
There, this album will undoubtedly find several outrageous fans, stomping on those massive beats and banging their heads to the distorted guitars. It's time to unleash Ritual Aesthetic, the band that sounds like a lovechild between Die Krupps and Psyclon Nine.
The band was formed by Sean Von Helvete of Dawn Of Ashes. In 2014 they released a first effort, titled 'Decollect'. Now they return with 'Wound Garden', which is nothing less than a smasher. If you love heavy electronics mixed with gut ripping guitars, this is a definitely must have. Opening with the rather typical industrial intro 'Statis', 'Wound Garden' quickly lures the listener in, only to completely demolish him during the other eight tunes.
'Life Amnesia' comes up with the synths and punishing percussion that we know from bands like Hocico, Combichrist and Suicide Commando. On top of that they throw those grinding guitars, which obviously brings bands like Die Krupps and Oomph to mind. The vocals remind me most of the aforementioned Psyclon Nine. Industrial you say? Absolutely, I mean, there are few band who deserve the "industrial" tag more than this one.
Yet, there is a bit more going on. Remember The Covenant, the industrial black metal band later rebranded The Kovenant? Well, songs like 'The Analog Flesh' somewhat remind of them, just like early Ministry, when Al Jourgensen first discovered guitars. 'Divided' raises the tempo a bit and thus becomes one of my favorites on this album. This tune brings very few new acts to mind but nicely represents everything that Ritual Aesthetic stands for: "in-fucking-dustrial".
The album rages on with sheer power until the strange 'Mechanism Of Desire (Electronic Substance Abuse Remix)' appears. This drum & bass meets Thunderdome remix seems to be recorded on a different, lower volume level but that could just be the press version. Nonetheless, you light just crank up the volume and get lost in the madness. By the end, true cybergoths will adore the pounding 'Amnesiac (Xentrifuge Remix)'.
So there you have it, "industrial" in all aspects of the music. That would make Ritual Aesthetic one of the most interesting acts in today's "Maschinenscene" or however you would like to name it. Fact remains that this album is loaded with electronic energy that just can't wait to pierce the darkest regions of your very soul. It's probably not difficult to find people to recommend this one to. Industrialists of all ages: check this one out.
Serge