Blood Ceremony

Blood Ceremony

Blood Ceremony live in Toronto at the Danforth Music Hall.
Background information
Origin Toronto, Canada
Genres Doom metal
Years active 2006–present
Labels Rise Above, Metal Blade
Members Alia O'Brien
Sean Kennedy
Lucas Gadke
Michael Carrillo
Past members Chris Landon
Jeremy Finkelstein
Andrew Haust

Blood Ceremony is a Canadian doom metal band formed in Toronto, Ontario. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2008,[1] followed by Living with the Ancients in 2011,[2] both on Rise Above Records. The albums were re-issued on Metal Blade, the influential metal label responsible for launching the careers of such heavy-hitters as Metallica and Slayer.[3][4] Blood Ceremony spent the latter part of 2009 touring throughout Europe with doom giants Electric Wizard.[5] During the latter part of 2011 and the early part of 2012 they supported Ghost on their European and North American tours.[6] Blood Ceremony's style has been described as "flute-tinged witch rock" and their lyrics are filled with black magic imagery and references to classic horror films.[7] The band is fronted by singer/flautist/organist Alia O'Brien, whose flute solos are reminiscent of Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson.[5] Alongside O'Brien, the band was created by guitarist Sean Kennedy, who is responsible for most of the songwriting.[8] Torontoist called Blood Ceremony "Toronto's most original band".[9]

Style

Blood Ceremony’s style has been described by their label as “flute-tinged witch rock.”[7] In a 2011 interview on Finland’s NukeTV, singer Alia O’Brien called their style “heavy rock” and claimed that their distinct sound is the result of each band member having different musical influences. She cited late '60s/early '70s progressive rock as crucial to her inspiration. O’Brien cites Jethro Tull as her “very first, favorite band,” as well as Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, Osanna, Pentagram, Witchfinder General, Electric Wizard, and Pagan Altar as having a major impact. Guitarist and songwriter Sean Kennedy cited “heavier Black Sabbath," 80s doom metal, and British folk artists such as Fairport Convention as influential. Kennedy calls Blood Ceremony a “folkier Sabbath.”[10]

Members

Current
Former

Discography

Albums

Year Album Peak positions Certification
FIN
[11]
2008 Blood Ceremony  –
2011 Living with the Ancients  –
2013 The Eldritch Dark 34

References

  1. ↑ "Blood Ceremony CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2008-08-25. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  2. ↑ "Reviews | Blood Ceremony". The Quietus. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  3. ↑ "Slayer | Bio, Pictures, Videos". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  4. ↑ Torreano, Bradley. "Metal Massacre, Vol. 1 - Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Blood Ceremony (Interview)". Doomsmoker.pl. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  6. ↑ "13 Dates of Doom Tour Review - Thrash Magazine". Thrashmag.com. 2012-01-30. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Rise Above Records". Rise Above Records. 2011-03-07. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  8. ↑ "Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives - Blood Ceremony - Living with the Ancients". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  9. ↑ Semley, John (2011-04-01). "Blood Ceremony Summons You to the Sabbat | news". Torontoist. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  10. ↑ "NUKETV - Blood Ceremony (interview + live)". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  11. ↑ "Blood Ceremony discography". finnishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

External links