ALBUM REVIEW: Skáld – Huldufólk


Steeped in Nordic mythology, France’s Skáld draw extensively on traditional folk music and employ the Old Norse language for many of their lyrics. Huldufólk (Decca / Universal Music) is the group’s fourth full-length release and is themed around the subject of its title: huldufólk, or “hidden people” is the name given to the mythical beings — elves, dwarves, trolls — that populate Nordic folklore. Moreover, according to the press release accompanying this record, the work honours “an entire people in whom many Scandinavians still believe”.

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Midgardsblot Returns in 2022 with Wardruna, Heilung, Rotting Christ, Myrkur, Zeal and Ardor, Borknagar and More!


The intersection of Norse-Pagan culture, ancient dark folk music, and metal will take place once again at this summer’s Midgardsblot. Taking place in Norway, 17-20th of August, Ghost Cult is happy to see the return of this essential festival we have covered in the past. Among the headline acts this year are acclaimed acts such as Wardruna, Heilung, Rotting Christ, Myrkur, Zeal and Ardor, Borknagar, Primordial, Einherjer, Arkona, Lindy Fay Hella, Ragnarok, Helheim, Djevel, Urgehal, Koldbran, Konvent, Nytt Land, Kælan Mikla, Gaerra, Lucifer’s Child, Eivør, and more artists to be announced. The festival also includes actors and historical reenactments, seminars, and more! Tickets and camping accomodations are on sale at the link below.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Sylvaine – Nova


 

Sylvaine is the pseudonym of Norway’s Kathrine Shepard, a classically trained composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. Since 2014 Shepard has been releasing albums as Sylvaine, of which Nova (Season of Mist) will be the fourth (not counting a 2020 split with Unreqvited).

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Listen to Myrkur Sing on the Theme Song to “Vikings Valhalla” on Netflix


Myrkur has contributed her incredible voice to the soundtrack of the new Netflix series Vikings Valhalla, now streaming its entire first season. The show is the direct sequel to Vikings the award-winning series on History Channel which concluded last year. Myrkur contributed her vocals to what became the theme song of the series, although at the time she was unaware of that fact. Produced by Michael Hirst and Jeb Stuart and starring Sam Corlett, Leo Suter, and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson; Vikings Valhalla is set 100 years afterward and centering on the adventures of Leif Erikson, Freydis, Harald Hardrada and the

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GUEST POST: Max Maxwell of Mountain Caller – Top Albums of the Year 2020


Ghost Cult continues our “End of Year Guest Post Extravaganza” with a slew of posts from bands, industry, PR pros, and more! We’ll be sharing lists, memories, and other shenanigans from our favorite bands, partners, music industry peers, and other folks we respect across the globe. In this edition, Max Maxwell of Mountain Caller shares an in-depth review of his Top Albums List for 2020. Their excellent covers album The Truthseeker is out now (buy and stream it here!

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Ghost Cult Albums of the Year 2020 – Part 1 (75-41)


It feels rather redundant to preface this year’s celebration of the music that got us through what was annus horribilis maximus unprecedentius with much of a narrative of 2020 because we were all affected. We all lived through it. Some of us in un-splendid isolation. Some of us irreversibly overhauling the way we live, work, and support our dependents. Some of us welcomed changes we had to make while mourning the root cause behind them and that each and every person on this planet we call home was affected, impacted, and touched in a negative way by the events of a global pandemic and high-profile political situations.Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode 132 – Ghost Cult’s Album of the Year Countdown Part 1 with Steve Tovey


Ghost Cult kicks off our massive 2020 Album of the Year Countdown! Chief editor Keefy is joined by the esteemed Steve Tovey (The King is Blind), our Senior Editor Emeritus of Ghost Cult! We run down the big list with a brief discussion of our rankings from 75-31, with a deep dive into the albums ranked 50-31! All in all, over 300 albums were considered and voted on by our staff of worldwide contributors: writers, correspondents, photographers, and more. Check back here for the full list and a deeper look at albums 75-31 on our site and for Part II of the podcast series click here:

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Watch Myrkur Play “Leaves of Yggdrasil” Unplugged from Her New Home studio


Myrkur shared a new video from her work-in-progress home studio, or her playing the song “Leaves of Yggdrasil” from her recent 2020 album Folksange, out now on Relapse Records. She recorded with her Martin acoustic travel size and “ the ‘microphone’ is just the one built into the camera. The camera is a Leica LUMIX”. Watch the clip now.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Myrkur – Folkesange


Amalie Brunn is a chameleon of the most striking, variant shades, which makes the English transalation of her of her alter-ego Myrkur (‘Darkness’) something of a paradox. That darkness, of course, comes from the Dane’s lyrical content, and frequent Black Metal incursions into the Folk-based music she peddles with wondrous feeling. New album Folkesange (Relapse Records), however, eschews the usual harsh accompaniment: focusing purely on her Scandinavian Folk roots and delivering a set of softened, heartfelt songs.Continue reading