Cathedral The Serpents Gold
Earache Records MOSH 233CD 21st June 2004
By Russell Garwood
The Serpents Gold is a career retrospective of Britains doom legends Cathedral. With their recent move to Nuclear Blast, after ten years on Earache records, their former label has seen it fit to release this DCD best of/rarities compilation. The first disc shows album tracks following the bands evolution from crushing doom, through psychedelic doom-rock (the kind which makes me want to grow a moustache, wear bellbottoms, and call myself pimp-daddy Rusty), to rumbling doom once again, with the single track from Endtyme. For those new to the band, we have slow, monolithic riffs throughout, courtesy of Gary Jennings, and lines of both melody and brutality from different points in the group's evolution. Recently featured on Dave Grohls Probot project, Lee Dorrians vocals are as raw and effective as ever, ranging from growls, through speech, to very rough singing. Driving drums and bass complete this classic sound. This first CD acts as an excellent introductory compilation to the different facets of a changing sound, while the second features unreleased tracks and rarities. Aimed at established fans, these extras do make The Serpents Gold worth a listen, even for those with the bands entire back-catalogue. As the second CD wasnt provided as a promo I cant vouch for the quality of any of the recordings, however, which stand as:
1.Hide And Seek (an instrumental remake of 'Imprisoned In Flesh')
2.Neophytes For Serpent Eve (demo)
3.Violent Breath
4.Night Of The Seagulls (demo)
5.Magic Mountain
6.A Funeral Request (live) ft. Victor Griffin/Joe Hasselvander (Pentagram) & Scott Carlsson (Replusion)
7.The Old Oak Tree
8.Schizoid Puppeteer
9.Carnival Bizarre (Demo)
10.Rabies (Witchfinder General cover)
11.Blue Light (live)
12.Commiserating The Celebration (Of Life) (Demo)
Hence, this is compilation is a very good introduction to [B[Cathedral[/B], and a must for doom devotees who are unfamiliar with the seminal act's work. For established fans, The Serpents Gold provides many rarities, and is well worth a listen. A successful best of, made with the bands full support. Nice and cheerful too...
Official Cathedral website
Official Earache Records website
Earache Records MOSH 233CD 21st June 2004
By Russell Garwood
The Serpents Gold is a career retrospective of Britains doom legends Cathedral. With their recent move to Nuclear Blast, after ten years on Earache records, their former label has seen it fit to release this DCD best of/rarities compilation. The first disc shows album tracks following the bands evolution from crushing doom, through psychedelic doom-rock (the kind which makes me want to grow a moustache, wear bellbottoms, and call myself pimp-daddy Rusty), to rumbling doom once again, with the single track from Endtyme. For those new to the band, we have slow, monolithic riffs throughout, courtesy of Gary Jennings, and lines of both melody and brutality from different points in the group's evolution. Recently featured on Dave Grohls Probot project, Lee Dorrians vocals are as raw and effective as ever, ranging from growls, through speech, to very rough singing. Driving drums and bass complete this classic sound. This first CD acts as an excellent introductory compilation to the different facets of a changing sound, while the second features unreleased tracks and rarities. Aimed at established fans, these extras do make The Serpents Gold worth a listen, even for those with the bands entire back-catalogue. As the second CD wasnt provided as a promo I cant vouch for the quality of any of the recordings, however, which stand as:
1.Hide And Seek (an instrumental remake of 'Imprisoned In Flesh')
2.Neophytes For Serpent Eve (demo)
3.Violent Breath
4.Night Of The Seagulls (demo)
5.Magic Mountain
6.A Funeral Request (live) ft. Victor Griffin/Joe Hasselvander (Pentagram) & Scott Carlsson (Replusion)
7.The Old Oak Tree
8.Schizoid Puppeteer
9.Carnival Bizarre (Demo)
10.Rabies (Witchfinder General cover)
11.Blue Light (live)
12.Commiserating The Celebration (Of Life) (Demo)
Hence, this is compilation is a very good introduction to [B[Cathedral[/B], and a must for doom devotees who are unfamiliar with the seminal act's work. For established fans, The Serpents Gold provides many rarities, and is well worth a listen. A successful best of, made with the bands full support. Nice and cheerful too...
Official Cathedral website
Official Earache Records website
