On November 14th internationally, Caligari Records is proud to present Bretwaldas of Heathen Doom’s classic third album, Seven Bloodied Ramparts, on vinyl LP format for the first time ever: Seven Bloodied Ramparts (Remastered) | BRETWALDAS OF HEATHEN DOOM | Caligari Records
„Much like vagrant bards of old, Bretwaldas of Heathen Doom are a law unto themselves: a pair of self-serving rogues cursed to wander ever-twisting paths in whimsical directions.“ – Zero Tolerance magazine
Equal parts Amebix and Pentagram, Hawkwind and Hellhammer, both black metal Bathory and pagan Bathory: Bretwaldas of Heathen Doom are truly a vanguard in a league of one. Formed in 2001, the original (and still-standing) duo of Dagfari Wartooth and Sceot Acwealde have patiently and unselfconsciously carved out their own niche of the wider „weird metal“ world across four scattered full-lengths and a couple shorter ones. Theirs is a sound that’s unmistakably British but, perhaps more importantly, one seemingly aeons older and ahead of all else. Put another way, you immediately know it’s Bretwaldas the second you hear them.
Of that illustrious and idiosyncratic catalog, perhaps their most defining classic is 2010’s Seven Bloodied Ramparts. Originally released on CD on their own King Penda Productions and then later on cassette in 2015 via Caligari, Seven Bloodied Ramparts became many listeners‘ mind-blown introduction to Bretwaldas of Heathen Doom. Proudly pagan but in a manner most mushroom-dotted, Seven Bloodied Ramparts moved with a ragged glory that was at once tragic & resigned and also defiant – and mischievously so. The album’s earthiness could not be denied; simply on sound itself, its mossy heaviness was world-building before such a term ever entered into the popular lexicon. That Wartooth’s vocals approximated a drunken uncle to The Baron of Amebix has been belabored, but they undoubtedly added to Bretwaldas‚ endearing, actually-life-affirming charm. For life is tough and history has many horrors, and yet the drink will flow and these „educated savages“ will continue their bardic journey: Seven Bloodied Ramparts simply served as the most immediately mesmerizing entry-point and arguably the most engaging crystallization of their crude-yet-elevated aesthetic. Incredibly, the album was even hailed by outsider-music maverick Julian Cope, showing that their appeal extends far beyond the metal underground.
Feeling duty call, Caligari Records returns to Seven Bloodied Ramparts with a LONG-overdue vinyl edition, specially mastered for the format by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios. All hail Bretwaldas of Heathen Doom, for all eternity!
