SOULFLY - Ritual / LP

Both ancient and modern cultures rely heavily on rituals. From religious proceedings that date back millennia to daily 21st century routines such as checking social media, humanity gravitates towards ritualistic behavior for the appearance of order and a semblance of control over life’s chaos. Perhaps more than any other art form, ceremonious behavior defines heavy metal. Thousands of fans worship at the altar of a speaker or congregate in person for the sermon of a live show. Two decades into their storied career, Soulfly continue to engender near cultish zeal with each subsequent album and tour. In that sense, the group’s eleventh full-length, Ritual [Nuclear Blast], lives up to the promise of its name with a metallic ceremony of the highest order. The iconic gold-certified quartet—Max Cavalera [vocals, guitar], Marc Rizzo [lead guitar], Zyon Cavalera [drums], and Mike Leon [bass]—cast their word in bludgeoning riffs, thunderous percussion, and menacing growls. Formed in 1997, Soulfly has become a mainstay in contemporary heavy metal. Led by former Sepultura vocalist Max Cavalera, Soulfly has released 10 full-length albums with combined sales of over 1MILLION records. Mixing many styles of metal with Brazilian tribal, world music and punk, Soulfly are known for crafting something completely unique in the modern heavy music landscape.