Reverend Bizarre made waves back in the day as one of the most respected names in doom metal. Formed in Finland in 1995, the group stuck to the slow, heavy sound of traditional doom, taking cues from Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, and Candlemass. At a time when many metal bands were trying out new styles, they stayed true to what they called ‘Pure Doom.’ That brought them a solid following and even chart success in Finland until their decision to call it quits.
The Band Was Among The Best Of Early 2000s
Reverend Bizarre spent their early years under the radar, putting out their first demo, ‘Slice of Doom,’ in 1999. Their big break came with ‘In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend’ (2002), which landed them a deal with Spinefarm Records.
Unlike most doom metal bands, they actually made it onto the Finnish charts. ‘Slave of Satan’ hit No. 2, and ‘Teutonic Witch’ even reached No. 1 in 2007. Their long, slow songs weren’t exactly made for radio, but they left a mark on the doom metal scene.
The band built a loyal fanbase, with many praising their dedication to traditional doom. Their long, hypnotic songs and dark atmosphere stood out, and the fact that they didn’t release a ton of music only added to their mystique.
They Broke Up To Go Out On A High Note
Reverend Bizarre originally planned to release five full-length albums but changed their minds after their second, ‘II: Crush the Insects’ (2005). Instead of dragging things out, they decided to quit while they were still on top. Their final album, ‘III: So Long Suckers,’ came out in 2007 as a farewell. But, even after breaking up, they put out some posthumous releases, including splits and compilations.
The members also stayed involved in music. Bassist/vocalist Albert Witchfinder (Sami Hynninen) focused on Opium Warlords and joined Spiritus Mortis. Guitarist Peter Vicar (Kimi Kärki) started Lord Vicar, keeping the doom metal tradition alive. Drummer Earl of Void (Jari Pohjonen) played in the progressive rock band Orne, where Witchfinder also contributed vocals at times. However, none of these projects reached the same level of recognition as Reverend Bizarre.
They’re No Longer On Demand
Even after their breakup, Reverend Bizarre still has dedicated fans. Vinyl reissues and special releases get collectors excited, but their presence on streaming platforms like Spotify isn’t as strong. One reason is availability as ‘In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend’ has been removed from Spotify at different times.
Doom metal’s niche appeal also plays a role. While bands like Candlemass and Electric Wizard have stayed in the spotlight, Reverend Bizarre never had the same level of exposure, partly because they didn’t tour internationally much. The lack of new material also makes a difference, as many metal bands stay relevant by consistently putting out music.
