Description

Black vinyl

Portrait Of A Hanged Man from Imagika is an album that left an impression on me more than many other not-so-well-known metal groups, so when I heard that members of the now dis-banded Imagika where collaborating with ex-Dark Angel members in this band called Kill Ritual, then I had to give them a listen. Having been thrilled and impressed by their debut album The Serpentine Ritual in 2012 and more than intrigued by the single Harder Than Stone earlier, anticipation was high for the sophomore full-length from theese US metallers. Though it probably took longer than its predecessor to fully convince, needing a more intensive attention and time discovering all of its twists and compelling turns, The Eyes Of Medusa easily feeds expectations and hopes with its inventive and diverse flavouring. The album is one which continues the band’s skilled fusion of thrash and heavy metal with a wealth of fiery additives as shown by their debut but pushes a wider imaginative adventure upon this potent canvas. There are moments where success ebbs and flows a little within the release but it is an unrelenting captivation which even in its less potent moments is never far away from igniting the imagination and a very healthy appetite. The band’s brew of progressive and classic essences with a thrash driven core caught immediate attention through The Serpentine Ritual, a release which was unpredictable and compelling from start to finish. The Eyes Of Medusa is much the same; whether an acceleration of its predecessor’s triumph is still in debate but certainly it is a release which stands by its side in quality, surprises, and enjoyment. The album steals the passions instantly through its opening title track, the entrance of the song through a wonderfully nagging lure of jagged repetitious riffs immediate magnetism especially with the subsequent fall of heavy rhythms and dark throated bass strikes. The additional emerging web of melodic temptation only steals a richer intrigue before the proposition unleashes a charge of thrash bred voracity. The track surges with sinews flailing air and intent ravaging senses whilst vocally Gibson parades a strong and varied display which matches the equally eventful and resourceful narrative of the song. It is an impressive invitation into the album, guitars a fluid colour of imagination and craft across a canvas of hungry rhythms and riffing which highlights further the eloquence, raw power, and striking invention of the offering. Overall The Eyes Of Medusa is another tremendous exploit from Kill Ritual which warrants close attention to its plentiful bounty as it provides a sizeable treat.

Track listing:
1. The Eyes Of Medusa
2. Hair Trigger
3. Never Get Me
4. Ride Into The Night
5. Weight Of The World
6. Writing On The Wall
7. Just Another Sin
8. My Little Sister
9. Unleashed
10. Agenda 21