MODERN RITES – Endless
Release Date: 30th August 2024
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
Bandcamp
Genre: Industrial Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Post-Black Metal.
FFO: Blut Aus Nord, Aara, Panzerfaust, Mare Cognitum, Panopticon.
Review By: Rick Farley
The fusing of dark industrial metal and melodic black metal is not something I’m overly familiar with. Sure, there are a few of the more well known bands that I’m aware of and listen to, but industrial metal on its own is a genre that I’ve never spent much time with. However, when you mix black metal with basically anything, I’m usually up to at least giving it a chance. Thankfully, in this case, I am glad I did.
Modern Rites is a melodic black metal duo with textured industrial elements, dramatic atmosphere, mesmerizing droning and burning tremolo picked riffs who were born out of experimentation in the autumn of 2020. Founded by guitarist Berg of Swiss atmospheric black metal band Aara and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/visual artist Johnny Warren of US experimental metal band Kuyashii. The pair began trading tracks across their borders out of mutual respect for each other’s projects, with the hope of creating something unique that transcends cultural barriers.
Building upon the 2021 debut full length Monuments, Modern Rites has expanded their sound further into the blackened void through deep walls of grinding black metal and potent doses of 90s influenced industrial music on the band’s sophomore album Endless, released via Debemur Morti Productions. Recorded by the band with mixing/mastering done by Simon da Silva at The Empty Hall Studio, the record sounds clear, yet vile and raunchy. It’s perfectly balanced between atmospheric optimism and sickening tones. It’s a hypnotizing blend of blasting drums, and jagged guitars, intricately layered with dark melody that somehow immerses itself into your consciousness as both hopeful and bleak. The vocals are more guttural than screechy, giving off a death metal vibe that adds to the nuances that make this a broad listening experience.
Aside from the pointless two-minute track Prelude to kick the album off, Endless as a whole is written well and comes off as aggressively balanced. The tracks range from mid-tempo to fast, but not in the realm of high octane speed. More in the rapid frost filled tremolo picking over quick and powerful drumming. Atmospherically droning, each track feels a journey, filled with melodic breaks to catch your breath and allows you to glimpse into the glorious ugliness surrounding you. The thick soundscape overwhelms with spacey exploration amongst the catchy yet brutal guitar riffs. It’s not blatantly industrial in the way you might think when you read the term “industrial,” but the elements are there and presented in a way that doesn’t detract, but rather enhance. Modern Rites creates a buzzing, haunting intensity that’s far from ordinary, but It’s such an emotionally heavy record, it may require a certain mood to fully listen to it. Fully soaked in, though, it’s well worth your time. One listen to the standout track, Becoming, and I’m pretty certain you’ll be hooked.
(3.5 / 5)
