Whores To Oblivion

[Eoin McLove]

The past week I've been spinning Endtyme by Cathedral a lot. I think it was actually the first CD of theirs I picked up in the 00s but despite thinking it was OK it didn't really hit the extremes of the stuff I was excited by back then. Listening to it again now I realise just how good an album it is with pretty much every song still being lodged in my brain. Dorrian's vocals are always a bit of a challenge but when I'm in the mood for them they are perfect (I love his performance on Forest of Equilibrium), and on this album there's a bit of Fozzy Bear but it isn't too silly sounding. The riffs are just so fucking essential in their doominess. It's a beaut of a thing. I realise that I actually only own Forest,  this and the Hopkins EP so I'll have to start taking a chance on the groovy era.

[Pagan Saviour]

I think Ethereal Mirror is the best bet if in humour for the groovier stuff. It's got a bit of everything, and there's still some slower material on it. The balance of tongue in cheek humour is just right too.

Unfortunately the further into the discography you go the sillier and more grating it gets. Until Endtyme which really came out of nowhere, I thought Caravan Beyond Redemption and Supernatural Birth Machine especially were poor and descended into parody territory.

[Carnage]

Pretty much everything Pagan Saviour said there, The Carnival Bizarre or maybe the Hopkins EP would be my cut off point, with Endtyme being the only exception. That's a crushing album, a real anomaly in their later output. The production is almost too heavy, it sounds really oppressive through headphones.

I saw them in Eamon Doran's touring either SBM or CBR (can't remember which, but I almost lost my job over it) and, while they were great on the night, the funky/wacky bits and his vocals were really grating at times.

[Pentagrimes]

I did a spin through the whole discography there during the summer and yep, Carnival and Supernatural are still the low points, but there's a few cool songs on each. Ethereal is a whopper album for sure though, definitely worth your time. Heavy as fuck, and the Dorrian humour hasn't gone full whack.

Ultra Earth off Endtyme is one of their best tunes I reckon.

[Pagan Saviour]

saw them in Eamon Doran's touring either SBM or CBR (can't remember which, but I almost lost my job over it) and, while they were great on the night, the funky/wacky bits and his vocals were really grating at times.

Great gig, it was indeed Caravan they were promoting. That was my first time seeing Mourning Beloveth who supported.

Thought they were always good live - and they played The Tivoli when Endtyme came out, that was cool. Fair few aired off that - also did a signing in tower that day.

[Carnage]

Great gig, it was indeed Caravan they were promoting. That was my first time seeing Mourning Beloveth who supported.

Not my first time seeing Mourning Beloveth but you'd think it was: before the gig started I was hanging around at the back of the room, having a quiet pint when a blonde lad comes over chatting, asks who I'm there to see. "Cathedral, really" says I, "you'd see Mourning Beloveth every other week sure." "We don't play every week" he says, sullenly, and walks off. One of the guitarists I think he was, I'm useless at placing people when I don't know them.

I felt like a right prick, MB were mighty (still are obviously) and I'd have told him so, but they did seem to play a lot back then.

[Eoin McLove]

I have listened to The Ethereal Mirror but only once or twice so that will be my next stop. They've been split up a long time now so it's only a matter of time before they reunite. If they find out in tuned in, they'll hurry things a long I'm sure.

[Cosmic_Equilibrium]

Good to see the support for Endtyme here, it's in their top 3 albums, heavy as fuck and the song writing is much more focused than on the previous album. The Carnival Bizarre is still their best one though, that's where Gaz Jennings truly steps up and inherits Iommi's crown, riffs all over the place.

Also I'd recommend getting all their EPs. Some of their best work is on them.

[Ducky]

Jennings is a household name in a different life. Unreal number of killer riffs over his career.

This was also my first Cathedral record, and would also have in third (behind The Ethereal Mirror and Carnival Bizarre).

Have a soft spot for Garden of Unearthly Delights, defo the best of their later material.

[Eoin McLove]

I got halfway through The Ethereal Mirror but the vocals grated by then. Far too much repetition in the... melodies... can you even call them melodies 

[Thanatos]

I remember Endtyme being remarked on for its more traditional doomier vibe after the few before it being a bit lacklustre.

If Forest is your thing though, and you have not already, check out the Soul Sacrifice EP which was released shortly after Forest. Definitely a great companion piece.

[leoos]

The compilation of the Earache years would be my go to at this stage.
Forest and Endtyme are my highlights.
I remember watching them at Roadburn with the flatmate one year, who turned to em halfway through their set and wondered why I never listened to any of these more upbeat Cathedral songs, instead listening to the morose demo CD over and over

[Eoin McLove]

I remember Endtyme being remarked on for its more traditional doomier vibe after the few before it being a bit lacklustre.

If Forest is your thing though, and you have not already, check out the Soul Sacrifice EP which was released shortly after Forest. Definitely a great companion piece.

I don't know that one. I'll stick it on now.

[Pentagrimes]

Is it Static magic has the Viyage of the Homeless Sapiens on it?That tune alone is worth the price of admission.

Hated the Soul Sacrifice ep.

[Carnage]

Statik Majik and/or Cosmic Requiem, which are slightly different versions of the same EP.

Soul Sacrifice was my introduction to them via the Gods Of Grind compilation. I was very confuced by the album version of the title track when I heard Forest....

Also check out the In Memoriam demo/EP. Fierce doomy altogether.

I got halfway through The Ethereal Mirror but the vocals grated by then. Far too much repetition in the... melodies... can you even call them melodies 

That's my favourite of theirs by far, best produced (though the band disagree), and a nice mix of tempos and degrees of heaviness. If you haven't gotten to Ashes You Leave yet give it a go.