With the first release in eight years, Norway’s Dødheimsgard return armed with a reputation for the abstract and the almost absurd. Formerly a more pure Black Metal act, 1999’s seminal 666 International saw the band broaden their sonic palette to incorporate a widening range of styles within their sound, often incorporated in sudden ways as opposed to fluidly throughout, with 2015’s return, A Umbra Omega, receiving plaudits and adding to their cult following.
Descending consecutive steps of the shadowy nooks and crannies of the psyche, like Werner Herzog revealing more abject layers of vampiric horror, Sweden’s Tribulation have never been a one-trick (bat) pony. They are the rare band with sophisticated songwriting smarts, an ominous and seductive allure, and the self-awareness to not tip their hand too far into unintentional macabre cheese camp while still straddling the gulf between Hammer homage, the deep subconscious mind, rock n’ roll, and death.
It’s uncanny when a new band emerges on the scene with as much vigor, talent, control, and singularity as it would from a seasoned act. Somehow, the Liverpool trio catapulted themselves into immediately noteworthy status. Piano-driven and guitar-less, Exploring Birdsong brings essences of progressive rock, eighties nuance, indie, and alternative pop together to create a sound that is solely their own; they’re uncategorical.
Crown Lands claim the crown with this truly fearless album. Which crown? The crown of the New Kings of Progressive Rock. This virtuoso, exciting and engaging Canadian duo – guitarist/bassist/keys player Kevin Comeau and singer/drummer Cody Bowles – have delivered a record that, if you hold any prog in your soul, will leave you smiling from sated ear to sated ear. It’s also a record full of ideas, that will make you think, that fulfills its promise, and is well worth the wait – how many albums can we say that about? As Bowles sings on ‘Context’: “If life is a wheel/ Please let it spin/ And doors that may open/ Please let me in …” You’re in guys, you’re in.
Ihsahn is a true living musical legend who helped shaped the modern symphonic sound of Black Metal with his work across the four albums Emperor produced between 1994 and 2001, particularly with their debut In The Nightside Eclipse which is perhaps the quintessential release of the genre. And although Emperor are still of course touring and Ihsahn has in the 2000’s released music with his Thou Shalt Suffer and Peccatum projects, the focus for the Norwegian musician has undoubtedly been on developing his solo career.
Ghost Cult caught up with bass guitar legend Billy Sheehan of The Winery Dogs! Billy discussed the new album “III” – out now on Three Dog Records, launching their own label, the evolving role of labels in the music business, how Billy – Mike Portnoy, and Richie Kotzen all write together, the return of touring, how many guest sessions Billy really did during the height of the pandemic, and much more! Continue reading
Ghost Cult welcomes in guest contributor, podcaster and Pink Floyd expert Nik Cameron of The Glacially Musical Pouredcast to wax on about Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, which turned 50 years old today (March 1st, 2023).
The Dark Side of the Moon, 50 Years Later
As we sit here, author and reader, what could be arguably called the greatest prog rock album of all time, The Dark Side of the Moon, by Pink Floyd, has aged fifty years. At the time of this writing when I attempt some words about this massive achievement, I am 47 years old.Continue reading
It’s been three years since Canadian musical contortionist Devin Townsend confused the hell out of everyone with Empath, an album of such relentless eclecticism and stupefying eccentricity that even now it remains almost beyond comprehension. A kitchen sink album in every respect, our heroic Canuck threw literally everything into the mix. From death metal and jazz to Chad Kroeger and cats, Empath was the mindfuck to end all mindfucks.
We chatted once again with the great Devin Townsend – all about his new album “Lightwork” now releasing on November 4th, 2022 via InsideOut Music! Devy discussed the last few years and releases in his life, his creative process, and then a track-by-track breakdown of the new album with songwriting and lyrical inspirations, and a hint at the next Devy album.
VOLA playing at Rebellion Manchester Credit: Rich Price
Opening up tonight were Nevada three-piece Four Stroke Baron, a band who are difficult to classify. Heavy slabs of groove-laden prog smash funkily across a packed audience. The set is marred only by the fact that in a couple of songs the singer notably loses his voice and the band without missing a beat goes on to deliver their first instrumental set from the dark smoke-laden stage of Rebellion and its notoriously bad lighting. Handling an awkward situation very well indeed they still delivered a solid and enjoyable set that had the audience’s heads bobbing along in time.