Crank this to 8.9 of 11
Released: 2019
Genre: Doom
Sounds Like: Church of Misery, Sleep, Conan
How could you not be intrigued by the pensive and ominous artwork of Aki Pitkanen? Behind the cover art lies some very rich and bellowing doom soundscapes. Death Ritual by Yatra is the latest excursion from the Maryland based trio that dives deeply into comforting warm slow fuzz. The best way to describe Yatra is a massive smoke filled jam session consisting of Church of Misery, Sleep and Conan. With that in mind, they definitely put their own touch into the album, just enough to distinguish them from their peers. Death Ritual is an album that will increasingly absorb you into its contents and aura. The sludgy guitar tones sound monumental, yet are soothing when cranked at high volumes. Helmuth’s unique vocal tone will also seep into your pores over time.
Tracklist:
1. Hour of the Dragon 05:00
2. Black Moon 06:43
3. Sacred Flower 03:46
4. Snakes in the Temple 06:47
5. Smoke is Rising 06:52
6. Four Directions 04:57
7. Mighty Arrows 05:40
8. Sailing On 04:49
Standout Track(s)
”Mighty Arrows” takes the prize for its circuitous grooves and unique contrast. The dirge intro builds to an infectious hook. Terrific highs and lows on this track. You can feel the despair as Dana growls “strike down the serpent”. Impressive vision by the trio.
Adult Beverage Pairing
Enjoy a glass or two of Meat and Potatoes by Massachusetts very own Lord Hobo Brewing. This 7.7% (ABV) is a smooth American Stout with a hint of bitterness. A great choice for listening to the dark mastery of Death Ritual.
ROTATION RECAP :
Vocal Performance
9 of 11
Risk of Subwoofer Damage
9.6 of 11
Captivation and Variety
8.8 of 11
Weight of the Heavy
9.8 of 11
Percussion Backdrop
9.4 of 11
Lyrics and Song Structure
9 of 11
Fretwork Prowess
9.5 of 11
Overall Album Flow
8.9 of 11
Album Cover Aesthetics
10 of 11
Production Value
9 of 11
Final Thoughts:
Death Ritual is impresses from start to finish. The trio keeps nicely to its alluring formula and is a difficult one to take off once in rotation. This album has also opened us to the impressive vision and library of Grimoire Records. Their lineup features an impressive myriad of exploratory heavy..
Yatra are:
Dana Helmuth - guitar and vocals
Maria Geisbert - Bass
Mike Tull - drums
Follow Yatra: Bandcamp
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