Review: Ghoul Keep it Gruesome on Noxious Concoctions
It’s been a minute, but thank goodness the grotesque Ghoul is back. Their last record came out in 2016 and now eight years later, it’s another election year and thus we really needed the fun, blood-soaked distraction of their latest release, Noxious Concoctions.
The self-proclaimed splatterthrash band are putting out their latest EP this Friday via Tankcrimes. It’s their first official release since the full-length Dungeon Bastards, and right off the bat I’ll say it’s a breath of fresh air. Especially at a time when music is a big serious. Don’t get me wrong; the output of doomy, deathy, proggy goodness lately has been amazing. And while it makes sense that the world lately is inspiring some pretty serious outputs, I went to college in Richmond, where shows like Municipal Waste, Ghoul, GWAR, and Cannabis Corpse are the norm. It’s refreshing to have a little fun with metal sometimes—as this website proves.
The record is short and fun, so there’s not a ton to deconstruct, but every track is a banger. It kicks off with “The Eyes of The Witch,” a track that delivers on all levels with thrashy riffs, killer vocals, a full-on metal party right off the bat. Next up is the title track, which is probably the strongest on the record and also the most classically Ghoul, featuring a bunch of manic riffing and frantic vocals.
“Shotgun Glulch” is heavy and plodding and the perfect lead-in to “Ratilicker,” which isn’t a super memorable song if I’m being completely honest, but it definitely has the best name I’ve ever heard.
The album was all written by the band except for “1-900-DTH-LINE,” which is by by Funerot. The EP was recorded by Scott Evans at Antisleep Audio and Sharkbite Studios, mastered by Dan Randall at Mammoth Sound Mastering, and includes gang vocals by The Moron Cavern Shakled Choir and “swamp hag” vocals by Laurie Sue Shanaman.
You can now preorder vinyl, CD, and digital preorders digital versions.
Ghoul’s Noxious Concoctions is out tomorrow, Friday 2 via Tankcrimes. You can preorder vinyl, CD, and digital versions today.
GHOUL w/ Municipal Waste, Necrot, Dead Heat
2/15/2024 Black Cat – Washington, DC
2/16/2024 Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
2/17/2024 Brooklyn Monarch – Brooklyn, NY
2/18/2024 The Paradise – Boston, MA
2/19/2024 House Of Music – Portland, ME * GHOUL + Necrot only
2/20/2024 Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC
2/21/2024 London Music Hall – London, ON
2/22/2024 Rec Room – Buffalo, NYs
2/23/2024 Magic Stick – Detroit, MI
2/24/2024 Turner Hall – Milwaukee, WI
2/26/2024 Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN
2/27/2024 Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
3/01/2024 Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
3/02/2024 Mesa Theatre – Grand Junction, CO
3/03/2024 Aces High Saloon – Salt Lake City, UT * GHOUL + Necrot only
3/04/2024 UC Theatre – Berkeley, CA
3/05/2024 The Bellwether – Los Angeles, CA
3/06/2024 Encore – Tucson, AZ
3/08/2024 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX
3/09/2024 Trees – Dallas, TX
3/10/2024 House Of Blues – New Orleans, LA
3/12/2024 Culture Room – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
3/13/2024 The Abbey – Orlando, FL
3/14/2024 40 Watt – Athens, GA
3/15/2024 The Senate Theatre – Columbia, SC
3/16/2024 The National – Richmond, VA
