BLOOD CEREMONY RELEASE NEW LP “Living with the Ancients”

Toronto-based occult rockers BLOOD CEREMONY will release their sophomore album Living with the Ancients on March 1, 2011 via Rise Above Records / Metal Blade. Living with the Ancients expands on the sound cultivated by the quartet with its critically-celebrated self-titled debut which was released in 2008 and dubbed “skull-crushing by SPIN.

BLOOD CEREMONY‘s distinct style of flute-tinged “witch rock” evolves from an infernal marriage of occult-inspired acid folk and vintage hard rock riffing. After a mind-numbing study of hundreds of witchcraft-themed films, the group began to pour their energies into crafting songs, transforming their fascination for horror into a profane musical vision. Invoking the mischievous “Pipes of Pan”, BLOOD CEREMONY‘s songs are distinguished by singer Alia O’Brien’s invoking flute solos, accenting an instrument long-associated with a list of devilish figures. Although the tag of “Heavy Metal” may be a stretch, there is a sense of heaviness and funereal gloom in the band’s music — as well as a lyrical obsession with eldritch themes — that aligns them with much of traditional Doom metal. BLOOD CEREMONY keeps it simple and heavy; their songs are tempered with strong, brooding melodies that could readily appeal to fans of Black Sabbath and Black Mountain alike.

Living with the Ancients was recorded in Chicago with Sanford Parker (Zoroaster, Yakuza, etc.). The album displays a noticeable growth in the band’s songwriting skill and a strong musical maturity. Wider influences from obscure areas can be heard fluctuating beyond the more obvious comparisons associated their aforementioned debut.

A sneak peak at what Living with the Ancients holds in store can be heard now as the new BLOOD CEREMONY song “Oliver Haddo” has been posted online at this location. The landing page also allows fans to pre-order the new album. Dig it today!