By:
Richard Maw
Album Type: Full-Length
Date Released:
12/02/2016
Label: Season of Mist
The sound of the record is focused and tight- also a little drier
than their previous studio record, I think. The production is still lavish and
well put together, with lots of overdubs, multi tracked vocals, choral effects
and what have you. The melding of styles makes for a truly dark album and a
rather bleak listen. Ultimately, there
is a lot going in this record- as per for the band. The hidden depths will show
themselves with repeated listens. On first listen (or third, as this is) this
is an excellent addition to a unique band's discography. Expect to return to it
again and again, for music of this quality will not get boring!
“Rituals” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1.
In Nomine Dei Nostri
2. זה נגמר (Ze Nigmar)
3. Ἐλθὲ Κύριε (Elthe Kyrie)
4. Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal)
5. Ἄπαγε Σατανά (Apage Satana)
6. Του Θάνατου (Tou Thanatou)
7. For A Voice Like Thunder
8. Konx Om Pax
9. देवदेवं (Devadevam)
10. The Four Horsemen
11. Lok'tar Ogar (bonus track vinyl)
2. זה נגמר (Ze Nigmar)
3. Ἐλθὲ Κύριε (Elthe Kyrie)
4. Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal)
5. Ἄπαγε Σατανά (Apage Satana)
6. Του Θάνατου (Tou Thanatou)
7. For A Voice Like Thunder
8. Konx Om Pax
9. देवदेवं (Devadevam)
10. The Four Horsemen
11. Lok'tar Ogar (bonus track vinyl)
The Review:
Two
years and one live record on from the absolutely storming “Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy” Rotting Christ return with their latest studio record. The
band's sound, as noted in previous reviews and no doubt by previous reviewers
is hard to pigeonhole; elements of black metal, death metal and symphonic metal
coalesce into a truly unique sound. Listen to the opener “In Nomine Dei Nostri”
for a fine example of their approach. Like many bands with two brothers
involved (AC/DC, Obituary, early Deicide,
early Sepultura and so on) the band have carved
their own niche and are sticking with it.
The
sound of the record is focused and tight- also a little drier than their
previous studio record, I think. The production is still lavish and well put
together, with lots of overdubs, multi tracked vocals, choral effects and what
have you. The melding of styles makes for a truly dark album and a rather bleak
listen. Tracks such as “Elthe Kyrie” utilise time changes
to good effect, voice-overs abound (which I cannot understand) and the drums
have double kicks going almost all the time with the snare switching the pace
at will. These elements are all present and correct on “Apage Satana”
(complete with the choral style of vocals familiar to long time listeners).
“Les Litanies De Satan” is particularly savage to
start and continues in French for the opening verse! Again, the use of slow
riffs/fast beats and vice versa marks this as prime Rotting Christ
territory. As the album progresses into its latter half with a brace of tracks
over six minutes in length the scope widens somewhat. Rolling rhythms are
employed and, although the tracks are longer, a more straight forward feel
takes hold. To be fair, “Komx Om Pax” is not exactly easy
listening and employs blasts, but I found these two songs weirdly accessible.
As
the record enters the home straight, things lighten a little for “Devadevam”
and those elements of Type O Negative that I
usually hear when listening to the band are present in the insistent chanting.
Certainly, the band share a sense of drama and lush production- if not the same
sonic template. “Tou Thanatou” is a burst of speed and utilises dynamic build
ups. “The Four Horsemen” is not a cover, I can assure you, but is
instead a fine piece of dramatic music- bass slides underpinning a strangely
slow track for the band.
Ultimately,
there is a lot going in this record- as per for the band. The hidden depths
will show themselves with repeated listens. On first listen (or third, as this
is) this is an excellent addition to a unique band's discography. Expect to
return to it again and again, for music of this quality will not get boring!
“Rituals” is available here
