Lista de Bandas Death Metal The Dead (AUS) Ritual Executions

The Dead released their sophomore album, Ritual Executions in 2009 independently, and was recently reissued in 2010 by Diabolical Conquest Records, an Indian based record label. Having an album that is reissued just 1 year after the initial release has to say something about the band, and Ritual Executions does not disappoint.

Ritual Executions opens with Burn Your Dead, with a doom metal pace and almost reminiscent of Japan's Coffins, from the tempo of the music to the heaviness of the guitars. As vocalist Mike comes into the picture with his deep guttural growls, you know that you are in for a treat, especially for fans of death/doom metal. The agonisingly slow riffs however does not handicap drummer Chris as he constantly breaks into double-bass pedal drumming at the background. However, this slow pace does not last as the next track, Cannibal Abattoir starts with an increased pace, with a combination of blast-beats and *gasp* jazz-influenced drum beats. Ok, perhaps it's nothing new, but this it not your Opeth-style jazz beats, rather it is more of a frenzied version, complete with heavy, doom-laden riffing at the foreground. There are also moments where the band incorporates industrial elements into the music, such as on the track Born in a Grave, where industrial-influenced drum beats are introduced.

On the closing track, Death Metal Suicide, a jazz-styled drum beat once again manifests, yet in a different from, this time more reminiscent of the above-mentioned Opeth style, calm and composed, with a, should I say, funky bass line played at the background. The song then suddenly speeds up after the halfway mark, as if in a panic attack, before slowing down again at the 6:45 mark. This being the only instrumental track on the album, lasts more than 10 minutes, yet feels like a mere fleeting moment as the album comes to an end. Ironic, I know.

The only downside of the album is probably Ritual Executions, beginning with a chaotic guitar riff, leaving me scratching my head and wondering what's going on. But The Dead quickly recovers (no pun intended) as they break into yet another one of their faster paced tracks, also perhaps the only track on the album that almost qualifies as conventional death metal, both in terms of songwriting and song length, since the other tracks on the album are either too slow or too long (with the longest track being the closing track, Death Metal Suicide, at 10:08).

The guitar tone on the album is fuzzy and heavy at the same time, similar to that of bands such as Acid Witch and Electric Wizard, and it certainly does much to create the dark atmosphere constantly present throughout the album. The haunting guitar lines at the background towards the end of the track Born in a Grave certainly adds to the ominous feeling of the song. Even the guitar riff that threatens to go out of tune any moment on Blood Angel (while irritating to some) adds a nice touch. Throughout the album, the bass also maintains a low and thundering growl, ensuring that its presence is felt.

While many bands try being innovative through including weird and innovative influences into their music and end up sounding less than spectacular, The Dead has managed to do this well and it is evident through Ritual Executions.

If you are a fan of death/doom metal bands such as Coffins and Acid Witch, and add the fact that I have yet to encounter any Australian band that fails to entertain me, this album is certainly highly recommended.