Reality, Spirituality, And Modern Man

Three CD set exploring rock's dark underbelly and explorations in the occult, witchcraft, bad majick and satanism from 1966 onwards. As the Fab dream of the first half of the 1960s began to fade and the acid took it's unpredictable hold, spirituality in it's many forms provided some outlet for many of pop and rock's weariest souls and most enthusiastic experimenters. As the rock became harder and more progressive, the drugs grew dirtier and peace and love began to falter, the individualistic indulgence promised by the occult and it's many sisters drew it's cloak around already established acts and birthed countless other bastard and hybrid offspring. Divided into several offshoots and outlets - Buried Underground, Phantom Sabbaths, Popular Satanism, She Devils, Folk Devils, Evil Jazz, Beelzefunk and Incantation Chants - 'The Devil Rides In' captures a snapshot of that time and place, when rock, jazz, funk and folk took a step into the darkness, returning with tales of possession, witchcraft, covens, occult ceremonies, black masses, sabbats and encounters with He Who Walks Backwards himself. Enthusiastic and celebratory in places, damaged and cautionary in others, these artists offered a counter balance to the thread of Christian and Eastern spirituality also working it's way into rock at that time. Sometimes overtly, sometimes veiled, but always with something to say.