Review: Ritualz – 'Doom'

RITUALZ

'Doom'

ARTOFFACT RECORDS

Formerly communicated as †‡†, Mexican producer Juan Garcia, AKA Ritualz, returns with 'Doom' and album that is hell bent on dragging witch house back towards gothic-industrial territory... whether it wants to or not. It has been a while since Garcia released a full album that wasn't a collection or rarities, so while this is a little unexpected it certainly feels overdue to a degree. But it isn't a case of too little too late, instead we're presented with the most well-rounded and mature Ritualz release too date.

Tracks such as 'To Black', 'Journey', 'Rats', 'Echoes', 'Lust Eternal', and 'The Last Of Us' combine the experimental end of witch house with the classic elements of electro, industrial, darkwave, and goth that evokes the likes of Skinny Puppy, Sisters Of Mercy, era II Mortiis, and even Blutengel. The end result is a balanced and unifying sound. While the likes of 'Trash Mental' and 'Pig' bring things into a heavier, near aggrotech territory. And there is even room for a little out and out experimentation with 'Spazz', 'Agony', and 'Doom' providing the most overt links back to his earlier witch house sounds.

In terms of production the album deals heavily in dark gothic atmospheres which effectively unites each track no matter which direction they go in. It's a far more polished and mature sound the reflects the darkwave and sometimes ambient elements that crop up. It is evident that a lot of experimentation and refining has gone into this album and it has definitely paid off.

This is hands down the best Ritualz album so far. It is engrossing and engaging from start to finish and reaffirms the links between goth and the darker end of the witch house spectrum. Ambitious and mature, it is an album crafted with care and attention that connects the dots between the two worlds and presents a beautifully evolved hybrid at the end of it.

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Ritualz sign to Artoffact

Artoffact Records is pleased to announce the signing of Mexican elecronic musician, RITUALZ!

Ritualz is a music project started by JC Lobo from Mexico City in 2010 that has garnered accolades from Noisey, Thumb, MTV, Loud & Quiet, and many others. With a handful of self-released EPs, Ritualz is best known for its dark and experimental approach to electronic music, creating heavy and dense sounds that have gained him a following in the depths of the underground around the world.

“I'm excited to sign with Artoffact Records and join their ranks alongside so many great artists. It's a great label and this new album couldn't have found a better home,” says Lobo about the recent signing.

Ritualz's debut full-length album Doom comes almost four years after his last release, packed with 11 tracks of brooding industrial and synth-pop infected darkwave, and will be released in early 2018 by Toronto-based Artoffact Records.

Ritualz has played live at concert venues and festivals across North America and Europe, including SXSW, Baroeg Open Air, and Soundrive Festival. Further tour dates and festival appearances are in the works for 2018. For now if you're lucky enough to live in Texas, you can see Ritualz and any of the following shows:

11.08 San Antonio, TX @ Korova Basement

11.09 Austin, TX @ Nite School at Cheer Up Charlie’s

11.10 McAllen, TX @ Yerberia Cultura

11.11 Houston, TX @ Marquee Moon

RITUALZ: Bandcamp / Facebook

ARTOFFACT RECORDS: Bandcamp / Facebook

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