OpEd

Diamond's Mine: The Best Of 2023

Another year over and another one that not many will be looking back on with any sense of fondness when it comes to the state of the world, but it was a pretty good one if one only looks at the metal music. We've seen bands break onto the scene and said goodbye to some favourites such as Kiss, The Agonist, Dark Fortress and Terrorizer (before saying "I thought you left?" to that last one when they announced their return seven months later.) Others announced plans to step away, either temporarily such as Nightwish and Cirith Ungol, other permanently such as Sepultura, Issues and Destrage. While it's sad to see bands go, it's always nice to welcome new names, which leads me nicely to...

Best Newcomer

There was plenty to choose from this year. My personal qualification is a band which released their debut full length album, so Cobra Spell, featuring former Burning Witches and Cypta guitarist Sonia Anubis leading the charge was a strong contender with their brand of 80s flavoured sleaze metal. Speaking of familiar names, Atheist frontman Kelly Shaefer, along with other members of the band brought the world Till The Dirt, whose debut album, "Outside The Spiral" subverted expectations, while fans of death metal will want to seek out Denmark's Plaguemace pretty quickly. Stoner and doom metal had a very strong showing with the likes of High Priest and Auralayer. In fact, it's from this genre that we find this year's winner of the award and appropriately for the roots of the style, it's a Birmingham band.

Margarita Witch Cult

With the kind of name which won't be forgotten in a hurry, the Midlands trio marked the release of their debut album in style, opening the Black Heart in Camden at this year's Desertfest. The album itself is everything fans love about classic, riff based heavy metal, providing plenty to sink one's teeth into such as exciting tempos, catchy choruses ("Diabolical Influence" will stay in your head for days) and as mentioned, some seriously tasty riffs. Stoner, doom, psychedelica and even a little thrash makes this self-titled effort an essential addition to any Sabbath worshiper's collection, while the group should definitely be seen live as soon as you get the opportunity. More...

Read more...  |  0 Comments - Discuss

Report

Desertfest London 2023: Day 1

In 2022, London hosted Desertfest for the first time in three years, as it made its triumphant return following the COVID pandemic. It was an incredible event with some of the best names in doom, stoner and desert rock and metal laying waste to Camden. Naturally then, coming back was high on the list of priorities and with another stellar lineup, Desertfest was ready to blow fans away. Attendees can get their wristbands outside the Black Heart, where a number of stalls are set up selling merchandise, beer and even tattoos, all catered by a very friendly team who help to make this multi venue festival as special as it is.

Opening the festivities in the Black Heart this year was Margarita Witch Cult, the Birmingham trio who only the week before, released their eponymous debut album. Expecting a bit of fun to get things going, the band far exceeded expectations, delivering a white hot set which instantly turned the venue into a sweat box. Songs like "Annihilation" and the awesome "Death Lurks At Every Turn" went down a treat with the audience who undoubtedly left as fans of the Midlands newcomers, while a surprising but well crafted take on Billy Idol's "White Wedding" was also well received, not to mention the Sabbath jam at the end of the set. Margarita Witch Cult may be new to the majority of listeners, but in a few years they'll be as much of a staple as Nebula, Earthless or Bongzilla. Fantastic! More...

Read more...  |  0 Comments - Discuss