Cathedral
In memorium (Mcd) 1990 Rise Above
This classic Mcd was one of the first attempts to react against the death metal philosophy of that time, which stated that an extreme metal band should play as fast as possible. Bands like proved that an extreme musical vision means more than a fast tempo; when the pace is extremely slow, pain lasts longer. Lee Dorrian, Cathedral's singer (who used to be the vocalist of grind/death pioneersNapalm Death), has one of the most particular voices in the realms of metal. His vocals are not really clean, but the term 'death grunt' is also not fit to describe them. His wailing voice creates in combination with the nihilistic, a-melodic sound of the music, a claustrophobic atmosphere. The only elements that save Cathedral's music from complete nihilism, are some references to the sound of bluesy "70 hard rock and rock 'n roll", which in its turn is a derivative of the massive Sabbath influence. Together with Cathedral's first full-length 'Forest of equilibrium', 'In memorium' showed the way out of the fixation on fast music and technical riffs to a lot of metal bands. The path was set to create the most depressive metal genre ever.	1. Mourning of a New Day 2. All Your Sins 3. Ebony Tears 4. March Approx. 29 minutes Re-released in 1999 with extra live tracks: 5. Commiserating the Celebration 6. Ebony Tears 7. Neophytes for Serpent Eve 8. All Your Sins 9. Mourning of a New Day
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Forest of Equilibrium (CD) 1991 Earache
Back in 1991, Cathedral produced one of the slowest, heaviest and most depressive 'doom with a groove' albums ever. The atmosphere this band manages to create in 'Forest of equilibrium' is absolutely suffocating and utterly depressive. Lee Dorrian's expressive, wailing voice, holds the middle somewhere between clean vocals and a death vox. The music on 'Forest… could be described as doom 'n roll: the Sabbathian riffs are revised from the most extreme, languid point of view: devoid of every energy, hope and passion, they sound as if they try to beat any joy and happiness out of the unfortunate listener. Neither can any relief be found in the abstract, yet very capturing lyrics. In comparison with their Mcd 'In memorium', the music is more varied here, featuring an up-tempo track ('Soul sacrifice'), some acoustic guitar intermezzo's and even the use of a flute. However, don't let the use of these atmospheric elements mislead you and don't start searching in vain for some catchy tunes: even the flute sounds atonal, although it adds a lot of atmosphere to the tracks wherein it is used, namely the intro and the last track of this album, the incredibly depressive opus 'Reaching happiness, touching pain'. You won't find often in the world of 'rock 'n roll influenced metal' pain, disappointment and frustration expressed in such an honest, desperate way. Therefore, this album can't be missing from any serious doom-metal collection.	1. Picture of Beauty and Innocence (intro) 2. Ebony Tears 3. Serpent Eve 4. Soul Sacrifice 5. A funeral Request 6. Equilibrium 7. Reaching Happiness, Touching Pain Approx. 54 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Soul Sacrifice (Mcd) 1992 Earache
This 4 track long EP was released during Cathedral's transitional period, following the seminal doom-album 'Forest of Equilibrium', and preceding the 70's doom freak show that is 'The Ethereal Mirror'. It clearly shows the band in its transitional phase, and marks the last release featuring the original line-up. This is still very much doom-metal, but there is a greater tendency towards groove, as the metamorphosis takes hold of the musical direction. The change is evident right from the outset of the EP. The version of 'Soul Sacrifice' found here is not the same as on 'Forest' - the song has been sped up, with an emphasis on groove. It is still doom, but the 70's influence is clearly audible. The next track, 'Autmun Twilight', continues in this vein and is reminiscent of many early metal bands and their somewhat clichéd imagery. Cathedral have never been a band to shy away from an almost comedic aesthetic which, whilst being dark, has meant that they are not often taken seriously by many in the metal community. 'Soul Sacrifice' is arguably where this began. The third track, 'Frozen Rapture', is a song that would have been very much at home on 'Forest of Equilibrium', and is the only song on this EP which doesn't show up-beat tendencies; this song is a dirge-doom Cathedral classic, complete with organ and ultra slow tempo. The final track is similar to the first two, sounding more old-school heavy metal than doom, and even includes psychedelic elements, a perfect lead-in to the up-coming full length album. Whilst it may seem that Cathedral have changed drastically over their long career, it has been a slow process, and has never seemed forced. It would have been easy and predictable for them to have rehashed Forest of Equilibrium repeatedly, and whilst this may have pleased doom-purists there were many acts to follow which would more than compensate for the void this bands change in sound and style created. The 'Soul Sacrifice' EP serves as a reminder that Cathedral were a band on the brink of something new, and that the change would certainly be a rewarding one for those ready and willing to take the ride.	1. Soul Sacrifice 2. Autumn Twilight 3. Frozen Rapture 4. Golden Blood Approx. 25 Minutes
Reviewed by: Mark Bodossian
Cosmic Requiem (Mcd) 1994 Earache
'Cosmic Requiem' was, unknown to me at the time, one of the first doom albums I had ever purchased. It was an impulse buy... owing mostly to the fact that I was hungry for any 'underground' metal I could lay my hands on, and had luck with albums on the Earache label before. Safe to say, when I first listened to it, I had no idea what to think, but by the time the words 'Let's groove... sonic motherfucker!' erupted from my speakers, I was hooked. Now, over 10 years later, this is still a favourite album of mine. This EP (and at 42 minutes in length, that's a bit of a stretch) is mostly a re-release of the 'Statik Majik' EP, with one new song, 'A Funeral Request - Rebirth', one song which only appeared on the Japanese version, 'The Voyage Of The Homeless Sapien', and the backing of a major record label in Columbia. Not surprisingly, this was the last major label release Cathedral would see. As the first track, 'Comsic Funeral' plays, it is obvious that at this point, the band had not abandoned the death/doom stylings of 'Forest Of Equilibrium' just yet. Indeed, crushing, doomy moments like this can be heard throughout most of the songs on this EP. However, we are soon introduced to the groovy, Black Sabbath-y Cathedral, which started, oh so slowly, coming out on the 'Soul Sacrifice' EP. The funny thing about this EP, is that the only 'new' song, 'A Funeral Request - Rebirth' is probably the most uninspired. It almost seems like a throw-away. Perhaps, they should've just left 'Midnight Mountain' from the 'Statik Majik' EP on here. It's mostly a moot point though, as for sure, the gem here is the last, 22+ minute opus, 'The Voyage Of The Homeless Sapien'. It's here that the band really seem to experiment with all the groove from the previous songs, and take it to a new level, but also while keeping those chugging doomy riffs, and dual guitar pounding that made Cathedral what it was back then. It's nice to know they've gone back to exploring a similar style, because I certainly wouldn't mind more 'Voyage Of The Homeless Sapien' type songs. Perhaps, it's the nostalgia, but I actually prefer this groovy, but still very doomy version of Cathedral to all of their other incarnations. It just seemed much more natural... like this is what the band had wanted to play all along, but were somewhat unsure of themselvles, or perhaps, thought they had to play up to a death/doom stereo-type (okay, mostly death metal stereo-type, as the idea of death-doom was just developing in the early '90s). Overall though, would I call this album 'essential'? No. After all, it is only an EP with 4 songs. Certainly, 'Forest Of Equilibrium', 'The Ethereal Mirror', and 'The Carnival Bizarre' should be the cornerstone of any Cathedral fan's discography... but after you're finished with the 'essentials', make this the next purchase on your list. You won't be dissapointed	1. Cosmic Funeral 2. Hypnos 164 3. A Funeral Request - Rebirth 4. The Voyage Of The Homeless Sapien Approx. 42 minutes
Reviewed by: Matt Zuchowski
The Carnival Bizarre (CD) 1995 Earache
It took me a long time to get into the more groovy "stoner" albums from Cathedral, but this is the one that finally made me cave in. Cathedral groove through ten songs here, including a few pretty well known tracks like 'Hopkins (the witchfinder general)' and 'Utopian Blaster'. It hardly needs to be mentioned that we can find an abundance of 70ties and Black Sabbath influences on this album. One of the things that make me enjoy this album more than their other groovy releases, is that Cathedral seems more fresh and alive on this album. Rocking 'N rolling through the entire release, Cathedral doesn't ever slow down for a pit stop (but there are also plenty of doomy elements to be found). Especially the aforementioned 'Utopian Blaster' (featuring Tony Iommi!), which reminds me heavily of Black Sabbath's 'Children of the Grave', is one of the grooviest songs ever. All I can basically say about this album is.. HUGGY BEAR OHYEAH!	1. Vampire Sun 2. Hopkins (The Witchfinder General) 3. Utopian Blaster 4. Night of the Seagulls 5. Carnival Bizarre 6. Inertia's Cave 7. Fangalactic Supergoria 8. Blue Light 9. Palace of Fallen Majesty 10. Electric Grave Approx. 63 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Endtyme (CD) 2001 Earache
The word was out that the ultimate groove-meisters were about to undergo a time-warp transformation on their new opus. Those "happy-go-lucky" uptempo rockers would disappear and we would see the return of those chillingly slow dirges that infested 'Forest of Equilibrium'. As with most promotional pre-release blurb, I took this with a pinch of salt. Would the band really be that commercially suicidal as to execute such a volte-face? Well, as the old saying goes, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating", so when this promo turned up on my doorstep it was time to let my ears find out the truth. And the truth, as it happens, is a half way house. With the opening of 'Cathedral Flames' I got a taste of the new macabre Cathedral with it's epic slow opening, resplendent with kettle drums ala the 'Innocence and Wrath' opening to Celtic Frost's 'To Mega Therion'. Actually, Frost were a heavy inspiration to early Cathedral and the band were occasionally prone to play some Frost covers in the early live performances. However, like with 'To Mega Therion', 'Cathedral Flames' is just a mood setter for the new brooding Cathedral sound before we kick off into the uptempo groove of 'Melancholy Emperor'. The trade mark Sabbath style riffing that the band has cultivated still rules the Cathedral sound and that remains for the main part of the album. However, there is a much darker feel to the groove. The sound is heavier, more down tuned, with Lee Dorrian's vocals even more raw than in recent offerings. The effect is to show us a Cathedral that are not as happy sounding as we have become used to. The fact still remains though, the band still writes catchy tunes. But, where have all the lead breaks gone to? There is a definite dirth of them on this record. So, where are the snail pacers of old that were so mooted before this release saw the light of day? Well, we are given two numbers to satisfy the doom-sayers. These arrive in the form of 'Ultra Earth' and 'Templar's Arise! (the return)', though the former doesn't remain in that mould throughout its entire length and includes the first major lead break of the whole album. So, in conclusion, Cathedral have played it clever. They have kept their groove to appease their current fans, but kept everyone on their feet with a slightly altered feel and a hint back to their embryonic stages that is so loved by die-hard Doom fanatics. 'Endtyme' should, therefore, be a success for all concerned.	1. Cathedral Flames 2. Melancholy Emperor 3. Requiem For the Sun 4. Whores to Oblivion 5. Alchemist of Sorrows 6. Ultra Earth 7. Astral Queen 8. Sea Serpent 9. Templars Arise! (The Return) Approx. 63 minutes
Guest review by Russ Smith (Black Tears Distribution)
The Seventh Coming (CD) 2002 Dream Catcher Records
The emperors of the British doom metal scene are back. Their new album is called `The Seventh Coming` and I am sure that its music will awake your most doomy feelings. Cathedral once more dive into the depths of doom-metal and they manage to provide us with a heavy dark and melodic album. It has its fast and groovy moments (for example the opening track 'Phoenix Rising' which reminded me of the band's classic track 'Hopkins') but in general it is based on slow heavy doomy sounds. Clever changes between faster and slower parts manage to keep the listener's attention from the first to the last moment. Take f.i. the track 'Empty Mirror' which has a great slow and atmospheric part electrified by tomb-stoned guitars and haunted by keyboards. Another thing worth mentioning here is the atmosphere of the album as a whole. In some of their past releases, Cathedral have tried to create a dark, haunted and doomy atmosphere using spoken parts, samples and the like. To put it simple, they have discovered a more theatrical way to improve their own musical style. However, the new tracks are based solely on the power of music itself. Only guitar, bass, drums, keyboards (Hammond) and vocals are used. It can be said that the band has moved back to the basics and in my opinion this is very good. I think that those haunted melodies provided by the Hammond organ offer enough darkness. The guitar riffs are as heavy as tombstones, both on the fast and groovier parts as on the most doomy moments. The heavy rhythm section is the most suitable for the musical foundation the band tries to create. Once more I will have to mention the great keyboards, which are used appropriately, their haunted melodies provide a 70s, psych-dark feel. Well that is all. We have a great album full of heavy riffs and great atmosphere. It includes songs that get stuck in your mind and will satisfy all the doomsters around! Add to all this the great production which gives the songs an unique personality, and of course the great vocals which sound clean but still heavy. My favorite tracks are: Phoenix Rising (heavy and groovy), Skullflower (fucking doom metal), Aphrodite's Winter (darkness), Congregation Of Sorcerer's (a touch of Celtic Frost).	1. Phoenix Rising 2. Resisting The Ghost 3. Skullflower 4. Aphrodite`s Winter 5. Empty Mirror 6. Nocturnal Fist 7. Iconclast 8. Black Robed Avenger 9. Congregation Of Sorcerers 10. Halo Of Fire Approx. 53 minutes
Guest review by CountRaven