Alcatraz Line up: 2024

Named after the eponymous ‘Pass of the Spider’ from Lord of the Rings, Cirith Ungol first took the stage on 1 January 1972. They are widely credited with being the first power metal band and in the 80s, their increasingly darker music and lyrical content helped birth the doom metal genre. Their debut ‘Frost and Fire’ didn’t drop until 1981 but their second slab ‘King of the Dead’ in particular sounded so ominous that many consider this to be the first doom metal album. Unfortunately, as so often happens, the pioneers didn’t enjoy the commercial success they so richly deserved and after a falling-out with the record company they decided to call it quits. Then in 2016 ex-members Tim Baker (vocals), Robert Garven (drums) and Greg Lindstrom (guitar) decided to reboot the band. Cirith Ungol rose from its ashes and released new work, adding ‘Forever Black’ (2020) and ‘Dark Parade’ (2023) to their catalogue. Highlight this one on your festival schedule because they’ve already announced their intention to retire from live performances at the end of 2024!