Cathedral was a British doom metal band hailing from Coventry, England, formed in 1989 by ex-Napalm Death guitarist Lee Dorrian, who sought to create a heavier, more somber sound than what was predominant in metal at the time. Their music melded the slow, ponderous heaviness of traditional doom metal with psychedelic and stoner rock influences, giving them a unique spot in the pantheon of metal. Dorrian, joined by Gaz Jennings on guitars, Mark Griffiths initially on bass, and Mike Smail on drums, set the foundation that would see the band evolve through various lineup changes over their career.

Throughout their tenure, Cathedral was known for exploring themes of horror, mythology, and the supernatural, often presented with a mix of archaic and contemporary language. Their debut album, "Forest of Equilibrium," is a seminal piece of doom metal, but it was albums like "The Ethereal Mirror" and "The Carnival Bizarre" that solidified their reputation. The band consistently pushed boundaries, refusing to stagnate, which is evident in their more experimental works like "The Guessing Game." Cathedral left a lasting legacy and bowed out with "The Last Spire" in 2013, which served as a grand finale to their career. Though the band disbanded, their influence endures in the heavy music scene, revered for their innovative blending of genre elements and defining the doom metal sound.