Ventura, CA’s CIRITH UNGOL, one of the most underrated bands from the early ’80s metal scene, released four albums between 1980 and 1991. The group is known for lyrics based on fantasy (particularly sword and sorcery) and is considered one of the earlier epic doom and power metal bands.
Their first album, Frost and Fire, was closer to a hybrid between 1970s hard rock and metal with songs written by then bassist and guitarist Greg Lindstrom, but from King of the Dead and onwards they played a progressive rock influenced kind of doom metal with song lyrics primarily written by vocalist Tim Baker and drummer , however the compositions were usually composed with the inclusion of all the members.
The name CIRITH UNGOL is pronounced “kirith ungol” and is an Elvish phrase meaning “pass of the spider”, which is something that Lord of the Rings fans will surely recognize. The name is, of course, indicative of the band’s fantasy-oriented lyrics, themes and beautiful album artwork.
In the spirit of R-rated animated films like Heavy Metal and the works of Ralph Bakshi, Riff Lodge Animation (the studio behind the mind-blowing music video for Conan’s “Throne of Fire”) are creating an EPIC feature-length fantasy/science-fiction film titled “The Planet of Doom”, created entirely by both artists and bands within the doom/stoner/psych/metal genres. Set for release in 2020 and subtitled as “An Animated Tale of Metal and Art”, “The Planet of Doom” features a worldwide assembly of 17 respected artists and animators and 18 revered bands and promises to present a colossal compendium of underground culture and this generation’s ode to counterculture. On June 22, Ripple Music will release First Contact: Music From The Original Soundtrack ‘The Planet of Doom’, a teaser EP including four of the film’s featured groups: Mos Generator (USA), Messa (Italy), Vokonis (Sweden) and Slomatics (Ireland).
Written by art director/producer David Paul Seymour and adapted into a screenplay by animator/director Tim Granda, “The Planet of Doom” is one continuous tale broken up into 15 chapters, each interpreted by a different artist and band team-up. The film contains no spoken dialogue, opting instead to tell the tale via the lyrics of the soundtrack’s original music. In the film, the titular hero, Halvar The Brave, seeks vengeance aboard a witch-born chopper, journeying across a psychedelic landscape on a quest to defeat the deadly beast Mördvél for the slaying of his beloved bride.
““The Planet of Doom” is a tribute to heavy music and the art that accompanies that type of music.” says Seymour. “With this film, we’re seeking to encapsulate the music and art community that Tim and I are a proud part of with one epic body of work. We are also naturally bringing in all sorts of fringe countercultures who’ve attached to this same community: bikers, skateboarders, comic book, and sci-fi fantasy fans. It’s a really vibrant and diversified community, and we’ve certainly brought in the right ambassadors to represent it properly.”
“One of the things we loved about Heavy Metal was the format. We really dug how the style of art changed from one sequence to the next, as if you were reading an issue of their magazine,” adds Granda. “But rather than use a plot device like the “Loc-Nar” to tie a series of unrelated segments together, we wanted to stick to one story that’s split up into a series of chapters, with each being told by a different band and artist.”
The complete list of artists and bands contributing to “The Planet of Doom” reads like a who’s who of the modern day underground scene. Contributing artists include David Paul Seymour, Skinner, Pascal Blanche, Ian Bederman, Maarten Donders, Adam Burke, Alexis Ziritt, Dave Olteanu, Burney, Justin Mohlman, Mikey McKennedy, Matt Stikker, Jason Cruz, Simon Berndt, Gorgeous George, Brian Profilio, Tim Granda, and Forrest Cavacco.
Bands and musicians that will appear on the film’s soundtrack include Cirith Ungol, Wo Fat, Ufomammut, Mos Generator, Slomatics, Elephant Tree, Vokonis, Phillip Cope (Kylesa), Slow Season, Messa, Summoner, Space Witch, Destroyer of Light, Mother Crone, and Tim Granda.
First Contact: Music From The Original Soundtrack ‘The Planet of Doom’ track listing:
1.) Mos Generator “Sword of the Sea’
2.) Messa “Serpent Libido”
3.) Vokonis “Runa”
4.) Slomatics “Jagaer”
Pre-order First Contact: Music From The Original Soundtrack ‘The Planet of Doom’ at this location.
David Paul Seymour and Tim Granda are available to speak with interested media. To chat with the artists and/or request a review copy of First Contact: Music From The Original Soundtrack ‘The Planet of Doom’, simply contact Carl Schultz at ACTION! PR.
“The Planet of Doom” channels spirit of “Heavy Metal” movie.” – Heavy Metal Magazine
“Now THIS is an animated movie I’ll take my kids to! Fuck Frozen, it’s all about “The Planet of Doom”!” – Cvltnation
“I could gush and go on and on about the admirable undertaking that is bringing so many artists and bands together…It’s a massive, comprehensive project.” – The Obelisk
“The Planet of Doom”…looks so damn epic and manly that it just shot right to the top of the list of my most hotly anticipated animated films.” – Dread Central
With any project of this size and scope, it’s not uncommon to see a few folks drop out. With the new talent we’re announcing tonight, it’s become clear to us that these changes were pre-destined. FATE brought this creative FORCE together. A group that’s aligned for a singular goal: to make one of the most kickass animated films the world has ever seen.
THE PLANET OF DOOM is stoked to announce the inclusion of the band MESSA! They hail from Italy, and are ranked NUMBER 2 on this month’s infamous DOOM CHART! JK from Paranoid Hitsophrenic describes them as “Picture Clint Eastwood as the Man With No Name pitted against John Carpenter’s The THING… Spaghetti western doom…!”
With any project of this size and scope, it’s not uncommon to see a few folks drop out. With the new talent we’re announcing tonight, it’s become clear to us that these changes were pre-destined. FATE brought this creative FORCE together. A group that’s aligned for a singular goal: to make one of the most kickass animated films the world has ever seen.
THE PLANET OF DOOM is stoked to announce the inclusion of the band SLOMATICS! Formed in Belfast late 2004, Slomatics (a band Conan cite’s as an influence) aim to reduce riffs to a primal state of heaviness, to produce music that implodes under it’s own weight, creates a joyous and euphoric state of wellbeing which can only be obtained with a slew of vintage amplifiers, fuzz pedals, analog synths, and an alarming array of percussion instruments.
Formed in Belfast late 2004, Slomatics (a band Conan cite’s as an influence) aim to reduce riffs to a primal state of heaviness, to produce music that implodes under it’s own weight, creates a joyous and euphoric state of wellbeing which can only be obtained with a slew of vintage amplifiers, fuzz pedals, analog synths, and an alarming array of percussion instruments.
This has endured through UK tours, gigs in Europe, four albums and a mountain of split/vinyl/cassette releases. 2012’s “A Hocht” was released to widespread critical acclaim, gaining support from around the world which was capped off with a deafening performance at the Incubate Festival in Tilburg.
September 2016 will see the saw the release the bands 5th album via Black Bow Records.
With any project of this size and scope, it’s not uncommon to see a few folks drop out. With the new talent we’re announcing tonight, it’s become clear to us that these changes were pre-destined. FATE brought this creative FORCE together. A group that’s aligned for a singular goal: to make one of the most kickass animated films the world has ever seen.
Elephant Tree are a relatively new band who cut their teeth in the London metal scene. While their style is difficult to classify under any one particular sub-genre of Metal, it has been most likened to Doom Metal and Stoner Rock, however many people have their own classifications ranging from Blues to Prog. They’re signed to Magnetic Eye Records, who released their killer self-titled debut album this past September.
Elephant Tree are a relatively new band who cut their teeth in the London metal scene. While their style is difficult to class under any one particular sub-genre of Metal, it has been most likened to Doom Metal and Stoner Rock, however many people have their own classifications ranging from Blues to Prog. They’re signed to Magnetic Eye Records, who released their killer self-titled debut album this past September
Witness the model sheet of Halvar‘s ride, “Necrohorse“! The bike will be bestowed upon him by the three witches who reside among the peaks of the Sacred Mountain.
“Necrohorse” was drawn by chopper-scene legend Jason Cruz, who is teamed up with the band Orchid for the first chapter in our film.
This drawing is being used as reference by all the artists in the film, as well as for the limited-edition Kickstarter-exclusive print.
The feedback, positive vibes, and genuine enthusiasm we’ve received from all of you during our Kickstarter budget raising effort has surpassed anything we thought possible. This is YOUR movie! You’ve all earned it, and it will be our great pleasure to make it for you!
For those of you missed the full trailer which ran with our campaign, here it is!
We genuinely hope that this film will cross into the cult classic status, and we relish the idea that future generations will be getting high and watching this in their basements for decades to come.
RAISE THY SWORD AND HAVE A DRINK WITH US!
On behalf of the filmmakers and all the artists & bands… THANK YOU, and welcome aboard! You have truly proven to be THE HELPING HANDS OF DOOM!