Doomed Confessionary: Craig, Peter & Mark (Nomadic Rituals)

Nomadic Rituals is a power trio hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, known for their crushing blend heavy sludge and doom metal. Formed in 2012, the band consists of Craig Carson (bass, vocals, synth, noises), Peter Hunter (baritone guitar, vocals, synth, noises) and Mark Smyth (drums, percussion, sample pad).

Since that time they have been creating uniquely thunderous and immersive sounds that incorporate elements from the extreme breadth of sludge and doom metal, along with layers of spaced out psychedelia and nods to progressive rock. The music delves into deep, expansive and resonant themes; each track offers a journey spoken through distorted guitars, booming rhythms, and guttural vocal accompaniments. Nomadic Rituals dwells in low frequencies and distorted rhythms while they gulder about ancient times and theoretical futures.

Their fourth album »Fust« was just released on March 14th, 2025 via Cursed Monk Records. Nomadic Rituals latest offering promises to be their most intense and evocative work yet to capture the essence of their evolution and the raw power that defines their music. »Fust« is 6 track album that points the figure directly at the human race, highlighting its flaws and attitudes toward catastrophe and corruption.

Can you say a few words about your band?
Craig: Nomadic Rituals was started by myself in 2012 after scarring Belfast for a willing drummer and guitarist. Initial aims was to simply make some heavy ass music.

Peter: We have just released our fourth album »Fust« on Cursed Monk Records and are looking forward to playing some gigs when we can. I think as a band we always try to make music that we enjoy. However, that always tends towards the bassy horrible sludgy space rock that we play.

Mark: Nomadic Rituals is centred around dense sludgy riffs and big beats, but we try to find ways of sprinkling in some other elements.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Craig: Remembering the lyrics.

Peter:Definitely remembering the lyrics, the music, and working out where the 1 is.

Mark: Starting the process of writing a new album after the climactic high of releasing the last one.

What can you be most proud of so far?
Craig: Playing together for 13 years with 4 albums under our belt and still no one cares. Plus some excellent overseas gigs.

Peter: I think managing to put out our own split record with Tome, where we hand printed all the covers ourselves, was a mammoth task to be quite proud of.

Mark: I think we’ve raised our own standards with each release over our 13 years, and ultimately, I’m most proud of our latest album, »Fust«.

What was your biggest regret?
Craig: Declining to play a Siege of Limerick because of Hank von Hernia.

Peter: Not getting to as many good gigs as I would have liked.

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Craig: I think I’d say our trip to Denmark and Norway was one of the best. But we have had some great gigs over the years.

Peter: I have to agree with Craig, Denmark and Norway were great gigs. Though I’m usually looking forward to the next one!

Mark: It’s tricky choosing one, so I’ll give a few from over the years – Cork Community Print Shop, Siege of Limerick, Monkfest, Denmark/Norway micro-tour. We’ve had the opportunity to play with a lot of amazing bands over the years!

Photo by @ray_k_media

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Craig: People leaving for the bus before the last band plays and the bands actually getting paid by the promoter.

Peter: I’m always pleasantly surprised when people want to hear us, buy our music, or book us for gigs but it’s great when it happens.

Mark: The nastiest angriest sounding music scene has some of the nicest people you could care to meet, although I wouldn’t say I’m surprised at that.

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Craig: »Infest The Rats Nest« by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, »The Singles« by Alien Sex Fiend, »Filth Pig« by Ministry.

Peter: »All The Worlds A Stage« by Rush, »Sabbath Bloody Sabbath« by Black Sabbath, »Strontium Fields« by Slomatics, and plenty of Hawkwind and Gong.

Mark: Mogwai – »The Bad Fire«, YOB – »Atma«, Thundercat – various works.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Craig: Sing on the beat and get a real job.

Peter: Big Bass is Best.

Mark: Bass drums for floor toms.

What are your guilty pleasures?
Craig: No guilt about it but I quite enjoy some nerd gaming like D&D and Call of Cthulhu. Oh and plants are most excellent.

Peter: Painting wargames miniatures and eating Tunnocks Caramel Wafers.

Mark: Friday night in with Gardeners’ World. No guilt though.

Can you say something more about current music scene in Belfast / Northern Ireland?
Craig: Depends if we should say nice things about it or not. Lots of bands around NI and Ireland are of an incredible quality. Some of the venues are lacking in decent PA but some are fantastic. Some of the promoters are great at the job, then again some of them can’t even pay the bands.

Peter: There are some great bands in Ireland from Ten Ton Slug, Soothsayer, Okus, Slomatics, Unbelievable Lake, Solothurn, Tooms the list could go on and on for days. It’s also great to see more people starting labels and investing in bands like Rodge at Cursed Monk which can only help get all the great music out there.

Mark: So many brilliant, talented bands in our city and country, in all varieties of music. I find it a consistent source of motivation to try and be as good as the bands around us.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Craig: We have plans for tour dates around Ireland and England. England will unbelievably be a first for us!

Peter: Yes England for a wee tour and Limerick for Monkfest so far. We really must sort a launch gig for our new album too!

What are your plans for the future as a band?
Craig: Create a jazz odyssey album with the half hour bass solo.

Peter: Keep making heavy space rock albums. I really enjoy our weird writing process I still think we have a 2112 in us.

Mark: Hopefully plenty more gigs, micro/mini-tours, and festivals, all with Haribo riders. And to keep making music that is better than the last output.

How can people best support your band?
Craig: Listen and buy our music, then spread the word to all your mates. Bully them if you have it. Also if you are streaming our music its fine but we only realistically recoup the cost of using DistroKid each year, therefor listeners get music for virtually free, streaming sites and DistroKid get their cut, and the musicians get virtually nothing. So either buy physical, pay for a download or even just torrent it.

Peter: Go listen to the music and buy the new record »Fust« on our Bandcamp or from Cursed Monk. We screen print a lot of our merchandise and album artwork ourselves, so it’s always nice when people want to buy something we have made.

Mark: Listen, and if you like what you hear, tell someone.

Do you have any message for your listeners?
Craig: Thank you for taking an interest in our musical output. I hope you find what you needed from it.

Peter: Be excellent to each other and Don’t Panic!

Mark: Thanks for listening. We’re genuinely delighted, and still somewhat amazed, when people listen and enjoy what we do.

Links:
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Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well