Rites is a Doom/Sludge Metal band from Galway, Ireland
The members are:
Guitar/Vox - Kieran Griffin
Guita r- Bryan Higgins
Bass - Nicola Cosgrove
Drums - Dave Mahony
Rites are a band that I originally featured back in 2012 when I featured their excellent S/T debut album. An album won a lot of praise from both fans and critics alike when it was originally released.
Well sadly, two years later we have their eagerly awaited follow-up – II. What do you mean – Sadly? Well people. Rites have decided to call it a day. On Friday 22nd November 2013, the band will be no more. Rites will split up and they have left their new album – II – as a lovely parting gift.
II is a brilliant action packed 25-minute ride full of loud heavy Sludge Metal riffs for you all to devour. It shows why this band was so highly respected at home and abroad. Their style of hard-hitting riffs oozes class from start to finish.
First track – Threatened Shelter – is a down-tuned 6-minute track showing what this great band is all about. Loud fast-paced riffs played at a deadly pace with some blistering guitar solos waiting to devour your soul. Though I have to say it is the bass that gives this track such a dangerous edge. Nicola is on fire here. Nicola plays that bass guitar like a finely tuned weapon. You will understand when you hear the track. Vocalist Kieran is on great demented form as well. His finely tuned vocals providing a scary narrative to the track. It is a great song to open the record with.
Second track – The Mountain Fire – carries on the same vibe from Threatened Shelter but played at a much faster pace though the band wisely amp up the tension and volume around the 3rd minute. The tension becomes that little bit more unbearable as the band throw caution to the wind and become more menacing through out. One of the EP’s best tracks to show why Rites were highly thought of.
What can I say about the 3rd track – Quarry. A finely tuned 10 minute plus epic full of scary vocals and riffs to match. Rites have outdone themselves here. Building up the tension with finely tuned down-tempo Sludge Metal riffs with excellent dual vocals telling a scary tale of despair. This is probably the finest track that Rites have ever written. I love how they blend hard-hitting riffs with the more uplifting style Atmospheric Sludge Metal riffs that appear from the halfway mark. Just sit back and enjoy Rites showing the world what they will be missing once they are gone for good.
Rites end the album on a high with their last ever song – Lured Against The Rocks. A 3:39 minute track that starts off with a two slow paced guitar riffs quietly playing in the background. However, there is something dangerous lurking in the darkness. You can tell this track is going to violently erupt. And right on cue around the 2 minute mark. Rites unleash their own brand of heck for 70 seconds or so. Until the song fades out and the album ends.
II is a superb album from this hugely talented band. Rites have left two excellent albums for people to check out whenever they want. It is a fitting testament to their talent why this band will be sadly missed by so many people within the Sludge Metal scene.
I wish them all the best for the future. Maybe one day they mighty come back and reclaim our souls once more. Until then you will have to make do with II. An excellent album, which is available on BandCamp Buy Now Download. You know what to do.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Check The Band From Links Below
BandCamp
