Album Review: Goat Major - Ritual
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
Within the first few moments of opening track 'Snakes (Goddess of the Serpent'” with the wah pedal being used to great effect, slithering licks, a big booming bass line, menacing evil drums, the hypnotic, silky voice, it’s clear to see that when masterly put together, this dark, disturbing music is taking you back in time to when doom, occult metal all began, but with a new generation of devotees pushing it forward into new territories.
Goat Major have been gathering up a lot of praise in the stoner, doom world recently, and following the release of their 'Evil Eye' EP, the Welsh trio have recently signed the well-respected, Ripple Music, so the anticipation levels of their debut full length album are higher than before. And the good news is that 'Ritual' isn’t going to let anybody down.
The longtime friends formed around the pandemic having all grown up in Haverfordwest, and have been inspired by their Celtic roots to produce eight songs that are soaked in sinister occult doom metal. They have an abundance of melodies, manic grooves and ritual worthy chants that will keep fans glued to the music.
It would be too easy of me to go down the comparison route, but yes, they have elements of Green Lung, Kadavar and Electric Wizard, but that’s not a bad thing, as they’ve added their own fuzz inspired heavy grooves to weave throughout the music and created some cracking songs, with the title track “Ritual” being an absolute head banger.
And from that song, the haunting melodies just continue to flow, with Tom Shortt on vocals/bass leading the charge. 'Turn to Dust' is a superbly crafted song of immensely high quality, probably my favourite one on the album, and it is just dripping with evil intent that really pulls you in and leaves you begging for more.
And the quality songs just keep coming, 'Light of The End' is a slow, brooding, eerie number that leads into 'Power That Be' with the powerful drumming of Simon Bonwick coming to the fore and working beautifully with the dark, spooky riffs emanating from the guitar of Jammie Arnold, before the 8 minute treat that is 'Mountains of Madness' builds up the suspense and explodes into life.
The previously released 'Evil Eye' is up next, and this was the introduction to the band that really put them on the map. It has a fiendishly slow build with the riff being a thing of absolute beastly and ghoulie goodness and one that I’m simply not tired of listening to, all leading to heavenly harmonies between the trio. It is all wrapped up with 'Lay Me Down' a quick fire track which is almost like an interlude between this and the next instalment, which after listening to 'Ritual' fans are going to be begging Goat Major to get a move on and get that out soon!!!! It’s a steamroller of a debut from a band who have a very bright future ahead.
