Church of the Cosmic Skull

Church of the Cosmic Skull

Church of the Cosmic Skull are a rock group from Nottingham, United Kingdom, active since 2015. The line-up includes Caroline Cawley, Bill Fisher, Jo Joyce, Sam Lloyd, Amy Nicholson and Loz Stone. They are associated with classic rock, contemporary gospel, hard rock, neo-psychedelia, occult rock and psychedelic rock.

Formation and style

The band is formed by guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Fisher, who also acts as its main creative force. Fisher says the group draws on progressive pop as well as progressive rock, with an emphasis on strong songwriting rather than technical display. His stated influences include Queen, The Beatles, Thin Lizzy, Kate Bush, David Bowie and Peter Gabriel.

Their sound makes notable use of Hammond organ, piano, strings and layered vocal harmonies. Fisher also describes the band as a dual idea: both a new religious movement and a seven-piece supergroup.

Releases and labels

The group’s debut album is Is Satan Real?, followed by Science Fiction, Everybody's Going to Die and There Is No Time. Their first album is released on Bilocation Records, the second on Kozmik Artifactz and the third on their own label, Septaphonic Records. They also cover Pink Floyd’s “The Trial” on Magnetic Eye Records’ tribute album The Wall Redux.

“Evil in Your Eye”, from Is Satan Real?, is released to coincide with a solar eclipse. The band prefers to release and promote its music independently, despite interest from major labels.

Themes and image

Their 2019 album Everybody's Going to Die addresses the cult of personality, the desire for fame, social-media echo chambers and death. The band is also known for wearing white on stage and for rainbow-themed album artwork.

Reception and live activity

Everybody's Going to Die receives positive attention, with commentary noting links to Queen and Queens of the Stone Age, and with Jonathan Ross describing it as a new band’s take on prog. The group also appears on the bill for Beat The Streets in Nottingham.