“Lord of Misrule” is the fourth
album by Cult Rock band Blood Ceremony and was released on March
25th, 2016. Blood Ceremony have been a group that has been
off and on my radar since their debut album in 2008. They took Ozzy
era Sabbath, flutes and cult imagery and created a band that was
quite original in my book. My mind was blown the first time I heard
“Into The Coven” and I've followed all of their records since. I
was really excited when I got my hands on the new one that I had to
cover it. But is it a worthy record?
Track Listing
1.Devil's Widow-Right away I really
live the vintage production here similar to Brimstone Covens new
album. The riffs are heavy and catchy as normal and Alia O'Briens
flute playing is extremely immaculate as well. Here voice really
sores over this song as well with a little of grit on the back end as
well. This is an extremely well written first track with a lot of
soloing from every one it almost reminds me of Deep Purples Burn in
that it really shows almost a super group feel between all the
members. I really like that they threw in a slow acoustic segment in
this otherwise heavy cult rocker.
2.Loreley- This song has a really good
atmosphere between the thumping pop sounding organ it almost sounds
like Heart meets Black Sabbath and I really dig it, it's something
different. It isn't really a rock song it has more of a dark 60's pop
tone to it.
3.The Rogue's Lot- This song is one of
my favorites on the album in terms of how catchy it is. It has that
really heavy riffing that really picks up with that jazzy feel
similar to the first Sabbath record. The last chorus really just
punches you in the dug with how catchy it is.
4.Lord of Misrule-Another extremely
catchy song with some haunting riffing and vocal harmonies opening. I
really have to point out how awesome the imagery portrayed in these
songs is as well. Another of my favorites. The flute solo is epic as
well it flows so well.
5.Half Moon Street- Easily my favorite
song on the album because of how it mixed bluesy riffing with a folk
like attitude. I really love Sean Kennedy's riffing here it is dirty
but melodic and his quick fuzzy solos are just barely visible in the
mix to add just another layer to a very well written mid paced 70s
rock song.
6.The Weird of Finistere- This is
probably the most atmospheric song on the album as it really captures
this dark unsettling feeling. The lyrical imagery is really
interesting as well. There is a very classical music element that I
take from here also. A very dark and beautiful well written song.
7.Flower Phantom- This song is similar
to “Loreley” in its 60's pop feel. It almost feels like Jefferson
Airplane took a dark turn or had a bad trip. It is a really catchy
and haunting tune.
8.Old Fires- I get a really big UFO
vibe from this song with the Schenker-esque riffing and The heavy
organ in the background. O'Briens voice really pushes this song
harder as well. It's a pretty good rocker and has that catchy as hell
chorus as well.
9.Things Present, Things Past- The last
track on the album. It is a more acoustic driven song and I think it
is a very good one to take the album out on. It holds a lot of
emotion within the playing as well as the really smooth yet gritty
production. I love the flute playing as well it adds another layer of
originality that most bands don't have. Superb group and the ending
where it slowly starts reversing gives a really creepy vibe that I
dig a lot.
Overall, I give this record a superb 9
out of 10. This is easily my favorite record in Blood Ceremonies
discography as well. It combines a lot of different musical elements
but still has a prime focus and doesn't become disjointed at any
point. This is 70's Cult Rock at its finest.
No comments:
Post a Comment