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Snakes & Ladders

by Ceiling Demons

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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Limited edition Snakes & Ladders on classic black 12" vinyl! Comes with lyric/credits insert. Edition of 150 copies, includes extra printed download code.

    ** Please Note: All NORTH AMERICAN orders should be placed through fakefour.bandcamp.com for better shipping rates **

    Includes unlimited streaming of Snakes & Ladders via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 150 

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  • Cassette + Digital Album

    Super small run of Snakes & Ladders on golden cassette tape with alternative cover artwork, inspired by the song Silver Birch by Art Demon! Inside J-card includes track-listing and album credits. Edition of 45, hand-numbered by the band. Includes extra printed download code.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Snakes & Ladders via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    edition of 45 
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  • T-Shirt/Shirt

    Limited edition run of black Snakes & Ladders t-shirts with gold graphic. Original art work by Tim Coomber aka Art Demon (We-Advance)
    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 20 
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  • Limited Edition 'Twisted Soul' Coloured 12" Vinyl (ONLY 100!)
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Deluxe 12" vinyl of Snakes & Ladders. Pressed to a black and white twisted soul/snake striped vinyl! Comes with lyric/credits insert and your very own snakes and ladders board game plus counters via the mind of Art Demon! Includes extra printed download code.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Snakes & Ladders via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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  • Limited Edition CD
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Super small run of Snakes & Ladders on CD in jewel case with a 4 page booklet that includes reversible, alternative cover artwork by Art Demon and album credits! Edition of 45, hand-numbered by the band. Includes extra printed download code.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Snakes & Ladders via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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  • Super Deluxe Edition: Exclusive Lee "Scratch" Perry 7" and LP (Twisted Soul) ONLY 45 copies
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    The super deluxe edition features an exclusive Lee "Scratch" Perry song that LSP made for the band, cut onto a black lathe 7". The other side features the original, dark version of opening track 'All Let Go' by Ceiling Demons. These songs bookend Snakes & Ladders and are rare versions exclusive to this bonus lathe! Handmade lino cover has been created specially for each copy by artist Charlotte Doherty. Only 45 of these will ever be made for sale!

    Also includes a deluxe 12" vinyl of Snakes & Ladders. Pressed to a black and white twisted soul/snake striped vinyl! Comes with lyric/credits insert and your very own snakes and ladders board game plus counters via the mind of Art Demon! Includes extra printed download code.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Snakes & Ladders via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
All Let Go 02:29
This world will take its toll Until we all let go But they can’t claim this throne When there are stones to throw We’re passed the point of hope. I feel it in my bones So if you tie your rope You’ll keep me on my toes We tried to hide in smoke But they heard me choke They want to cut your throat How will the children cope? You had to leave a note And this is what you wrote: ‘This world will take its toll Until we all let go’
2.
Avoid the void or be destroyed And create yourself again With a heavy head and a sunken heart The ship leaves the harbour Anchored to the bottom of the ocean No beautiful escape on the horizon Lost in the waves of emotion We gave into the rhythm of devotion Driven by the moonlit reflection Pulling our souls in all its directions Scattered like the ash of the past As if seeds would grow and outlast us Clinging to it all like a crab As if, cancer combined with Taurus Avoid the void or be destroyed And create yourself again Don’t let your depression drown you Darling now, it’s all around you The waters of destruction Dragged us down until creation Was the only form of salvation The ship has sailed… But there is a relation On this ride, ripples rise from water signs Emotionally aligned Times change like tides Phased out – the moon guides Dive into the blues in those eyes These souls become submerged Within the chaos that stirs inside Until the day that we die Submerge with the soul Let the currents carry you home Ride the waves of melancholy moods Drown the doom All truths are but half truths Avoid the void or be destroyed And create yourself again Don’t let your depression drown you Darling now, it’s all around you
3.
It’s all a game - The pieces move I rolled the dice and found the truth I played you all- You played to gain The winning hand, a future saved The love is all - I let it go I leave the table and start to grow Connected soul, set free to roam Cut it off, I’m Scorpio Peel away my silver skin and my dying leaves Fruit is falling, time just runs away from me I am the snake – I let you know You ate my fruit, now it unfolds So let it burn and you will see The phoenix rise, now we are free I am the snake – I let you know You ate my fruit, now it unfolds So let it burn and you will see The phoenix rise, now we are free Peel away my silver skin and my dying leaves Fruit is falling, time just runs away from me The calendar was hung – it doesn’t miss a date It doesn’t miss the day, regardless of the page If the walls crumble, it doesn’t miss a date Who hung father time? Who will take the blame? The hourglass may smash but you have to face the day You have to face the fact - you have to face the truth Time just runs away no matter what you do No matter what you say – the angel flew away This hell is not for her, this cell it has no grace But once you’ve opened up – you’ve open up to change Saturn will return and the angel knows your name Coz once you’ve opened up, you’ve open up to change Peel away my silver skin and my dying leaves Fruit is falling, time just runs away from me
4.
I wrote the code into the snow Flakes turn to water, liquid will flow Into the soul, rivers to roads Time will decide, love and let go Now ripple form the middle of the room Little tipple, form a riddle for the doomed Leave a message for the people Who believe we should be equal Two halves, harvest, now grow like a forest Ancient leaves leave remedies Burn these trees if you please But share life’s breath, we’ll all decease From the womb to the grave, from the tomb to the cave From the womb to the grave from the tomb to the cave From the womb to the grave from the tomb to the cave To the moon ‘til it fades and we move and we praise ‘Til we’re doomed but we’re saved, ‘til we’re doomed but we’re saved And we move and we’ praise ‘til we’re doomed but we’re saved In a room, in a place, in a tomb made safe In a room, in a place in a tomb made safe Kick off, the anchor rises Lightweight dreamers vanquish, survivors Scattered throughout the lands Float on water or sink in sands Unplanned, this life casts many numbers Just roll the dice of thunder and hear it roar like a tiger as it strikes Never once, but twice You might just realise That everyone you know some day will die Floating in space, blind The actor’s been out of work for a long, long time Acting out lies and reciting these lines Believing in the belly of the hopeless, tin can challenge Confront yourself and deal the damage Become the savage Wild at heart, carnage Trapped in the dark heartless carriage Carried away
5.
Get the light up and get delighted. Do you want to live a lie or wish you wished to die, freedom fighter? Freedom fighters get the lighters up Do you want to live a lie or live and die or live a lie? Freedom fighters get those lighters up Do you want to live a lie or live and die or live a lie? There’s bodies getting thrown on track lines everyday There’s no way to stop the system but let’s not waste this life Hell I know it’s hard sometimes… When the depression, disconnection fucks up our minds So let’s try and cut the noose for a day Turn off the dependence; take the gun out your face Be alive! Believe in light The loves the only thing that means owt tonight Freedom fighters get those lighters up We’re gonna burn this world with some lights & love Freedom fighters get those lighters up We’re gonna touch the sky with some real lights & love Freedom fighters get those lighters up We’re gonna take the night - burn it down to dust Freedom fighters get those lighters up Freedom fighter, get up and get up Get up with your lighter and light, freedom fighter Curse the algorithms makes us feel corrupt Curse the data farmers – they never once gave a fuck Curse the credit systems – got us all covering up Our cursed world as if we’re gonna let them destroy us This one goes out to all the real people – outsiders & punks The ones in the movements making ripples of good The ones for the times and now we’re all waking up To a wave of change, now let’s make a difference Freedom fighters get the lighters up Do you want to live a lie or live and die or live a lie? Freedom fighters get the lighters up Do you want to live a lie or live and die or be alive? Freedom fighters get your fucking lighters up We’re gonna take this world and burn it down to dust Freedom fighters get your fucking lighters up We’re gonna fix the world with some real light & love Freedom fighters get your fucking lighters up We’re gonna build this world with some real lights & love Freedom fighters get ya fucking those lighters up We’re gonna mend the world with some real light & love Freedom fighters get ya fucking lighters up We’re gonna mend the world with some real light & love Freedom fighters get ya fucking lighters up We’re gonna burn this world, we’re gonna burn this world We’re gonna build this world, we’re gonna fix this world We’re gonna see the world, we’re gonna make the world We’re gonna fix the world with some real, with some, with some With some real light & love
6.
Jupiter 02:59
Let the waves echo – let the waves echo Love it all – let go – let the waves echo Let the waves echo – let the waves echo Love it all – let go I caught Jupiter rising in the distant skies And I wondered how, I wondered why? The sign I saw way Gemini. Goddamn, those eyes. If you’re a twin you’ll know the flame dies I got lost on a soul train to fate James Brown died on Christmas day But Shane was born so ey, Why’s it matter anyway? A rainy night in Soho could have saved you From the shower, the pitter-patter Stick my head back through the door and shout: ‘I’ll have another’. Streams of whiskey flowing The universe is in motion The sun drops like the shadows that are growing And Johnny Cash spoke about a thing called love And I don’t know if it’s as above or so below It’s under the underground and buried beneath these sounds So let’s get down with Pluto Let the waves echo – let the waves echo Love it all – let go – let the waves echo Let the waves echo – let the waves echo Love it all – let go – let the waves echo A leap of faith, Feeling brave, A leap of faith, Feeling brave… Use your talents you have in spades Played an ace - killed the game Search the heavenly - peace and prosperity Met up on Jupiter, passed out on Mercury Search the heavenly - peace and prosperity Met up on Jupiter, passed out on Mercury Feeling lucky - taste the honey Sip a whiskey - you’re worthy Heard the story - no ones sorry Eyes of mercy all around thee Peaceful remedy, in prosperity Good company - almost therapy Healing melody - distant memory Turbulent sea - waves of electricity Cryptic alchemy, Spirit, stay free Hidden dreams - As above Is underneath Unlock the grief with your key Plant the seeds - buried bodies New responsibilities - 12 years repeat… Skeleton trees… Gain self belief - all reigns supreme. The webs we weave - dive in deep
7.
Hush 01:17
8.
Let the light pass – let the life flow Let the sun set – let the night go Born on a retrograde The planet spins for ten thousand years Ten thousand days The peak of Saturn calling, the Ouroboros The dust of The North that drives us forward Bitter times, divided our lives Between goodbyes and greetings We were always seeping Our souls, our hearts and minds Collide in an explosion Cold bone shattering, mental health battling As we try and triumph even in the darkest times Longest nights past in the blink of an eye And everyone you know someday will die Float in space with a third eye open The snake has awoken Seductive and unspoken Turn to stone or get lost in its rhythms - movement The serpents are translucent - movement The serpents are translucent - movement The serpents are translucent - translucent So let the light pass – let the life flow Let the sun set – and let the night go And it’s all just snakes & ladders Half truths told by the martyrs And it’s all just snakes & ladders Mythologized with cloak-and-dagger And it’s all just snakes & ladders Half truths told by the martyrs And it’s all just snakes & ladders Mythologize with cloak-and-dagger Ancient eyes, lights in the skies All look at thee – stand with the trees And tease the breeze – eternal endings, Partings… and no more shall we chart These treacherous waters, foamless in shape Submerge with your own soul External from the heartless carcasses Sentencing death and debt Shackles of serpents symbolised in seasons An end is a beginning built from those old bones Old tides drunken in sober oceans A game of snakes & ladders Climb the highest tower and fly… Coz there is no end, no finale No cloak can hide thee – no fixed identity Only the frequency we leave
9.
This is a song about hope I'm from a small town, I've got a big heart I tried to break through but chose to depart I know the breakdowns, I can feel the low points Coz I've been carrying these ghosts around my whole life I represent friends from my homelands I’ve got my family traits to unfold and I can feel their presence, watching over As I am guided, as I get older I know the cycles, I can face the fears That we will fight throughout the many years The hidden mirrors with their illusions Know your past and paths and slay right through them A passage given as it was written in the skies to guard the women, men and children of our own kin in this world as we transition Built on hope and learn to listen, until we die Then we’ll have freedom for the living Yes we'll have freedom for the living Yes we’ll have freedom for the living Built on healing, hope and vision We'll have freedom for the living Built on healing, hope and vision We'll have freedom for the living
10.
Free my mind and clean my soul Awaken in a world you’ve made beautiful Clean my mind and free my soul Awake in a world you’ve made beautiful Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose Nothing don’t mean nothing if it ain’t free Pluto’s got your back and Venus at your feet Take a hit and speak up to Mercury Fight for freedom Fight the feeling not to give in - In these trying times Testing tasks and borderline personalities clash Within the splash of the waves Move with the moon and embrace Because everything around you will change And we’re chained to this day Free my mind and clean my soul Awaken in a world you’ve made beautiful Clean my mind and free my soul Awake in a world you’ve made beautiful Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose Nothing don’t mean nothing if it ain’t free Pluto’s got your back and Venus at your feet Take a hit and speak up to Mercury Sway with the moonlight I might soak in the sunlight and smoke under the star shine While I align to the planets in the sky – the overlords of time Goddamn Saturn with its lessons and might I’d fight it but my Guinness arms are out of iron So I’ll just flow with the plans it’s setting Mercury sent the message Jupiter’s got me blessings Water flows through Scorpio too, Sun, Moon and Venus Mars is the lioness. Neptune’s tries its best As does the Earth and Uranus Clean my mind and free my soul Awake in a world you’ve made beautiful Free my mind and clean my soul Awaken in a world you’ve made beautiful Clean my mind and free my soul Awake in a world you’ve made beautiful Free my mind and clean my soul Awaken in a world you’ve made beautiful Clean my mind and free my soul Awake in a world you’ve made beautiful Are you doomed to repay what you do from the womb to the grave? Are you doomed to repay what you do from the womb to the grave? Are you doomed to repay what you do from the womb to the grave? Are you doomed to repay what you do from the womb to the grave? Do you move in the moon or the shade? I'm immune to the pain, Are you doomed to repay what you do from the womb to the grave? Do you sway to the moon or the flame? To the tune 'till it fades, Then resume it at noon when you wake, To get through this, your foolish mistakes? Are you doomed to repay what you do from the womb to the grave? From the womb to the grave
11.
Breathe 04:24
Breathe heavy - Breathe light Breathe heavy - Breathe light Have you ever felt numb to the point of no return? When you’re exhausted, lost and burnt When the silence takes your words, The world is nothing but a blur. Have you ever felt dumb to the point of being struck? By the lightening that erupts Behind the eyes in which you trust When it’s someone that you love? Set fire to those scriptures, digital mirrors and pictures A thousand words painted yet encrypted Follow your heart instead of the dark art of manipulation The mass population lead to the slaughter like lambs Gallows depicted in the distance frighten their victims Do what you can to make a difference Martyr the walls of separation with conviction If the truth be told – it was half written Write the rest and put your neck on the line for the passion It’s all just snakes & ladders Half truths told by the martyrs it’s all just snakes and ladders No one escapes the ouroboros It’s all just snakes & ladders Half truths told by the martyrs Yes it’s all just snakes and ladders No one escapes the chasing ouroboros So you want to be a martyr Spin the wheel to be smarter Learn these lessons like a doctor Killing patience like the clock does Does it all feel real now, lost in the fog and our time is running out You breathe and you breathe but you just can’t calm it down When there’s smoke and you smoke and you can’t see clearly now Lost for breath at the breadth of existence, above the clouds I’ve got seconds left to squander You’ve got lifetimes left to wander We can see it in the mirror Reflect the eyes and make it clearer Exhale the breath, forgive and respect the cycle of death The snakes eyes shine on whoever is left, whoever is next Whatever the test - burn the ladders and systems Your heart is a weapon the size of your passion, nothing less So you want to be a martyr Spin the wheel to be smarter Learn these lessons like a doctor Killing patience like the clock does Does it all feel real now, lost in the fog and our time is running out I’ll martyr my tortured artist cliché ‘til I’m torn apart and sore and heartless A raw carcass of body parts and thoughts Slaughtered for darkness, we’ll all fall regardless I’ve got seconds left to squander You’ve got lifetimes left to wander We can see it in the mirror Reflect the eyes and make it clearer Forgive and respect the cycle of death Minutes diminish on, the lip of a shadow It starts narrowing, minutes to minute Stars half-simmering the dark arc glistening The hard part, visions of embarking, Or is it just pretend? The pen the enemy in the end So you want to be a writer Let it pour and take my lighter Catching fire was never right But If you don’t they’d never find us So it’s all down to sacrifices Take my blood and ease the crisis In this world, there are liars But the truths will be enlightened With the moonlight on the island Set us free when we are dying I’m a ghost now to the selfish I’ll haunt the souls till they are selfless
12.
Be At Peace 03:25
Be at peace Be at peace with the soul Be at peace with the world Be at peace with tomorrow And whatever it holds Be at peace in the darkness Be at peace in the light Be at peace when kindness Is nowhere in sight Be at peace with the waters Be at peace in the flames Be at peace when the winds call They know you by name Be at peace mother earth Be at peace father time Be at peace with the reaper No one makes it out alive Be at peace with the chaos Be at peace with the loss Be at peace with anguish and Whoever you’re thinking of Be at peace with the past Be at peace in thy heart Be at peace with the snake It can never be caught Be at peace with the soul Be at peace with the world Be at peace with tomorrow And whatever it holds Be at peace with the soul Be at peace with tomorrow Be at peace with the world Be at peace – All let go Be at peace with the ghosts Be at peace with tomorrow Be at peace with the flow Be at peace – All let go
13.

about

North Yorkshire’s alternative art-rap band, Ceiling Demons return with a new body of work titled ‘Snakes & Ladders’. After several years bubbling away in the cauldron of creation the eagerly awaited follow-up to ‘Nil’ is finally here!

The initial inception of the album took place when the group’s mercurial twin-brother wordsmiths, Psy Ceiling & Dan Demon were living apart, with one residing in their UK homeland and the other in Bavaria, Germany. During an emotional spell of separation and self-discovery, the bands future was unclear until the brothers reunited and the collective creative flame was sparked once again.

Metaphorically, this flame represented the ancient symbol of the phoenix bringing the rebirth of the band and their unique musical stylings. Upon returning home, the brothers would join Beat Demon, Shadow and S. Reed once more to gradually begin work on their next project. The following few years were spent experimenting further with live instrumentation and diverse song-writing methods. This would lead to astonishing, quicksilver arrangements in tracks like ‘Silver Birch’ and ‘Dust Of The North’ to the heart-wrenching acoustic ode about hope, ‘Freedom For The Living’, in which the brothers performed in the church cemetery of their hometown, where their lost friend now lays. Eventually the album started to take form with the help of some outstanding sound-alchemists.

Celtic jazz musician Andy Lawrenson was invited to enchant several songs with his otherworldly violin playing and Zarahruth was summoned to lend her exquisite, golden vocals throughout the album. Perhaps most surprisingly of all is that the band connected with legendary Jamaican music pioneer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry to collaborate on two songs on the record - the folk-punk call to arms, ‘Freedom Fighting Dystopia’ and the prayer-like album closer ‘Reprise of Light’.

The combination of music and words throughout ‘Snakes & Ladders’ conjure images of the human condition and the universal truths we all bear. The outcome is a devastatingly important reflection of the times that encapsulate the socio-political hardships of global anxieties as well as the inner, individual struggle of existence with the on-going search for peace and acceptance. This is a rich body of work that highlights Ceiling Demons gift of drifting between genres, from fragile acoustic numbers like ‘All Let Go’, to slick electronic beats in the form of ‘From The Womb To The Grave’ and ‘Jupiter’ and powerful, post-rock inspired arrangements such as ‘Breathe’. This collection of songs highlights the group’s growth as a band and is arguably their strongest and most unique work to date.

All in all, ‘Snakes & Ladders’ is an album about cycles and structures. It is about life, death and rebirth and the constant rise and fall of all things. Tied into the stars and the seasons, this is a collection of songs about the chaos and calm of nature with a keen focus on the notion of freedom.

Love over fear x

(** Please Note: For better shipping rates in NORTH AMERICAN on black 12" vinyl, please go through Fake Four Inc. - fakefour.bandcamp.com/album/snakes-ladders **)

'Exciting, enticing & everything you’d never thought of before. Something really quite special.' - NARC. Magazine

'Unlike anything we have listened to so far this year! Powerful and utterly unique!' - Last Day Deaf

credits

released September 22, 2021

Ceiling Demons are Psy Ceiling, Dan Demon, George 'Beat Demon' Ruston, Sam Reed, Chris 'Shadow' Shaw & Art Demon. With additional collaborations from:

Andy Lawrenson
www.andylawrenson.co.uk
Lee "Scratch" Perry
www.lspparadiseshop.com
Zarahruth
zarahruth.bandcamp.com

All lyrics written and performed by Psy Ceiling & Dan Demon with additional lyrics by Zarahruth - Silver Birch, George ‘Beat Demon’ Ruston - Move with the Moon & Breathe and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry -Freedom Fighting Dystopia & Reprise of Light. All songs produced and mixed by George 'Beat Demon' Ruston except From The Womb To The Grave & Jupiter - produced by Chris 'Shadow' Shaw.

All songs mastered by Michael J. Collins at Filthy Broke Recordings.
Recorded at Green Man Swaler Studio, Fremington, North Yorkshire

Artwork by Art Demon

Butterfly Effect - BEFFECT017
butterflyeffect1.bandcamp.com
Fake Four Inc. - FFINC093
fakefour.bandcamp.com

Special thanks to Steven Bardgett, Rebecca Cadbury-Simmons, Michael J. Collins, Tim Coomber, Charlotte Rose Doherty, Stephen Gill, Michael Harrison, Fran Harvey, Grant Hirst, Rob Irish, Michael Lawrence, Andy Lawrenson, Bob Mackenzie, Dylan Owen, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Ceschi Ramos, Sean Ramsden, Sarah Wilson & Martin Wood-Weatheril. Big love to Butterfly Effect, Fake Four Inc., Filthy Broke Recordings, Bladud Files and to all of our family, friends and fans – you mean the world to us!

In loving memory of Stephen Hatfield, David Long & Rainford Hugh Perry. Be at peace xo

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about

Ceiling Demons England, UK

Alternative art-rap / spoken word band from North Yorkshire.

Born out of bereavement, the group consist of twin brother frontmen, Psy Ceiling & Dan Demon, Beat Demon, Shadow, S. Reed & Art Demon.

The DIY collective are known for their emotionally charged work, their use of masks & their unique live performances that encapsulate music, art & the human condition.
ceilingdemons@hotmail.com
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