Iconic filmmaker, composer, storyteller and craftsman John Carpenter has announced his first-ever graphic novel with the introduction of a sprawling new narrative audio/visual project entitled, Cathedral. Working in close collaboration with Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies, the trio have constructed the musical component, creating a soundtrack that coincides with Carpenter's masterful storytelling.
The immersive project underscores Carpenter's artistry, with each song on the album aligning with a chapter from the graphic novel, steering the audience via liner notes and sonic atmospherics. To introduce the project, John Carpenter has shared the first entry from the project with the lead single, "Lord of the Underground."
The themes of Cathedral were inspired by dream Carpenter had in 2024. The cinematic scope of the story revolves around an abandoned church in downtown Los Angeles. The scene of a fatal police shooting, the once forgotten cathedral becomes central to the ongoing investigation as Lieutenant Christine Marks and detectives Paul Hernandez and Steve Mayfield discover the sinister, history hidden within the walls that runs centuries deep.
“It was so cinematic and vivid,” Carpenter explained of his dream that eventually spawned the story. “I thought, ‘I have to score this.’ It’s kind of our first heavy metal album.”
“The story informed everything,” explained collaborator Daniel Davies of Cathedral. “John would describe a scene and say, ‘We need a heavy riff here.’ We didn’t set out to make a metal record, but it evolved that way.”
The 120-page graphic novel portion of Cathedral was developed in close collaboration with John Carpenter's wife and long-time creative partner, producer and editor Sandy King. Along with writer Sean Sobczak and illustrators Federico De Luca and Luis Guaragna, colored and additional art from Sian Mandrake and lettering from Marshall Dillon, the underworld of Cathedral comes to life in the pages of Carpenter's first-ever graphic novel.
Carpenter discussed the intentionality of the audio, the visual and the complete experience when in tandem. “It’s all about making the music work. This is somewhat different sounding stuff that we've done, but it's done with the same desire in mind. In other words, put this thing on and imagine you're watching a movie. That’s what we want you to do.”
Cathedral, the new album from John Carpenter arrives August 7th via Sacred Bones. The graphic novel is due out August 4th via Storm King Comics.
Order the graphic novel - HERE
Order the soundtrack - HERE
