Ritual (USA) - The Resurrection

After trudging through band after band with the same name, I finally caught up with the one I needed. This US-based black metal band have been together for nearly 20 years (with the same members, except for one change in vocalist very early on) and have been bringing their brand of evil and hate filled black metal to the masses. This is their fourth full-length album and the first on their new label, after a hiatus of nearly ten years. 

This album is decidedly different from the start, with a reliance on instrumental track favoured over nonsensical lyrics. However, when the vocals do kick in, they are more understandable than is usual for death metal, so this is another welcome change. The instumentals are more melodic than death metal, with slofter, slower guitars against a less frenetic drumbeat. The vocals are within the vocalist’s range yet still play about within it. He doesn’t push himself too much, which Is nice to hear. 

The first track sounds very much like it should have been in the soundtrack for The Crow. This change of death metal into a more melodic gentle form is obvious in the guitar hooks and solos. Instead of going full-throttle they slip and slide around each other, either using echoing or doubling of the sound to create depth rather that cacophonous noise. 

This change from the norm makes this a very easy to listen to album, and without the harshness it lets it be moee open to listeners who may not necessarily like the harsh guitars of death metal.