Back in 2004, the then Electric Wizard drummer Justin Greaves (also of Iron Monkey, Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine) started recording songs and soundscapes he'd had in his head for several years using primitive recording techniques. Encouraged by good friend (and Mogwai bassist) Dominic Aitchison those ideas would become the bones of Crippled Black Phoenix. Other great compadres followed, Panthiest members Andy Semmens and Kostas Panagiotou, Nial McGaughey of 3D House of Beef and -(16)- amongst others and solo folk songwriter Joe Volk, who also fronts critically acclaimed heavy rock band Gonga, all stepped up to bring a variety of influences and skills to complete the line-up.

In 2006, during one of the hottest summers on record the band recorded their debut album in Bristol and signed to Invada Records (run by Portishead’s Geoff Barrow). During the recording process the old friends aligned and fully realized visions that had been pestering Greaves for the past few years.

The result is a collection of self penned endtime ballads, a dark hybrid that is the culmination of all the members’ eclectic influences. It is the first of a trilogy and deals with the timelessness of honesty and tragedies laid bare, featuring sordid tales from the pages of literary history combined with personal stories of contemporary loss and love.

Using a blend of modern amplified and Victorian era equipment, the band have produced a captivating, slow-burning sound that’s both archaic and modern at the same time.