CATHEDRAL · The Ethereal Mirror | BLACK LP

Black vinyl with printed inner sleeve.

Background information about 'The Ethereal Mirror'

Cathedral’s The Ethereal Mirror stands as a monumental pillar in the doom metal landscape, a record that doesn’t just slow time down but stretches it into an infinite, heavy tapestry of sound. Released during the band’s peak creative era, this album captures the quintessential Cathedral sound: crushing riffs that feel like tectonic plates shifting, ethereal melodies that float above the distortion, and a vocal delivery from Lee Dorrian that is both guttural and strangely melodic. It is a masterclass in atmosphere, blending the sludge of early doom with psychedelic rock influences and even hints of jazz and funk, creating a listening experience that is as intellectual as it is visceral. The production is warm and thick, allowing every instrument to breathe within the dense mix, from the intricate guitar work of Greg Chandler and Lee Morris to the solid rhyth foundation of Simon Jeffery and Lee Dorrian himself. This isn’t background music; it demands your full attention, pulling you into a vortex of sound that is both oppressive and liberating. For fans who crave weight, texture, and genuine musical depth, this album is essential. It bridges the gap between the raw aggression of blackened doom and the spacious, dreamy qualities of psychedelic rock, resulting in a cohesive and powerful statement that has aged like fine wine. The tracklist flows seamlessly, from the haunting intro of "Violet Vortex" to the epic closure of "Imprisoned In Flesh," each song a journey in itself. Cathedral here proves that heaviness doesn’t have to mean boring; it can be complex, dynamic, and profoundly moving. This is doom metal at its most refined and impactful, a record that defines a genre and pushes its boundaries further than most dare to go.
For fans of:
Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Sleep, Pentagram

Track listing

A1. Violet Vortex (Intro)
A2. Ride
A3. Enter The Worms
A4. Midnight Mountain
A5. Fountain Of Innocence
B1. Grim Luxuria
B2. Jaded Entity
B3. Ashes You Leave
B4. Phantasmagoria
B5. Imprisoned In Flesh

Manufacturer: Edel Music & Entertainment GmbH, Neumühlen 17, 22763 Hamburg, Germany, Contact: www.edel.com