The Carnival Bizarre Explained

The Carnival Bizarre
Type:	studio
Artist:	Cathedral
Cover:	CathedralCarnivalBizarre.jpg
Released:	^[1]
Recorded:	29 May – 14 June 1995
Studio:	Parkgate Studios
Genre:	Heavy metal, doom metal, stoner metal
Label:	Earache
Producer:	Kit Woolven
Prev Title:	Statik Majik
Prev Year:	1994
Next Title:	Supernatural Birth Machine
Next Year:	1996

The Carnival Bizarre is the third studio album by British doom metal band Cathedral, released in September 1995 through Earache Records.^[1]

Released in 1996, the related Hopkins (The Witchfinder General) EP features that titular track along with four additional songs.

Critical reception

Jem Aswald, in Trouser Press, wrote: "Pagan idolatry aside, Carnival Bizarre is Cathedral’s best and tightest album yet, rectifying many of the indulgences of the past and concentrating on throbbing grooves and viscous riffage – and a shout-out to Huggy Bear."^[2]

Personnel

Cathedral

Lee Dorrian – vocals, sleeve concept
Garry Jennings – guitar, mellotron (5, 8), keyboard (4, 10), percussion (5, 10), choir (4)
Leo Smee – bass, mellotron (3, 8), choir (4)
Brian Dixon – drums, choir (4)

Additional musicians

Tony Iommi – guitar (3)
Kenny Ball – trumpet (7)
Mitchell Dickinson – gong (3), choir (4)

Technical personnel

Kit Woolven – production, engineering
Doug Cook – assistant engineering
Noel Summerville – mastering
Dave Patchett – front cover
Leilah Wendell – inside art
Ray Palmer – photography
Aston Stephens – layout

Notes and References

Web site: Cathedral 'The Carnival Bizarre' . earache.com . . 4 November 2016.
Web site: Cathedral.