A RITUAL SPIRIT – The Antidote (EP Review)

A Ritual Spirit - The Antidote EP
A Ritual Spirit: The Antidote EP

A Little Background:

A Ritual Spirit are an Edinburgh based heavy rock/metal band who have been around since 2010. They have previously released a couple of EPs (2010 and 2011) and an album entitled Carnival Carnivorous away back in 2013. The Antidote is the first release since then. There has been a couple of changes in line up from that album. They played Britain’s major metal festival Bloodstock back in 2018 having won through several intense heats of competitions to play what is called the New Blood Stage where they impressed many folks who turned up to check them out.

The EP features 4 brand new songs and was produced by Bryan Ramage of Edinburgh proggers Ramage Inc. The things I noticed right away compared to the last album (which is on all the usual places online and is very good) is how much cleaner and in your face this sounds. The songs seem stronger and everything playing and arranging wise is a notch higher than previous, so much so that I would say this is the best thing the band has achieved yet! It is always great to see a band get better on each release showing an upward trajectory and I am sure this EP will garner them more attention and also more fans.

The Songs In More Detail:

A Ritual Spirit: Or At Least Their Backs!
A Ritual Spirit: Or At Least Their Backs!

Opening song “Sacrifice” starts with what sounds like a bottle rolling across the floor and then a glass smashing before kicking in with an impressive riff. In fact there are loads of really great riffs on this. From the first song, they manage moments of light and shade, heavy and melodic. The softer “you say we’ll find a way” before being repeated in a heavier style helps make the chorus more identifiable and to be a real earworm. “Broken/Disappear” starts faster and heavier than the previous song. The sound is so full and expressive. Again there is a strong chorus with “who wants to disappear” . There is some fine guitar soloing from new guitarist Fraser MacIntosh in the middle of the track.

On “Celebrity” drummer Dave Cumming pulls out some fine fills and rolls throughout. The song features singer Ellen Hill from Newcastle based metallers Kilnova. At over 6 minutes long it is the longest track they have recorded and allows them more time to show how creative they are and show a different almost more progressive style. There is also a grunge vibe to the song in the loud quiet sections but due to an almighty riff it definitely falls into the metal category. There is a section with indistinct chat which could be suggesting celebrity gossiping, the “oh my God” usage is certainly a hint towards that. This is probably for me the best track from them that I have heard. If this is a foretaste of stuff to come then bring it on!

The EP concludes with the wonderfully titled “Dead From The Waist Down” which has another solid heavy riff but is commercial sounding enough to be a single on it’s own right. With several lyric lines being repeated at times it is easy to singalong at several points.

In Conclusion:

As I said earlier in the review. I believe this to be a step up in so many ways. The production really brings out the best in them. Great work all round from this fine Edinburgh band. Check them out at the links below! The EP is available on November 1, 2019.

BUY: AMAZON.com / AMAZON.co.uk

OFFICIAL WEBSITE / FACEBOOK

Also, find more of my CGCM reviews here: Tom Cornell

Tom Cornell

Email Me at: Tom Cornell

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