When you want to find innovative, hyper-talented musicianship in the metal/hard rock scene, the best stop is invariably with collectives. BUNSENBURNER, spearheaded by Ben Krahl, is a prime example. On August 11, 2023, Ben released BUNSENBURNER's latest album, "Rituals," on Bensnburner Records. With 12 tracks, including one bonus, and spanning 47 minutes it's a great remedy to the banality that has possessed some corners of the heavy music scene.

Keeping in mind that as an instrumental project-e.g., almost no vocals at all-a large segment of potential audience has already been alienated. Next, considering that this is a fairly experimental/avant-garde band . . . well, there goes another audience segment. What we're left with as potential fans are audiophiles, prog enthusiasts, and musicians. Not a bad following, but not one is likely to pave the road to the bank with gold. Which is fine, I mean, who needs the filthy lucre? This is art.

"Rituals" is packaged in three neat compositional frames. The first are the heavy hitters (tracks 1 - 4). For metal fans, these will be the most compelling. They come complete with mean riffs, funky bass lines, time signatures straight out of a schizophrenia notebook, and a wide assortment of interesting flourishes and breaks. Deep Stoner these tracks. For me, the best of the lot.

The second batch of tracks are bluesy, jazz-infused numbers (tracks 5 - 8) that will have you contemplating the nature of the universe in one movement and then all the failings of your latest relationship in the next. For fans of Doom, these tracks will resonate well.

The final batch of songs (tracks 9, 11, 12) are the ones that most metalheads will object to and end up just circling back to the beginning of the album. These tracks are trippy, psych jams. Think "Planet Caravan" but without vocals. And, of course, having said that I need to immediately point out that "Minor Case of Serious Brain Damage" does indeed have vocals. Again, think Ozzy on "Planet Caravan" but far more fuzzy and far less distinct. I won't say much about these tracks except they are way mellow.

If you're taking notes, you'll see I skipped track 10, "Journey in Satchidanana." I'm guess the title is an inside joke about the Saskatchewan, Canada, but that's just me guessing. This track journeys from low-down blues to sludgy Doom, so essentially encompassing the spirit of the first two batches of tracks. As you can expect, I prefer the heavy part of this one but as a whole it still holds up.

"Rituals" covers a lot of ground. Depending on your preference, those landscapes will appeal to varying degrees. In the end though, this is a nicely executed collection which deserves its place in the well-regarded hall of the Metal Temple which houses bands like GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT, RUSSIAN CIRCLES, KING BUFFALO, etc.