The German Rock scene is legendary for producing exceptional bands like Scorpions and Rammstein. This schnitzel-loving nation is also known for its more niche music acts. Mono Inc. has been at the helm of the Gothic Rock movement since the early 2000s and they show no sign of slowing down.
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”.
When I was young and brash and had two working knees, I used to visit the high street in Camden, London. Me and my mates would dance ourselves into oblivion at the Electric Ballroom, take the night bus home, hit a Tescos for sausage rolls, and eat them right out the package – cold, before returning to Surrey Quays just before the sun rose.
Those were the times!
French Nordic-themed cultural collective Skáld have released a cover version of German metallers Rammstein’s hit, ‘Du Hast’. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming full-length release Huldufólk, due 20th January 2023 via UMusic.
Exactly a year on from the release of Memento Mori (Napalm Records), German medieval folk metallers Feuerschwanz return with a collection of previously recorded cover versions. Releasing material lifted from bonus discs might seem a little superfluous to anyone without a tendency towards rampant completism but Todsünden is filled with surprising choices and no lack of creativity.
Press on, intrepid reader, to find out our top albums of 2022, as voted for by the cast, crew and hangers-on of the good ship Ghost Cult. Over 275 albums were nominated (including one stray and errant vote for Stryper… we’ve had words), some people lauded albums as the greatest of all time that no one else noticed, other albums picked up a steady stream of votes across the board without tickling the top of anyone’s charts, but through it all, we’ve been able to compile our team list of the best 75 albums of the year. And there are some absolute corkers, here. 75 of them, to be exact…
Rammstein, currently on their world tour, has released a new video for the track “Adieu” – the epic final track from their from their recent album Zeit (Universal Music Group). The video is out now with the single on all DSPs. The video for “Adieu” was once again directed by Specter Berlin, who already shot the video for “Deutschland” – “Adieu” was produced in Paris in May 2022, shortly before the band started their 2022 European stadium tour. The 3-track CD and limited 10″ Vinyl to “Adieu” are now available for pre-order and out tomorrow! Read our review of Zeit now. Rammstein also has tour dates booked for 2023. Watch the video now!
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.
Considering many people’s initial exposure to German act Electric Callboy was down to the unforgettably bonkers video to 2020’s breakthrough hit ‘Hypa Hypa’, it might come as a surprise to some that the electronicore/metalcore act from Castrop-Rauxel has been around for twelve years and that latest album TEKKNO (Century Media) is actually their sixth full length studio release.
Rammstein is currently wrapping up the last few weeks of their north American tour, supporting their current album Zeit. The band has just announced another round of Europe Stadium Tour dates for next summer. Tickets go on sale Thursday, September 8th at 10am local time.