Ceremonial Castings

Ceremonial Castings

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.

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, Washington. 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 6th. 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 it's authenticity, Lord Serpent and Old Nick are infact descendants of the late Judge Ha(w)thorne, who was one of the judges during the trials. This album was released May 9th, 2008.

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.

Discography

Albums

• Immortal Black Art (2005)
• Barbaric is the Beast (2006)
• Salem 1692 (2008)
• Into the Black Forest of Witchery (re-re-recording to take place in later 2008)

Demos & EP's

• Witchcraft (tape 1996)
• Vampira (1997)
• Demonic (1998)
• 13 Roses (2000)
• Vampira - The Second Coming (2000)
• The Garden of Dark Delights (2001)
• The Chaos Chapter (2002)
• Into the Black Forest of Witchery (2002)
• Fullmoon Passions (2002)
• Midnight Deathcult Phenomena (2003)
• Universal Funeral March (2003)
• The Extermination Process (2003)
• Into the Black Forest of Witchery (re-recorded 2004)

Other Projects

The Dead

Nick The Gremlin - Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Bass
Jake Dekapitate - 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)

Sources

• Template:Myspace
• Official Ceremonial Castings site