An Embassy to Gaius, the second LP from Thanatos now up at Bandcamp for free (aka "name your price") .

The record was inspired by the Hellenized Jewish historian, Philo's book "The Embassy to Gaius."  A group of Jews had prepared a compelling argument to prevent the placement of a statue in the city of Jerusalem. The Emperor Caligula wanted a statue of himself, as Jupiter, erected not just in the city, but in the Temple itself.  Graven images were a big "no no" for ancient Jews. Attempts to place far more innocuous items, a shield with an inscription for instance, had resulted in horrific bloodshed.

The embassy went poorly. Gaius Caligula was, of course, out of his mind.

How did the issue resolve itself? The Procurator of Judea put off erecting the statue and put of erecting the statue some more. Then Caligula wound up hacked to pieces by his own guard. Claudius was named emperor. . The new emperor didn't want to have his statue erected in Jerusalem.  The embassy had served a purpose in that it helped with postponements.

The record is about useless charges, wasted effort, lost love and the frequently destructive component on the drive for power, success etc. It isn't a particularly hopeful record but it isn't devoid of humor (few things I do are devoid of humor , even if the jokes are bad).

In some respects I am writing about this as if I was not involved in the creation of the record. It is how I see it now. It was, to me then, a more loosely connected group of work thematically. I envisioned a grander more linked selection of songs. What I wanted was almost a record that could be a play, a play crossing centuries from broad historical themes to tiny personal ones. You can judge the level of success.

I also feel it is far longer than it should be and I have often mused on re-recording this as a much shorter but more fleshed out record. I sincerely doubt I will ever get around to that. GO LISTEN TO AND DOWNLOAD THE RECORD. AVAILABLE FREE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 7, 2019 (OR THEREABOUT).

Also? I was a bit cranky in the process of recording this, especially after I moved to Los Angeles and I would like to say sorry, 24 years later, to Sam Rosenthal.

All you streamers? Take note! You can listen to The Coyote in the Graveyard on a bunch of different streaming services. I wish they would sort out the difference between this Thanatos and the Dutch metal band (we both started using the name in the 80s but the music, the labels etc are way different.

Here are the places you can stream this record and others...with priority given to places that understand there is more than one band named Thanatos.

Head to Spotify HERE.

Check out on Apple Music HERE.

Still using iTunes? Go HERE.

Google Play Music go HERE,

Amazon Music go HERE.

You can also find the LP on Youtube HERE.

And Pandora HERE. There is also a Thanatos Pandora station.


 I would, of course, be grateful if you shared these links or links to this page. Partly this is because I get paid when people listen and download? But also? I love spreading the music around. You can also listen to all of my other records at these locations and some others too.

I appreciate you reading this!

Coyote in the Graveyard, the latest LP from Thanatos, is now temporarily up at Bandcamp (until January 18, 2017).

Let me state right off the bat this isn't the actual cover. This  is a photo of a background on a painting I took that turned IN to the cover. I just needed an image for here. You will notice that  I wrote lyrics on various layers that were ultimately painted over. This is sort of appropriate for this record--obscured ideas and intentions all over the place

The recording is now done and it is also mastered. It is up on Bandcamp HERE. The release is $10.

This record has taken years to record and there were many reasons for this--my malaise, the fact my initial idea was to involve a number of other people in the recording (ultimately it is myself, Tim Larson and my son Boyd Ogle II).

It is unique sonically from my other records and I am sure that it will perplex some folks with a preconceived notion of what my music should sound like. But I hope they, and you, like it anyway.

This is Thanatos' sixth full length reccord and a physical release will be out soon.

I want to encourage folks who are planning to attend to call or visit online to reserve a table for the show. It is a small room and there are a limited number of tables.....it will also let the kind people at Uncommon Ground know that people will, indeed, be coming to the show.

Starting at 7 pm!....I promise there will be no length dawdling here we are gonna get to playing!

Being honest, earlier in the year I said I was going to play a bunch of shows and maybe do band shows in 2018.....That is about as likely now as me being elected Pope. I'd love to do it but it is more trouble than I am willing to go to. Id be shocked if I play again anytime soon.....hell I am shocked when I play at all.

I am dead solid certain only playing under circumstances I consider ideal....and I am dead solid certain not seeking out shows.

Thanatos will be playing another solo show at 7 p.m. Sunday, December 17 at Uncommon Ground (3800 N. Clark St., Chicago). The show will feature sets from Patrick Ogle (Thanatos) and Tim Larson.

Thanatos shows are as rare as Unicorns. There was one recent short set in Portland with the previous show (a full band show) taking place in August, 2014. You can contact and reserve a table at Uncommon Ground in advance of the show. The capacity of the venue is 50 so it wouldn't be a bad idea to book early. The price is $8.

Thanatos will play some old songs, some never before heard songs. Larson ? Who knows what he will pull out of his hat....something old new, borrowed and blue most likely.

There may even be some Christmas songs played. Tell your friends, tell your enemies.

Hello! So yes, seven of eleven songs are pretty much done so far as recording is concerned; another four need minor additions (stuff like backing vocals and bass parts being the most important).

A week tops before the recording is completely finished.

To the left are my  notes for tonight with the songs that need a few things circled. I even started trying to figure out a song order below that. You can tell I am nearing finished when I start worrying about song order.

And yes, my handwriting looks like I am a lunatic.

I did notice tonight that this is a pretty weird record. It isn't anything like any of the other Thanatos records.  To me? That is a good thing? Who wants to do the same damned thing for 25 years or more? Only someone who is boring and I hope I am not that JUST yet.

The next stuff I will post here should be some paintings that I plan to use for the cover and new show announcements. Possibilities are popping up and leaping about. Keep an eye open for news. Always feel free to get in touch via patrick at thanatos dot biz.

Thanatos is playing a solo show opening for Devoured by Flowers at 8 p.m., Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Lovecraft Bar (421 SE Grand Ave., Portland, Oregon).

This is the first time I've played west of Texas and I am thrilled to be playing with Ashkelon Sain (Trance to the Sun)'s new band. I am playing solo but I hesitate to call it "acoustic" since I am thinking of playing my electric. I usually only play this with a band but it is the very same guitar I used on most of my early records where I played an electric. Oddly....given the acoustic nature of the first two records I didn't own an acoustic guitar until after the first two Thanatos LPs were finished.

But enough boring history! This will be a fun show. I am opening for a band that I am thrilled to be playing with. I am doing this show, in part, so I get a chance to see them. Click on their name to check out their music.