Ritual by Soulfly - DeepRiffs

ALBUM Explicit

The stalwart Max Cavalera-led metal ensemble's 11th full-length effort, Ritual commences with the familiar sounds of tribal drums and chants, which are eventually laid to waste by the four-alarm-fire wail of Marc Rizzo's Washburn seven-string. Add to the blaze the seismic heft of Cavalera's 60-grit vocals and the savage rhythm section of Mike Leon (bass) and Cavalera's son Zyon (drums), and you've got one of Soulfly's best opening salvos in ages. Steeped in the lurching, groove-laden thrash attack of the band's late-'90s/early-2000s heyday, Ritual evokes the savagery of Cavalera's tenure with Sepultura, eschewing some of the more overt world music predilections that have come to define Soulfly over the years with something leaner and more uncompromising -- some of that sonic fury can be attributed to producer Josh Wilbur (Killer Be Killed, Gojira), who has described himself as a Sepultura superfan. Also joining the fray are Lamb of God's Randy Blythe, who stops by for the punishing, Hellraiser-inspired "Dead Behind the Eyes," and Immolation's Ross Dolan, who lends his shredded tonsils to the apocalyptic "Under Rapture." As per usual, it's Cavalera who looms largest over the proceedings, attacking every syllable with a level of immediacy and vitriol that feels antithetical to the group's long tenure. That vitality is most heavily felt on late-album gem "Feedback!," a blast of Motörhead-worshiping punk-metal that just barely hits the three-minute mark. The only real misstep, and it's entirely forgivable considering the band's penchant for eclecticism, is the instrumental closer, a jazz-kissed metal-lite confection -- it has a sax solo -- that comes off like a dour riff on the opening moments of Metallica's "One." ~ James Christopher Monger

1. Ritual

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production
Author: Max Cavalera; Production

2. Dead Behind the Eyes

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production
Author: Max Cavalera; Production

3. The Summoning

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production
Author: Max Cavalera; Production

4. Evil Empowered

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production
Author: Max Cavalera; Production

5. Under Rapture

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production
Author: Max Cavalera; Production

6. Demonized

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production
Author: Max Cavalera; Production

7. Blood on the Street

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production
Author: Max Cavalera; Production

8. Bite the Bullet

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production
Author: Max Cavalera; Production

9. Feedback!

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production
Author: Max Cavalera; Production

10. Soulfly XI

Primary Artist: Soulfly; Main Performer
Composer: Max Cavalera; Composer
Artist: Soulfly; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

10 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

43 minutes and 13 seconds

Explicit

Containing curse words, language, or art that is sexually, violently, or offensively oriented.

Coverart

Available and up to 3000x3000 px

Booklet

Available in PDF format

Max Quality

Studio Quality (Hi-Res)

24bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Hi-Res/Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

9/10 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

9/10 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Metal, Metalcore

Label

Nuclear Blast Entertainment

Music Distribution Service

Believe Digital

Country

Germany

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Oct 18, 2018

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

727361445638