UMUR "The Ethereal Mirror" is the 2nd full-length studio album by UK doom metal act Cathedral. The album was released through Earache Records in February 1993. It´s the successor to "Forest of Equilibrium" from 1991 and features two lineup changes since the predecessor as bassist Mark Griffiths and drummer Mike Smail have left the band. The former has not been replaced and the bass on the album is therefore performed by guitarist Garry Jennings. New drummer is Mark Wharton. The remaining part of the lineup are lead vocalist Lee Dorrian and guitarist Adam Lehan.

While "Forest of Equilibrium (1991)" is probably among the most brick heavy and dark doom metal releases out there (even occasinally featuring an extreme metal edge), "The Ethereal Mirror" works a bit like a transition album from their gloomy early days to the more uplifting and also predominantly more upbeat stoner doom of the subsequent releases. "The Ethereal Mirror" features a bit from both worlds. It´s the last Cathedral album to feature two guitarists in the lineup, but the two guitarist lineup make sure they go out with a bang, as there are loads of harmony guitar work featured throughout the album. In addition to that the music features heavy riffs and rhythms, and Lee Dorrian´s raw shouting vocals in front. His vocals are less dark and eerie compared to his performance on the predecessor, but still suitably dark for a doom metal release, and he occasionally still sounds like a mad preacher confined to the asylum.

Because of its transitional nature "The Ethereal Mirror" is a relatively varied doom metal release. Tracks like "Ride" and "Midnight Mountain", and to some degree "Grim Luxuria", are pretty much stoner doom metal tracks (the two former with an upbeat rhythm), while tracks like "Enter the Worms", "Jaded Entity", and "Phantasmogoria" are pretty slow and dark doom metal tracks. "Fountain of Innocence" and "Imprisoned in Flesh" show a psychadelic direction, but no matter what they do on this album, Cathedral succeed, because the tracks are all well written and memorable.

They are also delivered with the right amount of passion and skill, and while Lee Dorrian is proabably a bit of an aquired taste, and he doesn´t always hit the notes 100% clean, he is a great asset to the sound on the album, and provides the music with something unique. It´s definitely one of his best and most varied vocal performances on a Cathedral album. "The Ethereal Mirror" features an organic, powerful, and detailed sound production, which further enhances the listening experience and suits the material perfectly. To my ears it´s a high quality doom metal album and a 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Supernatural Birth Machine" is the 4th full-length studio album by UK doom/stoner metal act Cathedral. The album was released through Earache Records in November 1996. It´s the successor to "The Carnival Bizarre" from 1995 and features the same four-piece lineup as the predecessor. So with this release it was cemented that Cathedral would continue with only one guitarist in the lineup, which is something that drastically changed their sound on "The Carnival Bizarre (1995)" compared to the twin guitar doom metal style of the first two albums.

"Supernatural Birth Machine" pretty much continues down the same doom/stoner metal style of its predecessor. It´s generally a little less doomy and slightly more hard rocking, but other than that it´s a natural successor in terms of sound and style. The one guitar approach provides a relatively simplistic touch, just like the case was on the predecessor, but the focus is still on heavy and organic played riffs and rhythms and Lee Dorrian´s often out of tune raw shouting vocals. There is a certain unique charm to his delivery, but damn the man can´t hit a clean note if his life depended on it.

The material on the 11 track, 58:00 minutes long album is relatively well written. There´s nothing offensively bad featured on the album, but there aren´t many highlights worth a mention either. It´s pretty standard quality doom/stoner metal, which could have prospered from more catchiness and a generally more hook oriented songwriting approach. Way too many of the tracks just pass by without leaving a lasting impression. The sound production is organic and relatively well sounding, but it lacks slightly in the punch department. The band are as always well playing, and all in all "Supernatural Birth Machine" is a decent release by Cathedral. Taking their full discopgraphy into account it´s one of their least interesting releases though, and a 3 star (60%) rating is fair.

Unitron This album completely changed my definitions of what doom metal could be (to the point of not even knowing if this is doom at all, but who cares). Doom metal is usually all about sounding dark, lethargic, and/or depressed right? Cathedral said 'fuck it', here's a bit of ominousness, but lets have some fuckin' fun.

Never have I heard another band come from the genre with this much exuberance, energy, personality, infectious hooks up the ass, grooves, and a special goofy charm that only Lee Dorian can pull off. Listening to the singles of Ride and Midnight Mountain make me wonder how the hell these guys didn't make it big. The riffs are massive, and the songwriting is honed to create the perfect metallic bop. Even songs like Enter the Worms, Fountain of Innocence, and Grim Luxuria balance out lumbering doom with huge grooves that bring a party.

Frontman Lee Dorian really commands the stage, he sounds like a party animal who doesn't know when to quit. His vocal style is so unique, with this weird and charismatic tone that brings light to every song no matter how dark the guitar riffs sound. Even when he's not 'OH YEEEAAAAH' and 'GROOVIN' ALL NIGHT', he's singing the chorus of Grim Luxuria the same way. It's absolutely fantastic.

Rather than filing this with Candlemass and Saint Vitus, this is probably better thrown together with grunge and groove metal (At least that's what I typically pair it with).

Warthur Although over time I have come to appreciate the early doom sound that Cathedral had on their debut - a style of comparatively purist doom metal flavoured and given a little extra edge by the band members' past experience in various extreme metal subgenres - the style wouldn't last long. Already, on their second album, you could hear the gear shift, with the band already moving away from traditional doom to the sort of good-natured stoner metal that would be their calling card for much of their subsequent career. This unfortunately puts more of a spotlight on Lee Dorrian's vocal performance, which frankly I find to be a turn-off, and the catchier, simpler, more accessible sound feels kind of vapid and empty to me if I'm being brutally honest.

Warthur Although I'm generally pretty keen on doom metal, and will always honour Lee Dorrian for his role as Rise Above head honcho in bringing groups like Blood Ceremony, Electric Wizard, and Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats to wider attention, Cathedral have always somehow failed to catch me - especially their more stoner-oriented middle period. (Once you start yelling "Huggy Bear oh yeah!" in the middle of a song you know you have lurched into total self-parody.)

This debut album of theirs, though... I think it has finally grown on me. Forest of Equilibrium has a rather unique doom sound because the participants are coming at it from decidedly non-doom backgrounds. You have Lee's own past in Napalm Death, Adam's Acid Reign roots, Mark Griffiths' Carcass roadie years - in short, a heap of experience in the faster, grittier, more extreme flavours of metal out there.

The end result is a doom album where, though I find Lee's vocal contributions to be a bit hit or miss, the overall aesthetic he leads the band to accomplish is an interesting departure for doom metal, giving it some of the gruesome, sick edge that extreme metal subgenres of the era enjoyed. The end result is a doom album which stands in stark contrast to some of the more "clean" and pristine takes on the genre, and as such deserves its place in doom history. Manage your expectations carefully and listen with an open mind.