The term ‘back from the grave’ takes on a whole new meaning with the release of this (thought to be long lost) epic recording by the much-missed British Doom Metal lords: Cathedral. Society’s Pact With Satan was the last ever recording made by the band, back in 2012. It was recorded at the end of the sessions for their swan song album; 2013’s The Last Spire. But, for some reason, the 30-minute track was not mixed at the time, thus pretty much forgotten about by everyone involved, until very recently.
Rediscovered by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano, whilst sorting through his old studio recordings, he excitedly alerted the band, saying that he had discovered a long-lost gem. Upon hearing it, the band members were convinced enough to agree that it should see a commercial release.
So, here we have it: the final sermon by Cathedral and what a way to go out. It’s an unapologetic, uncompromising exercise in macabre observations, musical eccentricity, brutal riffing and general arcane self-indulgence. There genuinely was/is no other band like Cathedral. Just ask Tony Iommi.
