Doomed Confessionary: Phil Howlett (Solemn Ceremony)
Solemn Ceremony is a traditional doom metal solo project from Adelaide, Australia formed by Phil Howlett (Lucifer’s Fall, Zlórtcht, Caprahed & Rote Mare).
Solemn Ceremony’s third album, »Chapter III«, knows only one master, and their name is DOOM. Gnarled, twisting riffs soar and stomp beneath satanic wails of devilry best not named. The ferocity is balanced with dour melodicism across seven epic tracks, cataloguing a hellish journey that breathes foul new life into the world of traditional doom metal.
»Chapter III« was just released on August 2nd, 2024 and is available now on CD and digital format.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Solemn Ceremony was formed in 2017 as my (Phil Howlett’s) solo traditional doom metal project which was at the time a side project from my main band Lucifer’s Fall. I’ve had various people contributing bits and pieces over the three albums with the one constant being Kieran Provis (Lucifer’s Fall, Sharpshooter) taking on lead guitar duties. I’d say the biggest influences or comparable styles are Saint Vitus, Pentagram and Cirith Ungol.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
The biggest challenge for the band is getting the music heard and finding someone to release it. The first two albums were released by Nine Records but I’ve had to self-release the latest album. It’s a very limited edition of 50 CDs so I’m hoping that someone else might release a larger run in the future.
What can you be most proud of so far?
I think this third album »Chapter III« is the best yet as regards to songwriting. I took on the drumming this time around also and although it’s not technically great I think I did a reasonable job. So I guess I’m proud of both of those things.
What was your biggest regret?
I don’t really have any recent regrets (too old and all that, ha ha). I guess that since I only took up drums a couple of years ago I’ve found that it seems easier and more enjoyable to me than various other instruments. So I guess I regret not taking up drums when I was younger.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
As Solemn Ceremony is currently only a recording band I haven’t played live with it.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
It’s a difficult question as nothing much really surprises me in a good or bad way anymore. I find it a bit difficult to accept the trend of quite big bands use AI art for their album covers and some then even trying to justify it. You can get some really good real human art pretty cheaply. Even some of the well known artists aren’t that expensive. I get that a struggling artist might be tempted to use AI but I can’t accept it from an established band.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I’m always listening to new and old stuff. Over the last few months…
Warlord – Free Spirit Soar, Hellbutcher, Exodus – British Disaster The Battle of ’89, Seasons Of The Wolf – Orna Verum, Riot V – Mean Streets, Black Sabbath – Anno Domini, Purification – Elphinstone, Heráldica de Mandrake – Magia Subversiva Metálica, Rainbow – Live In Birmingham 2016, Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose, Darkthrone – It Beckons Us All… , Various U.D.O., Vulture – Sentinels, Midnight – Hellish Expectations, Friends Of Hell – God Damned You To Hell.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
I can’t ever recall any advice that I paid much heed to. I’m not sure I’ve ever been given much advice. I’ve stubbornly worked out and done a lot of things by myself in my own way. Probably why I’m so unsuccessful (ha ha).
What are your guilty pleasures?
Icecream, chocolate, unhealthy food in general. I don’t really believe in the whole guilty pleasure thing. With regards to music I like what I like and don’t really give a fuck if it’s cool or not.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Adelaide / Australia?
There’s quite a few local bands I’ve enjoyed over the years some still going, some split up. Check out my ex-Lucifer’s Fall bandmates in Sharpshooter (speed metal). Mournful Congregation, Road Warrior, Kitchen Witch, Almost Human and Cull are some other local Adelaide bands that I really enjoy. Also my Melbourne friends have the great Saint Vitus influenced Zombie Hunger (my current favourite Aussie band). So I guess in summary there are a lot of pretty good bands in Adelaide and a lot in general but the scene has definitely suffered in recent years due to many venues closing down.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
See question 5. Probably nowhere ha ha.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Just to keep putting out albums and hopefully finding a label that’s interested. It’s difficult to promote it and finance it yourselves. It’s much easier if a label gets involved.
How can people best support your band?
Buy the cd or the download. Just have a listen and if you like it share it. Let other people know.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Just thanks for listening. We appreciate any support that anyone has ever given us and anyone who takes the time just to give it a spin in the hope of finding something new and exciting. So a great big thankyou to any current fans and a thankyou in advance to any future fans. We love traditional doom and you should too!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well