I’m Alive

Few bands in the history of the heavy metal underground have a story as remarkable, improbable, or uplifting as that of Cirith Ungol. It is a tale of pioneering innovation, crushing disappointment, self-imposed exile, populist fervor, and, ultimately, global redemption. Formed in Ventura, California, in the early 1970s, Cirith Ungol created a sound the world had never experienced before. Rather than passively channeling their influences, the band was driven to forge an altogether heavier, darker, more apocalyptic sound. It was obscure and arcane, mysterious and eccentric, epic and expansive, but most of all unfailingly, bone-crushingly heavy, dark and doom-filled.

After a 24 year absence from music, against all odds, the slumbering giant awakened. After a full year of rehearsals, 2016 saw the kings of the dead rise from the grave to deliver a legendary performance at the aptly named Frost and Fire Festival in their very own hometown. In the ensuing years, Cirith Ungol have held fast to their objective to bring their music to as many metalheads around the world as possible appearing on several notable festivals spanning the globe.

The time has finally come for the kings of the dead to unveil their triumphant return to the masses! An expansive double-live album and multi-DVD package entitled I’m Alive, will be released worldwide on October 25, 2019 via Metal Blade Records.

Capturing Cirith Ungol at the peak of their darkened, mystical powers before a rapturous crowd at the Up the Hammers festival in Athens, Greece, this recording showcases the magic and might of Cirith Ungol onstage.

Its accompanied by additional full-length performances recorded at the Hammer of Doom (2017) in Germany:

and Rock Hard Festivals (2018) in Germany:

Bonus DVD – First ever European show @ Keep It True XX (2017) in Germany:

For this monumental release, a special in-depth documentary spanning 2 hours in length was recorded. The documentary features exclusive interviews about the history and legacy of the band, as told by the current and original members.

I’m Alive documents an unforgettable night in the history of a truly legendary band, and will allow fans worldwide to share in the glory of this cult quintet rocking harder than ever, more than four decades after their inception. Long may they reign!

On October 25th, Cirith Ungol will release their new live album/DVD, I’m Alive, via Metal Blade Records. Capturing Cirith Ungol at the peak of their darkened, mystical powers before a rapturous crowd at the Up the Hammers festival in Athens, Greece, this recording showcases the magic and might of the band onstage. It’s accompanied by additional performances recorded at the Hammer of Doom (2017) and Rock Hard Festivals (2018) in Germany. For this monumental release, a special in-depth documentary spanning 2 hours in length was recorded, which includes exclusive interviews about the history and legacy of the band, as told by the current and original members.

Cirith Ungol are pleased to unveil their first official live recording! This legendary release comes as an expansive double-live album and multi-DVD package entitled, “I’m Alive”. Live audio (contained on the CD and Vinyl Variants) recorded amidst a rapturous crowd at the Up the Hammers festival in Athens, Greece showcases the magic and might of Cirith Ungol onstage. Additional full-length epic performances recorded at the Hammer of Doom (2017) and Rock Hard Festivals (2018) in Germany are included on the Double DVD set. For this monumental release, a special in-depth documentary spanning 2 hours in length is also included. The documentary features exclusive interviews about the history and legacy of the band, as told by the current and original members.

“I’m Alive” brilliantly captures the “kings of the dead” at the peak of their darkened, mystical powers that will allow fans worldwide to share in the glory of this cult quintet rocking harder than ever, more than four decades after their inception. Long may they reign!

Metal Blade Records Item #156720
Code: CirithUngol-Alive-2019

• Source: Metal Blade Records and Cirith Ungol (modified)

https://www.facebook.com/cirithungolofficial/posts/3891458737535444

The cover

The cover was painted by Michael Whelan in 1976 and is entitled Elric Of Melniboné.

The painting was used for the DAW edition of Michael Moorcock‘s book Elric Of Melniboné (The Elric Saga #1). The book was published in October 1976. There are various editions of the book, and not all editions has the same cover. See more here:

Michael Whelan

Michael Moorcock – Elric 1. Elric of Melniboné

Bootleg and non CU:

Controversy: in the credits on I’m Alive, there is no mention at all of “Michael Moorcock”.

This has updated since 10 Sep 2019. Before in the past:

Unfortunately no official CU live album has been released. But…

• A bunch of live recordings do exists, waiting to be released!
• A semi official Live 7″ EP was released by King Fowley in 1996.
• There were two live songs released as bonus tracks for the 1999 remasters of the first two Cirith Ungol albums, Frost and Fire and King of the Dead.
• Even more live recordings were released on the Servants of Chaos compilation album
• A bunch of live videos has been published to Youtube by two former members, Jimmy Barraza and Vern Green.
• Some bootleg live album exists.
• Update: Metal Blade Records is coming 10 Sep 2019.

Our next one will probably be a double live album. Shit, we might as well do one! I’m sure it will be piledrivin’!!!

Live (incomplete)

Well, it’s just that we’re a lot more radical live than on record, man. ‘Cause like Jerry goes totally wild! He goes nuts live. He plays shit like where my jaw drops on the floor!

Tim Baker, Suck City interview 1986/7

In the future, we may have a custom cover done by Michael Whelan for a “live” album like Demonslayer.

Robert Garven, Heavy Metal Times 1983

The Elric picture to the right is “Demonslayer” (incorrectly is Dragonslayer).

Stories from their live shows

Aside from Tim rising up out of a coffin at the beginning of the show and battling a giant spider during “Shelob’s Lair”, it was pretty straightforward: Tim shrieking like a banshee, Jerry pulling incredible solos out of his flying V, Rob trying to reduce his drum kit to rubble, and Flint holding the chaos at bay with a wall of thunder.

Greg, Blood of the Ancients Magazine 11/2002

Well we also used to do a song at the end of our set where everyone had a chance to do their big solos.  In one part Greg would do the most unbelievable guitar solo, then Jerry would follow with an even more spectacular one, then they would appear together a play a double lead solo that would have literally raised the dead! Usually I would play along with the bass solo then I would play until my hands would bleed sometimes spraying the crowd with my precious bodily fluids, then we would end with this pounding ending that built up into a crescendo snapping at the end like a crack of a whip! Boy, I loved that part!!!!

Rob, Blood of the Ancients Magazine 11/2002

I personally am a fan of official DVD releases, especially when they’re about full concerts. I’ve got a plethora of those by various bands. When watching, it feels like I’m part of the experience (again), as well as it feels like a visual relic for the generations to come. Have you ever considered of recording your reunited-era shows? I believe the intensity and passion by both you and the fans should be captured this way.

We are currently working on a live album based on material from some of our shows in Europe in 2017! It should be released on Metal Blade Records soon. I don’t want to give too much away about it, but it has pretty awesome cover, which should be familiar in style to the hoards of Chaos!

Robert Garven, 22 Feb 2018

Source: Interview with Cirith Ungol.

CU@FB

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christianmarinj

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14 years ago

mi banda de siempre es cirith ungol y donde quieran que esten sus integrantes les deseo lo mejor del mundo desde elos confines del mundo (CHILE).Tim Baker eres el mejor vocals del metal de todos los tiempos.

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