16 Years Ago Today...

I just found out that 16 years ago today, Ghost released their debut album, Opus Eponymous. How can it be that long?? It seems like it came out yesterday...

I was fortunate and discovered the band early on, just as this record came out and was immediately hooked. The incredible costuming and that retro sound was something unique and I instantly became a die-hard fan. 

Fast forward 16 years and the band carries on, releasing more records and becoming a bigger and bigger phenomenon. I have collected a ton of their music and have seen them live 6 or 7 times, but I just keep coming back to this one. It was pretty groundbreaking when it was released and it has the rawest, least overproduced and most authentic 70s metal sound of any of their releases. Don't get me wrong, there is a long list of amazing tracks that came out after this, but for me Opus Eponymous is still the king.

Happy Anniversary, Tobias!

Ghoul and Spiter, Live in Cleveland 9-01-25

I made the decision to fly solo up to Cleveland this Labor Day to check out the Weapons of Mosh Destruction 666 Tour featuring 2 bands high on my list of needing to see live: Ghoul and Spiter.

I had been trying to see both bands live for a while now, but the timing had never worked out. Until now.

Five bands for 30 bucks at No Class, Cleveland's best hole-in-the-wall, cheap beer punk dive bar to see live music. It was a no-brainer.

After many years of trying, I finally got to witness the hooded madness of Ghoul, playing on a small stage in a small club, still complete with various gruesome stage characters sporting blood-spraying prosthetics. It was glorious. The band sounded tight and I was treated to a shower of fake blood not 15 seconds into their set. Twenty years on, they still bring it live!

The other band I really wanted to see was Spiter, a somewhat tongue-in-cheek black metal band, sporting the perfect throwback goth makeup, cape, leather-and-spikes metal aesthetic. Stripped down and raw, their set was a black feast for the ears.

And the absolutely insane Spiter video that started it all for me. (Not for the kiddies!)

I was wary at first of heading to the show solo, but I really wanted to see both bands, so I said what the heck. And it was the best decision. I don't go out to too many shows anymore, but I'm glad I went to this one. All five bands were really great and it was definitely the most fun I've had at a show in a long time.

All hail the metal and don't forget to support live music!

  

Samhain - "Unholy Passion" (Original Mix)

Three weeks into the Halloween season without so much of a mention of anything Glenn Danzig?? That should be illegal!

As I get older (and somewhat wiser), I have grown to really appreciate Glenn Danzig's lesser-known second band, Samhain. Much darker and more complex than The Misfits (whom I still love!), with a fuller goth/horror rock sound. It was the perfect mix of the raw, unproduced sound of The Misfits and the darker, more mature subjects of Danzig. Samhain is definitely my sweet spot come Halloween season.

And at the top of the Samhain list is the original mix of "Unholy Passion," the first song off of the Unholy Passion EP released in 1985. This mix was raw! Lots of reverb with a unique flat echo on both the drums and guitar. But the kicker are the chimes at the end, adding the prefect creepy element to complete yet another Glenn Danzig masterpiece.

(For reference, the entire EP was remixed for the later Samhain boxset, and this song was "cleaned up" removing all of that glorious rawness. Skip it and go for the original.)

Enjoy!

  

Ghost - "Zenith"

FINALLY! Zenith is one of my favorite songs from Ghost, although it has always been a "hidden" track in that it only appeared on a special 2015 vinyl box set release of Meliora. It was the only Ghost song in their entire catalog not widely available on any streaming service. Until today!

From Ghost:
We wish to inform you that these times call for a divine compilation of some of Ghost's most sinful psalms and the most observant shall find the wider release of Ghost's cult tune "Zenith."  Ghost's 13 Commandments: so let it be written, so let it be done.... Listen now everywhere.

Enjoy!

  

Ghost, Live in Pittsburgh 2-14-22

Seeing the band Ghost will never get old to me. Yes, they have become more mainstream, but the band continues to deliver their trademark style of pop satanism with their unique and catchy metal sound.

On Monday night, Mrs. Highbury and I spent Valentines Day with our favorite Swedes over in Pittsburgh. It was nice to get out and get to a concert again, and Ghost, along with Volbeat and Twin Temple, made for a most welcome return!

As always, Ghost put on a really great set, including an opening number from their upcoming release, Impera. Incredible lighting and pyrotechnics, confetti, elaborate costuming and super-tight musicianship made for one hell of an experience. This show marked the sixth time we’ve seen them live and each time they have put on an incredible show.

They are still out on the road on their 2022 North American Imperatour, so go check them out if they're playing a city close to you. It's worth every penny!

Enjoy some of my photos from the show...

Here is the video I shot at the start of the set. This song, Kaisarion, is from their upcoming release Impera...

And after all was said and done, I had grabbed a few Sister Imperator bucks from the confetti drop AND I caught TWO Ghost guitar picks that were thrown out at the end of the set!! I had never managed to snag a pick at any of their other shows, so I was really happy with that. I also grabbed a cool Ghost tour shirt to put an exclamation point on another amazing show and incredible evening...

  

VANIK - "Entrails and Thrills"

I've REALLY been digging Entrails & Thrills, the latest Halloween metal release from Cleveland's VANIK! The cassette-only release has been on a near-constant rotation here at the Cemetery, flipping back and forth from side A's killer-riff-laden metal tracks to side B's original "spooky sounds" tracks. The perfect release for the Halloween season!!

I opted for the limited orange cassette version, which came in a custom spraypainted box and included a totally awesome numbered, one-of-a-kind framed drawing from VANIK himself. So worth it!! This one's going straight into my prized Halloween goodies collection.

The standout track for me is "Entrails And Thrills," where that riff just punches you right in the face. Enjoy!

If you're diggin' the sound, go grab yourself a copy (as well as a ton of other crazy swag) over at the VANIK Bandcamp page!

And if you're near the Northeast Ohio area, why not meet me this Saturday in Youngstown, Ohio for The Blackout Cookout 11, where Vanik plays guitar for another insanely killer Cleveland band, Midnight!!

 

Ghost - Hunter's Moon

So technically, the annual October Countdown to Halloween starts tomorrow, but this one is WAY too good not to share now!

Ghost (a long time favorite of the Cemetery) and the Halloween film franchise (another long time favorite of the Cemetery) team up for a new track for the upcoming Halloween Kills.

It took 2 listens and I was hooked. Surely another Ghost classic and it gets me even more excited to see Halloween Kills on October 15.

Enjoy the new track and video, and we'll see you tomorrow for the official kick-off to the Countdown to Halloween!!

 

Danzig - "Long Way Back From Hell"

It's already the week of Halloween and I still haven't posted anything from Danzig!?

Ghost, Live in Youngstown 10-10-19

Seeing the band Ghost will never get old to me. Yes, they have become more mainstream and yes, concerts have become much more expensive, but the band continues to deliver their trademark style of pop satanism with a twist of humor.

Last night, I made it show number five when Mrs. Highbury and I travelled to Youngstown to see them play at the Covelli Centre. It was nice to see them playing in a larger venue, but we were still able to get close to the stage with our floor tickets.

It was also nice to get in with my trusty camera, and as soon as the band hit the stage, I started snapping.

As always, Ghost put on a really great set, spanning music from all of their releases. Lots of costume changes, Cardinal Copia's comedic wit, incredible lighting and pyrotechnics, confetti, and super-tight musicianship made for one hell of an experience.

They are still out on the road on their North American 2019 Ultimate Tour Named Death, so go check them out if they're playing a city close to you. It's worth every penny!

Enjoy some of my photos from last night's show...

  

Ghost - "Kiss The Go-Goat"

Highbury Cemetery favorites Ghost are finally back with a new one, and it has a bit of psychedelic throwback coolness. Dig that funky keyboard! Super catchy with their signature flavoring of less-than-subtle sexuality.

And of course the new 7" record, 7 Inches of Satanic Panic, went up for sale this weekend while I was out riding my bike in the Pennsylvania hills, and I totally missed it. Sold out. Fudge.

So here's my plea to you. If anyone has one on order that they wouldn't mind parting with for a slight profit, please hit me up. I know they are all over eBay already, but I'm not going to pay outrageous flipper prices. Maybe $25 for a mint copy (plus a spirited shout-out on this illustrious blog??). Help a haunter out??

Tuefellauf Hollabrunn, 2018

Poster courtesy of Dionysos Pass

Yes, attending an authentic European Krampus/Tuefel (Devil) Run is a bucket list event for me. Especially when seeing this Teufellauf (Devil Run) from Hollabrunn, Austria. Incredible Krampus and Devil costumes, a large group of spectators getting whipped with birch switches, and crying children. What else do you need!?

And aren't little kids dressed as Krampus truly the most adorable thing you have ever seen??

And this particular Parade goes so far to even have their own theme music, where the band plays live at the event. Wow! One ticket to Austria, please!!

Subtype Zero - "Inhumane"

I've been meaning to post this one for a while now. Local Cleveland band Subtype Zero is absolutely killing it with that "'86 Slayer" classic thrash sound. I picked up their first LP when it was released and it is killer all the way through. This is a band that I'm definitely going to check out live!

Ghost - "Dance Macabre"

For me, this track ranks right at the top alongside Square Hammer and Ritual as Ghost's best songs. And today, they released the new video for Dance Macabre. Enjoy!!

On The Road To MHC...

It's finally here! I've got the wheels pointed south toward Columbus and it's time to whoop it up with my fellow haunters at the Midwest Haunters Convention! The bags are packed, the Masquerade Ball costume is done and the Charnel House CDs are packed. I'm ready to go.

Time to head out. The two hour drive to Columbus from the Cemetery (okay, not including the inevitable construction delays, because it IS Ohio!) should go smoothly with the playlist that I have all queued up and ready to jam.

See everyone in Columbus in a couple of hours! If you aren't going to MHC, stop back early next week for my full wrap-up. And no matter what you are doing, everyone be sure to have a most excellent long weekend.

Take it away, Mr. Danzig...

Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats - "Mind Crawler"

This very well may be the greatest music video ever created. Ever. And damn if the song doesn't kill it, too.

Ghost - "Rats"

Yes, I still love the band Ghost. News of a new single brought me back into the fold and I'm really excited about the announcement that their next record, Prequelle, will be released June 1st.

The video for their first single, Rats, was released today. Featuring their next "new singer" Cardinal Copia, this one really makes me laugh. The choreographed dancing is pretty corny, but they really take it over the top and the song is very catchy. I absolutely love the feeling that they aren't taking it too seriously and having a ball, all the while giving the middle finger to all the "metal purists" who continue to scream about them not being metal.

I love this band.

Slayer Announces Final World Tour

So I have an embarrassing secret to reveal. I have never seen Slayer live. I don't even know how that is possible, as I've had numerous occasions to go see them over the 28 years that I have been listening to them. And they tour all the time! I guess I've always had something else going on when they came to town, always thinking that I could go see them "next time."

Well, "next time" is finally here, because after 37 years of creating some of the most iconic brutal thrash metal, Slayer are calling it quits after one last world tour. For me, it's now or never, so I'm grabbing a ticket for their June 7 show in Cleveland (technically Akron, as the venue is only 10 minutes from the Cemetery). I know about 20 of my friends will be going too, so it is shaping up to be one hell of a bash to celebrate the legacy of one of the best.

And if they can bring even half of the energy and aggression from the clip below to this show (I know, I know, no Dave Lombardo or Jeff Hanneman (RIP)), my heart may actually explode. I've been a fan for a long time and it's time to pay a proper homage to the masters.

Slayer's final world tour starts May 10 in San Diego. Check the current list of tour dates (with likely many additional dates to come) here, and I'll see you in the pit on June 7!

  

King Diamond - "No Presents For Christmas"

When I think "Christmas music," I instantly think "King Diamond"...

One more yuletide tune for the holidays. Enjoy!!

Samhain - "Novembers Fire"

Night calls on summer's end
Dark aspect, breed divine
Knee-deep, the blood of swine
Come season, come reborn

November-Coming-Fire
Samhain-grim (Samhain-grim)
And then it all comes down
Samhain-grim

Arms to flail in flame
Waving, trembling
These things breed to flame
All things must come to ash

November-Coming-Fire
Samhain-grim (Samhain-grim)
And then it all comes down
Samhain-grim

Embrace the night air
Summer's end, Heaven sent
Breathe the fire's musk
Insatiating full

November-Coming-Fire
Samhain-grim
And then it all comes down
Samhain-grim

November-Coming-Fire
Samhain-grim
And then it all comes down
Samhain-grim

King Diamond - "Halloween"

It's not always dark ambient playing at Highbury Cemetery during prop building season...

And with only 5 days to go until King Diamond's favorite night of the year, the local weather forecast is looking pretty good. I'll remain cautiously optimistic that it won't change too much in the next week and that we'll finally have a dry Halloween night...