By Carina Lawrence
Swedish theatrical rockers Ghost are back with their sixth opus, ‘Skeletá’, with founder Tobias Forge’s latest alter ego, Papa V Perpetua, signifying a new chapter for the band, which may be their most captivating offering yet.
Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: GHOST – ‘Skeletá’
Cemetery Skyline played a sold out Olympia in Tampere March 20, 2025. Although it was their first ever tour, they sold out all of the dates along side The Eternal (and Red Eleven on one date). Even though the venue was packed with warm excited bodies, it was somehow refreshing to be there and see it filled to the brim (on a Thursday no less!). The crowd was on its toes, hands in the air from the beginning of The Eternal’s set to the very end of Cemetery Skyline.
There couldn’t have been a better opening act than The Eternal. Their stage presence was spot on to set the mood for the evening and their music and setlist were perfect. It was an even mix of heavy rock, groovey melodies and melancholy to create an energetic yet cool atmosphere to lay for the gothiness Cemetery Skyline have cloaked themselves in.
The audience went crazy for Cemetery Skyline. And of course, these well seasoned musicians knew just how to play to the audience in this new context far from the music they are more known for. They played a “purely old school- from the first album” set as Mikael Stanne joked. They also included their newest release, a cover of Cyndi Lauper‘s “I Drove All night” which pushed the crowd even farther over the edge! There was another unexpected and very special moment for fans of Sentenced when they played a cover of the instrumental song “Konevitsan Kirkonkellot”. Overall, the stage presence and hype from the packed audience provided a wholesome and pure yet authentic rock show vibe with enough heavier and more melancholic moments to satiate all.
The Eternal
Cemetery Skyline
photos by Serena Solomon
Bloodstock Festival –LIVE REVIEW by Carina Lawrence
Bloodstock festival continues to grow each year, with 2024’s event being their biggest yet. This was evident by selling out weekend tickets and Saturday day tickets, a mighty achievement that was well deserved and expected considering the magnitude of the line-up.
photo: Jussi Ratilainen
Finnish melo-doom metallers Swallow the Sun released the first single “Innocence Was Long Forgotten” from their upcoming album on July 2nd accompanied by a breathtaking video.
“All the new music from Swallow The Sun felt like an ice dagger through a sleeping heart. So we wanted to work with influential producer Dan Lancaster (Bring Me the Horizon, Muse, Enter Shikari etc.) to drive this dagger even deeper into our hearts.”
Those ideas and feelings were successfully portrayed in the single as well as in the music video directed by Vesa Ranta, which was a spot on visual representation of the sounds and lyrical themes. Stark duality of dark and light, new and old, familiar and foreign sounds all blend together to deliver a staggering ice bath of new music from the band. Many fans were taken aback, but are eagerly waiting to hear the new album in its entity.
Swallow the Sun have been torchbearers of melodic doom since 2000. Beauty in Gloom has been a running theme in their identity, lyrics and sound for almost twenty four years. Reaching global fame with fan-praised music videos (10+ million YouTube views) and streaming dominance (50+ million Spotify plays) and has played more than 900 gigs on four continents during their 20-year career. However this new single suggests their sound might have gone through some form of metamorphosis and will emerge with something new and unfamiliar yet no less visceral and striking as their previous music.
Their only current live date is at Hellsinki Metal Festival on August 9th. More info on future dates to come.
Swallow The Sun:
Juha Raivio –Guitars, Keyboards
Juho Räihä – Guitars
Mikko Kotamäki – Vocals
Matti Honkonen – Bass
Juuso Raatikainen – Drums
Download Festival –LIVE REVIEW by Carina Lawrence / Dark Art Conspiracy
Download Festival 2024 marked the 7th one I have been to. Still, for the first time, I arrived on Wednesday the 12th of June, two days before the arena and main music started, as I usually would arrive very early on the first day of the arena opening. It was nice to experience the other festival activities on Wednesday and Thursday, the 13th of June, such as chilli eating contests, axe and paddle bushcraft demonstrations and some bands playing in the Doghouse. I especially enjoyed seeing Bleed Again from Brighton, a local band I am very familiar with and was proud to see them crushing it, headlining the Takeover Stage with a good turnout. There was also lots of comedy, including on Thursday with Andrew O’Neill’s History Of Heavy Metal sketch, which was a highlight pre-main festival, which was entertaining and took you through the milestones of metal with Andrew playing the heavy hitters on guitar and adding some funny quips in the mix to a packed tent. The two days before the arena opened was also lovely weather, perfect for sitting around in camp, enjoying a few drinks, and enjoying the atmosphere; it’s just a shame that the weather took a turn for the worst on Friday, 14th June, just in time for the main event!
Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL, DONNINGTON PARK UK – 14th JUNE-15t JUNE 2024
By Carina Lawrence
Norwegian metal multi-instrumentalist Kathrine Shepard is the talented visionary behind the musical project Sylvaine. With four albums and one split EP released, Sylvaine’s sound takes you on ethereal soundscapes. With this new EP, ‘Eg Er Framand,’ she goes on her most introspective and delicate journey, exploring her rich Norwegian heritage and traditions.
Continue reading EP REVIEW: SYLVAINE – ‘Eg Er Framand’
Dark Art Conspiracy 
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