~2026-54547-42 at 01:17, 10 October 2026

}}

}}

”’Cirith Ungol”’ is an American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band formed in late 1971 in [[Ventura, California]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/09/24/venturas-cirith-ungol-plays-music-fans-who-like-their-metal-heavy/1410401002/|title= Ventura’s Cirith Ungol plays for music fans who like their metal heavy|first=Bill |last=Locey|newspaper=[[Ventura County Star]]|date= September 24, 2018|access-date=September 28, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=September 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926204124/https://www.vcstar.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/09/24/venturas-cirith-ungol-plays-music-fans-who-like-their-metal-heavy/1410401002/?from=new-cookie}}</ref> An early [[doom metal|doom]] and [[power metal]] group, Cirith Ungol is known for lyrics based on [[fantasy fiction|fantasy]] (particularly [[sword and sorcery]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=84308 |website=Metalunderground.com|title=Cirith Ungol}}</ref> The band took their name from the mountain pass [[Cirith Ungol]] in [[J.&nbsp;R.&nbsp;R. Tolkien]]’s epic fantasy novel, ”[[The Lord of the Rings]]”.

”’Cirith Ungol”’ is an American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band formed in late 1971 in [[Ventura, California]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/09/24/venturas-cirith-ungol-plays-music-fans-who-like-their-metal-heavy/1410401002/|title= Ventura’s Cirith Ungol plays for music fans who like their metal heavy|first=Bill |last=Locey|newspaper=[[Ventura County Star]]|date= September 24, 2018|access-date=September 28, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=September 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926204124/https://www.vcstar.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/09/24/venturas-cirith-ungol-plays-music-fans-who-like-their-metal-heavy/1410401002/?from=new-cookie}}</ref> An early [[doom metal|doom]] and [[power metal]] group, Cirith Ungol is known for lyrics based on [[fantasy fiction|fantasy]] (particularly [[sword and sorcery]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=84308 |website=Metalunderground.com|title=Cirith Ungol}}</ref> The band is named after the mountain pass [[Cirith Ungol]] in [[J.&nbsp;R.&nbsp;R. Tolkien]]’s ”[[The Lord of the Rings]]”.

Throughout the 1970s, the band generally played a style of heavy metal heavily rooted in [[Hard rock|hard]] and [[psychedelic rock]]. Its first studio album, ”[[Frost and Fire (album)|Frost and Fire]]” (1981), featured a heavier sound,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/60087/Cirith-Ungol-Frost-and-Fire/ |website=Sputnikmusic.com|title=Frost and Fire}}</ref> generally regarded as an early example of [[Power metal#American style|American power metal]]. By its second studio album, ”[[King of the Dead (album)|King of the Dead]]” (1984), it had solidified its power metal style while gravitating toward a much “darker” sound, with many considering the album among the [[Doom metal#Development (1980s)|first doom metal]] releases.

Throughout the 1970s, the band played heavy metal rooted in [[Hard rock|hard]] and [[psychedelic rock]]. Its first studio album, ”[[Frost and Fire (album)|Frost and Fire]]” (1981), featured a heavier sound,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/60087/Cirith-Ungol-Frost-and-Fire/ |website=Sputnikmusic.com|title=Frost and Fire}}</ref> regarded as an early example of [[Power metal#American style|American power metal]]. Its second studio album, ”[[King of the Dead (album)|King of the Dead]]” (1984), solidified its power metal style while gravitating toward a “darker” sound. Many consider the album among the [[Doom metal#Development (1980s)|first doom metal]] releases.

== History ==

== History ==

=== Early years ===

=== Early years ===

[[File:Rob Beach Promenade 1979.jpg|thumb|Drummer Robert Garven (pictured in 1979) is the band’s sole continuous member.]]

[[File:Rob Beach Promenade 1979.jpg|thumb|Drummer Robert Garven (pictured in 1979) is the band’s sole continuous member.]]

Greg Lindstrom, Robert Garven, Jerry Fogle and Pat Galligan (later a guitarist in [[Angry Samoans]]) played in Titanic,<ref name=”LarkinHR”>{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=99}}</ref> their first band in junior high school. With a desire to play heavier music similar to that of [[Mountain (band)|Mountain]] and [[Grand Funk Railroad]], the rest of the band parted with Galligan and founded Cirith Ungol in late 1971.

Greg Lindstrom, Robert Garven, Jerry Fogle, and Pat Galligan (later a guitarist in [[Angry Samoans]]) played in junior high school band Titanic.<ref name=”LarkinHR”>{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=99}}</ref> Wanting to play music similar to [[Mountain (band)|Mountain]] and [[Grand Funk Railroad]], the rest of the band parted with Galligan and founded Cirith Ungol in late 1971.

After forming in late 1971, the band played their first gig on January 1, 1972, at an anti-Vietnam war peace rally.

After forming in late 1971, the band played their first show on January 1, 1972, at an anti-Vietnam War rally.

In 1980, they were signed by Liquid Flames Records, and released their first album, ”[[Frost and Fire (album)|Frost and Fire]]”,<ref name=”LarkinHR” /> in 1981, with Tim Baker on vocals and songs written by bassist and guitarist Greg Lindstrom. It was described by some music journalists as ‘The Worst Heavy Metal Album of All Time‘.<ref name=”LarkinHR” />

In 1980, they signed to Liquid Flames Records, and released their first album, ”[[Frost and Fire (album)|Frost and Fire]]”,<ref name=”LarkinHR” /> in 1981, with singer Tim Baker and songs written by bassist and guitarist Greg Lindstrom. Some music journalists described it as “The Worst Heavy Metal Album of All Time“.<ref name=”LarkinHR” />

Their second album, ”[[King of the Dead (album)|King of the Dead]]”, was released in on July 2, 1984,<ref name=”LarkinHR” /> and contained lyrics primarily written by vocalist Tim Baker and drummer Robert Garven.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darklyrics.com/c/cirithungol.html |website=Darklyrics.com|title=Cirith Ungol}}</ref> The album was then followed by ”[[One Foot in Hell]]” on August 12, 1986 and ”[[Paradise Lost (Cirith Ungol album)|Paradise Lost]]” on August 23, 1991.<ref name=”LarkinHR” />

Their second album, ”[[King of the Dead (album)|King of the Dead]]”, was released in on July 2, 1984,<ref name=”LarkinHR” /> and contained lyrics primarily written by vocalist Tim Baker and drummer Robert Garven.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darklyrics.com/c/cirithungol.html |website=Darklyrics.com|title=Cirith Ungol}}</ref> The album was followed by ”[[One Foot in Hell]]” on August 12, 1986, and ”[[Paradise Lost (Cirith Ungol album)|Paradise Lost]]” on August 23, 1991.<ref name=”LarkinHR” />

=== Disbandment and inactivity ===

=== Disbandment and inactivity ===

They played on December 13, 1991, which would be their last live show for 25 years, then disbanded in 1992 following frustration with their record label.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truemetal.org/cirithungol/page.php?page_id=150 |website=Truemetal.org|title=Cirith Ungol Comeback}}</ref>

They played their last live show for 25 years on December 13, 1991, and disbanded in 1992, frustrated with their record label.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truemetal.org/cirithungol/page.php?page_id=150 |website=Truemetal.org|title=Cirith Ungol Comeback}}</ref>

In 2001, [[Metal Blade Records]] released in Germany ”Servants of Chaos”, a compilation album of unreleased demos and live songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalhead.it/?p=2692 |website=Metalhead.it|title=Cirith Ungol|date=January 10, 2012 }}</ref> With old tapes and assistance from Lindstrom and Garven, it was an attempt to give fans a wealth of archival and previously unheard material before the tapes deteriorated beyond retrieval. This double-CD was later re-released worldwide, with a rare 1984 live DVD recorded at [[Reseda Country Club|Wolf & Rissmiller’s Country Club]] in California.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truemetal.org/cirithungol/page.php?page_id=157 |website=Truemetal.org|title=Cirith Ungol}}</ref>

In 2001, [[Metal Blade Records]] released ”Servants of Chaos” in Germany, a compilation album of unreleased demos and live songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalhead.it/?p=2692 |website=Metalhead.it|title=Cirith Ungol|date=January 10, 2012 }}</ref> With old tapes and assistance from Lindstrom and Garven, it was an attempt to give fans archival and previously unheard material before the tapes deteriorated beyond retrieval. This double-CD was later re-released worldwide, with a 1984 live DVD recorded at [[Reseda Country Club|Wolf & Rissmiller’s Country Club]] in California.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truemetal.org/cirithungol/page.php?page_id=157 |website=Truemetal.org|title=Cirith Ungol}}</ref>

Lindstrom now plays with Falcon, who perform some Cirith Ungol songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.falconband.net/falconbio.htm|title=Falcon Bio|website=Falconband.net|access-date=September 28, 2018}}</ref> Founding guitarist Jerry Fogle died from liver failure on August 20, 1998.

Lindstrom joined Falcon, who perform some Cirith Ungol songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.falconband.net/falconbio.htm|title=Falcon Bio|website=Falconband.net|access-date=September 28, 2018}}</ref> Founding guitarist Jerry Fogle died from liver failure on August 20, 1998.

=== Reunion ===

=== Reunion ===

[[File:NBP 3487 copy.jpg|thumb|Cirith Ungol in Germany, 2019]]

[[File:NBP 3487 copy.jpg|thumb|Cirith Ungol in Germany, 2019]]

In 2015, the band announced they would be reforming with members Tim Baker, Robert Garven, Jim Barraza, and Greg Lindstrom. Their first performance would be on October 8, 2016, at the second annual Frost and Fire Festival in Ventura, California.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nightdemon.net/frost-and-fire |title=Night Demon – Frost and Fire |access-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101145418/http://nightdemon.net/frost-and-fire |archive-date=November 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Throughout 2017, the band had set out to headline and co-headline several European and US festivals, including Keep It True (Germany), Up the Hammers (Greece), Defenders of the Old (US), Chaos Descends (Germany), Psycho Las Vegas (US), Days of Darkness (US), and Hammer of Doom (Germany).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/cirithungolofficial/|title=Cirith Ungol|website=Facebook.com|access-date=September 28, 2018}}</ref> In April 2018, Cirith Ungol performed at the Hell’s Heroes Festival in Houston, Texas, and at the NYDM Spring Bash in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 2015, the band announced they would reform with Tim Baker, Robert Garven, Jim Barraza, and Greg Lindstrom. Their first performance would be on October 8, 2016, at the second annual Frost and Fire Festival in Ventura, California.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nightdemon.net/frost-and-fire |title=Night Demon – Frost and Fire |access-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101145418/http://nightdemon.net/frost-and-fire |archive-date=November 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Throughout 2017, the band headlined and co-headlined several European and US festivals, including Keep It True (Germany), Up the Hammers (Greece), Defenders of the Old (US), Chaos Descends (Germany), Psycho Las Vegas (US), Days of Darkness (US), and Hammer of Doom (Germany).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/cirithungolofficial/|title=Cirith Ungol|website=Facebook.com|access-date=September 28, 2018}}</ref> In April 2018, Cirith Ungol performed at the Hell’s Heroes Festival in Houston, Texas, and at the NYDM Spring Bash in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In August 2018, Cirith Ungol released the single “Witch’s Game”. The full-length album ”[[Forever Black]]” followed in 2020. Another full-length album, ”Dark Parade”, was released on October 20, 2023, and the live album ”Live at the Roxy” on April 25, 2025.

In August 2018, Cirith Ungol released the single “Witch’s Game”. The full-length album ”[[Forever Black]]” followed in 2020. Another full-length album, ”Dark Parade”, was released on October 20, 2023, and the live album ”Live at the Roxy” on April 25, 2025.

In October 2023, the band announced that they will retire from performing live at the end of 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/cirith-ungol-announces-retirement-from-live-performances-at-the-end-of-2024|title=CIRITH UNGOL Announces Retirement From Live Performances At The End Of 2024|magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=October 12, 2023|date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> That said, the band toured in South America in 2025, and at the urging of Robert Garven the band will continue to perform at exclusive live shows. They will release their seventh studio album, ”All the Shadows”, on October 30, 2026.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nikos Nakos|url=https://metalinvader.net/en/cirith-ungol-new-album-all-the-shadows-out-october-30th-via-no-remorse-records-details-track-premiere/|title=Cirith Ungol: New Album “All The Shadows” // out October 30th via No Remorse Records – Details & Track Premiere|website=Metal Invader|access-date=September 4, 2026|date=September 4, 2026}}</ref>

In October 2023, the band announced that they would retire from performing live at the end of 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/cirith-ungol-announces-retirement-from-live-performances-at-the-end-of-2024|title=CIRITH UNGOL Announces Retirement From Live Performances At The End Of 2024|magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=October 12, 2023|date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> Nonetheless, the band toured South America in 2025, and at the urging of Robert Garven, the band will continue to perform at exclusive live shows. They will release their seventh studio album, ”All the Shadows”, on October 30, 2026.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nikos Nakos|url=https://metalinvader.net/en/cirith-ungol-new-album-all-the-shadows-out-october-30th-via-no-remorse-records-details-track-premiere/|title=Cirith Ungol: New Album “All The Shadows” // out October 30th via No Remorse Records – Details & Track Premiere|website=Metal Invader|access-date=September 4, 2026|date=September 4, 2026}}</ref>

== Artistry ==

== Artistry ==