Back catalogue: Metal

Review: Phantomimea arrives through Loma Vista Recordings and is a brilliant new five-track cover EP from Ghost. Each and every tune is epic in its own way with material by Television, Genesis, The Stranglers, Iron Maiden and Tina Turner all chewed up and sat out in their own inimitable way. Though some of these sources are rather unlikely given Ghost's style they are all reworked with great respect. Ghost is in a great run of form having just won Best Rock Album of the Year at the iHeart Radio Music Awards, which itself came off last year's international chart-topping success Impera.

Review: A fresh, rare EP by Swedish rock band Ghost; Phantomime is an impressive side-stint for the band, its gimmick being five covers of standards by other prominent groups throughout the rock continuum. Flaunting their impressive and eclectic tastes, the EP contains covers of Television's 'See No Evil', Genesis' 'Jesus He Knows Me', The Stranglers' 'Hanging Around', Maiden's 'Phantom Of The Opera' and, yes, Tina Turner's 'We Don't Need Another Hero'. A fan service for the band's devilishly cultish followers, we're sure this'll successfully function as both a history lesson and fan initiation ritual.

Review: Phoenix, Arizona based modern death metal brutalists Gatecreeper return with their highly anticipated third full-length Dark Superstition. The first album from the band since 2019's Deserted showcases an embracing of both the hyper-violent grindcore-indebted cuts from their 2021 mini-LP/EP An Unexpected Reality, as well as the brooding doom-metal opus 'Emptiness' that bookended the project. Recorded at God City Studios with Converge guitarist and iconic producer Kurt Ballou, while citing influences from melodic death and gothic metal acts such as In Flames, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride and Anathema, the long gestation period has resulted in the band's most sonically sprawling work to date. Newly signed to Nuclear Blast, the decrepit stage appears to be set for Gatecreeper to finally seize all of their bubbling potential by the horns and throat. Mark our words when we say Dark Superstition will be one of the definitive extreme metal contributions of 2024.

Review: Serving as the follow up to 2022's critically acclaimed and super cheesy by design stadium-goth opus Impera, Swedish rock occultists Ghost make their grand return with sixth full-length Skeleta. The vision of Tobias Forge, renowned for his charismatic vocal cadence and immense range, but more so for his undertaking of different characters and monikers for each album cycle, the Papa Emeritus IV delving into empirical fallacies on their previous outing has been usurped by Papa V Perpetua, who promises to deliver his band of Nameless Ghouls' "most unflinchingly introspective work to date" while showcasing "distinct individual emotional vistas", touching on "demonic possessions" and the allure of succumbing to "dark forces". In other words, expect mammoth riffs, epic refrains, large doses of overt theatricality verging on camp, and on-the-nose song titles such as 'Satanized'.

Review: Skeleta marks the sixth full-length from Swedish theatrical goth rock entity Ghost, following on from 2022's retro stadium-goth swing for the fences Impera. Known for their high-concept aesthetic solely credited to mastermind Tobias Forge, who undertakes differing mantles and characters pertaining to each era and project, Papa Emeritus IV who fronted their preceding work has now been replaced by Papa V Perpetua, and while his predecessor was said to have been driven by ruminations on empirical reigns, the latest leader of the band of "Nameless Ghouls" is more concerned with "demonic possessions" and succumbing to "dark forces", with the album promised to be their "most unflinchingly introspective work to date" while showcasing "distinct individual emotional vistas". With big riffs, soaring hooks and a lead single as brazenly titled as 'Satanized', it's time for yet another era of overtly gothic and purposefully cheesy occult-rock.

Review: Filmed over two nights at LA's Kia Forum, boasting Tobias Forge's charismatic stage presence and a setlist dominated by recent hits, this is a great example for how powerful the band is overall. Tracks like 'Kaisarion' and 'Watcher in the Sky' shine, especially with powerful choral backing and the haunting saxophone solo in 'Miasma.' The show balances theatrical spectacle and genuine warmth, with Forge's message of kindness resonating amid the glitz. While the setlist focuses on newer material, omitting earlier cult classics from Opus Eponymous and Infestissumam, Rite Here Rite Now still delivers a full-bodied, exhilarating experience. New track 'The Future Is a Foreign Land' closes the album on a high, blending retro vibes with catchy melodies and reinforcing Ghost's evolution toward melodic accessibility. A perfect blend of their recent material and their talent at performing them live with a great production.

Region code: NTSC

Review: Filmed over two nights at LA's Kia Forum, boasting Tobias Forge's charismatic stage presence and a setlist dominated by recent hits, this is a great example for how powerful the band is overall. Tracks like 'Kaisarion' and 'Watcher in the Sky' shine, especially with powerful choral backing and the haunting saxophone solo in 'Miasma.' The show balances theatrical spectacle and genuine warmth, with Forge's message of kindness resonating amid the glitz. While the setlist focuses on newer material, omitting earlier cult classics from Opus Eponymous and Infestissumam, Rite Here Rite Now still delivers a full-bodied, exhilarating experience. New track 'The Future Is a Foreign Land' closes the album on a high, blending retro vibes with catchy melodies and reinforcing Ghost's evolution toward melodic accessibility. A perfect blend of their recent material and their talent at performing them live with a great production.

Region code: NTSC

Review: Rite Here Rite Now, directed by GHOST's Tobias Forge and Alex Ross Perry, is an ambitious blend of live concert footage and narrative storytelling, picking up the threads of the band's Chapters series. This feature-length film captures GHOST's electrifying performances from their sold-out shows at Los Angeles's Kia Forum, coupled with a fictional narrative that delves deep into the band's mythos. The film promises a unique cinematic experience that melds the raw energy of live music with engaging plot elements, designed to both entertain and engage GHOST's fans into a deeper understanding of the band's artistic vision. This soundtrack to the film sets a new standard in the rock cinema genre, aiming to engage not just GHOST's dedicated followers but also lovers of innovative film-making and rock spectacle.

Review: Filmed during GHOST's sold-out performances at Los Angeles' Kia Forum, "Rite Here Rite Now" offers a vivid immersion into the theatrical rock spectacle that propelled Sweden's iconic band to global acclaim. Beyond a mere concert film, the movie intertwines live footage from the band's RE-IMPERATOUR U.S.A. 2023 finale with a narrative storyline drawn from their webisode series. This unique album captured on the night features live renditions of favourites spanning GHOST's discography, alongside the silver screen debut of familiar faces. As Papa Emeritus IV's future hangs in the balance, viewers are transported into the mesmerising realm of GHOST, captivated by both the bombastic spectacle and intimate moments captured on screen.

Review: Spanning the years 1978-82, this seven-disc set captures the history of the band put together by Ian Gillan after he departed hard rock giants Deep Purple, the 94-strong tracklisting features remastered versions of all studio their albums alongside a rich selection of B-sides, outtakes and rarities. Key highlights include the debut album, sometimes known as The Japanese Album as it wasn't initially released in the UK, the more intense Mr Universe, the initally fan only Glory Road and the chart-climbing Future Shock Double Trouble is that most novel of formats, a half studio, half live double album, while Magic, captures the group's last creative burst before disbanding. Housed in 7" packaging with a detailed 32-page booklet, the collection also includes an insightful new interview with the often outspoken frontman.

Review: Danzig and Misfits mastermind Glenn Danzig stepped out solo for this superb cassette release that has had fans fawning. It's a suitably spectacular sequel to the first part of the Black Aria series that was originally released in 2006 and is seen as one of his most audacious ever works. It finds Danzig extends his band's already ambitious, classically-themed project with this time the infamous Lilith, the first wife of Adam, as the main theme. The cover is a super one that features an illustration by the well known Marvel comic artist Bill Sienkiewicz. All in all, a vital reissue of a metal classic.

Review: Goat's latest eponymous album continues their enigmatic journey through the realms of mysticism and musical exploration. The Ouroboros, symbolising eternal cycles of death and rebirth, perfectly encapsulates the band's ever-evolving sound. Building on their previous worksilike the introspective Medicine and the haunting soundtrack to The Gallows Poleithis release dives deep into rhythmically charged, ritualistic grooves with a blend of infectious funk and transcendent psychedelia. Tracks like 'One More Death' and 'Goatbrain' set the tone with their hedonistic funk and aggressive guitar fuzz, resonating with long-time fans. Meanwhile, 'Fools Journey' offers a meditative experience with its free jazz influences and shamanic textures, reminiscent of their side project Djinn. 'Frisco Beaver' revisits the party vibes of 2012's World Music, while 'Zombie' and 'Ouroboros' merge hip hop elements with celebratory chants and energetic breakbeats. As Brad Dourif's character from Wiseblood wisely notes, the journey is about finding escape and renewal. With this album, Goat delivers an exhilarating experience, reinforcing their status as pioneers in the psychedelic and ritualistic music landscape. This pressing on vinyl offers a fitting tribute to their dynamic legacy.

Review: Goat returns with their latest self-titled album, the third in as many years, to ecstatic fans of the band. This ever-enigmatic collective continues to push boundaries, delivering a record that blends rhythmically intense rituals with an unmistakable energy that both invigorates dancefloors and stimulates the mind. The album kicks off with 'One More Death' and 'Goatbrain,' two tracks that capture Goat's hedonistic spirit through sharp funk grooves and guitars drenched in fuzz and wah. These tracks set the tone for an album that never shies away from exploration. The closing track, 'Ouroborus,' inspired by the ancient symbol of cyclical rebirth, showcases the band's love for hip hop, combining infectious chants with relentless breakbeats reminiscent of Lalo Schifrin's work. This finale brings the journey full circle, echoing the idea of endless renewal. Goat's new album continues to affirm their dedication to transcendence and transformation, offering listeners a potent escape into a world where the only constant is change.

Review: This underground post-rock classic is now available on double vinyl for the first time since 1993, with a fresh transfer by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road from the original masters. The God Machine, formed in 1990, released two albums that helped shape the post-rock and post-metal scenes. Despite glowing reviews and live shows supporting the likes of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and My Bloody Valentine, they never gained wide recognition, often falling between indie and rock circles. Championing the band, BBC Radio 1's John Peel invited them for sessions in 1992 and 1993, cementing their place in underground music history.

Review: The God Machine were one of the hottest bands of the 90s. They were signed to Fiction records (home to The Cure) and released two astounding albums of dark and industrial-sounding alternative rock. This is the second and final album from the San Diego/London band, whose history has been blighted by grief. Shortly after completing this album, their bassist Jimmy Fernandez suddenly died from a brain hemorrhage, brining an abrupt, unexpected and tragic end to the band. However, their legacy lives on thanks to the power of the music they've left behind. Highlights from this staggering album include 'Tremolo Song', which has a punishing, dark, swaggering, Stone Temple Pilots-esque feel. And the pulsating, tense cut, 'The Love Song' and the stirring 'The Devil Song', with its post-rock finale, are gripping reminders of the band's superior quality.

Review: Godflesh are back with a new single taken from their new and upcoming album Purge which finds frontman Justin Broadwick - formerly half of Techno Animal with The Bug's Kevin Martin - using music as a way of processing his autism and PTSD. It is full throttle, dense post-rock music with his guttural vocals front and centre amidst walls of scuzzy guitar and industrial drum sounds. The original of 'Nero' comes remixed, and also as a dub and alternative version which is even more head-twisting. Not for the faint of heart, this one.

Review: Purge is the much anticipated new album from rock behemoths Godflesh. The band is led by frontman Justin Broadwick - formerly half of Techno Animal with The Bug's Kevin Martin - who has expressed his discomfort at being quizzed about his music on social media. He battles with autism and PTSD and uses music as therapy and a release from the stress and isolationism that comes with those conditions. This record finds the band look back to their 1992 album Pure which is what first marked them out as special and it's raw, dense, unrelenting heavy rock with snarled vocals that offer comfort for the despairing.

Review: Aggression and introspection on offer in equal portions on this hard rock masterpiece. From the opening track, the album delivers a mix of heavy grooves and raw energy, the lyrics exploring both personal struggles and spiritual themes. Highlights include the emotive 'Shine Down', where harmonica adds a bluesy twist, and the heartfelt 'Mama', showcasing a softer side with a deeply personal message. Tracks like 'Speak' and 'The Enemy' stand out for their powerful riffs and infectious energy, while 'One Rainy Day' brings a trippy, experimental vibe. Smacks of brilliance.

Review: 1990s nu-metallurgists Godsmack caused a stir when they released their major label debut in '98, thanks to its fervent overuse of occult imagery and references to "Salem witches", coupled with its conspicuous lack of a parental advisory sticker on the physical release. It's a shame that do-good parents of the world can't see past the irony of such publicity grabs and lighten up a little; as Godsmack is a great, guttural, cathartic studio debut, which we see as no coincidence ended up being the project to cement their name, after the less patrimonial projects to precede it. A staple of the vocally lower-registered ends of the genre, which nonetheless indulge a screamier side, highlights on our end have to include 'Immune' and 'Stress', which more than justify this double LP reissue.

Review: Following on from their self-released 2022 debut EP Spiritual Disease, UK based blackened metallic hardcore newcomers Grief Ritual make good on all of their initial malevolent promise with the debut full-length Collapse. Combining the low-end, chug-heavy beatdown style of Knocked Loose with more heinous elements of extreme metal, they conjure an oppressive atmosphere that looms over every breakdown, crunching riff or guttural, tortured bellow. Exploring themes of human extinction, capitalism, genocide, ecocide, as well as the rise of populist right authoritarianism, this is as punk as it gets in ethos and message yet conveyed with more viciousness and caustic horror than any death metal act of the modern era.

Review: While not officially released until 2004, as the title suggests The 1996 DEP Sessions were originally recorded in 1996 by Black Sabbath guitar wizard Tony Iommi and mid-80s frontman for the band Glenn Hughes in the DEP International Studios in Digbeth, Birmingham. Leaked and bootlegged that same year under the title Eighth Star by eager fans (a nod to the previous collab between the pair known as Seventh Star although it was attempted to be passed off as a Sabbath release), that version missed two final cuts and included a random Jethro Tull cover of 'To Cry You A Song' that didn't feature Iommi. Now as 2005's Fused LP receives a long overdue remastered repress, The 1996 DEP Sessions receive the same treatment, having been lovingly restored and remastered one lush limited translucent black ice vinyl.

Review: Originally released in 2005, and considered to be the second solo full-length from nine-fingered metal guitar pioneer Tony Iommi, Fused celebrates its 20th anniversary just a tad early with these revitalised remasters pressed to wax for the first time ever. Written in collaboration with vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (former Black Sabbath frontman during the mid-80s who would assume vocal duties on 1986's Seventh Star; released under the band moniker but long perceived as Iommi's first solitary creative endeavour), and legendary session drummer Kenny Aronoff (The Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Seger, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Bon Jovi etc), this limited translucent cobalt blue vinyl 2xLP pressing comes complete with three sporadically dispersed bonus cuts finally locked down onto own complete home.