text: Dawid Krosnia
Ritualization
Sacraments to the Sons of the Abyss
Iron Bonehead Productions
February 3rd, 2017
Blackened death metal from France? I don’t need more encouragement and confidence that could be a great record. Ritualization was formed a decade ago, after a couple of demos, split and EP they have finally decided to record a full length album. Sacraments to the Sons of the Abyss will see the daylight at the beginning of February, thanks to the Iron Bonehead Productions. One of the key individuals involved in this horde is Blastum, known from playing the drums in Merrimack. If you know Merrimack’s The Acausal Mass and Blastum’s drumming skills you know that this album will be fucking fast.
Like on every respected album, the ceremony begins with an inviting intro, Conjuration of the Howling Depths takes you all the way down, you’ll certainly feel closer to hell. And yes, the hell opens its gates with blazing hot proposition – Last Rites to the Damned. It almost feels like that someone pissed off the Lord of the Abyss and there will consequences, deadly ones. The fury and intensity of this song filled me with a great reinsurance that I won’t be left disappointed. Continuation of extreme madness with few slow-downs makes things only more interesting and engaging. Herald of Betrayal has a slower and groovier approach at the beginning which later transforms to hatred-fuelled killing machine. Can you guys play any faster? Hell yeah, there is no slowing down, great examples is The Graveyard Coven or Revealed in Terror. My personal favourite song from the Sacraments to the Sons of the Abyss is Morbid Magick Stigmata. It has got the variety of different tempo changes, it contains every bit of sickness presented on this album. It has got the ritualistic feel to it as well. For me it is the best song that represents Ritualization for who they are. Also, Heretics has got a similar approach, superb riffing, insane drums and filthy vocals. Unfortunately the ritual is over, the outro Ashes Pouring from the Chalice is closing the ceremony.
Good thing about the records is that you can play them again and again. So I did. I think this record is spot on. You can sense in this album a great amount experience and highly skilled musicianship. Ritualization live will be a deadly weapon. I’m already on the lookout for where I can spot them live. If you’re a fan of extreme music, Sacraments to the Sons of the Abyss will give you a guaranteed boner!
Iron Bonehead Productions
Ritualization
THE GOAT TAVERN 