STARLIGHT RITUAL originally formed as heavy/doom metal project in 2012. Over time, however, the Montreal, Quebec (Canada) quintet transitioned to playing more traditional hard rock/heavy metal; drawing on the attitude of MÖTORHEAD and ACCEPT and the flawless execution of RAINBOW and JUDAS PRIEST for inspiration. "Sealed In Starlight" (released June 2, 2021) is the band's first full-length album after two EPs; "Starlight Ritual" in 2016 and "Age Of The Universe" in 2017. On "Sealed In Starlight" the band seeks to ascend a mountain of raw iron; armed with epic hymns, memorable riffing, and skull-crushing vocals.

"The Bell," an instrumental, opens the album; serving as a mood-setter. It consists primarily of a synthesizer over a tolling bell, though eventually a neat guitar line becomes the focus. STARLIGHT RITUAL begin their metal assault with "Marauders," a grinding, uptempo number featuring an interesting guitar riff threaded throughout the melody. "One For The Road," perhaps my favorite track on the album, is a headbanger from the start; showing that STARLIGHT RITUAL can lay down a wall of sound. The tandem guitar playing of JF Bertrand and Dan Toupin is used to seriously good effect and the element that had me hooked.

"Burning Desire" has a raw, rough around the edges metal appeal. I like the more downtempo elements to the song moreso than those times when the band lets loose. STARLIGHT RITUAL progressively rachet up the heavy as they play "Sealed In Starlight." The tune has a brooding quality, though the rhythm picks up over the final quarter of the song. That said, "Sealed In Starlight" is just a bit meandering for my tastes. There is nothing to ratchet up on "Civilization Lost," the song exuding power from the get go, primarily in the form of a throbbing guitar line. I really appreciated the tempo shifts contained in the track, impressed by the way they so subtly occurred that it was hard to tell transitions were happening until they had happened (if that makes sense).

Another favorite turned out to be "The Riddle Of The Steel," which has a NWOBHM sensibility played in an almost speed/thrash metal manner. The song hits a lull at 3:17, which is just fine, as I found myself a bit breathless because the tune raced without let up from its inception. That lull only lasts for a minute before STARLIGHT RITUAL speeds chaotically to the track's conclusion.

Truth be told, I found "Lunar Rotation" to be a bit of a slog, with discordant tempo shifts keeping me off balance. It should be noted that by this point I was a bit worn, the repetitive nature of many songs leaving me aurally numb. To this end, if there is one thing I would change just a bit, it'd be dialing back on the space given to the guitars. Don't get me wrong, Bertrand and Toupin are an extremely talented duo deserving of a showcase, though turning over such wide swaths of each song to guitar solos and pyrotechnics might be reconsidered.  "Sealed in Starlight" closes in uptempo style with "Righteous Ones."

Overall, "Sealed In Starlight" puts me in mind of DI'ANNO-era MAIDEN and very early PRIEST. It is a quality first full-length effort, featuring several memorable moments STARLIGHT RITUAL can build off of going forward. That being noted, I look forward to future efforts from this band, hoping they retain that hint of rawness as they refine their musical and lyrical style.