Blood Ceremony

The Eldritch Dark (Metal Blade/Rise Above)
By Rick Ecker

This doom metal band from Toronto, Ontario Canada has been around since 2006 and has released two previous albums. Their style has been described as “flute-tinged witch rock,” and their lyrics are filled with black magic imagery and references to classic horror films. The band is fronted by singer/flautist/organist Alia O’Brien, whose flute solos are reminiscent of Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson. The band was created by guitarist Sean Kennedy, who is responsible for most of the songwriting, and the rest of the band is comprised of Lucas Gadke on bass and backing vocals and Michael Carrillo on drums.

“Witchwood” kicks things off, and what a great opening track to introduce the album to you. Fantastic organ playing swirls all around you, giving the song a kind of crazed ’60s vibe. The guitar riffs just keep coming at you, one after the other, and the inspired drumming and O’Brien’s incredible voice just send chills up your spine. This a track that most bands will never be able to top, especially when the flute comes in and adds to the already awesome mix.

“Goodbye Gemini” has great hooks, pummeling drums, that fantastic flute plying and those great vocals that give the song such a flow that you get caught up in it. “Lord Summerisle” is a great mellow song, while “Ballad of the Weird Sisters” has a mix of country-tinged playing mixed in. “The Eldritch Dark” is the closest thing to an all out hard rock/metal song – with flute added – almost like Black Sabbath with the mind-blowing thick bass. “Drawing Down the Moon” has a great prog rock sound that shows off the chops of this band has and throws in some tough-sounding guitar playing to boot. The last track, the epic, eight-minute “The Magician,” gives the band the chance to stretch out and show off the flute and organ playing that sets them apart from so many other bands.

For a band that I had never heard of before, Blood Ceremony just got themselves a new fan, and once you hear the album you will become one as well. With impeccable playing, superb production and the love that they have for the music, this band really has no peers and you need to grab this one today.
(www.metalblade.com)