EP REVIEW: Ritualization – Hema Ignis Necros

French Black Metal quintet RITUALIZATION are back, 5 years after their debut album with a new EP set for release via Iron Bonehead Productions on August 12th.

Dreary riffs and droning bass atop chiming cymbals bring the album in with a darkened, suitably ritualistic atmosphere for a band with their name. Pick-slides up the bestial feel of the Black Metal mystification while the doomy pacing concocts a diabolical atmosphere. There are some slightly Death Metal edges to the music, adding to the barbarity while the evil atmospherics take the foreground. Out of nowhere we are plunged into a sea of utterly ferocious blasting drums and savage guitar work which is intricate yet played with unmistakable force. Equally extreme to the instruments are the maniacally animalistic vocals which bellow malicious incantations. One only has to look at the impressive variety of bands this horde is a part of to see they are seasoned Black Metal veterans, although the impeccably tight musicianship and visceral songwriting should be evidence enough.

Forging forth, the somewhat thrashy kick to the tracks gives a formidable force to the songs, while further insanity comes in the form of blisteringly chaotic soloing. Coupled with their monstrous Black / Death Metal onslaught, there is no escaping the sheer brutality of this EP. The drumming is provides a monolith of relentless kicks and walls of snare while the cymbal work feels more delicate and precise, contrasting this the guitars and bass retain a violent and steady pacing to match the vocals which are possessed from start to end. Taking respite in the eerie and tribal interluding moments, this nightmarish vision is certainly one that has been thought out to include every possible detail to despoil the holy soul.

If you scratch below the surface, there is a surprising amount of melody under the veil of bestial Black-Death ferocity that gives a nuanced and intricate performance while retaining a rock-solid and unforgiving shield against those unworthy to face Ritualization’s punishing sounds. Simply put, this enigma of chaotic, relentless and storming Extreme Metal is unwieldy and yet varied. The diverse ideas move naturally without stagnating and everything is played in a very genuine manner. All details including the glorious cover art and triumphant production fit together to give us a marvellously dark and mysterious final record that commands respect from those whom listen. A truly destructive and formidable opponent to anyone who cannot withstand a rigorously wicked cut of devilish Black Metal carnage.

Contagiously feral and monstrously heavy Black / Death Metal that moves with serpentine transitions and labyrinthine atmospherics to concoct a malodorous and malignant trio of morbid songs. This EP is a majestically woven, to-the-point and sharp blade of Extreme Metal might.