02/01/2024
As it's now the new year I guess I'll update what's been happening on the musical front.
Zlórtcht (Celtic Frost / Hellhammer type thrash).
The second as yet untitled album is about 3/4's done. Only vocals and leads are required. I have lyrics for 5 songs, 1 of which I have done the vocals for (a new version of the very first Zlórtcht track - Shatter The Crystal). The other songs I have lyrics for are Condemned (another old one), Out Of The Zlórtchterhaus, Crucified and Frozen Christ. I hope to have all the lyrics and vocals done over the next month. After that I will send the tracks to Shayne in Melbourne to add leads. Hopefully that won't take too long. Once again Sean Wiskin will be generously donating me some more awesome artwork (as yet not done.... but it's always cool as f**k!). As to the sound of the second album, musically it's less Frosty. It's faster and slightly more melodic. It's not a deliberate change - these things happen :D. Rest assured the vocals will remain maniacally Frosty & Hellhammerish with my own weirdness added (as usual). It's also longer (around 45 minutes) with two, 8 minute epics (one is very Frosty, the other not so much). The second album is planned to be released again through the mighty WITCHES BREW
Solemn Ceremony - Chapter III
The third Solemn Ceremony is complete apart from Kran's lead guitar which hopefully will be done in the next few weeks. All the leads are worked out, they just need to be recorded. This album is also around 45 minutes long. Song titles and approximate lengths below...
They Rule The Night - 6.09
Another Lie - 6.46
Chapter III - 6.13
Arcadia - 4.54
The King Of Slaves - 6.43
Skull Smasher - 6.40
Unholy Fate - 5.47
A lot of these vocals were recorded by me in the midst of my 3rd bout of Covid (it was frustrating and difficult recording them with a kinda f**ked throat... ha ha) so they are kinda more gravelly but not excessively. I liked the roughness so I kept them as they are. I think this is the best, most consistent set of Solemn Ceremony tracks yet. I'm really stoked with how they've come out. I don't know what label is gonna put it out yet, those conversations are yet to be had. As an added bonus the artwork for the third album is an awesome Adam Burke piece.
Caprahed
I've recorded a scratch guitar track (a single song of around 35 minutes). I've started recording the drums to this scratch track. I guess you could call the sound of it Progressive (basic), alt doom (or something ridiculous of that nature). It's basically pretty different from the first album but of course it still sounds like me (as everything I do does). Anyway, I doubt this will get a label release but I might ask around this time. If not, once again it will go up as a free release on Bandcamp.
In summary I am pretty sure all these three will come out this year making 2024 quite a busy year for me. I think after these three I will take a bit of a break before starting to think about new recordings.... but in reality who knows :D. The whole thing and general lack of interest wears me down and makes me wanna quit but in reality I doubt that will ever happen. It kinda becomes a love/hate thing but also seems kinda necessary... so f**k knows.
Also, anyone trying to extort free stuff in the guise of promotion doesn't even get a reply these days. I've also noticed that paid PR companies have virtually no effect these days (unless you wanna spend ridiculous amounts of money (I don't)). I reckon Zlórtcht got about 2 serious reviews for the first album and a couple of other two- three line write ups.
