LISTEN: Asking Alexandria’s Ben Bruce, Darkest Hour and More Cover Florence + The Machine For ‘Sumerian Ceremonials’ Compilation

April 9th, 2014

Kevin Blumeyer

Sumerian Records recently announced the compilation album Sumerian Ceremonials: Florence + The Sphinx, which features 12 acts from the label’s roster covering songs from Florence + The Machine’s Ceremonials album (with one exception). The label previously released the contributions from Periphery, Stick To Your Guns and Come The Dawn, and today brings the release of three additional tracks from the album.

Those tracks include Darkest Hour’s take on “Spectrum,” Asking Alexandria guitarist Ben Bruce’s version of “Shake It Out” and Miss Fortune’s “No Light, No Light.” The album will hit stores on May 13, while a number of pre-order packages are already available.

Do you have a favorite from the covers we’ve heard so far? I certainly do, but I tend to favor Darkest Hour in almost any lineup they’re a part of. Either way, the tribute is an interesting idea and one Sumerian founder Ash Avildsen is extremely passionate about. You can stream the aforementioned tracks and read Avildsen’s statement regarding the project after the jump.

“To me, Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine is one of the most timeless records to come out in years. The distinctive vocals and melodies, the orchestration and instrumentation, the production, the mood and the lyrics have made me enamored with the album. It is also one of the heaviest records in years to me… not in the sense of metal and aggressive vocals/guitars/drums, but in how the songs make you feel.

The emotional conviction that Florence Welch gives in her delivery combined with the brilliance of Isabella “Machine” Summers and the production of Paul Epworth has made for one of my favorite albums of all time. I wanted to give Sumerian bands the platform to re-invent these songs and to hopefully bring great music to new ears all over the world who may have otherwise never experienced this album.

We made an exception and included one older song from Florence’s previous record Lungs, which Stick To Your Guns did an incredible job with.. I hope you enjoy Sumerian Ceremonials and the original Ceremonials as much as I have. Thank you for taking the time to check it out.

Ash Avildsen

Sumerian Records Founder”