With a new single, “Pandemonium” out now (scroll down for the video), we decided we had to pin down Herts heartthrobs Ritual and give them the Moshville Times grilling…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are from towns in and around Hertfordshire in the UK.
How did you meet?
Mike and James have played in bands together since their late teens – so for around twenty years, give or take. We’ve known Franco for about that length of time too although he was either too committed to his uni studies or playing in his own bands to be able to jam with us. It wasn’t until Ritual started that we’ve managed to all get into a room and make noise. Mike has known Terry for years through martial arts training and he ed us in early 2020.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Ritual have been together in various guises since early 2017. Marinos, Franco and Mike have really always been at the core of things but it’s taken a few different drummers until we’ve managed to get the balance right and were able to settle upon Terry as our sticks man. It’s like he’s always been part of it though and the chemistry in the band is the best it’s ever been.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
For the first six months or so of playing together, we didn’t have a name. It was just a weekly jam session and a means of letting off steam so we simply referred to it as ‘the Sunday ritual’ to our wives and girlfriends. It came from that. We needed a name as we had a gig booked and Ritual was simple and convenient. We know historically a few bands had that moniker but since then, every other son of a gun seems to include the word ‘ritual’ in their name. There’s enough room in the world for more of us though. We should blatantly put on a night of all the Rituals.
What are your influences?
Varied. Musically it’s a combination of rock, metal, prog, alternative, hip- hop, pop, classical/opera, jazz as well as electronic stylings. We like to think that we’re not too set in our ways to appreciate the value in anything if it catches our interest. We love our cinema as well and the films of Lynch, Cronenberg and Hitchcock in particular are a shared love of ours.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We can be described as an alternative hard rock band with progressive and metal influences. I suppose we have a largely accessible sound but flirt with extremities as thrash, death and black metal is what we all grew up on. Other people can decide what makes us unique.
If you like what we do, consider ing us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Franco spends a lot of time developing the lyrical content but finds thematic repetition a little uninspiring so all the songs are really about different things. For example, “Seven Gates” is based on the Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles. “Pandemonium” is about religious fundamentalism. “Murderous Operandi” is about the death penalty. We are usually able to weave them all into a narrative when it comes to the studio so the whole recording tells a cohesive story but individually the tracks are about isolated subject matter.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Come to a show and see for yourself. Prior to the pandemic we’d played roughly thirty shows and we’ve played ten or so since things have opened up again. Getting back to playing regularly again is definitely what we’d like to get into the swing of now the industry is getting back on its feet.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
We’re trying to be more well behaved and more respectable. That’s what you’re meant to do as you grow up, right? I don’t know about the wildest but the most fun I’ve had is probably the pumpkin fight during a Halloween Show at Club 85 in Hitchin a couple of years back. The stage and floor were soaked in pumpkin seeds, juice and flesh by the end of the night. In of being an attendee, R.A The Rugged Man’s set at Boom Bap Festival was hands down the rowdiest. He’s just a beast who walks the walk and talks the talk. His talent speaks for itself but man is he a scary dude when he’s in full swing. From dragging a photographer, who got in his way, across the stage by the dreads to bying security and inviting the entire audience of thousands on stage. The tension was palpable. While his performance was electric, the festival ended up cutting his headline set early because of the potential carnage. I was a good 100m from the stage and felt intimidated by him.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Fender and Ibanez guitars and basses, Peavey guitar amps, Mark Bass bass amps, Shure wireless mics and Premier drums, Sabian cymbals and Ahead sticks.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
Our Enigma EP is out on Friday 6th May 2022 and features guest appearances from Anneke van Giersbergen, Jørgen Munkeby, Amanda Whiting, Caz Khan, Dianne van Giersbergen and Devin Townsend. It was engineered and mixed by Matty Moon (The Grey, False Heads, Lonely The Brave) and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Rob Halford, Dream Theater)
What are your plans for the next 6 months or so?
First and foremost, we want to get into the swing of playing live shows on a regular basis again. We want to keep writing new material as we’re on a roll with that at the moment and ideally we’d like to get back into the studio to record an album. One step at a time though, right?
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be ing and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
Our local scene is rich in talent and there are lots of fantastic local bands. Countless Skies, The Grey, Dorylus, Spectral Darkwave, Denali, Earthbound, Helgrind, Elysian Divide, The Best Medicine. The list goes on and on and on. We’d happily play alongside any of those beautiful people in any capacity.
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
If you want to check out more new music, then fire up our Headline Act playlists on Spotify and YouTube!
Ritual: facebook | instagram | spotify | bandcamp | youtube
