Doom and gloom, a feeling that is easy to have in the Pacific Northwest this time of year. To go along with that atmosphere one needs music that is as heavy as the torrential downpour outside the windowpane and as dark as the ominous clouds encompassing the skyline. And what better group of bands than this trio of dark lord loving misanthropes! Whether through doom, 70s occult rock, or a more traditional heavy metal approach to doom, these bands came to celebrate all that is evil and dark, and the masses were more than happy to oblige on this particular night.
Starting off the dark ceremony was doomsters Ancient VVisdom and their particular brand of Satanic inspired heaviness. Simple and to the point, the band relied on crushing riffs, haunting vocals, and basic, almost tribal drumming. Combining an acoustic guitar with an electric guitar for all their songs gives the band a different dynamic from most underground bands. They don't need to be the loudest or fastest to be truly heavy, they let the riffs and the songwriting to demonstrate their music's girth. While the lead vocalist was declaring his admiration for Satan, his powerful drumming on a simplistic set was pounding his message clear. This was a band that was meant for small shows where the audience is lulled by these sirens of doom.
Coming up next to the stage was Canada's own Blood Ceremony, a throwback heavy metal band that has touches of 70's occult rock in the mix. This was a band that was not afraid to show their retro roots as singer Alia O'Brien belted out her lyrics that would make Stevie Nicks proud. She sings, plays the keyboard, and stunningly enough she also plays a mean flute that would put Jethro Tull to shame. Her intros to each songs demonstrated to the crowd of their interest in black magic and occultism, which one simply had to witness their music and would instantly understand. Extended jams that showcased the band's musicality and love of all that is dark entranced the audience into head nodding and fist pumping galore. Riff after riff after riff propelled Blood Ceremony to a beastly performance that I know created many new fans.
It is not often that a band who has only released one full length album can headline a tour that is this highly anticipated. However when a band that can combine an image that stands out with an impressive stage presence and can actually play amazing music, I can definitely understand the fervor. I was worried that it being a Monday night that the show would not be packed, and when I showed up my fears seemed to come to fruition. Luckily enough for me the crowd trickled in throughout the night and when the lights went down and the band slowly walked in like monks entering the monastery to begin their "ritual" (a hint for the end of the show wink wink nudge nudge) people were shoulder to shoulder breathing down each other's backs. Each of the Nameless Ghouls glided straight towards their respective intstruments awaiting the leader of this dark ceremony, the singer Papa Emeritus I. This preacher, dressed as an evil pope with a skeleton's visage commanded the crowd's attention with every move he made. With incense filling the air the band began to play, and the now capacity crowd was hanging on every note spilling from the stage. "Satan Prayer", "Elizabeth", "Death Knell", and "Here Come's The Sun" beguiled the crowd into singing along like a sea of hypnotised drones follwing their master. As Papa Emeritus I moved across the stage, everyone was glued to each step and the music seemed to move him. When closer "Ritual" began (see I told you!) the crowd was more energized than ever! The crowd sang along to every word which I am pretty sure summoned the dark lord for a brief moment. The ceremony concluded as the band played as tighly as their recorded output and performed with more emotion than one would imagine from a group as shrouded as this. The bottom line is this band was made for the stage, their beautifully evil music combined with their distinct look has made Ghost darlings of the metal underground and seem to be on the precipice of something great, something bigger than we all can imagine.
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