INTERVIEW: Concert Photography Legend Gene Ambo – The Ghost Cult Interview


Ghost Cult caught up with Concert Photography legend Gene Ambo, who just released his retrospective book “Heavy Metro: Access All Eras” via Stygian Press, co-owned by Jeremy Wagner of Broken Hope. Gene discussed his career photographing some of the most baddass artists ever, his connection to Chicago and The Metro, the history of concert shooting, covering hardcore, the old-school Chicago scene of Punk and Metal, what makes a great shot, the shift away from physical media and towards, early memories of shooting Metallica, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Raven, Slayer, Black Flag, Riot Fest, Lollapalooza, a frank talk about photo releases, and much more!

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Dustin Rabin’s Billy Talent Ebook of Photo Rarities Out Now


 

Renowned Photographer Dustin Rabin has announced the release of an installment of user friendly Billy Talent ebooks. Derived from Rabin’s archives of photos of the band, the initial volume, “Photographs 2002 – 2005” covers the early years of the popular Canadian rockers. You can purchase Dustin Rabin’s Billy Talent Ebook here:

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BOOK REVIEW: Jeremy Saffer – Daughters of Darkness – Rare Bird Books



Daughters of Darkness is the result of a twelve-year labor of love from Jeremy Saffer, one of the most iconic concert and celebrity photographers of our time. His lifelong love of Metal and all its sub-genres, specifically Black Metal as well as his mastery of lighting, have transformed a powerful collection of fine art female nudes in corpse paint into a coffee table book work of art in his first-ever coffee table book, Daughters of Darkness (Rare Bird Books).

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Watch Never Before Seen Outtakes of Metallica with Michael Alago from “Who The F*ck Is That Guy” Documentary


 

Michael Alago recently released his memoir I Am Michael Alago: Breathing Music. Signing Metallica. Beating Death. (BackBeat Books), written by Alago with Laura Davis-Chanin (with a foreword by Mina Caputo of Life of Agony and John Joseph of Cro-Mags) and you can read our review here. Michael is the music industry legend that signed Metallica to Electra Records and helped guide them on the path to being the biggest band of all time. He also played a role in the careers of White Zombie, Cro-mags, Metal Church, Flotsam and Jetsam, and more. The Drew Stone documentary Who The F*ck Is That Guy: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago (just wrapped on Netflix after an unprecedented 3 years, now on Amazon Prime and YouTube) grew awareness of him beyond music documentaries and VH1’s Metallica Behind The Music. Now you can see never before seen outtakes of Michael with Metallica after they filmed their segments for the film, posted to Drew Stone’s YouTube. Continue reading


Metallica’s Lars Ulrich And Photographers Herring & Herring To Host Free Event


Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and their erstwhile collaborators, photographers Herring & Herring, a.k.a Dimitri Scheblanov, a 2005 graduate of The Cooper Union’s School Of Art, and Jesper Carlsen will be in conversation with Ulrich to discuss their collaborative work together, the process of creating art, and more. Herring & Herring, famous for creating the album artwork to Metallica’s Hardwired… To Self Destruct album, have worked with Ulrich since 2014. The Great Hall at Cooper Union in New York City on Friday, October 19. The event is free and open to the public. General public should reserve a space here. Please note seating is on a first-come basis; an RSVP does not guarantee admission as events are generally overbooked to ensure a full house. The link to register is below. Continue reading


The Atlas Moth, Royal Thunder, Mirrors For Psychic Warfare At Saint Vitus Bar


The Atlas Moth, Royal Thunder, Mirrors For Psychic Warfare

February 16, 2018 at Saint Vitus Bar

All photos by Jonathan Arevalo

All videos by Frank Huang
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Michael Alago Talks Signing Metallica, White Zombie, And His Life Beyond Music


Music industry legend Michael Alago is as down to earth, forthright and humble as they come, but he doesn’t have to be. Coming from New York City in the late 1970s, in the early 80s he cut his teeth on discovering new artists and becoming a taste-maker in an emerging scene. In his quarter century as an A & R rep he helped put Metallica on the map by signing them to Elektra Records and changing the course of music history. Later he helped catapult White Zombie to fame while at Geffen Records and discovered, signed and cultivated countless scores of bands in rock, metal and other genres. In this feature interview with Ghost Cult, Michael discusses Who the Fuck is That Guy? The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago, a documentary by filmmaker Drew Stone (All Ages: Boston Hardcore, New York Hardcore Chronicles). The film examines Michael’s entire life up to now, from his early days in Borough Park, Brooklyn through his music career, and into his work today as a celebrated photographer. In addition to our chat about his life and times so far, Michael opened up his personal photo archive, sharing with us many rare or never before seen candid photos of him with musical royalty. Continue reading