Ceremony consists of two members: Paul Baker and John Fedowitz. If you haven’t heard Ceremony’s music before, the fact that they are only a duo is almost hard to believe, considering the glorious (and gorgeous) cacophony they create. But then, these guys are masters at what they do; before starting Ceremony, they were both members of the highly lauded but now defunct Skywave (a band that also included Oliver Ackermann, currently of A Place To Bury Strangers, and the mastermind behind the effects pedal company Death By Audio).
Ceremony’s first offering was a self titled CDR release in 2005 on Safranin Sound (the label Jake and Kim Reid of Screen Vinyl Image run)- dark and moody are understatements. The band’s sheer talent sparkled, and the CDR was a mere glimpse into the sound that was to come.
2007 saw the debut LP, Disappear, also released on Safranin. This LP was what really brought them into the spotlight, and deservedly so. Dark, clever, perfect from beginning to end – one of the best albums of the year.
In 2010 Ceremony released their second LP, entitled Rocket Fire, this time released on the label Killer Pimp, propelling the band into even greater acclaim, and remains highly lauded and often-spun to this day. Bliss, drone, guitars of all kinds, synth sounds from unearthly places…a powerful sophomore release, to say the least.
Since then Ceremony has released an EP, Not Tonight, in 2011. It did not disappoint. If you are sensing a pattern then you wouldn’t be wrong. Strong release after strong release – the pattern of two talented guys making brilliant, beautiful noise. The follow up to Rocket Fire is anxiously awaited by many; here’s hoping for a 2012 LP.
