THOU "Ceremonies Of Consolidation"

2018 has been quite the year for Thou. Not only did they release their 5th full-length album, Magus (Sacred Bones), but they also released a series of vinyl-only EPs leading up to it. Rhea Sylvia (Deathwish Inc.), The House Primordial (Raw Sugar), and Inconsolable (Community Records). Each of these albums is written in a drastically different  style, but all serve to provide context for the full-length, Magus, while each is capable of standing alone as individual EPs. 

Rhea Sylvia is an album of songs drenched in total grunge worship, while The House Primordial is noisy and caustic. Inconsolable closes out the series by feauturing somber, acoustic tracks with clean singing.

Ceremonies of Consolidation collects those 3 12” EPs in a 2xCD set, packaged in a thick, Stoughton gatefold tip-on CD jacket and includes a 12-page booklet with new and expanded artwork.

Recorded in 2017 and 2018 at Hightower Studios by James Whitten. All tracks mastered by Adam Tucker. Additional vocals by KC Stafford, Emily McWilliams, Melissa Guion, Nicole Estill, Jacques Boudreaux, Michael Moss, Clayton Hunt, and Dr. Scott Francioni. Violin by KC Stafford and Jacques Boudreaux.

The extra acoustic tracks on disc two are from the Rhea Sylvia demo written by Matthew Thudium and recorded by James Whitten in 2015.

Track Listing :

Rhea Sylvia
1. The Only Law
2. Unfortunate Times
3. Non-Entity
4. Deepest Sun
5. Restless River
6. Lasting Dose

The House Primordial
7. Wisdom in the Open Air
8. Premonition
9. The Sword Without a Hilt
10. Diaphonous Shift
11. Corruption and Mortal Trauma
12. Psychic Dominance
13. Prideful Dementia and Impulsive Mayhem
14. Occulting Light
15. Birthright
16. Malignant Horror

Inconsolable
17. The Unspeakable Oath
18. Come Home, You Are Missed
19. The Hammer
20. Behind the Mask, Another Mask
21. Fallow State
22. Into the Scourge Pit
23. Find the Cost of Freedom
24. Entombed in Man

Rhea Sylvia demos (not yet released elsewhere on CD or LP)
25. The Only Law (Acoustic Demo)
26. Unfortunate Times (Acoustic Demo)
27. Deepest Sun (Acoustic Demo)
28. Restless River (Acoustic Demo)
29. Inevitable (Acoustic Demo)