14.05.2024 - 12:02Rating: 7
IMO a moderate step up in quality in comparison to the previous album. This album feels more purposeful and better focused when it comes to songwriting. Perhaps a greater sense of identity as well? However my meloblack scope is narrow so I can't say this with certainty.
Anyways, this album offers a good deal of intensity and some engaging melodies, even if not always terribly memorable. But I found some standout moments for myself - The Vision @ ~03:00 (very simple but it just works). The Ritual opens with a nice melody that has a simple but effective development that is well accompanied.
Come to think of it, this record isn't trying to place an overt emphasis on the lead guitar and melodic elements most of the time. I think what it is more so trying to accomplish is a steady, solid and unified sound riffing along with the added spice of simple yet effective melodies. I would above all use The Redemption to illustrate this point I'm trying to make. It is also, at the time of writing, my favorite song off of this record. And just as an extra point, the addition of the sustained vocal towards the end of that song contributes towards a strong conclusion and helps bring subtle but welcome variety.
I would pinpoint the production as one of the biggest difference between this and the previous album. Speaking of which; I'm trying to decide if this one doesn't sound a little too dense and tight at moments, and perhaps a little too crisp. But overall I still think it's well executed. The previous one in comparison isn't as squished in the high end and I'd argue more dynamic as a result (also less compressed across the whole spectrum I believe). I would say Night of Whispering Souls' production is usually more befitting in the fastest of moments, while The Ritual works better in the slower sections, providing more heft to the sound.
As far as the vocals go, I find Night of Whispering Souls to be more expressive in that aspect, while this record has better and harder hitting vocal layering.
Either way, I enjoyed this album and it's just the right length, it's reasonably digestible and not exhausting. Some songs made it to the playlist and any future release holds noteworthy potential!