Awake
Rituals
Well it's always good to get a band who would appeal to those most faithful to those bands including BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, AUGUST RED BURNS and WHILE SHE SLEEPS. This quartet from Newcastle, United Kingdom have not been around for long since they formed back in 2018. They have released three singles called; "P.O.V", "Snake's Head" and "False Royal".
They may still be a work in progress but they are a force to be reckoned with a sound only described as "powerful, diverse, contemporary, and deeply engrossing". But now they have released a 4 track EP titled AWAKE which was seen as "s combination of thought processes. It is about developing a sense of self-worth, whilst realizing false realities, and remolding yourself into the person you've wanted to become". And furthermore, "musically, it is a collection of four songs created in a heavier vein than our previous materials, as we strive to constantly evolve our sound".
So the opening track of this EP is of course, "Awake" the hammer of melodic thunder of the full band sound. The vocals come through together with guitar & bass to give the band's personal statement of the metalcore sound with focus on groove metal and thrash metal too. But this is merely the beginning as we go into the next track. The second track of this EP, "Turn Away From The Sun" carries on with similar guitar playing and the subtle tone of bass. The dynamics really brings out the best of the melodic, possessed vocals and full force of drums. This track also presents us the more alternative side to this band, but now we can progress onto the third track of this EP.
"Blinding To Me" brings out the hardcore sound of guitar and drums providing the rhythm. The vocals give off the rebellious and tease of screeching before the start but sweet instrumental passage. This passage is mostly defined by guitar which does vary in rhythm before the vocals become vicious and nasty. And so we come to the final track of this EP, no doubt the sound has changed throughout. "Carved Out" is of course breaking through the sound barriers, conquered by the vocals and drums. The guitar repeats mostly what we have heard before whereas bass just reinforces the wall of sound.
This EP is just the start of a band like RITUALS, they have given us a taster of what is to come. Their unique sound drawn from previous metalcore bands is evident and I have no doubt they will go for fame and fortune. Who knows, they may even achieve the same success as their predecessors.
9 / 10
Almost Perfect
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Awake" Track-listing:
1. Awake
2. Turn Away From The Sun
3. Blinding To Me
4. Carved Out
Rituals Lineup:
Lewis MacRae - Vocals
Ewan Lee - Guitars
Dom James - Bass
Jorge Reay - Drums
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