While it’s unclear at this time how many clergy members they’ll actually run into on the tour, Cardinals Folly make clear their blasphemous intent in their first US run of shows, which they’re calling ‘Deranging Priests Across the US 2024.’ Steeped in the doomly traditions of their Finnish homeland and the broader underground universe of classic metal, the band will travel to the States in support of 2023’s Live by the Sword, released through Soulseller Records. It looks like a DIY tour — at least there isn’t a booking company’s name on the poster — and so it’s all the more imperative to help out if you can. Richmond, VA, New York, NY, etc., take note.

It’s comforting to know that while the tour takes place about a month ahead of Maryland Doom Fest 2024 — inarguably the best foot the US Eastern Seaboard has to put forward as regards the doomedest of doom — they will still get to see the town of Frederick, where it’s held, and play at Cafe Nola. I hope someone down there shows them around or some such, but I probably don’t even need to say that. Maryland doom wants nothing for hospitality.

Cheers to the band on making the voyage. Here’s the announcement they put out on socials:

CARDINALS FOLLY – “DERANGING PRIESTS ACROSS THE US 2024” TOUR

THIS MAY – A FINNISH DOOM METAL SHOCKWAVE ALL THE WAY FROM MIDWEST TO THE EAST COAST – FUELED BY THE NEW ALBUM “LIVE BY THE SWORD” WITH AN UNHOLIER-THAN-THOU HEAVY METAL SPIRIT !!!!

Some help is still needed with a few dates, as you can see. And any is appreciated. So let us know.

Live dates:
05.18 Madison WI The Wisco
05.19 Indianapolis IN Black Circle Brewing
05.20 Chicago IL Reggies
05.21 Ypsilanti MI The Regal Beagle
05.22 Youngstown OH Westside Bowl
05.23 Rochester NY Bug Jar
05.24 Providence RI Wes’ Rib House
05.25 Frederick MD Cafe Nola
05.26 Help
05.27 Help
05.28 Washington D.C. Pie Shop
05.29 Help
05.31 St. Paul MN White Rock Lounge
06.01 Milwaukee WI Sabbatic

LINE-UP
Mikko “Count Karnstein” Kääriäinen – Bass, Vocals
Juho “Nordic Wrath” Kilpelä – Guitars
Joni “Battle Ram” Takkunen – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/cardinalsfolly/
https://www.instagram.com/cardinalsfolly/
http://cardinalsfolly.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/soulsellerrecords
https://www.instagram.com/soulsellerrecords
https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com
http://www.soulsellerrecords.com

Cardinals Folly, Live by the Sword (2023)

The sixth full-length from Helsinki-based trio Cardinals Folly is called Live by the Sword, and it is being released as the band’s first outing through Soulseller Records on Oct. 27. Those are the basics you need to know. To that, I’ll add that the track they’re streaming in advance, “Luciferian,” is representative of their take on dirtied-up classic metal and riff-led doom rock. Metal played with a punker ethic and a doomed mindset, maybe? Something like that on “Innsmouth Royalty” anyhow, but either way, Cardinals Folly manage to find their way into obscure aural nichery once again, having carved their path presumably in ancient times in a cave somewhere, all appropriate sacrifices made, and so on.

And I don’t know if they’re the ‘last bastions of doom’ or not — there’s an awful lot of doom out there — but let the assertion stand as testament to the band’s commitment toward what they believe in stylistically and the manner in which their songs are so methodical and still able to come across as raw in form.

Soulseller is a solid fit for a label as well, since the imprint likewise often stands between styles and carries an underlying severity born of extreme metal. Give ear to “Luciferian” and you’ll get what I mean.

From the PR wire:

CARDINALS FOLLY – Deal with Soulseller Records – New Album ‘Live By The Sword’ coming on October 27th 2023

The Last Bastion of Doom. Those Finnish witchfinders. The ones that won’t let go. The truest of the true. The stubbornest of the stubborn. CARDINALS FOLLY. A groovy trio of which name has been echoing distantly in the metal underground for more than a decade. A wild uncontrollable force moving onwards to another record or another adventure. With relentless riffs, heavy metal hails, ride-or-die attitude and true love for the old school doom and metal.

Hailing from Helsinki, Finland and formed in 2007 by Mikko “Count Karnstein” Kääriäinen (Bass, Vocals) and his back-then compatriots, CARDINALS FOLLY has been captained by Mikko ever since then towards new conquests. After several albums, line-up changes, dramas, label disappointments and tours around the world, the current stellar constellation of “Deranged Pagan Sons” with Juho Kilpelä (Guitar) and Joni Takkunen (Drums) has been ongoing since 2014.

On the upcoming new album “Live By The Sword”, the band takes almost all that it finds good in metal and molds it into a tighter mass of unholy riffs, blasphemous pagan chants & choruses, luciferian & lovecraftian depravity and all in all a fearless ride to where the witching cauldrons boil hot and the brews are cool. Ranging from slow epic doom to galloping heavy metal and apocalyptic rock ‘n’ roll, the band loves to murder the listener with all their might. These past few years of plague and uncertainty have only made them angrier and more determined, resulting in this 42-minute onslaught of doomed heavy metal.

Band leader Mikko comments: “After these past few slightly chaotic years, it’s nice to sign with a professional powerhouse like Soulseller Records. We’re ready to go, ready to put this powerful bastard of an album out and show the world what we can do. We’ve done now six albums, and not many bands do six albums. Recently we toured in Norway, USA, Finland, Germany and Italy. It’s true love towards this deranged craft and evolving it that keeps us going. I honestly believe we’re also one of the few bands to steadily improve from day 1 onwards so far. That’s not common either. And right now it seems we’re in good hands. In a world under turmoil, I’m proud of what me, Juho and Joni have now created. This is our best album. There’s no more to tell, and real action beats all words anyway. Crank it up and blast it as loud as you can. The doomed ones ride out again! Our Cult Continues!”

Pre-order options: https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com (World) +++ https://soulsellerrecords.aisamerch.com (Americas)

Cover art by Witchaser Art.

Tracklist:
1. Life Eternal
2. Ride Or Die 666
3. Luciferian
4. Priesthood of Darkness
5. Innsmouth Royalty
6. Live By The Sword
7. Ludovico
8. Last Bastions of Doom

LINE-UP
Mikko “Count Karnstein” Kääriäinen – Bass, Vocals
Juho “Nordic Wrath” Kilpelä – Guitars
Joni “Battle Ram” Takkunen – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/cardinalsfolly/
https://www.instagram.com/cardinalsfolly/
http://cardinalsfolly.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/soulsellerrecords
https://www.instagram.com/soulsellerrecords
https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com
http://www.soulsellerrecords.com

Cardinals Folly, “Luciferian”