A Luminous Descent Into the Shadows of Modern Gothic Music

With Festival of Invocations, the Society of the Silver Cross redefines the gothic genre, weaving Eastern mysticism and Western intensity into a hypnotic, cinematic experience that invites listeners into a haunting yet revitalizing new realm of dark music. 

More than simply an album release, Festival of Invocations is the world premiere of an intricate, shadow-drenched soundscape crafted with the precision of master architects of mood. The Society of the Silver Cross’s gothic revivalism is beyond mere nostalgia; it is a necessary reinvention. 

Who Is the Society of the Silver Cross?

Society of the Silver Cross, a Seattle-based band, embarks on an auditory journey with their new album, Festival of Invocations. Songwriters Joe Reineke (The Meices, Alien Crime Syndicate) and Karyn Gold-Reineke guide listeners through mystical landscapes, exploring themes of life and death, beauty and darkness, and crossing the boundary between worlds. Their music captivates listeners, inducing a trance-like state of introspection and exploration, as reflected in this compelling new release.

The band’s distinctive songwriting merges rich organic instrumentation with immersive soundscapes, powerful rhythms, and chant-like vocals inspired by India’s textures and tones. Key instruments feature a 12-string acoustic guitar, harmonium, Hammond B3 organ, shahi baaja (Indian autoharp), rare synthesizers, and drums. 

This creates a mesmerizing mix of hypnotic melodies, dark undertones, and twisted Americana. Critics have called their sound haunting, gothic Graceland, funeral home rock, and even “yogic metal.” With a captivating blend of Eastern mysticism and Western charm, their music evokes a space where shadows dance with light and harmonious reveries cradle the soul.

A Cathedral of Sound

Written and recorded in Temple of the Trees, the spookiest studio in the world, the album feels like it was born in the rafters of a spectral cathedral. Every note is steeped in reverence for mystery and transformation.

After five years of anticipation, Festival of Invocations is the eagerly awaited sequel to Society of the Silver Cross’s debut album, 1 Verse, which was lauded as “One of the year’s most unique and compelling debuts.” 

Composed during the COVID pandemic, Joe and Karyn discovered hope and inspiration in music, creating vibrant sounds against a backdrop that otherwise felt dismal. Festival of Invocations intertwines a captivating tapestry with witchy undertones, featuring compositions that convey a haunting urgency akin to The Book Of The Dead, infused with an entrancing and eerie magnetism.  

A Fusion of Worlds

For Joe, the new album is a culmination of his journey through sobriety and cancer survival. Festival of Invocations isn’t just an album; it’s a triumphant reclamation of life through sound, carrying a quiet, unshakable intensity that never feels performative.

The interplay of 12-string acoustic guitar, harmonium, shahi baaja, and rare synthesizers creates an organic-electric tension that feels both ancient and futuristic, like ancient hymns scored for the apocalypse. This has made the Society of the Silver Cross’s music sound distinctly cinematic and uniquely their own. 

As they detail, “You have to be yourself, there is no one else more qualified. It seems easy to jump into someone else’s lane and mirror that but at some point, someone created their own lane and carved a path, that is what I feel we are doing with this music.”
Festival of Invocations is available now on Spotify. Dive into the shadow and find your light — if you dare. Follow the Society of the Silver Cross on Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify for more glimpses into their otherworldly journey.