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To mark the sad occasion of the passing of Demonic Bishop's Uncle, David Bishop, Infernal Symphony have created this - part tribute, part party-political broadcast, part circus show, part musical detour, and part exorcism - to commemorate the life and times of a larger-than-life character with the only way we know how - our larger-than-life sound. And the gloves are well and truly off.
The release of 'Church Of The Militant Elvis' - The new semi-album by Infernal Symphony, is not a happy or celebratory affair, as is the norm for such occasions of ours, as unlike all prior albums this was created - nay, DEMANDED through a pang of grief, a rush of nostalgia and a sudden burst of furious inspiration. The sudden rush of old memories coupled with the awry spirit of the man's satire thrown against hellish modern institutions fuelled the making of this collection of ditties, melodies and short pieces, and the end result is something that the maverick that was David would hopefully approve of, with a knowing wink and a smiling nod.
Equal parts varied, humerous, zany, serious and downright apocalyptic, this album is a schizophrenic menagerie of every sound under the sun - in reference to the brilliant mind and affable personality of Dave. Departing from the usual template, this is without a doubt the most off-the-wall release this band will ever make, as absolutely nothing was off limits creatively. EDM voice samples might give way to smooth reggae at a moments notice before plunging into a punk/black metal Diatribe - embracing the irreverent chaos of the album's namesake.
David Bishop was known for many things, not least of which being the leader of a fringe, satirical and bitingly topical political party here at home in the UK, known by various names - many of which have become song titles here. Why the Elvis obsession? Who knows! Yet another mystery to add to the pile of intriguing, ingenious facets which made up this one-off individual.
The Church Of The Militant Elvis Party stood in numerous by-elections for over 2 decades, winning against both Robert Kilroy-Silk and the Liberal Democrats on two seperate occasions. Clearly, this joke party was nothing but at it's core. It even has its own Wikipedia page (in case you're reading this and cannot believe what you're hearing) - Yes, he was that awesome.
With a mission statement that reads thus: '“The Church of The Militant Elvis Party is a semi-religious party which believes that Elvis is still alive and living in an old people’s home on the Lincolnshire coast somewhere between Skegness and Mablethorpe.', The Church was part practical joke that got very out of hand, and part legitimate protest concerning such important social issues.
As you may tell, David was not one to be somber or indeed serious for much of the time. And so, it is in this spirit that the music contained within is a patchwork collection of numerous styles and genres - including ones never seen before on an Infernal Symphony release. Prominently, homages to both early rock and roll (such that the King himself would be proud of), as well as orchestral, nursery rhymes, jazz, Black metal, Avant Garde instrumental and country can be found jostling for position with more moody, dark modes of the sort with which we as a project would normally be associated with.
In an extraordinary, unexpected twist, it would turn out that unbeknownst to Demonic Bishop, his uncle once proclaimed this statement as part of the aims of the party:
"Our aims are to combat the influence of various right-wing churches on mainstream parties in the U.K.
Furthermore, the Party believes that the established churches involvement with the global market is yet another contradiction of Jesus’s teachings.
We are also interested in stopping the degradation of the planet by capitalism and the attacks on old people’s welfare in the UK.", thus strengthening the connection between the disparate mission of nephew and uncle.
With a cover artwork collage of images hand-drawn by the man himself, every single detail of this release was meticulously built from the ground up to somehow, hopefully become a fitting memorial and tribute to a unique and irreplaceable person who broke the mold, and took glee in making a topical quip about it afterward.
David was a once-in-a-lifetime talent, totally irreplaceable. Hopefully this does you justice, big guy. RiP. At least now you finally get to meet The King.
credits
released February 10, 2023
Dedicated to my Uncle, the late, great David Laurence Bishop, former leader of the Church Of The Militant Elvis Political party. You were an enigma. A maverick. Poet, artist, and scholar. You were an amazing comedian and consummate professional. Your razor sharp wit and down to earth presence will be sorely missed.
Tracks written and recorded by Demonic Bishop December 2022. No vocals as I am still at a loss for words.
Special Thanks to my friends, all of my family both close and distant, fans, satan, and most of all, the supporters of the Church (no, not that one) \m/
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