ArcTanGent 2024 Books Baroness, Scaler, Imperial Triumphant, Blood Command, URNE, MSPAINT, and More


In its 10th year this summer, the brilliant and award-winning Arctangent Festival has once again well and truly delivered for its loyal, amazing audience. Following on from last months HUGE band announcement, today the summer event can reveal its final collection of acts playing in 2024. Heading up this announcement are one of the worlds greatest heavy bands to ever do it, Baroness, who will be playing ARCTANGENT for the very first time. An unmissable set, and surely now one of the most anticipated of the whole weekend. Joining them include stunning Bristol outfit Scaler (formerly Scalping), the mysterious and exciting New York band Imperial Triumphant, the musical collective A-Sun Amissa which is led by musician Richard Knox, and the psychedelic goth duo Gloom Index. the new bands, the full lineup, and the day by bay schedule so far. Continue reading


Arctangent Festival 2024 Books Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, Clown Core, Ihsahn, Electric Wizard, Brontide, Amenra, Julie Christmas, Caspian, and More


To help celebrate the 10th year of the mighty ArcTanGent Festival in 2024, today’s band announcement is very likely it’s biggest ever band announcement in its history. Yes, it is a biggie, and yes it will make you all very happy. New bands added to the already stacked list include Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, Clown Core, Ihsahn, Electric Wizard, Brontide, Amenra, Julie Christmas, Caspian, Delta Sleep, Show Me The Body, Bo Ninge, and more. Tickets are on sale at the link below. Continue reading


ALBUMS OF THE YEAR: STAFF PICKS – Steve Tovey’s Top Albums of 2023


As we barrel down towards the end of the year, we are sharing End of Year lists from staff, bands, and some friends in the business. Check out our Senior Editor Steve Tovey’s picks for his Top Albums of 2023!Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode 377 – The Steev and Keefy Power Hour Rock and Metal Releases Forecast Show – December 2023


The sun hides earlier every damn day and Mariah Carey has escaped the casket she stays in all year long! That means Winter is coming, the holidays are nigh, and so is the end of the year! The Steev and Keefy Power Hour is back for one last tussle! Senior Editor Steve Tovey joins Chief Editor Keefy, to discuss the month in Rock and Metal releases. They recap the releases for November 2023, and preview the last gasp of 2023 with December’s new heavy sounds. We also announced the November and December Albums of the Month from Ghost Cult, as voted on by our staff. And we debated terrible Christmas songs, vinyl collecting and more!Continue reading


Ghost Cult’s Album of the Year Countdown 2023: Part 1 (75-41)


 

2013 saw Ghost Cult crown Surgical Steel (Carcass) as our inaugural Album of the Year in a democratic aggregated vote process, untouched by editorial hands (other than the sliding of the abacus balls from one side to the other – or rather the logging of votes and the use of a rather rudimentary spreadsheet), a format we continue to utilise as the years pass, and the seasons grey. Our dedicated team of writers, editors, photographers make their submissions on demand following a month of much wringing-of-hands and profanities being aimed into the editorial mailbox.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Underdark – Managed Decline


 

With their second full-length record Managed Decline (Church Road Records), Underdark really have pushed the boundaries of the broader post-Black Metal sound by incorporating many different styles and influences, while also lyrically creating somewhat of a concept album that champions the working class in much the same way as Ashenspire’s 2022 album, Hostile Architecture.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Dawn Ray’d – Agvirre – Underdark – Gospelheim – Live at FAC251, Manchester UK


First time at FAC 251 and it was a little strange. First impressions, it’s a strange little venue, steeped in Manchester history. This is the building that New Order famously built, and the Happy Mondays infamously destroyed. Being largely at the heart of the Manchester party scene it’s not exactly noted for hosting many metal gigs, but with Manchester still in the process of re-opening some of the regular places aren’t quite open yet. Continue reading


Antre – Void


Whilst the UK hasn’t always been recognised as a hotbed for Black Metal bar the occasional, exceptional case; recent times suggest the burgeoning of a rich scene in the underground; from the likes of A Forest Of Stars getting wide plaudits to the new breed which includes Wode, Underdark and Dawn Ray’d flying the flag. Also throwing their hat into the ring, Nottingham up-and-comers Antre offer a somewhat esoteric and widely influenced strain of the genre with a full-length debut that not only personifies the depth the genre has to offer but also puts them as a prime force in the UK’s scene.Continue reading


FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2018


The heshers and hesherettes are already in line at Bloodstock Open Air for the start of this years’ festival. Get set for the fest with the top bands to watch with our preview. Continue reading