Ritual’s Enigma (Self-Released) is an insanely tight EP that boats some of the best names in the music business; all of whom are renowned composers and songwriters. Joining Mike Lewin, Terry Knight, Franco Necros, and James Marinos are Devin Townsend, soprano Dianne van Giersbergen, and jazz harpist Amanda Whiting. The result is a strong release is Enigma that puts a smile on the face of the listener.
Enigma opens with the eighty-six second ‘As Above So Below’. It is ominous and lets nothing slip about what’s to come. The vocals are haunting and plaintive. The gracefulness of the first track leads into the more metal ‘Seven Gates’. Seven Gates is like early Megadeth, but with a touch more- thanks to van Giersbergen. Mike Lewin’s guitar and Terry Knight’s drums drive the song forward while Franco Necros’ vocals bound effortlessly from Devo-esq to Mike Patton-esq.
The next track, ‘Murderous Operandi’, is a kick arse heavy metal song. ‘Murderous Operandi’ is heavier than the nineties / noughties metal that the lyrics and riffage pay homage to, but not heavy heavy. It’s just the right blend for singing along, headbanging, and air guitar. The lyrics are sinfully divine. Jorgen Munkeby on saxophone is bombastic and shrill. Munkeby is pure wickedness. The entire composition is worth playing on steady repeat. If you are a fan of Black Sabbath and Soundgarden, then this song is going to be an instant favourite. ‘Murderous Operandi’ should be a staple in bars and clubs; it’s just that darn good.
‘Pandemonium’ continues with the new wave flavour by being totes dance worthy. Franco goes from the growly cookie monster vocals to channeling Johnny Lydon. Traipsing bass lines, industrial guitars and ethereal synth stylings evoke a happy feeling from the listener. There is a sense of freedom and exaltation in the music which is the antithesis to the lyrics. “…There’s no happy ever after, only pain and insane laughter…” The song delves into some evil Pink Floyd thing and the highlighting of van Giersbergen singing with the bass line is a stroke of compositional genius.
The album ends with ‘Walk of Shame’. Here you’ll find Devin Townsend at his absolute wicked best. Townsend provides the narration for ‘Walk of Shame’. The beginning part of the song is a classic trilling of the flute in a very film noir manner. This is followed by Munkeby’s sultry saxophone. The lyrics are ominous but are sung with aplomb. ‘Walk of Shame’ is raunchy and dripping with the sweat of the lower East side in New York City. Think zoot suits, bourbon, and nineteen-forties black Nash with suicide doors.
Engima’s eighteen minutes goes by much too fast. The listener will find themselves playing it on repeat and finding something new and interesting with each listen. Ritual’s Enigma is multi-layered and completely beguiling.
Buy the album here: https://thetrueritual.bandcamp.com/
10 / 10
VICTORIA ANDERSON