Ritual - Enigma


Five years into their career, Hertfordshire heavies Ritual release their second EP this week. We last heard from Ritual with their 2019 release Operation Copacabana and the Punch-Drunk Blues. Enigma continues the narrative from the previous EP, which reimagined and extrapolated on the song by Barry Manilow. In a very loose way, Enigma continues this story by following the antagonist's trial, execution and descent to hell following a murderous crime of passion.

Written before the world shut its doors two years ago, Ritual weren't able to release Enigma as intended, yet the band played this to their advantage. While refining what they already had, the band decided to embellish the songs with guest appearances. ”We thought about what we felt the songs were missing and identified people who we’d ideally like to perform the parts", they explain. Fortunately, their dream musicians weren't touring 'as normal' and were able to lend a helping hand or two (or several).

As Above, So Below sets the tone for the album with mournful vocal melodies and orchestration, with a distinctly System of a Down-style delivery to them, before launching into the swaggering Seven Gates. Its fist-pumping groove has shades of Judas Priest to it, and the swung breakdown midway through is truly ferocious. With dramatic, operatic guest vocals from Dianne van Giersbergen, it's quickly apparent how well Ritual have chosen their guests. Her performance is stunning... but we're only just getting started.


Murderous Operandi has a storming main riff that could have come from Metallica's Black Album, developing into more old-school glory with a bridge that could have come from vintage Iron Maiden, complete with crowd-igniting 'woah's. There's more to it than that, though; a sax solo plays from Shining's Jørgen Munkeby over a softer, quieter part, adding more emotional layers to the song as it gradually builds back up into some of the EP's heaviest moments. At no point does the saxophone sound out of place or shoehorned in, even wailing dementedly to match the grittier instrumentation towards the end.

Pandemomium, possibly the standout track on display, employs a wonderfully arrogant rap metal groove with catchy vocal hooks delivered from the hardcore punk playbook. Bombastic and wacky, the jazz fusion-style guitar solo keeps it weird, but it has plenty of passages to turn the heads of any seasoned metal maniac, from Devin Townsend-style prog to extreme metal stylings. Jazz harpist Amanda Whiting can be heard over this track, as well as the vocal talents of Anneke van Giesbergen, who's well-known for her work in The Gathering and with Devin Townsend.


Speaking of Townsend, he makes an appearance himself over Walk of Shame, the EP's epilogue. The track takes you back to a smoky jazz bar, although as if something is slightly wrong and nightmarish about the whole experience. It's like you're watching a horror movie, the main part is over, but there are still a good few minutes left of the runtime. The two songs that bookend the EP are more than 'just' intro and outro tracks to fill the minutes out, serving a purpose, creating a fuller narrative.

Lead vocalist Franco Necro really seems to have the knack for charismatically telling a story, through his first-person lyricism and expressive vocal delivery. The guitar and bass riffing wear their influences proudly on their sleeves - perhaps a crunchier tone may have suited better - but it's the other instruments that set Enigma apart from its peers.


There's a crazy amount going on conceptually and musically, but Ritual somehow manage to pull it off and do their own thing. It has lots of different forms of old-school metal lurking in the music, sounding familiar and fun, yet the execution is nothing but truly individual.

You probably haven't heard anything quite like this EP.

In a once-in-a-lifetime (fingers crossed) context for musicians, Ritual played their cards well, brought in a bunch of musicians who'd otherwise be busy, and waited patiently for the right time to release their work. The decision appears to very much be a brave and bold one.

8/10


Enigma releases on 6th May 2022


MN

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