The rites of passage, the rites of worship, the rites of personal devotion all these entwined under a sort of belief that segments of the human kind have been following for centuries, from the ancient times through our modern day lives. These kinds of beliefs, or self rituals, do not have to be connected to any type of religion, whether barbaric or pagan or ones of the "ordered" fashions like Christianityfor instance, these sacraments can be personal while every mind has its own interpretations. In connection to the meaning of rites, the definition of the word RIITIIR is actually fictional, it was created by ENSLAVED's Guitarist / Keyboards / Songwriter / founder, Ivar Bjørnson,in order to reshape the image of the word "Ritual" to fit it into Norse standards. So by now you probably figured it out, this my review of the new ENSLAVED album named "RIITIIR", released via Nuclear Blast Records. Like every album recently made by this fine highly experienced Progressive Black / Viking Metal band from Norway, it symbolizes a process, at least from my personal understanding. This process, controlled by time and by evolutions of thoughts and philosophies whether musical or spiritual, has been accompanying them since day one when they displayed a raw kind of Black Metal to the world along with their local companions.

From my end "RIITIIR" presents high emotional bursts, in one hand of an aching mind about to fracture under pressures that have been violating its deepest and private places and on the other a tranquil spiritual being hovering above healing the fallen and bring back existence serving man his own rites. Defining what was just written into musical terms, ENSLAVED, with their intense heartless, cold and foreboding riffing and astonishing Blackish growls prove that there is evil everywhere and there nothing that would stop it. Though there weren't too much lead guitar sections, those seemed to obtain less attention for a reason. Alongside the troubles from the hellish and malevolent south, there are other tones like the atmospheric nature of acoustic and softened electric guitars following the lead of the dreamy keyboards. Furthermore, a different type of vocals also include the singing of angles by the bands' constant bass player, Grutle Kjellsonwith here and there integration with the growl channel that is always alert. Both created some highly absentminded choruses that are a plain journey to the vast reaches of the universe, maybe towards Valhalla. All in all, I was very impressed by the fact that I could actually loose myself from listening to several of the tracks of this album, like letting myself go in a pool without anyone holding, sailing across waves of deep thinking meeting hideous yet intriguing things and places.

The dramatic "Roots Of The Mountain" captivated me the most, ENSLAVED once again proved that they are masters on creating independent stories of the far beyond filled with an old school violent energies along with the prospect of evolution. I enjoyed the vocal work, both growl and clean, next to the structured proceedings of the music that showed a wide selection of colors and miraculous melodies. "Storm of Memories" at first seemed to like an odd piece. It actually resembled calmness right before disintegrating causing a terrible combustion that welcomes the eye of the storm after three minutes. This is the storm of insane Black Metal fury enticed by a lead guitar fast trill and compelling fast drumming. But storms can calm as well and the music into mid tempo rhythms with great catchy harmonic riffing and assorted vocals. "Veilburner" began with the calling a demon from the underworld only to meet the force of will from the ashes of the dying flames. ENSLAVED provided mysteries without solutions by issue a trail of perplexing riffing and well thought-out passages and verses. "Materal" sounded like a battle between two beings or even something of the astral world. I presume that the meaning of the word means material but who knows, my Norwegian is not sharp at all. This one is more contemporary in comparison to the others but no one can take these amazing growls away and of course the immense lead guitar solo right in the middle.

In my opinion "RIITIIR" is an album strictly for the open minded, both musically and cognitively. Is represents a journey in versions for all to take, but each journey is private with its own explanations and understandings. This is once again a great treasure by this band. Extreme Metal fans should embrace it while other Metal fans should try it in order to immerse themselves in creativity.

FEMME METALE (8/10)

There's always a first time for everything. While it was my first time ever listening to an ENSLAVED album, it was in fact the band's twelfth time in the studio, as they prepare to release their latest album entitled "Riitiir".  This album title is derived from the English "rites" or "rituals". If anything, "Riitiir" seeks to break down and enhance Black Metal conventions with gripping melodic twists and exciting psychedelic turns. I affectionately named it the favorite lovechild of OPETH and BORKNAGAR.

There is a running theme of duality that is successfully expressed throughout "Riitiir", the most frequent example being that of the transition between evil rasping Abbath-like vocals and soaring melodic lines. "Thoughts Like Hammers" and "Death in the Eyes of Dawn" display these qualities in proliferate amounts, and it is a beautiful audible presentation of ENSLAVED's mastery of fusing the mystifying intellect of Progressive Metal with the sinister nature of Black Metal. The latter song also contains a beautiful acoustic/electric duality, in which guitar work seamlessly flows from one attitude to another.

On average, these songs are as epic in length as they are in composition. The self-titled track, as well as "Materal", are enrapturing from beginning to end, set up like booby traps to catch your awareness of the music changing around you as you listen. "Materal" especially captured my attention with the smooth rhythm yet savage beating of the drums, the riveting guitar parts (almost as surprising as BURZUM doing guitar solos), and hypnotizing vocals that made me dust off my TIAMAT CDs.