LORD OF MISRULE

3.5 stars. BLOOD CEREMONY are a Canadian band based in Toronto and this is studio album number four for them. Many mention a BLACK SABBATH/ JETHRO TULL sound which is true at times but for me this is Heavy Psych to Psychedelic for the most part. The vocals really bring late sixties Psych to mind, and it sounds like they recorded her vocal parts in a bunker or garage but I'm sure that was to get the desired affect. We get mellotron on three songs but there's not a lot of it. I can't say the occult is something I want anything to do with period but I can ignore lyrics to a point. I'm also not sure if the band is into the occult or if that's a gimmick.

"The Devil's Widow" really starts the album off on the right foot. It sounds like the late 60's to start as the organ boils in the background, then it kicks in with flute then vocals. A great chorus as well, she can sing! Nice guitar solo after 3 minutes followed by a flute solo. A calm after 4 1/2 minutes and reserved vocals will join in. It's like the song starts over 6 minutes in.

"Loreley" is a lighter, poppier tune with vocals and pulsating keys. A catchy beat to this one and some brief mellotron after 1 1/2 minutes and later before 4 1/2 minutes to end it. "The Rogue's Lot" is a heavy tune man. BLACK SABBATH comes to mind here. I like when the flute arrives before 3 minutes and the tempo picks up. Catchy stuff and I like the guitar.

"Lord Of Misrule" opens with the vocal melodies and drums standing out. It kicks into a higher gear quickly though. Some flute when the vocals step aside briefly. "Half Moon Street" has a folky vibe and when the flute starts to dominate JETHRO TULL comes to mind in a big way. The tempo picks up before 4 minutes as we get a rip snorter of an ending.

"The Weird Finistere" opens with mellotron and a relaxed sound. Reserved vocals join in around a minute with intricate guitar melodies. Quite folky and the mellotron returns along with a slow beat. The chorus is catchy. "Flower Phantoms" really has a late sixties sound to it. So catchy and we get some aggressive guitar before 2 minutes as the vocals stop briefly.

"Old Fires" opens with some in your face guitar as the drums pound and the organ fires off some runs. Vocals join in. I like how hard this one rocks. "Things Present, Things Past" is the closing track and her voice might sound the best on this one. This song trips along nicely and the flute will become prominent. Kind of a strange ending.

Man this is so close to 4 stars but I'm just not able to pull the trigger. The enjoyment level just isn't there despite some great moments throughout.