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Ritual

Soul of Anubis

Overall, this was a solid album that didn’t deviate from some of the narrow genre boundaries too much, but did offer an honest and straightforward sound with no compromises.

From Bandcamp, "Ritual" represents the passage from life to death and rebirth into a new cycle. During these last years, we have lost beloved ones, we have lost the freedom to breathe, we have lost some companionship, and we had to fight to lift our souls back on trial. In Egyptian mythology, Ra, God of the Sun, goes down to the underworld every night to help the dead cross to the other world and ensure that a new dawn would happen. So, "Ritual" is a memorial to our beloved ones who passed away, speaks for the mental struggle that everyone has to face to overcome their demons and glorifies the victory of rebirth. As we have our demons, this is our ritual to cross our pathway." The album has eight songs.

"Ritual" is first. It has a fast moving pace, like Thrash Metal, and the vocals are horrid screams. The low end of the song is cavernous from the guitar and bass. Unlike some Death Metal, you can clearly hear the riffs. "Mind Crusher" is even faster, and borders on chaotic. But the band reigns in the sound with expertise. The screamed vocals keep a steady presence in the song and are perhaps the most prominent feature on the album. It's dark, and punishing. "Incarnation" is brutal in nature. It moves slowly, so that the heavy bottom end can really soak in. It's as black as the abyss. "Vermin" is another slow mover. The riffs are fairly simple in scope, but due to their weight, they are quite effective at pushing a sinister sound. "Death Cult" might be the album's best song. They dial up the weight and it feels crushing to me…suffocation and even stifling.

"God's Burial" has a dark and sinister feeling to it, almost as if you are tasked with exploring the Underworld. The things you discover could make a billygoat puke, they are so terrible and horror filled. "Human Torch" begins with a deep dissonance that slowly covers the entire song in shadows. "Rise from the ashes," he commands you, and with authority. It's enough to get you up and out of your seat. "Unholy Tomb" is a beastly eight and a half minutes long, and it closes the album. It takes filth to another level…the kind that you can't wash off your skin, like caked on dried blood. Overall, this was a solid album that didn't deviate from some of the narrow genre boundaries too much, but did offer an honest and straightforward sound with no compromises.

7 / 10

Good

Songwriting

7

Musicianship

6

Memorability

6

Production

8
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"Ritual" Track-listing:

1. Ritual

2. Mind Crusher

3. Incarnation

4. Vermin

5. Death Cult

6. God's Burial

7. Human Torch

8. Unholy Tomb

 

Soul of Anubis Lineup:

Hugo Ferrão

Rui Silva

 

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