Reverend Bizarre
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Defunct | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Lohja, Turku , Finland |
| Products | Doom metal music, albums, EPs, singles |
Reverend Bizarre was a Finnish doom metal ensemble established in 1995, recognized for their slow-paced, weighty traditional doom style accompanied by powerful vocals, drawing influence from groups such as Witchfinder General, Saint Vitus, and Candlemass. They emerged as a prominent figure in the traditional doom metal scene during the 2000s.
Origins (1994–1999)
The band originated in Lohja in 1994 but began performing regularly in the autumn of 1997 following completion of military duties. In 1998, Albert Witchfinder relocated to Turku to continue working alongside Peter Vicar and reestablished contact with Earl of Void, who had recently been released from incarceration. During August 1999, they produced the Slice of Doom demo, which was distributed to record labels in pursuit of a contract.
Albert Witchfinder disclosed intentions to produce three additional albums after their sophomore LP—Songs from the Funereal World, Heavier Than Life, and How It Was Meant to Be—however, these projects were ultimately abandoned. Instead, the band issued a final album titled III So Long Suckers, recorded in early 2007 and released that August. Their concluding performances occurred in late 2006, culminating with a final show held in Turku.
Two of their extended plays, Harbinger of Metal and Return to the Rectory, are notable for exceeding an hour in duration.
Disbandment and subsequent endeavors (2007)
Initially intending to produce five albums, Reverend Bizarre announced via MySpace on 17 August 2007 that III: So Long Suckers would serve as their concluding release. Later that year, they also registered and issued multiple recordings.
After disbanding, members embarked on separate ventures: Albert Witchfinder had joined The Puritan in 2005 and initiated a solo effort known as Opium Warlords; Peter Vicar established Lord Vicar. Both artists released material originally meant for Reverend Bizarre’s unreleased albums. All three musicians continue collaborating within Orne (previously Mesmer), Lord Vicar’s progressive rock project where Earl of Void plays drums. Witchfinder contributed vocals on Orne’s albums The Conjuration by the Fire (2006) and The Tree of Life (2011).
Members
- Albert Witchfinder – bass, vocals
- Peter Vicar – guitar
- Earl of Void – drums, guitar, keyboards
Former members
- Juippi – drums
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| FIN | ||
| 2002 | In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend
|
— |
| 2005 | II: Crush the Insects
|
36 |
| 2007 | III: So Long Suckers
|
6 |
| "—" indicates a release that did not enter the charts. | ||
EPs and singles
| Year | Release details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| FIN | ||
| 2003 | Harbinger of Metal
|
— |
| 2004 | Return to the Rectory
|
— |
| 2005 | Slave of Satan
|
2 |
| 2006 | Thulsa Doom
|
— |
| 2007 | Teutonic Witch
|
1 |
| 2008 | Dark World/Deceiver
|
— |
The Goddess of Doom
|
— | |
| 2009 | Magick with Tears
|
— |
| "—" indicates releases that did not chart. | ||
Splits
| Year | Release information | Peak chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| FIN | ||
| 2003 | 7-inch split alongside Ritual Steel
|
— |
| 2004 | 12-inch split with Orodruin
|
— |
7-inch split with Minotauri
|
— | |
| 2006 | 7-inch split featuring Mannhai
|
— |
| 2008 | 7-inch/CD split with Kuolema
|
— |
12-inch split with Rättö ja Lehtisalo
|
4 | |
12-inch split with Electric Wizard
|
8 | |
12-inch split with Mr Velcro Fastener
|
5 | |
| "—" indicates a release that did not enter the charts. | ||
Demos
- Practice Sessions (unreleased rehearsal recording, 1995)
- Slice of Doom (1999)
- You Shall Suffer! (limited edition CDr, 2003)
Compilations
| Year | Release details | Peak chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| FIN | ||
| 2004 | Slice of Doom 1999–2002
|
— |
| 2009 | Death is Glory...Now
|
23 |
| "—" signifies a release that did not chart. | ||