There is plenty of heat coming out of Atlanta, Georgia and we aren’t just talking about their humid weather. Sadistic Ritual includes many prominent members of noteworthy Atlanta-based bands (such as Paladin and Vimir). Their 2019 debut, Visions of Death, was described by Decibel as, ”a fearsome thrash ripper”. Back with more blackened thrash tunes and a psychedelic atmosphere along with some slick ass production, the band is poised to reach a broader audience with The Enigma, Boundless, their sophomore album and their first to be released on their new label, Prosthetic Records. 

Opening with a chugging rhythmic and psychedelic groove, ‘End of All Roads’, adds plenty of blackened elements midway through the track. ‘And You’ takes the pace up to breakneck speeds without sacrificing any of the groove. Alex Parra’s solo work shines in this thrash-tastic assault that is sure to impress even the most jaded of extreme music fans. ‘Murmur’ opens up with a Pantera feeling riff filled with heavy sludge and bile. Vocalist and founder, Charlie Southern’s vocals are much more than a “murmur” here, coming in vile and visceral that perfectly compliment this bleak track. On The Enigma, Boundless, Sadistic Ritual are attempting to take the listener on a psychic-drug induced journey and this song captures that attempt perfectly. 

‘The Blood of Memory’ is an instrumental that slowly fades in and continues with mid tempo bass driven grooves with plenty of sombre feeling continuing the band’s promise of a psychedelic journey. The next track, ‘Raving Voyeurism’, will quickly shake you from any trance you may have felt with its bombastic opening full of blast beats and plenty of chugging headbanging aggression that closes with a haunting acoustic melody. The title track, ‘Enigma, Boundless’ closes out the album in style of tight riffs, fist pumping grooves and solos thanks again to Alex Parra’s incredible guitar work. 

If you missed or slept on Sadistic Ritual’s debut album, correct that mistake by making sure to check this one out. Their style is easily accessible by fans and followers across a variety of genres without giving up any of their rooted-in-thrash sound. Hopefully with Prosthetic Records behind them, Sadistic Ritual will find the audience they truly deserve. 

Buy the album here: https://lnk.to/SadisticRitual

8 / 10

ANDREW RISCH