Release:

Cruz Del Sur Music
02.05.2014

Info:

Vestal Claret might sound like a new name amongst American occult heavy metal music, but their origins are to be traced back to year 2005. When vocalist Phil Swanson met recording studio owner and poli-instrumentalist Simon Tuozzoli, he introduced Tuozzoli to his own “Occult Heavy Metal / Death Rock” project. Tuozzoli was quickly hooked, and Vestal Claret got started.

After the release of the Two Stones demo, (that appeared on a split EP with teutonic epic metal messiahs and label-mates Atlantean Kodex), Vestal Claret composed and demoed out a full length recording. The recording was put aside and Vestal Claret disbanded. They only reformed in 2009, soon followed by their 7" vinyl release "Virgin Blood". Vestal Claret then released their first full length recording “Bloodbath” in 2011 on vinyl with guest performances from musicians all over the globe. The band's version of Bloodbath, without guest performances, was later released in 2013 on compact disc.

“The Cult of Vestal Claret” introduces to the masses a name that insofar has been quite popular only amongst the die-hard fans of the doom metal scene. In fact, Swanson is well renowned for his work with Hour of 13 and Seamount. Vestal Claret's pronounced Sabbath-inspiration together with Swanson's signature doomy style perfectly blends with the band's Traditional Heavy Metal’ influences, with an inspired drumming style, cutting guitars and catchy compositions. The morbid-themed lyrics seem to walk hand in hand with such mesmerizing music: Vestal Claret celebrates the dark side of the human psyche, with abundant references to Occultism, Satanism and other disturbing imagery such as the abuse of women and children.

“The Cult of the Vestal Claret” is released on compact disc and vinyl with two different track lists.
The compact disc edition includes newly recorded versions of 4 previously released tracks from the split with Ungod, and the long suite “Black Priest” (a different, re-recorded version from the one present on the split with Indian band Albatross). Also, the compact disc contains two unreleased songs, a cover version of Black Sabbath’s “Who Are You?", and an exclusive cd-only track titled "Great Goat God.”. On the contrary, the vinyl includes two songs from the Ungod split, the two unreleased tracks, and an exclusive vinyl-only track titled “So Mote it Be”.

Line-up:

Philip Swanson - Vocals
Simon Tuozzoli - Bass, Guitar, Organ, Additional Voice
(Drums by Michael Petrucci)

Tracklist:

CD TRACKLIST (PROMO)
Never Say No Again
Three and Three Are Six
The Cult of the Vestal Claret
Great Goat God
The Demon and the Deceiver
Piece of Meat
Black Priest
Who Are You
The Stranger

LP TRACKLIST
Never Say No Again
Three and Three Are Six
The Cult of the Vestal Claret
The Stranger
So Mote it Be
Black Priest