CATHEDRAL
The Garden of Unearthly Delights

The term ‘back from the grave’ takes on a whole new meaning with the release of this (thought to be long lost) epic recording  by the much-missed British Doom Metal lords: Cathedral. Society’s Pact With Satan was the last ever recording made by the band, back in 2012. It was recorded at the end of the sessions for their swan song album; 2013’s The Last Spire. But, for some reason, the 30-minute track was not mixed at the time, thus pretty much forgotten about by everyone involved, until very recently.

Rediscovered by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano, whilst sorting through his old studio recordings, he excitedly alerted the band, saying that he had discovered a long-lost gem. Upon hearing it, the band members were convinced enough to agree that it should see a commercial release.

So, here we have it: the final sermon by Cathedral and what a way to go out. It’s an unapologetic, uncompromising exercise in macabre observations, musical eccentricity, brutal riffing and general arcane self-indulgence. There genuinely was/is no other band like Cathedral. Just ask Tony Iommi.

The term ‘back from the grave’ takes on a whole new meaning with the release of this (thought to be long lost) epic recording  by the much-missed British Doom Metal lords: Cathedral. Society’s Pact With Satan was the last ever recording made by the band, back in 2012. It was recorded at the end of the sessions for their swan song album; 2013’s The Last Spire. But, for some reason, the 30-minute track was not mixed at the time, thus pretty much forgotten about by everyone involved, until very recently.

Rediscovered by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano, whilst sorting through his old studio recordings, he excitedly alerted the band, saying that he had discovered a long-lost gem. Upon hearing it, the band members were convinced enough to agree that it should see a commercial release.

So, here we have it: the final sermon by Cathedral and what a way to go out. It’s an unapologetic, uncompromising exercise in macabre observations, musical eccentricity, brutal riffing and general arcane self-indulgence. There genuinely was/is no other band like Cathedral. Just ask Tony Iommi.

The Garden Of Unearthly Delights was the eighth studio album by British Doom legends Cathedral, for which they were signed by Nuclear Blast Records in Germany. The album received a lot of critical acclaim and was well received by fans alike. Tracks such as Corpsecycle and North Berwick Witch Trials were firm favourites and staples in the live setlists right up until the bands end.

Produced by warren Riker (Fugees, Corrosion Of Conformity, Down, Cynic etc), it had a revitalised energy, which saw the band touring relentlessly around the globe once again. 

Choc full of the usual monstrous riffs, strange subject matter and non-conforming twists and turns that Cathedral became known  for, it’s crowning achievement was epic 27-minute track simply titled The Garden. It’s a Doom prog odyssey which took the  listener through a myriad of arcane environments and odd musical passages.