Ceremonial Castings
Encyclopedia
Ceremonial Castings are an American
black metal
band from Washington. They describe themselves as "American Deathphonic Black metal", but predominantly play symphonic black metal
with prominent use of keyboards and some death metal
influences. To date, their most notable live performance has been with folk metal
band Finntroll
. But they have had more notable performances opening for 1349
in September 2008, and then opening for Watain in October.
. Lord Serpent's other band, Crimson Death, had quickly ended, giving him time to focus on Ceremonial Castings. Their first demo was a four-track tape from 1996, with another released in 2001, two more in 2003 and another in 2004. It took until 2004 to find a live drummer in the form of Matthew Mattern (alias "Bloodhammer"). 2005 saw the release of their first full-length, Immortal Black Art, released through Dark Forest Productions, with their second release Barbaric is the Beast released the following year on June 6. Beginning in mid-2007, Ceremonial Castings began the writing of their latest offering, Salem 1692, which is based on the trials and executions of accused witches in Salem, Ma in the year of 1692. Even more so to its authenticity, Lord Serpent and Old Nick are in fact descendants of the late Judge John Hathorne
, who was one of the judges during the trials. This album was released May 9, 2008. During the recording of the album, strange occurrences such as voices showing up in the mix, recorded tracks being out of key, and even hospitalization of band members took place.
Both Lord Serpent and Old Nick are involved in musical projects ranging from death metal
, to black metal
, to ambient
. Links to these various projects can be found on Ceremonial Castings' Myspace
page.
The Brothers Superchi also happen to be related to the renowned author, Nathaniel Hawthorne
, as they are direct descendants of Nathaniel's great-great-grandfather, Judge John Hathorne
.
Jake O' Lantern - Drums
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band from Washington. They describe themselves as "American Deathphonic Black metal", but predominantly play symphonic black metal
Symphonic black metal
Symphonic black metal is a black metal subgenre that emerged in the mid to late 1990s. The genre is known for its symphonic and orchestral elements and is centralized in Europe.-Characteristics:...
with prominent use of keyboards and some death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
influences. To date, their most notable live performance has been with folk metal
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
band Finntroll
Finntroll
Finntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They combine elements of black metal and folk metal. Finntroll's lyrics are mostly in Swedish, the only exception being the song "Madon Laulu" on Visor Om Slutet...
. But they have had more notable performances opening for 1349
1349 (band)
1349 is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1997. Their name comes from the year the Black Death reached Norway.- History :1349 formed in 1997 and comprises several former members of the band Alvheim...
in September 2008, and then opening for Watain in October.
History
Ceremonial Castings formed in the summer of 1996, by vocalist/guitarist Jake Superchi (going under the pseudonym "Lord Serpent") and keyboardist Nick Superchi (under the name "Old Nick"). from Battle Ground, WashingtonBattle Ground, Washington
Battle Ground is a city in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 17,571 at the 2010 census. According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management, Battle Ground ranked 4th of 279 eligible incorporated communities in population growth between 2000 and 2005.-Origin of...
. Lord Serpent's other band, Crimson Death, had quickly ended, giving him time to focus on Ceremonial Castings. Their first demo was a four-track tape from 1996, with another released in 2001, two more in 2003 and another in 2004. It took until 2004 to find a live drummer in the form of Matthew Mattern (alias "Bloodhammer"). 2005 saw the release of their first full-length, Immortal Black Art, released through Dark Forest Productions, with their second release Barbaric is the Beast released the following year on June 6. Beginning in mid-2007, Ceremonial Castings began the writing of their latest offering, Salem 1692, which is based on the trials and executions of accused witches in Salem, Ma in the year of 1692. Even more so to its authenticity, Lord Serpent and Old Nick are in fact descendants of the late Judge John Hathorne
John Hathorne
John Hathorne was an executor in the Salem witch trials, and the only one who never repented of his actions. He was also a merchant in Salem, Massachusetts....
, who was one of the judges during the trials. This album was released May 9, 2008. During the recording of the album, strange occurrences such as voices showing up in the mix, recorded tracks being out of key, and even hospitalization of band members took place.
Both Lord Serpent and Old Nick are involved in musical projects ranging from death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
, to black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
, to ambient
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
. Links to these various projects can be found on Ceremonial Castings' Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page.
The Brothers Superchi also happen to be related to the renowned author, Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer.Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in the city of Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning. His ancestors include John Hathorne, a judge during the Salem Witch Trials...
, as they are direct descendants of Nathaniel's great-great-grandfather, Judge John Hathorne
John Hathorne
John Hathorne was an executor in the Salem witch trials, and the only one who never repented of his actions. He was also a merchant in Salem, Massachusetts....
.
Albums
- Into The Black Forest Of Witchery (2002)
- Midnight Deathcult Phenomena (2003)
- Universal Funeral March (2003)
- Immortal Black Art (2005)
- Barbaric is the Beast (2006)
- Salem 1692 (2008)
- Into the Black Forest of Witchery (remastered + bonus tracks 2008)
- Beast In Black (2010)
- March Of The Deathcult (2011)
Demos & EP's
- Witchcraft (tape 1996)
- Vampira (1997)
- Demonic (1998)
- Blood Like Wine (2000)
- Vampira - The Second Coming (2000)
- 13 Roses (2000)
- The Garden of Dark Delights (2001)
- The Chaos Chapter (2002)
- Fullmoon Passions (2002)
- The Extermination Process (2003)
The Dead
Nick The Gremlin - Vocals, Guitars, Keys, BassJake O' Lantern - Drums
- They Come For Brains (2001)
- Start Killing (2006)
- Cadaver Cuts (Split) (2007)
Mysticism Black
Old Nick - All Instruments- War Hymns Of The Dark Communion (Demo) (2002)
- The Rite Of War (Split Album) (2003)
- The Dark Erudition (2006)
Serpent Lord
Lord Serpent - All Instruments- Battle Horns (Demo) (2003)
- The Rite Of War (Split Album) (2003)
- The Order Of The Snake (Demo) (2004)