THE RITUAL / BEYOND THE FRAGILE HORIZON (2011)

The Ritual were formed in 2002 as a Heavy/Thrash project but after many line-up changes, most notably the addition of guitarist Marco Pastorino (of Secret Sphere and Timesword fame), they developed into the powerful force they are known today. Their music is violent, aggressive but, also, very melodic.

After the first demo, recorded in 2008, The Ritual signed a deal with Bakerteam Records for the release of their debut album 'Beyond The Fragile Horizon'. The band recorded it at Authoma Studios with producer Federico Pennazzato (Sadist, Secret Sphere, Odd Dimension), who was able to capture the band's vision in a piece of work which goes way beyond their expectations. Along with his producing duties, Federico Pennazzato also mixed the album, which was then mastered by Simone Mularoni (DGM, Empyrios). The beautiful artwork was handled by Nerve Design (Threshold, Nile, Legion Of The Damned, Vision Divine).

So, what we are going to hear from this release is an extremely interesting power metal album with heavy in-your-face guitars, tight musicianship, thunderous drumming and solid performances. All the above are in perfect balance with melodies and harmonies and the result will please every single fan of Euro Melodic Power metal but, also, some thrasy fans! The album starts with "Beyond The Fragile Horizon", a beautiful instrumental tune. It's like a 'calm before the storm' tune 'cause next comes the first full track which is titled "Show Me What You Can Do". Double kick drums, aggressive vocal performances without losing their melody and a chorus line to die for! "Jason On The River" has an excellent riffing and great arrangements. It's like the perfect mix between proggressive metal with some modern elements of melodic metal. The strongest point here is the hook and the chorus line. Excellent stuff! "Hysteria & Madness" is heavy as a rock, it is aggressive without losing any of its melody but, imo, it's far from the album's first two tracks. "Shoot Me" is a cool heavy track which features a thunderous double kick drumming and passionate performances. "Without" is a kinda of 'modern' metal stuff track. Good track with some in-your-face vocal lines. "Together" and "The Liar" will put a smile, and maybe a reason for headbanging, among the fans of some 'thrashier' sound. "Nothing Is The Same" which closes the album is, imo, an average tune.

Even if I'm not a fan of this kinda of metal, I have to say that I really enjoyed this album. It has a couple, or more, tracks that are stunning, some average ones but, also, a couple of, overall, good. It has energy, feelings, thunderous drumming and very good riffs and solos. The solid production is a plus for this release. For the fans of heavier, or even 'modern' thrash, sound this is a MUST have to add in your collection!

HeavyParadise's Rating : 7/10 (10/10 for the first two tracks)

TRACK LIST : 1. Beyond the Fragile Horizon 2. Show Me What You Can Do 3. Jason on the River 4. Hysteria & Madness 5. Shoot Me 6. Without 7. Together 8. The Slave 9. The Liar 10. Nothing Is the Same