REVEREND BIZARRE Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Modern Finnish doom metal legends Reverend Bizarre only released three full-lengths during their tenure which ran for just over a decade from 1995-2007, and how they were full to the brim, often nearly exceeding the runtime of a CD. Following on from 2002's epic debut In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend (yes, that is a King Crimson reference), 2005's II: Crush The Insects boasted a more upbeat approach to their fuzzed-out, psych-tinged doomgazing machinations, with original copies of the album even bearing a sticker that referred to the trio as "The Biggest Sell-Out in True Doom". Known for having its 21 minute lead single 'Slave of Satan' cut down to 13 minutes in order to fit on the LP, this marks one of the rare instances where a band's single version exceeds the length of their album version. Coming courtesy of leading metal label Svart, this translucent red 2xLP reissue offers doomers, new and old, the chance to plumb the depths of one of the most quintessential doom acts to ever rear their sludgy head.

Review: With its title paying homage to the seminal 1969 King Crimson album In the Court of the Crimson King, the debut full-length from Finnish doom metal maestros Reverend Bizarre has become a quintessential cornerstone of the movement in the two decades since its initial release. Clocking in at a mammoth 74 minutes with epic cuts such as 'Sodoma Sunrise' running over 13 minutes as well as the gargantuan 21 minute closer 'Cirith Ungol', this is Black Sabbath worship interspliced with moments of macabre grandiosity which have become staples of 21st century psychedelic doom revival. While the group would disband after only three LPs before working on a myriad of later projects together, In The Rectory Of The Bizarre Reverend still serves as not only an iconic debut, but a perfect entry point into the doomsphere.