Album Review: Blood Ceremony - 'Living with the Ancients'

Bust out the 70's attire, the psychedelic paraphernalia and find a dark, cavernous vista to absorb what can only be described as a rock 'n' roll throwback in every sense of the intended phrase.

It is still unclear whether Canadian quartet Blood Ceremony have just woken out of a deep collective sleep and still think it's the 70's or the band just have an undeniable fetish for all things old-school? This nine track, second studio album entitled, 'Living with the Ancients' is a departure from the breakdown-laden, djent stuff floating around at the moment.

If the strong metal side of Black Sabbath spawned a love child with the folksy elements of Jethro Tull we would probably get the illegitimate musical bastard child that is Blood Ceremony.

Hailing from Toronto of all places, Blood Ceremony provide a listening experience that is dark, moody and influenced by occult rock and mysterious traditional stylings. Perhaps this is one for the older generation, or perhaps it's a means of drawing a younger one in? Either way, on its individual merits, 'Living with the Ancients' is a captivating listen.

'Oliver Haddo' is the album's most prominent and key moment. Not to mention one of the longest songs, clocking in at the eight minute mark. A dirty, doom inspired riff is matched accordingly by dense, clear vocals with a subtle keyboard styling. While 'Morning of the Magicians' has a folksier tone to it and 'My Demon Brother' is brooding and once agin on the old-school metal side of the spectrum. Ten-minute closer 'Daughter of the Sun' is a wrap-up of everything that preceded it, with that metal, whimsical approach highly evident.

An interesting musical journey if nothing else. Definitely an exercise in nostalgia but without the token, stereotypical or generic delivery.

'Living with the Ancients' evokes a 70's musical sentiment, channelling prominent influences from rock's heyday to form a nine track odyssey of dark, deliberate and mystic rock. Perhaps, this is one for metalheads to give their Dads?

1. The Great God Pan

2. Coven Tree

3. The Hermit

4. My Demon Brother


5. Morning of the Magicians

6. Oliver Haddo


7. Night of Augery


8. The Witch's Dance

9. Daughter of the Sun