July 13, 2026

Episode 148 – CATHEDRAL 1990-1994: Lord, Release the Dragons…

1 hour 35 minutes

What exactly constitutes "Radical Research material?" We're gonna test that question with this and the next episode. With episode 148, we answer with more questions: "Is it weird?" "Is it heavy?" "Is it something we enjoy?" "Would most of the music-listening world hate it?" Yes, yes, yes and yes! And lord, do we love us some Cathedral. Especially the early era, which is the 5-year chunk of time investigated here. Herein, we hail Dorrian, Gaz, Griffiths, Lehan and the three drummers that comprise this most potent, powerful era of the UK's legendary lords of doom.

Note I:

Something we knew about but failed to mention on this episode: even though the roots of Cathedral are partly based on the fateful meeting of doom-heads Lee Dorrian and Mark Griffiths, it is also rooted in a project that guitarist Gary “Gaz” Griffiths did after leaving Acid Reign. The following is from the mighty Metal Archives, to help fill in the gap here: “Morbid Doom recorded a demo entitled ‘Sorrow's Epitaph’ in late 1989 or early '90, which contained about 9 songs. Two of the tracks on it would later become Cathedral songs: ‘Sorrows End’ became ‘Jaded Entity", and ‘Suffocation of Mankind’ became ‘Phantasmagoria.’ The reworked/re-recorded versions of both ended up on 1993's The Ethereal Mirror album.”

Note II:

Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod

Note III:

The Radical Research Patreon page is now set up and ready for your patronage. We are offering tiered subscription levels for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it donation option. As ever, if you choose to support us, we are humbled and grateful! patreon.com/RadicalResearchPodcast

Music cited in order of appearance:

“Mourning of a New Day” (In Memorium demo, 1990)

“Commiserating the Celebration” (Forest of Equilibrium, 1991)

“Equilibrium” (Forest of Equilibrium, 1991)

“Reaching Happiness, Touching Pain” (Forest of Equilibrium, 1991)

“Soul Sacrifice” (Soul Sacrifice, 1992)

“Autumn Twilight” (Soul Sacrifice, 1992)

“Enter the Worms” (The Ethereal Mirror, 1993)

“Fountain of Innocence” (The Ethereal Mirror, 1993)

“Phantasmagoria” ” (The Ethereal Mirror, 1993)

“Hypnos 164” (Statik Majik, 1994)

“Cosmic Funeral” (Statik Majik, 1994)

“Voyage of the Homeless Sapien” (Statik Majik, 1994)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

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By Jeff Wagner & Hunter Ginn

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