When looking at Mortuary Drape’s latest EP, the thing that immediately draws one’s attention is the cover of Mercyful Fate’s ‘Nightmare Be Thy Name.’ In addition to being the only cover to show up on one of Drape’s proper studio releases, it’s a deep cut from one of Fate’s more overlooked efforts. Thankfully it’s ultimately a solid rendition; the obligatory King Diamond falsetto emulations make it an inherent outlier, but the added grit and ominous guitar acrobatics ensure it isn’t out of step with the EP’s original tracks.
Having successfully navigated their way around the many obstacles and challenges thrust into their path by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Christofer Johnsson and his Swedish symphonic act Therion return with their seventeenth studio album Leviathan (Nuclear Blast).
Ghost Cult scribe Lorraine Lysen caught up with the great Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon for a wide-ranging interview a few months ago. They chatted about The Electric Castle Live project, the visuals of Ayreon Universe live, working with John de Lancie, rock operas, concept albums, Vin Diesel, Star Trek TNG, upcoming new music, and much more. Continue reading →
Ghost Cult scribe Lorraine Lysen caught up with the great Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon for a wide-ranging interview a few months ago. They chatted about The Electric Castle Live project, his entire career, upcoming new music, and much more. Continue reading →
Ghost Cult caught up with singer/guitarist Casandra Carson of Missouri rockers Paralandra. The band has had a busy last year since they released their current EP Ascension via Legend Recordings. The groups’ profile has been rising over the years with constant hard work and appearances on festivals such as Rockfest, Dirtfest, Rocklahoma, and SXSW. The band recently toured with guitar great Yngwie Malmsteen, winning over audiences every night, on unfamiliar ground. Casandra shared stories with us about how the band was formed, their influences, paying their dues, and the new music the band is working on for a future release.Continue reading →
It’s weird hearing Yngwie Malmsteen not doing the Yngwie Malmsteen million mile per hour guitar run thing 100% of the time. Blue Lightning (Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group) is Yngwie’s bluesy take on classic Rock n’ Roll cover songs, hand-picked, played and sung by the guitar virtuoso. It’s a mindbender to hear. It’s like, Blue Lightning consists of classic tunes but Malmsteen and his eccentric guitar playing makes them seem space-age science fiction futuristic sounding.Continue reading →
Guitar legend Zakk Wylde, know for his work with Ozzy Osborne and his own band Black Label Society will return with a new solo album, Book of Shadows II on April 8th from Spinefarm Records. The new single ‘Sleeping Dogs’ can be heard at this link or below:
Book of Shadows II is the follow up to Wylde’s previous solo album Book of Shadows, from back in 1999 and the new album is also its successor musically as well as he gets out his chilled out side inspired by The Eagles, Credence Clear Water Revival, and Neil Young . Created with his long time collaborator John Irwin, the pre-orders are live and ‘Sleeping Dogs’ is available as an instant grat track for pre-orders on iTunes.
Having a huge year on tap with wide launch of Death Wish Coffee (complete with Superbowl 50 TV spot), and booking a hectic road schedule, Zakk is currently on tour with the Experience Hendrix Tour, Wylde has already participated in The NAMM Show, the 2016 Axes And Anchors Tour, and he will join Generation Axe Tour featuring Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. and has booked an extensive solo tour of Europe.
