EP REVIEW: Invicta – Rituals

Invicta, the newest EP by Australian metallers RITUALS is as brutal and snappy as the crocodiles they share their country with. It’s only their second official release and less than seven minutes long. It’s little more than a snapshot of what they’re capable of, but it’s an intriguing listen nonetheless. They’re a long way from being world-beaters, but this should whet the appetites of committed death metal fans.

Aside from being short, Invicta is also a scrappy affair with a production best described as rough around the edges. So rough, it sounds like it was recorded in an outback shed by someone who had to keep referring to the mixing desk instruction manual. Strangely though, this adds a certain grimy charm. This is not shiny over-produced metal from a pristine studio, it’s unpolished and cheap. It wouldn’t be surprising if it was originally meant to be longer, but they ran out of time and money before they could finish any more songs.

Stylistically, they owe a debt to AT THE GATES, although the vocals are closer to Chris Barnes than Tomas Lindberg. They have a similar frenetic pace to the Swedish titans. First song Insect bolts out the starting blocks with some fast-paced riffing and manages to sneak in a catchy, growl-laden chorus. There’s a keen sense of melody underlining the whole and while it’s very heavy, it also possesses a mournful vibe.

This foreboding atmosphere continues into Oracle. This one has a brief flirtation with black metal and is peppered with inexplicably sad guitar lines. They’re both decent tracks, if a little over-familiar; fun but not world-beating. RITUALS drink from the night itself and they’re not ashamed to show it.

Then without even a hint of a build-up, it ends abruptly. Oracle finishes so suddenly it feels like a mistake, but nope, that’s your lot. It’s frustrating and even for an appetiser, Invicta is a small one. It’s enjoyable while it lasts but it’s hardly warmed up before its over. It’s no more than a glimpse into the world of these Antipodean lads but this ramshackle death metal has our attention. It’d be nice to see what they can put together when they have a bigger budget. Until they bring on the main course, this morsel of working-class metal will have to do.

Rating: 6/10

Invicta is out now via Sleeping Church Records.

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