Finnish psychedelic outliers Seremonia have set a May 8 release for their third LP, Kristalliarkki, through Svart Records. The weirdo-rock fivesome have been kicking around Northern Europe’s heavy underbelly since the release of their first record in 2012 (track stream here), out-proto-metalling just about everybody and reaping surprisingly little acclaim for doing so. Doubtless part of that is the lack of universal translator technology (fucking hell, we’re primitive; if I was the Vulcans, I wouldn’t make first contact either), but even so, Seremonia have killed it across two records already and have vibe to spare, so Kristalliarkki is worth looking forward to.

So, uh, get on it. Ha. Here’s what the PR wire has to say:

SEREMONIA set release date for new SVART album

Finnish heavy psych rockers Seremonia dive deeper than ever into the dark psychedelic abyss with their third album Kristalliarkki, set for international release on May 8th via Svart Records. With lyrics (still all in their native tongue) revolving around the spiritual cult practices and teachings of a mysterious doomsday cult, Kristalliarkki (English: “The Crystal Ark”) also explores the cultist mindset musically. The heavy riffing, the psychedelic solos, the out-of-control drum fills, the blood-chilling vocal delivery, and the collective free rock freak-outs all go way beyond just playing good ol’ heavy rock: Seremonia is a band on a sacred mission, possessed by the black flame of rock ‘n’ roll. Kristalliarkki bears their trademark garage doom sound and catchy riffage, and adds an abundance of acid rock experimentalism, proto-punk anger, sacred music bliss, and even some cosmic jazz flavors in the 15-minute title track of the album. It’s a hard-rocking hard rock record, but a wonderfully weird one – even by Seremonia’s weirdo standards. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Seremonia’s Kristalliarkki
1. Vihkimys
2. Alfa ja Omega
3. Tee mitä tahdot
4. Musta liekki
5. Lusiferin lapset
6. Vapauden polku
7. Kuolema voittaa
8. Jokainen askel
9. Kristalliarkki I
10. Kristalliarkki II

Seremonia is a five-piece band from Finland, playing heavy psychedelic rock and singing in their native language, Finnish. Their eponymous debut album was released by Svart Records in 2012 and received critical acclaim across the world. Since then, the band has played their creepy brand of psych rock in very different venues, be it small punk rock dives or bigger festivals like Finland’s Tuska, Denmark’s Heavy Days in Doomtown, Sweden’s Muskelrock, or Holland’s Roadburn. Both on acclaimed albums and ferocious live shows, Seremonia’s original take on the genre has earned them a good name amongst the global community of psych rock lovers.

Seremonia discography:
Rock’n’rollin maailma / Nämä kesäiset päivät 7″ (2012 Svart)
Seremonia LP/CD (2012 Svart)
Ovi / Vastaus rukouksiisi 7″ (2013 Svart)
Ihminen LP/CD (2013 Svart)
Hasiskultti / Hulluus 7” (2015 Svart)
Kristalliarkki LP/CD (2015 Svart)

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/seremonia666
http://svartrecords.com/

Seremonia, “Suuri Valkeus” official video

Click Here to Download

 

[mp3player width=480 height=150 config=fmp_jw_widget_config.xml playlist=aot30.xml]

With no slowdown in the music coming out as we move into the fall, it’s time for another audiObelisk podcast. Like last month, the idea here was to keep it super-simple, not go too long or get lost too much in including stuff just for the hell of it. Whether it’s a big band or someone you’ve never heard of in this tracklist, it’s all quality, and most of it is new. A couple of these albums haven’t even come out yet.

Things get pretty dark in the second of the two hours, but I figured what the hell? It starts off rockin’ with Sasquatch and The Freeks and so on, so it seemed there was room to doom out for a while, and once I threw in The Body, there was nothing to do but plummet even further. As it winds down, there’s some transition back to more rocking fare though with Earthless, so it’s not like it gets totally lost and drowns in the mire of dark tones and sonic abrasion. I know you were worried. I was too.

Like last time, it clocks in at just under two hours long. I hope you download and enjoy the tracks. Here’s the full rundown of what’s included:

First Hour:

Sasquatch, “The Message” from IV (2013)
Monster Magnet, “Mindless Ones” from Last Patrol (2013)
The Freeks, “The Secret Pathway” from Full On (2013)
Red Fang, “Blood Like Cream” from Whales and Leeches (2013)
Pyramido, “Tiden är Kommen” from Saga (2013)
Hollow Leg, “Ride to Ruin” from Abysmal (2013)
YOB, “Ether” from Catharsis (2013 Reissue)
Seremonia, “Suuri Valkeus” from Ihminen (2013)
Aqua Nebula Oscillator, “Human Toad” from Spiritus Mundi (2013)
Jesu, “Everyday” from Everyday I Get Closer to the Light from Which I Came (2013)
Ayahuasca Dark Trip, “To the Holy Mountain” from Mind Journey (2013 Reissue)

Second Hour:

All Them Witches, “Born under a Bad Sign” (2013)
The Body, “Prayers Unanswered” from Christs, Redeemers (2013)
Primitive Man, “Antietam” from Scorn (2013)
Windhand, “Cassock” from Soma (2013)
Atlantis, “Omen” from Omens (2013)
Earthless, “Violence of the Red Sea” from From the Ages (2013)

Total running time: 1:59:33

Hope you dig it. Thanks for listening.

Download audiObelisk Transmission 030

 

Their 2012 self-titled debut was a gloriously weird psychedelic rocker — full of garage fuzz, vague devil worship and eerie melodicism — and today, engaging Finnish bizarros Seremonia have announced a quick turnaround on a follow-up. Svart, who also handled the debut, will issue Ihminen on Oct. 18. I haven’t heard it yet, but I’ve got high hopes coming off the last one and the track “Ovi,” which was released as a 7″ earlier this year and which you can hear on the player that follows the PR wire info below.

Dig it:

SEREMONIA set release date for new SVART album

Today, SVART RECORDS sets October 18th as the international release date for SEREMONIA’s second album, ihminen, to be released on both CD and LP formats. Finnish for “human,” SEREMONIA’s ihminen follows the band’s self-titled debut album, released to worldwide critical acclaim last year by SVART. The first taste of this psychedelic new album can be heard in “Ovi,” released earlier this year on 7″: https://soundcloud.com/svart-records/seremonia-ovi. Cover and tracklisting for SEREMONIA’s ihminen are as follows:

Tracklisting for SEREMONIA’s ihminen
1. Noitamestari
2. Itsemurhaaja
3. Ovi
4. Suuri Valkeus
5. Painajaisten Maa
6. Luonto Kostaa
7. Ihminen
8. Itsemurhaaja II
9. Vastaus Rukouksiisi
10. Tähtien Takaa
11. Hallava Hevonen

SEREMONIA comes from Finland, plays heavy psychedelic rock, and sings in their native language. Their eponymous debut album was released by SVART RECORDS in 2012. Since then, the band has played their creepy brand of psych rock in very different venues, be it small punk rock dives or bigger festivals like Finland’s Tuska, Denmark’s Heavy Days in Doomtown, or Holland’s Roadburn. On their sophomore album ihminen, the band both continues the primitive pounding of their eponymous debut and expands their trademark sound into more epic directions.

SEREMONIA’s influences still come from the most psyched-out acid vinyls the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s have to offer. On ihminen, the influence of old Finnish punk and prog rock is more audible than before. The prevailing theme in Ilkka Vekka’s lyrics is the lunacy and evil in man. It’s not a concept album with a clear storyline, but every single song paints a coherently pessimistic picture of these dark times we’re all living in.

The explosively unpredictable nature of SEREMONIA’s onstage playing has been captured in the studio. The bass churns out the catchy riffs, screeching fuzz guitars wail feverishly, and drums pummel away in a psychotic frenzy. Flutes, synthesizers and bold use of effects add cosmic dimensions to the mix. On top of these psychedelic dirges, vocalist Noora Federley preaches the dark gospel in a blood-chillingly cool manner. The 2010s may have more than its share of Black Sabbath-influenced retro-rock bands, but SEREMONIA stands out from the crowd just by naturally sounding a few notches more creepy and weird than your average hippie doomsters.

SEREMONIA lineup
Noora Federley – vocals
Teemu Markkula -electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizer, backing vocals
Ville Pirinen – electric guitars, synthesizer, backing vocals
Erno Taipale – drums, flute, guitar
Ilkka Vekka – bass, synthesizer

SEREMONIA discography
Rock’n’rollin maailma / Nämä kesäiset päivät 7” (Svart 2012)
Seremonia CD/LP (Svart 2012)
Ovi / Vastaus rukouksiisi 7” (Svart 2013)
Ihminen CD/LP (Svart 2013)

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/seremonia666
www.svartrecords.com
www.facebook.com/svartrecords

Seremonia, “Ovi”

Of all the batches of Roadburn 2013 audio that have thus far come to light, this one might be both my favorite and the most comprehensive. From Pallbearer‘s morose doom to Elder‘s heavy psych righteousness, the progressive metal of The Ocean and Spiritual Beggars‘ classic heavy rock, seething black metal from A Forest of Stars, with post-metal from Process of Guilt, blues doom from Witch Mountain and prog from Camera and Astra between — that’s not to mention the genreless freakout of Seremonia — it’s a series as varied as the fest itself.

Please enjoy the Roadburn 2013 streams on the players below and kiss your afternoon goodbye. As you make your way through, don’t forget to check the news below about The Shrine, Papir and Glitter Wizard being added to the Roadburn 2014 lineup, as that continues to impressively take shape.

Thanks as always to Walter and the Roadburn crew:

A Forest of Stars – Live at Roadburn 2013

Astra – Live at Roadburn 2013

Camera

Elder – Live at Roadburn 2013

Pallbearer – Live at Roadburn 2013

Process of Guilt – Live at Roadburn 2013

Seremonia – Live at Roadburn 2013

Spiritual Beggars – Live at Roadburn 2013

The Ocean – Live at Roadburn 2013

The Ruins of Beverast – Live at Roadburn 2013

Witch Mountain – Live at Roadburn 2013

As noted above, Roadburn 2014 has continued this week to add bands to its already considerable lineup. Here’s the latest, courtesy of the fest:

LA’s The Shrine To Bring Some Heavy, Psychedelic, Riff Based Rock n’ Roll To Roadburn Festival 2014

Grab a six pack! It’s time for some high energy, rock ‘n roll action when Los Angeles’ The Shrine hits the stage on Thursday, April 10 at the 013 venue in Tilburg, The Netherlands. We’re feeling inspired… should we put up a skate ramp at Roadburn 2014?

No, let’s empty some pools, and conquer these concrete bowls! Right here, right now, as the hairy dudes in The Shrine could easily have been part of the 1970s Zephyr skateboard team. Or at least, they would have put up their big ass amps (draped with an American flag, of course) next to the pools, and crank some drug addled, SoCal primitive blast to get it all going, pure and simple!

Denmark’s Papir To Transcend Heavy Psych Territory at Roadburn Festival 2014

We here at Roadburn are on our own path and we ensure that when booking the festival it encompasses everything we like – from krautrock through post rock to heavy psych.

Papir, hailing from the suburbs of Copenhagen, are definitely kindred spirits, as this fascinating instrumental three piece have created their own extraordinary type of semi-improvised psychedelic rock by transcending the usual labels – something we immensely admire. Thus we simply can’t wait to dive headfirst into the band’s richly textured sound on Saturday, April 12 at the 013 venue in Tilburg, The Netherlands.

Take A Trip Way Back Into The Future With Glitter Wizard at Roadburn 2014

In our ongoing quest to exhume every artifact of 60s and 70s proto metal, we recently stumbled up on San Francisco’s Glitter Wizard. For a moment, it seemed that we unearthed a forgotten gem, as Hunting Gatherers, the band’s sophomore album, could be easily mistaken for a long lost album from the early 70s.

In our hazy minds’ imagination, the band shared the stage with Steppenwolf, Bloodrock, Black Widow, The Stooges or Iron Butterfly, but Glitter Wizard‘s trippy, swinging sound — replete with catchy riffs, amusing lyrics and space-age keyboards, sax and flutes — isn’t some kind of Nuggets discovery, they are here and now.

Don’t get behind the times when the devil worships Glitter Wizard at Roadburn 2014 on Saturday, April 12 at the 013 venue in Tilburg, The Netherlands. They will take you into future through a doorway hidden in the past.

Time was limited. It was Monday morning and I was supposed to go to work after all, but as I was in New England anyway, a quick run to Armageddon Shop in Providence didn’t seem all that unreasonable. I’ve never come out of there feeling less than satisfied, and even back in December at the Boston store, I was able to pick up a few winners. Plus, Armageddon‘s been on my mind lately with their handling the repress of Elder‘s Spires Burn EP and the release of Magic Circle‘s self-titled, for which I have a review pending. All that, coupled with my general desire to crane my neck before a CD rack, made the stop a necessity. Turned out work was still there when I finally showed up anyway. Go figure.

On the wall of my office is a post-it with albums I’ve been meaning to pick up — mostly review stuff that labels won’t send out physical copies of anymore that I’ll grudgingly buy and devalue the effort I put into writing about them while also diminishing my appreciation for the record out of the pervasive annoyance. It’s a vicious cycle. Anyway, most of what’s on it I couldn’t remember, but it was fine. I managed to find enough and then some, as you can see in the stack above. The new Bedemon (track stream here) and Seremonia (track stream here) records were a must, and I hadn’t actually gotten a CD of the last Enslaved (review here), so I figured if I was going to give someone the cash for it, at least I could feel good about it going to Armageddon. The rest was gravy.

The first Hooded Menace full-length, Fulfill the Curse, Orodruin‘s Claw Tower and Other Tales of Terror and the repress of Life Beyond‘s Ancient Worlds were cool finds, but I was even more stoked on the 2003 Cream Abdul Babar/Kylesa split on At a Loss. I think they came by their progression honestly and I think Spiral Shadow (review here) bears that out, but it’s easy to forget how blisteringly heavy that band was at one point, all noise and fury and potential. With the unbridled weirdness of Cream Abdul Babar to complement, that split was a killer. The punkish War and Wine by the UK’s The Dukes of Nothing was something I had my eye on for a while, with Orange Goblin‘s Chris Turner on drums, bassist Doug Dalziel (ex-Iron Monkey) and Stuart O’Hara (ex-Acrimony, current Sigiriya) as one of two guitars, and more on the hardcore end, the self-titled collection from Hard to Swallow was a pleasant surprise, spanning the short tenure of the outfit that featured Jim Rushby (Iron Monkey) on guitar and Justin Greaves (Iron Monkey and even later of Crippled Black Phoenix) on drums and a host of others from that sphere ripping out primitive, violent bursts in rapid succession.

With 13 tracks in 27 minutes, there’s little room for screwing around, so Hard to Swallow get right to it, blending raw riffage with extreme punk fuckall. The compilation was released on Armageddon‘s own label, and though it’s more hardcore than what I’ll generally grab, it’s a solid, intense listen. A secret track incorporating Sabbath‘s “Under the Sun” into a grind medley made a decent, meaner answer to The Dukes of Nothing‘s album on Tortuga, and the metallic outing from Enslaved and Seremonia‘s distinctly Finnish weirdness. More local to home, I grabbed Halfway to Gone‘s split with Alabama Thunderpussy, which I already own but figured for six bucks I’d take a double, and the 1997 debut from underrated Jersey-based psychedelic rockers, Lord Sterling.

Your Ghost Will Walk was one of those albums I figured I’d probably never happen upon, perhaps even less so in Rhode Island. I haven’t been chasing it down for years and years or anything like that — a preliminary search can find copies out there — but neither was I going to pass up the chance to get a new one. The pressing is on Chainsaw Safety Records, may or may not be original, and for anyone who heard Lord Sterling‘s Weapon of Truth (2002, Rubric) or Today’s Song for Tomorrow (2004, Small Stone), the first one is a little more jagged, a little more post-hardcore, somewhat less psychedelic, though the ethereal garage via The Doors vibes of the later albums are definitely present in some nascent form. I always dug those guys, so it was cool to hear where they came from a little bit.

Because I can’t resist a CD on Man’s Ruin and because I’m forever a sucker for NYC noise, I impulse grabbed The Cuttroats 9‘s self-titled. The band had Chris Spencer and Dave Curran from Unsane in it, so I figured I couldn’t go wrong and I was right. It was a last-minute thing as I was looking through, but I’ve done way worse. All told, the haul was well-rounded and with a cup of coffee from the bakery down the street, I felt like the win was even more complete. About five hours later, I strolled into my office like I owned the place.

With lyrics all in their native Finnish and blown-out buzzsaw riffs drawn from elder cult rock, woodsy four-piece Seremonia make a resounding first impression on their self-titled Svart Records debut. The album melds its dark psychedelia in classic tonality, swirling echoes of male/female vocals and an atmosphere befitting the band’s ceremonially-minded moniker. A song like the Iron Butterfly-esque “Huutava Taivas, Kuiskaava Maa” is brooding and doomed, but elsewhere, as on “Rock ‘n’ Rollin’ Maailma,” Seremonia revels in the pagan joys of heavy rock, talking ’70s retro vibing to heart even in the drum sound.

Seremonia‘s Seremonia is officially out next week (Sept. 14), and today I have the pleasure of hosting “Antikristus 666” for streaming. Aside from being memorable for its easily translated title and catchy hook of a chorus in which the title is repeated like a chant, the creeping guitar line and whispering vocals that precede the explosion into distortion of that chorus embody a lot of the weirdo ethic that Seremonia strive to portray across the whole of the album.

Working greatly in their favor in that endeavor is how natural they sound while doing it. The recording is rough, but not unclear in any way unintended, and Seremonia most definitely get their point across, sounding cohesive and assured in their aesthetic even for this just being their first time out. If this was 1972 and not 2012, they’d release Seremonia as a private pressing of 200 and never be heard from again. Hopefully today’s musical climate allows for a somewhat brighter future, which of course their output will immediately darken with its effective stretches of minimalism, unrepentant heresies and bizarre, ranging psykedeliaa.

Please enjoy “Antikristus 666” on the player below, and if you’d like to sing along, the Finnish word for “six” is “kuusi.”

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The self-titled debut from Seremonia is due out Sept. 14 on Svart. For more info, hit up the band on Thee Facebooks or check out the Svart website.