FESTIVAL NEWS: Slipknot, Till Lindemann (Rammstein), Knocked Loose, Hatebreed, Poison The Well, Gwar, Vended, Dying Wish, and More Set to Perform at Knotfest Iowa Today

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Knotfest Iowa is upon us. Today the globally renowned event has revealed its 2024 lineup including the hometown return of Slipknot, the festival’s headliner and founders.  With a unique set drawing heavily from their 1999 debut, Slipknot will celebrate 25 years of the self-titled album along with their fans, in the band’s birthplace of Iowa.  The band just played their first two shows with their new lineup in California outside of a small bar and at Sick New World Festival!

In addition to Slipknot, the fest features Till Lindemann from Rammstein, Kentucky’s vibrant hardcore/metal forerunners Knocked Loose, metalcore influencers Hatebreed and Poison The Well, heavy metal icons GWAR, Des Moines natives Vended, in addition to Dying Wish, Zulu, Twin Temple, Holy Wars, Swollen Teeth and Spine & Dose. Taking place at Waterworks Park, in Des Moines on September 21st. Continue reading →


PODCAST: Episode 541 – The Power Hour – August Albums Recap with Keefy and Tom

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Fall is in the air and The Power Hour is back! We look back at albums released in August 2024, and a forecast of new music out this month. Chief Editor Keefy is joined by new Ghost Cult Managing Editor Tom Osman. 

We also announced our Album of the Month for August 2024 – Nails!Continue reading →


Metal Injection Festival II Kicks off Today with Jinjer, Converge, God Forbid, 3 Inches Of Blood, Hanabie, Carbomb, Gost, Cave In, and More

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Metal Injection Fest II kicks off today ft. Jinjer, Converge, God Forbid, 3 Inches Of Blood, Hanabie and many more bands! 31 bands, 3 stages + 2 days of rock and metal that runs the gamut between death metal, djent, metal core, hardcore, doom, rock, gothic metal, thrash, industrial, slam and more! Taking place in Brooklyn, NY at Meadows and Brooklyn Monarch today, September 21-22, 2024! Set times, stage splits and last second tickets can be found below. Continue reading →


PODCAST: The Weekly Ritual Rock and Metal News Show Live 9-20-24

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Check out what you missed this week in the world of Rock and Metal! Continue reading →


CONCERT REVIEW: GWAR – Brat – The Native Howl Live at The Pageant 

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GWAR band photo 2024 – with permission from PR

In what seems like an impossibly long time, this reviewer found his way back to the legendary club on Delmar Ave, The Pagent. Not much had changed in the intervening five years, and it felt like home. On this particular evening, crossover, extreme, theater, sci-fi, porno-grind what nots, GWAR would be taking the stage, and staining the dance floor.Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Coffin Rot – Dreams Of The Disturbed

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Much like someone coming off a vacation or long flight home, Coffin Rot take a while to find their footing.

The new Death Metal album Dreams Of The Disturbed (Maggot Stomp) needs three or four songs before it seems to get settled in and ready to go, and by that time, it’s already too late.Continue reading →


Corrosion of Conformity Co-Founder Mike Dean Exits the Band After 42 Years

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In a surprising announcement, Bassist/vocalist Mike Dean has exited Corrosion of Conformity after forty years in the band he formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1982. Mike has led the band as lead vocalist during two separate stints as the lead vocalist and his distinctive bass style helped guide the band over the years. Citing the distance between band members, the death of co-founder Reed Mullin, and then some other factors have led Mike to step down. The split seems amicable with both the remaining members and wishing each others well. COC continues to make progress on recording their next album, due for release in 2025. The bands’ next gig is Lamb of God’s Headbanger’s Boat!Continue reading →


Dååth Share a New Single and Music Video for the Reimagined Version of Breakthrough Single “Subterfuge” – New Album “The Deceivers” is Out Now

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Progressive death metal collective, Dååth, have shared a revamped version of their 2007 breakthrough single, “Subterfuge.” The track, originally released over a decade ago on their Roadrunner Records debut album, The Hinderers, has been re-recorded to reflect the band’s evolution, with longtime vocalist Sean Z finally lending his voice to the fan-favorite. This new version features a heavier arrangement and was mixed by acclaimed producer Dave Otero. The band released their comeback album – their first studio album in fourteen years, The Deceivers, out now via Metal Blade Records. Read our review here!  
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Wardruna Shares a New Single and Video “Himinndotter” New Album “Birna,” and “Live At The Acropolis” Concert Movie Coming Soon

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Wardruna, the globally renowned purveyors of Norwegian-tinged post-rock-meets-folk, return with their sixth album, Birna, on Jan. 24 via Sony Music/By Norse Music. The 10-song collection offers another powerful exploration of, and contemplation on, the natural world, with visionary composer Einar Selvik searching for the voice of the bear. A preview of the 2025 album arrives with today’s release of “Himinndotter” and its accompanying video below. Filmed in Norway’s Rondane National Park, renowned for its rugged landscape and free-roaming reindeer, the dramatic landscape is the perfect backdrop for the Tuukka Koski-directed video. Watch The “Himinndotter” Video BelowContinue reading →