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Sign of the Sorcerer Release Vinyl Edition of Obsessions of the Vile

Posted in Whathaveyou on October 17th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

After seeing release on cassette earlier this year through Saturn Eye Records, the debut album from Tennessee cult doom rockers Sign of the SorcererObsessions of the Vile, has now been given a vinyl issue through Saturn Eye with distribution in Europe through Kozmik Artifactz. Is that news? I think once you click play on “Necropsychodelia” and hear the kind of tone we’re talking about. The PR wire gives it a three-‘f’ alliteration — “fuzzy, filthy and fried” — and with its post-Electric Wizard draw both vocally and in terms of the overarching groove, Sign of the Sorcerer dig into weedian worship with markedly ill intention and, well, if these songs aren’t about killing women, and they don’t seem to be though I haven’t found lyrics, I’m on board.

I’d say follow the bouncing ball on this one, but listening, it’s really more like ‘nod along to the rolling boulder.’ In any case, consider yourself invited to have at it. Stonedest thing you’ll hear today, in all likelihood:

sign of the sorcerer

SIGN OF THE SORCERER – Obsessions of the Vile LP

Now on vinyl: ‘Obsessions Of The Vile’ from @sign.of.the.sorcerer is back for more blood. We never announced this format after releasing on cassette back in March, but know some of ya have been waiting patiently even still… well the wait is finally over!

These ship immediately from shop.saturneyerecords.com

Oh and to celebrate both this release and our favorite time of year (and since we’re literally running out of storage room) everything in the online shop is discounted.

Huge thanks to Kozmik Artifactz for their guidance and distribution. If you’re in Europe, getting your ‘Vile’ fix just got a lot cheaper…

Other PR from Kozmik Artifactz:

Sign Of The Sorcerer’s debut full length album is finally here for the first time on wax! Nobody thought it was possible, but ‘Obsessions Of The Vile’ sounds even more fuzzy, filthy, and absolutely fried on this format.

Saturn Eye Records is thrilled to ruin your trips with their latest… vinyl release!

Originally released earlier in the year on cassette, Sign Of The Sorcerer’s debut full length album is finally here for the first time on wax! Nobody thought it was possible, but ‘Obsessions Of The Vile’ sounds even more fuzzy, filthy, and absolutely fried on this format. Make the choice even Satan would approve of and grab a copy.

TRACKS
1. Necropsychodelia 06:42
2. Satan’s Choice 03:24
3. Black Night 04:27
4. Meth Queen 05:35
5. Nosferatu 06:31

Sign of the Sorcerer:
Guitars/Vocals: Sky Brooks
Bass: Justin Hembree
Percussion: Josh Watts

https://www.facebook.com/methsorcerer
https://www.instagram.com/sign.of.the.sorcerer
http://signofthesorcerer.bandcamp.com

https://instagram.com/saturneyerecords
https://shop.saturneyerecords.com/
https://saturneyerecords.com/

http://kozmik-artifactz.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kozmikartifactz
https://www.instagram.com/kozmikartifactz/
https://kozmik-artifactz.bandcamp.com/

Sign of the Sorcerer, Obsessions of the Vile (2021)

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Sign of the Sorcerer Release Obsessions of the Vile on Saturn Eye Records

Posted in Whathaveyou on March 17th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

sign of the sorcerer

In these times of heavy music market saturation, a band looking to stand out from the crowd has to employ any and all methods for doing so possible. It ain’t easy. But even something small, like putting emojis around the song titles of your record on Bandcamp, can catch the eye. I hadn’t seen that before I encountered Sign of the Sorcerer‘s 2021 debut full-length, Obsessions of the Vile — and to be honest, I’m a little surprised in hindsight — and granted it does nothing to enhance the listening experience of the Tennessee band’s ultra-dug-in malevolent wizard doom/sludge, but it grabbed my attention just the same, and for bands that can be half the battle. Not advocating everyone do the same or anything, but creative presentation can help if you’re looking to engage an audience.

Said the guy who’s had the same blog theme since 2009.

Alas, Obsessions of the Vile is being re-released today through Saturn Eye Records, and such is the occasion for my admittedly delayed encounter with it. I’m sure you’ve heard it since you’re all up on your doom and I’m lagging behind as ever, but there you go. Thanks for indulging my lag.

From the PR wire:

sign of the sorcerer obsessions of the vile

Saturn Eye Records is thrilled to ruin your trips with their latest…

Sign Of The Sorcerer’s first full length album has finally received a long overdue physical edition. ‘Obsessions Of The Vile’ is a drugged out and downright sleazy set of recordings just oozing with fuzz and filth. The album was recorded in Johnson City, Tennessee and was originally digitally released in late 2021. Well the band and label devised a wickedly foul deal, had it notarized by Satan, and now here we are with SE-007. Saturn Eye has a limited amount of these tapes available in their shop right this second. The rest will be available from the band at upcoming shows, the next of which is April 1st in Knoxville, TN. Grab a ‘Vile’ dose while you can and let it eat you alive…

Links:
shop.saturneyerecords.com
signofthesorcerer.bandcamp.com/album/obsessions-of-the-vile

Tracklisting:
1. (#128128#)Necropsychodelia(#128128#) 06:42
2. (#128481#)️Satan’s Choice(#128481#)️ 03:24
3. ⚰️Black Night⚰️ 04:27
4. (#128138#)Meth Queen(#128138#) 05:35
5. (#129656#)Nosferatu(#129656#) 06:31

Produced by Sign Of The Sorcerer & Danielle Fehr

Recorded LIVE in the crypt at The Wizard Productions. (www.facebook.com/thewizardproductions)

Art provided by the Hypnotist, Thomas Moe Ellefsrud (www.instagram.com/hypnotistdesign/)

Sign of the Sorcerer:
Guitars/Vocals: Sky Brooks
Bass: Justin Hembree
Percussion: Josh Watts

https://www.facebook.com/methsorcerer
https://www.instagram.com/sign.of.the.sorcerer
http://signofthesorcerer.bandcamp.com

https://instagram.com/saturneyerecords
https://shop.saturneyerecords.com/
https://saturneyerecords.com/

Sign of the Sorcerer, Obsessions of the Vile (2021)

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Place of Skulls Interview: Victor Griffin on As a Dog Returns, Spirituality, The New Pentagram Album, Playing Roadburn, Why Music Should be More Than Just Heavy Riffs, and Much More

Posted in Features on December 23rd, 2010 by JJ Koczan

Legendary American doom guitarist Victor Griffin — of Death Row, Place of Skulls and Pentagram — and I spoke over the course of two consecutive nights. When I called the first night for the interview, he was in the car, listening to an early mix of Last Rites, the new album by Pentagram — whom he rejoined earlier this year — and though that wasn’t the intended topic of the discussion, it was bound to take up some of the time.

What instigated the conversation was the newest record by Place of SkullsGriffin‘s priority band. Dubbed As a Dog Returns, the album is unquestionably a reboot for the trio of Griffin, bassist Lee Abney (also of Death Row, who reunited for this year’s Roadburn festival in The Netherlands) and drummer Tim Tomaselli. In addition to getting back to their doomed roots, As a Dog Returns also revitalizes Griffin‘s lyrical explorations of his Christian faith, songs like “Breath of Life” and “He’s God” as open and honest in their subject matter as I found Griffin to be in our talk.

The second night of the interview, Griffin was in his studio working on some solo overdubs for Last Rites, and as we moved from Place of Skulls and his beliefs to his return to Pentagram and working once again with vocalist Bobby Liebling, whose sobriety has been discussed here in the past, Griffin took a step back to take a look at both bands’ overall place in doom, and his as well, opining on why in its 30-plus years as a genre, doom has never really hit the mainstream in the way of some other styles, and whether or not he’d even want it to.

Fact of the matter is this: I could go on and on about what Victor Griffin said or whatever, but what it rounds out to is this is one of the best interviews I’ve ever done. For The Obelisk or any other outlet. Victor Griffin was more sincere in his answering my questions than I could have possibly asked, and at the end of the second phone call, I felt like I genuinely knew more about his perspectives on life, music, and God. I hope that as you read through the 7,400-word exchange (with a centered photo to differentiate between the two days), that comes across more than anything else.

Q&A is after the jump. Please enjoy.

Read more »

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Place of Skulls Sign to Giddy Up! Records

Posted in Whathaveyou on October 21st, 2010 by JJ Koczan

Well how do you like that? Looks like Giddy Up! Records has picked up none other than the mighty Place of Skulls for their roster. This is killer news not just for the band, who’ve secured a US release date for their new album, As a Dog Returns (review here), but also for the label, because Victor Griffin is a fucking legend. Congratulations to all parties involved.

Here’s how the PR wire tells it:

Giddy Up! Records is pleased to announce the addition of Tennessee doomers Place of Skulls to their expanding artist roster, which currently includes Moth Eater, Black Water Rising and Demonica. The New York City-based indie imprint will release Place of Skulls‘ fourth full-length, As a Dog Returns, in North America on Nov. 9, 2010.

Says Giddy Up! label head Steve Seabury: “To me, Victor Griffin is a legend in the doom scene. I am like a little kid at the doom store. It’s an absolute honor and privilege to have Place of Skulls join the Giddy Up! Records family. This record is just amazing. I love it.”

In related news, the band will kick off a two-week European tour with Eternal Elysium this Saturday. As a special bonus, Place of Skulls fans in or around Berlin are eligible for a free pass to Hammer of Doom 4 in Wurzburg and a free copy of As a Dog Returns. Contact placeofskulls@msn.com for more info!

Place of Skulls European Tour 2010
w/Eternal Elysium
10/23 Posthalle, Hammer of Doom 4 FestivalWürzburg, GER
10/24 Gebäude 9 – Köln, GER
10/25 Le Klub Paris, FR
10/26 Little DevilTilburg, NL
10/28 LoppenKopenhagen, DK
10/29 Rockefeller/ John DeeOslo, NOR w/Orange Goblin
10/30 Tribute Sandnes, Stavanger, NOR w/Orange Goblin
10/31 TBA
11/02 HafenklangHamburg, GER
11/03 MauRostock, GER
11/04 White TrashBerlin, GER
11/05 FalkendomBielefeld, GER
11/06 JH De LochtinkEeklo, BEL
11/07 Baroeg, Dutch Doom Days 9 – Rotterdam, NL
11/08 RosenkellerJena, GER

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Place of Skulls Return to a Peaceful Place

Posted in Reviews on August 25th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

Four years have passed since Place of Skulls released The Black is Never Far, their third album, which was in many ways the culmination of a tumult that brought the band many changes, highs and lows. Guitarist/vocalist Victor Griffin — best known for his work in Pentagram contributing to the Maryland/D.C. doom legacy, though he actually lives in Knoxville, Tennessee these days – has always been at the helm, and that remains true as he brings together the original Place of Skulls trio for their new album, As a Dog Returns. Drummer Tim Tomaselli and bassist/vocalist Lee Abney have both been back in the band for a couple of years, replacing the likes of Pete Campbell (Sixty Watt Shaman) and Dennis Cornelius (ex-Revelation), but As a Dog Returns marks the first studio output the trio has released since Southern Lord put out Nailed in 2001.

And for those who haven’t heard Place of Skulls since then, or for those who perhaps are stuck on 2003’s epic With Vision — on which Griffin united with Scott “Wino” Weinrich (The Obsessed, Saint Vitus, etc.) to release one of the finest traditional doom albums of its decade – you should know a lot has changed. Of course, Griffin is still a master riffer. He has been since the days of Death Row, but sound-wise, Place of Skulls is a much different band than they were nine, seven or even four years ago. In 2010, their sound is still rooted in doom, but as the lead songwriter, Griffin doesn’t shy away from balladry either. The third track on As a Dog Returns, “Though He Slay Me,” is essentially a power ballad about Jesus, and the follow-up, the “Planet Caravan”-esque “Psalm,” isn’t far off that either, at least for the first two and a half minutes. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that after a career touching five decades (Death Row formed in 1979) Griffin’s songwriting should have matured, but the doom on As a Dog Returns isn’t miserable, isn’t downtrodden. It seems to rise up to its challenges. It has hope.

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Place of Skulls Post Trailer for As a Dog Returns

Posted in Bootleg Theater on July 28th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

It’s too bad that “In a world…” movie preview voice-over guy is dead, because he’d be perfect for this trailer. “In a world where scrunchy hardcore kids think they know something about playing doom, one man stands apart from the pack…” and so forth. It would be awesome, but fortunately the music speaks for itself when it comes to Victor Griffin‘s Place of Skulls. Their new album, As a Dog Returns, is due out late September.

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Place of Skulls: Victor Griffin Returns to Fill Your Autumn with DOOOM

Posted in Whathaveyou on July 15th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

I don’t care if he is a Jeezaroo, Victor Griffin plays DOOOM. And that ain’t your standard variety two ‘o’ doom either, it’s DOOOM, all caps, three ‘o’s. This guy’s the fucking king of it.

Place of Skulls, who once upon a time released one of the greatest doom albums of all time in the form of With Vision, are back in September with the new album, As a Dog Returns. It’s their first record in four years, so you know Mr. Griffin‘s been putting riffs in his back pocket for a while now.

For those willing to pick it up, here’s what the PR wire’s puttin’ down:

Knoxville, Tennessee doom metallers Place of Skulls are pleased to announce the upcoming release of their long-awaited fourth full-length, As a Dog Returns. The follow-up to 2006’s The Black is Never Far was recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville by Travis Wyrick and founding guitarist/vocalist Victor Griffin (Pentagram, Death Row, Cathedral, Joe Hasselvander) with drums recorded and engineered by Mike Dearing.

Said Griffin of the band’s latest output: “The new album As a Dog Returns picks up dynamically where The Black is Never Far left off. Where The Black… album had a bit more of a depressive theme lyrically, the new album tends to look to a brighter outcome. Musically we’ve gone further than ever before with dynamics and production. Though all the Place of Skulls’ brand of heaviness you would expect is certainly there, there’s a nice ebb and flow with quieter parts which tend to set a very dramatic and melancholy mood at times to the overall album.

“With every album we’ve done,” he continues, “our growth and progression has been evident, and this new release is no different. I’m really enjoying the growth of my songwriting as time goes by. I don’t feel as if I have anything to prove so I think the writing gets more open, honest, and genuine with every release.

We’re very excited to finally get a new album out and hit the road again! Look for As As a Dog Returns to be available in late September!”

As a Dog Returns track listing:
1. Timeless Hearts
2. Breath of Life
3. Though He Slay Me
4. Psalm
5. Dayspring
6. The Maker
7. He’s God
8. Desperation
9. As a Dog Returns

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