FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2021 Part 2


 

FRIDAY

With energy levels and festival excitement still high, quality acts such as Welsh black metallers Agrona, Norfolk thrashers Shrapnel, Liverpool doom/sludge merchants Conan, and a reinvigorated and retooled Evile invade the Sophie Lancaster Stage, decimating all before them. Birmingham grindcore legends Napalm Death complete the day’s entertainment with a reliably devastating set, the crowd gathered outside the tent almost as huge as the one inside.

Continue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2021 Part 1



We’re back!

Sure, we might be having to follow a series of new Coronavirus safety protocols which may or not become a regular thing for live shows, but we’re back. And judging by the size of the opening day crowds spilling out from the main entrance, car parks and campsites, not a moment too soon. Since its inception Bloodstock Open Air has always attracted early birds who like nothing more than to arrive long before the gates even open, but this time feels different. Everyone seems to be here early. Coiled springs desperate for release. The festival’s twentieth anniversary isn’t just a celebration of metal this year, it’s a genuine escape.

Continue reading


FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2021 Kicks Off Today


 

Bloodstock Open Air (BOA) 2021 here! The festival kicks off today after much planning with sdafety and security in mind, considering the current state of the world. With weekend passes selling out, there might still be a few day tickets left, but check in advance before heading there. Starting today, August 11th -15th at Catton Park, the main stage headliners are Devin Townsend (Friday), Kreator (Saturday), and Judas Priest (Sunday). The festival will also feature sets from Skindred, Paradise Lost, Bury Tomorrow, Diamond Head, Therapy?, Jinjer, Vio-lence, Saxon, The Wildhearts, Gloryhammer, Dark Tranquillity, Bleed From Within, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, Memoriam, Ramage Inc., Green Lung, Conjurer, Orange Goblin, The Night Flight Orchestra, Raging Speedhorn, Unleash The Archers, Sylosis, Winterfylleth, Hacktivist, The Crawling, Raised By Owls, Acid Reign, Svalbard, Soen, Blasphemer, Pist, Sharks In Your Mouth, Seidrblot, Noctem, Mother Vulture, Bloodshot Dawn, Evile, and many more. Get your tickets at the link below!

Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Ex Deo – The Thirteen Years of Nero


Four years after regaling us with stories of Carthaginian General Hannibal on The Immortal Wars (Napalm Records) Canadian/Italian death metal act Ex Deo return with more tales of ancient Rome on fourth full length release The Thirteen Years of Nero (also Napalm). As its title suggests, the central theme this time is the reign of Imperator Nero Cladius Divi Claudius filius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (or plain old Emperor Nero to his friends) and the matricide, uxoricide, blood, fire and death which followed him.

Continue reading


Ex Deo Shares New Video – New Video for “Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)” ft Brittney Slayes of Unleash The Archers


 

Symphonic Death Metal band Ex Deo are back with another single and video from their upcoming new album, The Thirteen Years Of Nero, out August 27, 2021 via Napalm Records! Check out “Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)” featuring Brittney Slayes of Unleash The Archers now and pre-order the album at the link below!

Continue reading


Bloodstock 2021 Weekend Passes Sell Out, More Bands Added to The Bill


 

Bloodstock Open Air (BOA) 2021 is approaching at just 3 weeks away and news is ramping up! Weekend passes have sold out, but day tickets are still avaialble but selling out fast. The fest has added a gang of new bands, the Metal to The Massess bands, and much more! The fest takes place from 11-15,August, 2021 at Catton Park! The main stage headliners are Devin Townsend (Friday), Kreator (Saturday), and Judas Priest (Sunday). The festival will also feature sets from Skindred, Paradise Lost, Bury Tomorrow, Diamond Head, Therapy?, Jinjer, Vio-lence, Saxon, The Wildhearts, Gloryhammer, Dark Tranquillity, Bleed From Within, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, Memoriam, Ramage Inc., Green Lung, Conjurer, Orange Goblin, The Night Flight Orchestra, Raging Speedhorn, Unleash The Archers, Sylosis, Winterfylleth, Hacktivist, The Crawling, Raised By Owls, Acid Reign, Svalbard, Soen, Blasphemer, Pist, Sharks In Your Mouth, Seidrblot, Noctem, Mother Vulture, Bloodshot Dawn, Evile, and many more. Get your tickets at the link below!

Continue reading


“Abyss” by Unleash The Archers Wins “Metal Album Of The Year” at The 2021 Juno Awards


 

Canadian Power Metal champs Unleash The Archers took home the JUNO Awards (the Canadian Grammys) statue for “Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year” for their 2020 album Abyss, released via Napalm Records. They beat out a tremendous field of competition including albums from Annihilator Ballistic, Sadistic (Silver Lining/Warner), KataklysmUnconquered (Nuclear Blast/AEC/Believe), Protest The HeroPalimpsest (Independent), and Vile CreatureGlory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm! (Prosthetic/The Orchard). All the nominees were deserving and congrats to UTA and the entire team at Napalm Records, as well as their publicity teams worldwide!

Continue reading


Cradle of Filth, Onslaught, Beholder, Ward XVI,and More Booked for Bloodstock 2021


Bloodstock Open Air (BOA) 2021 is a go and is about two and half months out at 85 days until the fest. In addition to adding a stacked extra night on Wednesday, the fest has announced some additions. Replacing Dimmu Borgir, who have vowed to return in 2022, Cradle of Filth joins the madness. Hot on the heels of their stellar livestream even, this promises to be huge. For the Wednesday bill, joining the fest are Onslaught, Beholder, Ward XVI, as well as Raised By Owls, RAISED and Anakim, both move across to a Wednesday slot, from their previously announced Thursday.

Continue reading


Annihilator, Kataklysym, Vile Creature, Unleash The Archers, and Protest The Hero are Nominated for The 2021 Juno Awards


Annihilator, Ktaklysym, Vile Creature, Unleash The Archers, and Protest The Hero have been nominated in the best metal album of the Year category for the 2021 Juno Awards. The Juno Awards are the annual award show celebrating excellence across all musical genres and often called The Canadian Grammy Awards.” Last year’s winner for The Metal AOTY was Striker for their album Play To Win (Record Breaking Records/Independent). In the Rock AOTY category Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Silverstein, JJ Wilde, Crown Lands, and Sam Roberts are fighting it out in that category. The 50th Annual Junos will take place on May 16th, 2021.

Continue reading


GUEST POST: Brian Platter of The Last Reign – Top Albums of the Year 2020


Ghost Cult continues our “End of Year Guest Post Extravaganza” with a slew of posts from bands, industry, PR pros, and more! We’ll be sharing lists, memories, and other shenanigans from our favorite bands, partners, music industry peers, and other folks we respect across the globe. In this edition, Brian Platter of melodic Death Metal band The Last Reign shares his Top Albums List for 2020. The Last Regin just shared their new holiday-themed video for their song “Terminal Threshold” from their current album Evolution.