Description
Cathedral – The Carnival Bizarre – Cassette
The Carnival Bizarre is the third studio album by the British doom metal band Cathedral, released in 1995. Cathedral is known for its unique blend of doom metal, characterized by heavy, slow riffs, and psychedelic influences. This album is often considered one of the band’s finest works and a classic in the doom metal genre.
The Carnival Bizarre combines the slow, heavy riffs typical of doom metal with a more dynamic and psychedelic approach. The album features dense, crushing guitar tones, melodic yet eerie passages, and Lee Dorrian’s distinctive vocal style, which ranges from deep, guttural growls to more melodic singing.
The Carnival Bizarre finds Cathedral nailing down their neo-Black Sabbath sound consistently from beginning to end with no filler, setting them apart from nearly every other band in the mid-’90s heavy metal scene. The album’s consistency arises most likely from the band’s streamlined line-up with only vocalist/lyricist Lee Dorrian and guitarist Gaz Jennings remaining from proceeding releases.
These two collaborate on each of the ten songs, perfecting their formula for gothic fairy tales set to monstrous grooves of castle-sized guitar riffs. The album’s title track serves as a perfect example of how Cathedral has grown and polished its unique style more easily explained by what it isn’t than what it is. On this particular song, Jennings breaks off almost immediately into the song’s central riff as Dorrian begins to map out his fantastic motifs: “Ride with me on a shooting star/Through galaxies of death we chase/Skeletal king of paradise.” The song has a catchy chorus that has Dorrian changing the pitch of his voice from his deep, dark gravely tone to a juxtaposing high-pitched voice nearly as rough.
Several tangents make this song more than just a standard rock tune in the style of “Ride” from the group’s preceding album. It is at these moments that Jennings proves just how amazing of a guitar player he has become, moving through an ambient section of psychedelic-phasing guitar tones to a contemplative guitar solo with an overdubbed backing riff that takes the song on a journey to its post-eight minute conclusion.
Nearly every one of the other ten songs makes small alterations on this same template, with Dorrian’s mapped-out lyrics keeping the songs within the confines of traditional rock structuring and Jennings’ ever-mobile guitar serving as the musical equivalent to the other-worldly lyrical topics.
Key Tracks:
“Ride” – This track features powerful, sludgy riffs and haunting vocals, setting the tone for the album.
“Enter The Worms” – One of the standout tracks on the album, it is known for its catchy riffs and memorable chorus. The song references the infamous witch hunter Matthew Hopkins.
“Phantasmagoria” – The title track encapsulates the album’s blend of heaviness and psychedelic elements, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
“Imprisoned In Flesh” – Featuring Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, this track is a highlight for its crushing riffs and historical significance, given Iommi’s influence on the doom metal genre.
The Carnival Bizarre was well-received by fans and critics alike. It is praised for its innovative approach to doom metal, blending traditional elements with a more adventurous, psychedelic sound. The album helped to solidify Cathedral’s reputation as one of the leading bands in the doom metal scene.
The album is considered a landmark in Cathedral’s discography and a significant release in the doom metal genre. It has influenced numerous bands within the genre and continues to be celebrated for its unique sound and creative approach to heavy music.
For fans of doom metal and those interested in the evolution of the genre, The Carnival Bizarre by Cathedral is an essential listen. Its blend of crushing heaviness, psychedelic elements, and engaging songwriting make it a standout album that has stood the test of time.
Earache Records
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Song List
1. Violet Vortex (Intro)
2. Ride
3. Enter The Worms
4. Midnight Mountain
5. Fountain Of Innocence
6. Grim Luxuria
7. Jaded Entity
8. Ashes You Leave
9. Phantasmagoria
10. Imprisoned In Flesh
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