| The Carnival Bizarre | ||
|---|---|---|
 CD cover. Full gatefold below. | ||
| Studio album by Cathedral | ||
| Released | September 29 1995 | |
| Recorded | 29 May – 14 June 1995 at Parkgate Studios in East Sussex, England | |
| Genre | Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Stoner Metal | |
| Length | 62:48 | |
| Label | Earache | |
| Producer | Kit Woolven | |
| Cathedral chronology | ||
| Statik Majik (1994) |
The Carnival Bizarre (1995) |
Hopkins (1995) |
| Alternative Cover | ||
| ||
The Carnival Bizarre is the third album by the British doom metal band Cathedral. Recorded in Sussex in the Summer of 1995, The Carnival Bizarre would be released via Earache Records. Notably, it's the first album to feature bassist Leo Smee and drummer Brian Dixon. Scott Carlson was originally intended to play bass on the record but would leave the band after recording demos in 1995.
The album is notable for it's lead single "Hopkins (The Witchfinder General)", which features samples from the 1968 Vincent Price film Witchfinder General (Also known as The Conqueror Worm) in both the song and it's accompanying music video. The album is also notable for the guest appearance of Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) on "Utopian Blaster".
Background[]
Cathedral in the studio with Tony Iommi.
In 1994 both Adam Lehan and Mark Ramsey Wharton would both leave Cathedral before a tour with Black Sabbath and Godspeed. Scott Carlson, Victor Griffin, Joe Hasselvander and Barry Stern would contribute to the European tour in 1994, with Carlson and Hornyak recording demos before returning to the states. When Brian auditioned for Cathedral in 1995, he also brought his friend Dave Rimmer along, but the latter did not like that style of music, and so Brian played with another bass player the next day, before eventually joining the band.[1]
Cathedral would go to East Sussex to record the album with Kit Woolven, with various contributors to the sessions including Tony Iommi. The Carnival Bizarre released in September 1995 initially on CD, Cassette and as a 10" double LP that showcases the nativity design done by recurring artist Dave Patchett.[2] A 2008 CD reissue would feature Our God Has Landed as a bonus DVD. Finally, a 2014 double LP reissue would be done in the same style as the original vinyl version with each side cut at 45RPM.[3]
The Carnival Bizarre saw mostly positive reception at the time of release and has since been revered as one of the band's finest works. Chronicles of Chaos at the time of release gave the album a 6 out of 10, making several comparisons to Sabbath.[4] Publications like AllMusic (9/10).[5] The Metal Crypt (9/10)[6] and Metal Reviews[7] were far more receptive in retroactive reviews, praising the shift into a groovier sound.
Tracklist[]
All tracks are written by Lee Dorrian and Gaz Jennings except where noted. Track 9 is exclusive to Japan.
- 1. Vampire Sun (4:06) (Jennings, Dorrian, Carlson)
- 2. Hopkins (The Witchfinder General) (5:18)
- 3. Utopian Blaster (5:41)
- 4. Night of The Seagulls (7:00) (Jennings, Dorrian, Carlson)
- 5. Carnival Bizarre (8:35)
- 6. Inertia's Cave (6:39)
- 7. Fangalactic Supergoria (5:54)
- 8. Blue Light (3:27)
- 9. Palace of Fallen Majesty (7:43)
- 10. Electric Grave (8:25)
- 11. Karmacopia (5:06)
Personnel[]
Cathedral[]
- Lee Dorrian - Vocals; Choir (4); Percussion; Lyrics; Sleeve Concept
- Gaz Jennings - Guitar; Choir (4); Keyboards (4, 10); Mellotron (5, 8); Percussion (5, 10); Songwriting
- Leo Smee - Bass; Choir (4); Mellotron (3, 8)
- Brian Dixon - Drums, Percussion; Choir (4); Arabian Percussion (5, 8)
Additional Musicians[]
- Scott Carlson - Songwriting, Lyrics (1, 4)
- Tony Iommi - Guitar Solo (3)
- Mitch Dickinson - Gong (3); Choir (4)
- Kenny Ball - Trumpet (7)
Technical Personnel[]
- Dave Patchett - Cover Artwork
- Leilah Wendell - Interior Artwork
- Ray Palmer - Photography
- Aston Stephens - Layout
- Kit Woolven - Engineer, Producer
- Doug Cook - Assistant Engineer
- Noel Summerville - Mastering
External Links[]
References[]
| V·T·E Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Final Lineup | Lee Dorrian • Gaz Jennings • Brian Dixon • Scott Carlson |
| Selected Past Members | Mark Griffiths • Adam Lehan • Mike Smail • Mark Ramsey Wharton • Leo Smee • Victor Griffin • Joe Hasselvander • Barry Stern |
| Studio Albums | Forest of Equilibrium • The Ethereal Mirror • The Carnival Bizarre • Supernatural Birth Machine • Caravan Beyond Redemption • Endtyme • The VIIth Coming • The Garden of Unearthly Delights • The Guessing Game • The Last Spire |
| Extended Plays | In Memoriam • Soul Sacrifice • Twylight Songs • Statik Majik • Hopkins (The Witchfinder General) • Gargoylian • A New Ice Age |
| Other Releases | Our God Has Landed • The Serpent's Gold • Anniversary • Happy Fucking Birthday |
| Selected Associated Bands, Etc. | Rise Above Records • Dave Patchett • Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine • Firebird • Penance • Death Penalty • The Skull • Workshed • With The Dead • Septic Tank • Lucifer • Napalm Death • Repulsion • Acid Reign • Chrome Hoof |