon Rice (Scorpion Child, ex-Job For A Cowboy) will take over duties behind the kit for their upcoming tour with Obituary. Continue reading