“…The black air was alive with the cloudy, semi-visible bulk of shapeless elemental things with eyes…
A naked phosphorescent thing which swam into sight, scrambled ashore, and climbed up to squat
leeringly on a carved golden pedestal.” – “The Horror at Red Hook” H.P. Lovecraft
The passage above was written in 1925, yet almost 100 years later, it epitomizes the timeless terror and apocalyptic gloom of Ventura, California band Cirith Ungol, and the colossal power of their new album 'Dark Parade'. “Like the best horror writers, our main goal has always been to make something totally dark and doomy all the way through -- an unrelenting journey into the particular chaos which is Cirith Ungol,” says vocalist and lyricist Tim Baker.
“Near the end of ‘The Horror of Red Hook,’ there is a subterranean grotto connected to the sea, and along a dark, dank dock there’s a parade of unspeakable monstrosities that reminds me so much of the vibe of 'Dark Parade',” says drummer and band founder Rob Garven. 'Dark Parade' is a charred vista rooted in the crunch-and-crash templates of classic doom metal and NWOBHM, but delivered with contemporary production and perspective. The Dark Parade, their sixth release to date, taps into metaphors of the past to create a sobering vision of the future.
On 'Dark Parade', Cirith Ungol have created an unrelenting triumph of pessimism and pain. The album is propulsive and insistent, reflecting the band’s love for metal, instinct to destroy, and disgust for mankind. “The band has always had the dual personality torn between fantasy and doom related themes,” furthers Garven. “As the world spirals out of control, the doom side of this personality has ascended -- an unrelenting cacophony of Tim’s prophetic view of mankind’s twisted future.” Annihilation has rarely sounded so good.
Limited pale grey w/black smoke vinyl pressing
Tracklisting:
1. Velocity
2. Relentless
3. Sailor on the Seas of Fate
4. Sacrifice
5. Looking Glass
6. Dark Parade
7. Distant Shadows
8. Down Below
