Get ready to embark on a musical journey like no other with our new series Sonic Voyage – the Discography show hosted by the one and only Ojayy of Ghost Cult Mag. For our first episode – Metallica! Whether you’re a die-hard music fanatic, or just wondering how many albums a band has, Sonic Voyage is the new destination for exploring the depths of the music world.
Metallica continues their #metallicamondays series tonight with its classic show from 9/14/2011 at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, NY! The show was part of The Big 4 at Yankee Stadium featuring Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax! Make sure you’re subscribed to the Metallica YouTube channel to receive a notification when the show/charity drive begins is about to begin. Generous donations like these help AWMH provide grants like those announced last week to Feeding America, Direct Relief, Crew Nation, and the USBG National Charity Foundation in support of COVID-19 relief efforts.
In another list to help put 2016 behind us, Ghost Cult contributor and celebrated author Jason Korelenko chips in with his Top 10 Albums Of 2016. Continue reading
Whenever the subject of The Big Four of Thrash Metal pops up in conversation, the first thing that tends to happen after the absolutely compulsory ranking process (THIS MUST ALWAYS BE DONE) is the equally mandatory “Band X should have been included instead of Band Y” debate.Continue reading
Slayer will release their first new track in over a year called “When The Stillness Comes” as part of Record Store Day on April 18, 2015, as announced by Slayer and Nuclear Blast.
Slayer Side A: “When the Stillness Comes”
It is accompanied by a live recording of “Black Magic,” from the band’s 1983 album Show No Mercy and recorded live at the 2014 Wacken Open Air Festival, will be available as a limited-edition (only 5000 copies worldwide), 7-inch vinyl picture disc exclusively at all participating independent record stories worldwide.
Slayer Side B: “Black Magic”
Slayer – Tom Araya, Kerry King and Paul Bostaph – recorded “When The Stillness Comes” last year in Los Angeles with producer Terry Date. Currently, the band is in the final stages of recording what will be its first new album since 2009’s Grammy-nominated World Painted Blood, which is expected out later this year.
The five time nominated, two-time Grammy winning metal act has been named as one of “The Big Four” with Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax that defined the thrash metal genre. With songs that mirror the turmoil and aberrations of our society – God’s terrifying global genocide, the chaos of our broken political system, chemical warfare, the hideous minds of serial killers, and the way-too-close proximity of world horrors that technology has brought us, Slayer remains crushing and brutal, steadfastly refusing to cater to the Mainstream. Slayer’s founding member, guitarist Jeff Hanneman passed in 2013, and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has been filling in since. Paul Bostaph, who was Slayer’s drummer from ’94 – ’01, has rejoined bassist/vocalist Tom Araya and guitarist Kerry King, and is back behind the kit. Slayer is currently in the studio recording a new album set for a 2015 release.
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With the Big Four of thrash metal currently mired in irrelevance and resorting to dodgy political statements, ill-advised collaborations and endlessly trading on former glories, thank the Gods for Exodus who have been cracking necks and causing mayhem in the pit ever since their barnstorming comeback album Tempo of the Damned (Nuclear Blast) breathed new life into a moribund scene back in 2004. Ten years later they sound even more alive and angry on tenth original full length Blood In, Blood Out (Nuclear Blast), a record that takes no prisoners.
Bringing back vocalist Steve “Zetro” Sousa for his third stint behind the mic has proven to be a masterstroke with his re-arrival seemingly inspiring his bandmates to up their game and play as if their lives depended on it. Over eleven vicious tracks lasting just over an hour, Sousa’s trademark screech gives the songs a sense of fatal urgency and direction. The lyrics may cover the standard war n’ gore topics as before but with Sousa sounding so utterly pissed-off, they take on a new dimension of relevance. It also helps that guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus have written some of the best riffs of their careers while the thunderous bass of Jack Gibson and the relentless percussion of Tom Hunting ensure everything remains at a scorching hot level throughout.
With so many stand-out tracks it’s hard to pick favourites but the relentless barrage and gang vocals of ‘Collateral Damage’, the precision chugs and catchiness of ‘Salt the Wound’ which features a guest appearance from none other than Kirk Hammett and the blistering thrash workout of ‘Numb’ all take the cake. Boosted by a great production job that makes all the instruments sound loud, thick and in-your-face, Blood In, Blood Out is a fantastic return to form and proves once again that the old dogs know best and could even teach some of the young pretenders a few new tricks.
8.0/10
JAMES CONWAY
Exodus has released the first taste of their new album, Blood In Blood Out (Nuclear Blast) due to drop on October 14th. The band is riding high on this long-anticipated new album which features the return of second Exodus front man Steve “Zetro” Souza (Hatriot/Tenet) on his first album with the band since 2004’s Tempo of The Damned. The song certainly has the bands’ trademark sound and Zetro’s unmistakable snarl. Check out the song here:
From The Press Release:
The 4-year wait is over.
RollingStone.com has exclusively debuted “Salt The Wound,” the first new song in four years by Bay Area thrash metal architects Exodus featuring a guest guitar solo by original Exodus& current METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett and lead vocal work by returning band frontman Steve “Zetro” Souza. Stream the track & watch the lyric video here:
“Having Kirk play on the new Exodus record kind of came about after I played so many shows with Metallica while touring with Slayer over the past four years,” shares guitarist & songwriter Gary Holt. “It started the same way most of these things do, as a lot of chatter while having a good time, but Kirk was more stoked to play on the new record than anyone. He never got to play on anything with Exodus since the first demo despite being a founding member, so I think it really meant a lot to him. Coming full circle so to speak. So I chose the song ‘Salt The Wound’ since I thought the rhythm section for the first lead was right in his wheelhouse, and he killed it! He came in and busted out several takes and his solo compliments mine perfectly. Then we drank beer and ate barbecue! Epic time!”
About his recent experience recording with his first heavy metal band, Hammett revealed to RollingStone.com this past July: “It felt really casual, really cool – just like it did back in 1980 when we were all just hanging out back in the day.”
Hammett is one of three special guests whose work graces Blood In, Blood Out, Exodus’ tenth studio album due out on October 14th in North America. Electronic music producer Dan the Automator (Gorillaz, Mike Patton, Deltron 3030) crafts an industrial sound bed on the intro to the album opener ‘Black 13’ and Testament frontman Chuck Billy lends his signature roar to ‘BTK.’
In other news, Gary Holt will appear as a guest judge on this week’s episode of Top Chef Duels on the Bravo network, judging a full vegan meal alongside fellow heavy metal veterans Rob Zombie and Scott Ian. The episode airs tomorrow, September 10th at 7 p.m. Pacific / 9 P.M. Central / 10 P.M. Eastern.
Produced by Andy Sneap (Accept, Kreator, Megadeth), Blood In, Blood Out can be pre-ordered from the Nuclear Blast USA Webshop in CD, digi-pak + bonus DVD, 2-LP exclusive yellow vinyl, and imported limited edition box set formats. Bundles include a t-shirt with exclusive artwork by Swedish artist Par Olofsson (Psycroptic, Abysmal Dawn, Revocation) + a poster (while supplies last).
Fans who pre-order Blood In, Blood Out on iTunes will receive an instant “Salt The Wound” download. Get yours here: http://geni.us/exobiboitunes
Track listing for the deluxe digi-pak + bonus DVD version of Blood In Blood Out is:
01 – Black 13 (featuring Dan the Automator)
02 – Blood In, Blood Out
03 – Collateral Damage
04 – Salt The Wound (featuring Kirk Hammett)
05 – Body Harvest
06 – BTK (featuring Chuck Billy)
07 – Wrapped In The Arms Of Rage
08 – My Last Nerve
09 – Numb
10 – Honor Killings
11 – Food For The Worms
BONUS DVD includes:
· “Blood Upon The Goat” making-of footage
· Behind-the-scenes tour footage
· Footage from Kirk Hammett’s Fear FestEVIL After Party at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con
The digital version of Blood In Blood Out will include the digital bonus track “Angel Of Death” (ANGEL WITCH cover).
The album’s Japanese edition includes the “Protect Not Dissect” bonus track featuring Rat from THE VARUKERS/DISCHARGE.
Exodus will head out with fellow metal titans Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies on a U.S. tour this November sponsored by Scion. This “destined to be legendary” tour launches on November 11th with two shows at The Fox Theater in Oakland, California. The 26-show trek includes nine headlining off-dates with additional performances to be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale now via the links on the official ExodusFacebook page.
Due to the overwhelmingly demand, Exodus VIP Experience packages are now available for the entire tour via SLOtix.com. Visit the site for tour package details.
All Exodus VIP Experience attendees will be included in a giveaway for either an autographed Gary Holt signature guitar or an Exodus guitar. At the end of the tour, Gary Holt will personally call the winner himself to announce that they’ve won!
Exodusin North America with Slayer & Suicidal Tendencies
11/11 – The Fox Theater – Oakland, CA (2nd show added!)
11/12 – The Fox Theater – Oakland, CA
11/14 – The Forum – Inglewood, CA
11/15 – Comerica Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
11/17 – Coca Cola Bricktown Events Venter – Oklahoma City, OK
11/18 – ACL Live at the Moody Theater – Austin, TX
11/19 – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie – Grand Prairie (Dallas), TX
11/21 – Hard Rock Café/Hard Rock Live – Orlando, FL
11/22 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
11/23 – The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC (Exodus ONLY)
11/24 – Empire – North Springfield, VA (Exodus ONLY)
11/25 – Washington Avenue Armory – Albany, NY
11/26 – Sands Bethlehem Event Center – Bethlehem, PA
11/28 – The Palladium – Worcester, MA
11/29 – Wellmont Theatre – Montclair, NJ
11/30 – Tower Theater – Upper Darby (Philadelphia), PA
12/02 – Agora Theatre – Cleveland, OH
12/03 – Madison Theatre – Covington, KY (ExodusONLY)
12/04 – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre – Indianapolis, IN
12/05 – The Fillmore Detroit – Detroit, MI
12/07 – Aftershock – Merriam, KS (Exodus ONLY)
12/08 – Gothic Theatre – Denver, CO (Exodus ONLY)
12/09 – Pub Station – Billings, MT (Exodus ONLY)
12/10 – The Hop – Spokane, WA (Exodus ONLY)
12/11 – Studio Seven – Seattle, WA (Exodus ONLY)
12/12 – Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR (Exodus ONLY)
Additional shows will be announced soon.
Exoduson Facebook
Tickets are on sale now via the links on the official Exodus Facebook page.