Album Review: Ritual Arcana - Ritual Arcana
Reviewed by Patrick O'Reilly
As the title suggests, this album is a mystical trip into the realms of the supernatural and esoteric, by way of groovy doom metal/occult rock. Pressing start on the album begins the ritual and immediately a gateway is opened between your brain and other dimensions.
Overseeing the trip is a seer nearly as old as time itself, Scott 'Wino' Weinrich, formerly of The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan and Saint Vitus, a man who is no stranger to these dark arts. Ably assisted by High Priestess' SharLee LuckyFree on bass and vocals and Oakley Munson on drums, the ritual is free to begin.
Not surprisingly this album is all about the riffs and some great ones abound, bizarrely though it is the guitar leads that shine through and provide the upmost bliss when listening, Wino managing to coax all manner of unearthly squeals and noises from his instrument. This is no crazed or rushed ceremony though; these masters of the dark arts let the songs develop and breathe, full of atmosphere and majesty. This album is both catchy and memorable. Female vocals add another dimension to the format, and there is a cockiness and attitude to this album both in the lyrical content and the music itself.
Like a drug fuelled occult orgy in a den full of bikers, this album goes hard but never feels too aggressive. It is a tightly observed ritual that delivers on what it promises... Majik
