Doomed Confessionary: Tar Pit & The Eldritch Doom Syndicate

From within the entrails of the eviscerated elder gods bubbles up the true Eldritch Doom of Tar Pit. Vocalist Don Gonzalo, in foul alliance with guitarists Papa Stefano and Poncho Kid, bassist Old Saint John (also of Purification) and drummer Mack The Professional, summons songs of lament and occult worship.

Since their resurrection in 2017, Tar Pit have cut an enduring path through the Portland, Oregon heavy music scene, playing with international touring acts such as Weedeater, Truckfighters, Mothership and Goya. Tar Pit released their first demo in 2017, followed shortly thereafter by their debut album »Tomb Of Doom« in 2018, and after a lengthy sojourn in the abyss, return even more powerful with their second full-length »Scrying The Angel Gate«, out August 1st, 2025 on Transylvanian Recordings.

While firmly rooted in the early doom sound of bands like Candlemass, Pentagram, Trouble, and the almighty Black Sabbath, Tar Pit draws influence from across the musical spectrum, from slowcore to Afro-Cuban jazz, to create a more nuanced and dynamic sound. »Scrying The Angel Gate« solidifies Tar Pit’s place as one of the regions most finely tuned purveyors of traditional doom metal, coupling punishing riffs with moments of beauty and foreboding.

Can you please say a few words about your band?
WE ARE TAR PIT FROM PORTLAND OREGON, USA OPERATING UNDER THR AUSPICES OF THE ELDRITCH DOOM SYNDICATE AND EDS WORLDWIDE. ALSI KU NUSHI ILANI MUSHITI. ITTI KUNU ALSI MUSHITUM KALLATUM KUTTUMTUM. ALSI BARARITUM QABLITUM U NAMARITUM.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
RECORDING »SCRYING THE ANGEL GATE« IN 110+ DEGREE HEAT WHILE ALSO BEING HAUNTED BY DEMONS FROM THE ABYSS.

What can you be most proud of so far?
TAR PIT’S SUCCESS AT SPREADING THE WORD OF THE SYNDICATE IN A FRACTURED AND INSULAR SOCIETY BENT UPON ITS OWN DESTRUCTION. THE CALLS TO THE TRUE DOOM HOTLINE HAVE BEEN NON-STOP – 888-DOOM-101 (TOLL FREE IN THE USA).

What was your biggest regret?
DUE TO TARIFFS AND ADVERSE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ALL COPIES OF OUR LATEST LP – »SCRYING THE ANGEL GATE« – WERE SIEZED BY PANAMANIAN CUSTOMS AND HELD FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS. THEY WERE EVENTUALLY RETRIEVED BUT ONLY AT GREAT PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL COST, LEAVING US WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF COPIES.

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
WE HAD BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING BACK TO THE BEGINNING WITH BLACK SABBATH BUT SHARON HAD US BOOTED WHEN OUR MANAGER FOLLOWED UP ABOUT FINANCIAL COMPENSATION AND RIDER REQUESTS (99 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL AND NO BLUE M&MS).

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
MUSIC SCENE IS CRAZY. BANDS START UP EACH AND EVERY DAY. I SAW ANOTHER ONE JUST THE OTHER DAY. A SPECIAL NEW BAND. I DON’T REMEMBER A LINE. I DON’T REMEMBER A WORD. BUT I DON’T CARE. DID YOU SEE THE DRUMMER’S HAIR?

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
STEELY DAN, FAT PAT, LIL KEKE, UGK, DJ SCREW (R.I.P.) AND ALL THE H-TOWN HOMIES, AEROSMITH – »LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR«, MÖTLEY CRÜE – »LIVE WIRE«, SHERYL CROWE – »IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY«, SUPERMERKA2, EIFFEL 65.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
“YOU ALL WOULD LOOK CLEANER THAN A MOTHERFUCKER IN SOME TRACKSUITS” – MILES DAVIS

What are your guilty pleasures?
[PLEASE REFER TO QUESTION 7] OUR LEGAL COUNSEL AT DAGON, ASHTAROTH, PAZUZU AND KLEIN HAVE ADVISED US NOT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS RELATING TO OUR INNOCENCE OR GUILT IN ANY MATTERS THAT MAY BE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION OR LITIGATION. TAR PIT SPREADS TRUE DOOM WITH UTMOST ADHERENCE TO LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAW.

Can you say something more about the current music scene in Portland?
IT HAS BEEN A BEAR MARKET AS OF LATE FOR THE HEAVY DOOM SCENE IN PORTLAND, OREGON, BUT WITH THE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL INFLOWS ALLOWED BY OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ELDRITCH DOOM SYNDICATE (EDS LLC & EDS INTERNATIONAL), AND POSITIVE SALES FIGURES FOR »SCRYING THE ANGEL GATE«, PROJECTIONS FOR THE SPREAD OF TRUE ELDRITCH DOOM LOOK TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS IN QUARTER 4.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
WE WILL BE MAKING A RARE HOMETOWN APPEARANCE AT DANTE’S IN PORTLAND, OREGON ON OCTOBER 24TH WITH BREATH AND RAVINE, AND ARE CURRENTLY FINALIZING DETAILS TO APPEAR AS HOLOGRAMS ALONG WITH MOTLEY CRUE, WHITESNAKE AND RAT FOR THEIR 2026 WORLD TOUR.

What are your plans for the future as a band?
WE PLAN TO SPREAD THE WORD OF TAR PIT AND TRUE ELDRITCH DOOM, EXPANDING THE SYNDICATE INTO NEW MARKETS AND REVENUE STREAMS, CREATING A SYNERGISTIC CASCADE OF TRUE DOOM THAT WE HOPE LASTS WELL INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. EXPECT FURTHER MERCHANDISE AND SHOW ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

How can people best support your band?
BUY »SCRYING THE ANGEL GATE«. BUY TAR PIT SHIRTS. BUY TAR PIT VINYL. BUY TAR PIT STICKERS. BUY TAR PIT SUPPLEMENTS. BUY TAR PIT DOOMCOIN. BUY FILA TRACKSUITS. BECOME THE DOOM WORLD ORDER.

Do you have any message for your listeners?
JOIN THE SYNDICATE. CALL 888-DOOM-101 (TOLL FREE IN USA).

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

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