Austin, Texas-based cult horror rockers Suspiriorum released their three-song self-titled debut EP — yes, it’s streaming below — in March, and this Fall they’ll look to offer it pressed to CD with the extra track “I Love the Night” added. The EP is the first outing from the cult-minded project drawing together members of Witchcryer, Destroyer of Ligtht and others, and was recorded by Duel‘s Jeff Henson with a particularly striking depth of mix. One might think of it has having three dimensions such that, if each song is a room, there’s plenty of space within them for something to be lurking in whichever corner is darkest.

Opener “Regina di Sangue” begins with a sample from 1960’s Black Sunday, also known as The Mask of Satan, and is a dying curse delivered by Barbara Steele, promising torment “throughout the nights of time” before unfolding its patiently-paced, prog-toned riff and the first layered, resonant melody from vocalist Suzy Bravo. The delivery of the lyrics partially in Italian tops a doomly roll soon contrasted by the swinging uptempo classic heavy rock and lush, cinematic prog of the whisper-complemented “Mother Suspiriorum,” closing with the declaration “I am she” either sampled or spoken. It sounds newer, and the new Suspiria came out in 2018, but I wouldn’t want to presume Suspiriorum‘s position on remakes.

The capstone of the original release, “The Dark Knows” is arguably the heaviest of the three originals, but that’s splitting hairs and more important than the weight of a given song is the mood created. In that, the closer is perhaps sharper in tone, the guitar more forward than on “Regina di Sangue,” but still consistent in being mindful of a progressive construction, dancing and swirling a bit like The Devil’s Blood with the threat of death lurking nearby. That is, the love of classic/obscure horror cinema and its soundtracks that drives the opener is still very much present in the closer about 10 minutes later. Maybe not such a surprise when you think of it on those terms, but they lean toward different sides from one track to the next and come across as very much aware of the aesthetic they’re building.

And well they should be. The four-piece of Bravo (also Witchcryer, Temple of Love), bassist/synthesist Joseph Maniscalco (ex-Hinayasa), rhythm guitarist Steve Colca (Destroyer of Light, Temple of Love, etc.) and lead guitarist Tim Driscoll (also Runescarred, A Good Rogering, etc.) — note the lack of a drummer; Adrian Voorhees (also Cortége) plays on the EP — provide ample context in the three originals for the arrival of “I Love the Night,” and it is to the nascent band’s credit that they’ve managed to take on a Blue Öyster Cult song in a cult rock-informed modern context without sounding like Ghost. Not a minor feat when one considers the influences Suspiriorum are working under. They end up with more in common with the modern incarnation of Coven and in “The Dark Knows” even have hints of Tool in the rhythm layer under the finishing guitar solo, but all of it — including the mellow reconciliation of the cover — serves the stylistic intent at the fore, and in that, they set their own course for future growth, whatever direction they might ultimately end up taking sound-wise.

The video for “I Love the Night” premieres below, followed by PR wire details and the aforementioned EP stream.

Please enjoy:

Suspiriorum, “I Love the Night” (Blue Öyster Cult cover) video premiere

Our rendition of the song I love the night by Blue Oyster Cult presented in this dark relaxing lyric video. Stock footage obtained from “Free Stock Footage Archive”.

Taking cues from groups like Goblin who pioneered a brand of prog rock fitting exclusively in soundtracks, and expanding the sound a bit further to include inspiration from pioneers from classic rock like Blue Öyster Cult (who were no strangers to occult and weird subject matter), Coven (who pioneered satanic ritual and aesthetic before Black Sabbath), and Opeth (a celebration of all that is prog and throwback). Ranging sounds from organ-driven classic rock to ominous synth driven passages, and adept lead guitar work and catchy riffs. The imagery comes from classic Italian horror films by Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, Mario Bava, and Lamberto Bava, and adopts themes of occult ritual, zombies, and Giallo killers in one big celebration of the mastery and exploitation of the history of Italian horror films.

The EP was recorded and mixed at Red Nova Ranch by Jeff Henson (Clutch, High On Fire, Spirit Adrift, Duel), keys and synth recorded at Arbor Eden Studios by Alex Moran, mastering by Alberto De Icaza (Clutch, Dead Cross, Crobot). Session drums were performed by Adrian Voorhees of Cortege. Album cover art was done by David Paul Seymour (Conan, Municipal Waste, High On Fire) with CD layout and additional photography and art done by Erik Bredthauer of Necroblanca Photography and Design.

Suspiriorum are:
Suzy Bravo
Joseph Maniscalco
Tim Driscoll
Steve Colca

Suspiriorum, Suspiriorum (2023)

Suspiriorum on Facebook

Suspiriorum on Instagram

Suspiriorum on YouTube

Suspiriorum on Bandcamp

Tags: Austin, self-titled, Suspiriorum, Suspiriorum Self-titled, Texas

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 29th, 2023 at 10:57 am and is filed under Bootleg Theater. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.