With Festival of Invocations, the Society of the Silver Cross reimagines the gothic genre, blending Eastern mysticism with Western intensity to create a mesmerizing, cinematic experience that beckons listeners into a captivating yet rejuvenating new domain of dark music.
More than just an album release, Festival of Invocations marks the world premiere of a complex, shadowy soundscape meticulously crafted by masterful mood architects. The Society of the Silver Cross’s gothic revival is not merely nostalgic; it represents an essential reinvention.
Who Is the Society of the Silver Cross?
The Society of the Silver Cross, a Seattle-based band, embarks on an auditory journey with their new album, Festival of Invocations. Songwriters Joe Reineke (The Meices, Alien Crime Syndicate) and Karyn Gold-Reineke guide listeners through mystical realms, delving into themes of life and death, beauty and darkness, and traversing the threshold between worlds. Their music captivates, inducing a trance-like state of introspection and exploration, as showcased in this compelling new release.
The band’s distinctive songwriting merges rich organic instrumentation with immersive soundscapes, powerful rhythms, and chant-like vocals inspired by Indian textures and tones. Key instruments include a 12-string acoustic guitar, harmonium, Hammond B3 organ, shahi baaja (Indian autoharp), rare synthesizers, and drums.
This results in a mesmerizing blend of hypnotic melodies, dark undertones, and twisted Americana. Critics have described their sound as haunting, gothic Graceland, funeral home rock, and even “yogic metal.” With a captivating fusion of Eastern mysticism and Western allure, their music evokes a space where shadows dance with light, and harmonious reveries embrace the soul.
A Cathedral of Sound
Written and recorded in Temple of the Trees, the spookiest studio in the world, the album feels as though it was conceived in the rafters of a spectral cathedral. Each note resonates with a reverence for mystery and transformation.
After five years of anticipation, Festival of Invocations serves as the eagerly awaited sequel to the Society of the Silver Cross’s debut album, 1 Verse, which was praised as “One of the year’s most unique and compelling debuts.”
Composed during the COVID pandemic, Joe and Karyn unearthed hope and inspiration through music, crafting vibrant sounds against a backdrop that otherwise felt bleak. Festival of Invocations interlaces a captivating tapestry with witchy undertones, featuring compositions that convey a haunting urgency reminiscent of The Book Of The Dead, infused with an entrancing and eerie magnetism.
A Fusion of Worlds
For Joe, the new album represents the culmination of his journey through sobriety and cancer survival. Festival of Invocations transcends mere music; it’s a triumphant reclamation of life through sound, imbued with a quiet, unyielding intensity that never feels forced.
The interplay of 12-string acoustic guitar, harmonium, shahi baaja, and rare synthesizers creates an organic-electric tension that feels both ancient and futuristic, akin to ancient hymns composed for the apocalypse. This has rendered the Society of the Silver Cross’s music distinctly cinematic and uniquely their own.
As they express, “You have to be yourself; no one else is more qualified. It may seem simple to step into someone else’s lane and mirror that, but at some point, someone carved their own path, and that is what we are doing with this music.”
Festival of Invocations is available now on Spotify. Immerse yourself in the shadows and discover your light — if you dare. Follow the Society of the Silver Cross on Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify for more insights into their otherworldly journey.
