Release date: August 07th 2020. Label: Forbidden Place Records (CD & Cassette) / Kozmik Artifactz (Vinyl) Released. Format: CD/DD/Cassette/Vinyl
The Void – Tracklisting
1.Lust For The Dead 04:58
2.The Void 05:48
3.They Crawl 03:43
4.Bringer Of Evil 06:30
5.Mark Of The Witch 06:03
6.Tranquilized 03:42
7.The Conqueror 01:41
8.Evil Lie 06:08
Members
Jake Lewis - Everything
Review
Burn Ritual released their latest full length album The Void way back in August 2020. With this album being given the Vinyl Treatment thanks to the good folks over at Kozmik Artifactz. The album has already been released on CD and Cassette by Forbidden Place Records. I thought it was time to weave my critical eye over the album. This is the work of one man by the name of Jake Lewis and this has to rank as one of the best and most entertaining “One-Man Band” efforts I’ve heard in such a long time.
Don’t let that put you off. As this album is a top-level example of modern day Doom/Stoner Metal influenced by the likes of Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats and Black Sabbath. There is a cool sounding Occult feel to this album but Burn Ritual also has a healthy respect and admiration for other genres such as Psych Rock and Fuzz Rock despite the overall Dark Occult themes of the record.
The album moves effortlessly from one stirring track of EPIC modern day Doom Sounds to the next with an equally impressive vocal performance from Jake who nails down the slightly out of control persona that you need for an Occult Rock album such as this. The production is superb and buoyant from start to finish with everything sounding LOUD, CLEAR and CRISP.
The instrumental work shows you what a great musician Jake actually is with a keen ear and talent for writing trippy Psychedelic melodic grooves. This album sees Burn Ritual capture the classic 70’s gloomy energy of Black Sabbath with the more modern sinister themes from the first couple of Uncle Acid records. However, this allows Jake to show his love and appreciation for the Doom/Stoner Rock genre whilst adding his own ideas to the mix.
The album does become quite distorted in places but that only adds to the overall sense of dread that Jake has written for all of the lyrics contained within the full length of the record.
Burn Ritual made a mighty impression on the Outlaws Of The Sun crew back in 2018 when they released their debut album - Blood Of The River. Back then, Burn Ritual actually had 4 members in their ranks. Time has moved on since then but the delicate and passionate riffs heard on the album are still here but with more sinister intent and a more commanding presence.
Standout songs for myself on the album are: Lust For The Dead, The Void, They Crawl, Mark Of The Witch and Evil Lie.
If you want a good old fashioned Doom/Stoner Metal album that doesn’t shy away and starts changing things for a more Progressive sound then The Void is the album for you. This album is built for RIFFS and it has plenty of those COOL HEAVY SOUNDS for everyone to fully devour at their own demented leisure.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
You can buy The Void on CD/Cassette from Forbidden Place Records
You can buy The Void on Vinyl from Kozmik Artifactz
Links:
Facebook | BandCamp
