Heathen Rites – Heritage
Release Date: 27th August 2021
Label: Svart Records
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Genre: Heavy Metal, Psychedelic, Doom.
FFO: The Gathering (early), Moonspell.
Review By: David Oberlin
Heathen Rites is the enigmatic character you find outside the town upon the path that leads to the forest. He skulks amidst the shadows; his hooded countenance emerges as a blackened test of familiarity. “Excuse me, Fine Sir.” He says, beckoning you towards the flicker of the last tower of light before the nullified wilderness.
Feeling brazen if not a bit cocky, you wander over. “Who…?” You stammer out before he cuts you off.
“Want to know how to burn some Saviours?” He asks. His eyes shift quickly. Right to left. Left to right.
You sigh. All your coin was meant for buying Magic. You reply with one simple word. “Yes.”
For all intents and purposes Heathen Rites first outing sounds like Burning Saviours at 80 beats per minute. Which is not actually that much of a surprise considering that it is the product of Mikael Monks, the omnipresent guitarist and vocalist, from Burning Saviours. Titled Heritage, Monks solo endeavour utilises less psychedelic blues inspired rhythms as his incendiary friends. However the tone (of the guitar) does not shift too much from the aforementioned act. A familiar voice in the Swedish forestland.
Heritage is a doom metal album and a very deliberate one at that. Where sometimes the chords delve into more Goth Rock territory. You could say that it is reminiscent of more– Draconian Times. Reminiscent but not derivative. There is a lot of Heavy Metal influence here on Heritage than the Doom brand would let on, and it feels good. It brings good vibes to the table. Monks sets a solid foundation of trance-like rhythms and proceeds to animate every other aspect like a master of puppets.
Dark, brooding and moody Heritage shirks its singular genre label as Monks shapes the tracks into dark folk inspired heavy metal. Called as such because of its ability to be polished into a shining structure. It is no wonder that Monks reflects his musical intentions succinctly, and naturally. But while his rhythm may be like a tractor he has the voice of an aristocrat. And his choice of subjects are intriguing on a personal, and cultural, level.
(4 / 5)
