Fear Ritual

Fear Ritual were a blasphemous toned death metal group from the southern most tip of Brazil who came and went with their self-titled EP on Wild Rags Records in the mid-'90s.

The music has some pretty blatant areas that are lifted directly from the style and structure of Deicide on the first two songs. These guys must of been jamming out almost nothing but, with a little bit of Morbid Angel and some less harsh death-doom on the side for their last slower and calmer song that's going more for atmosphere than violence. This is close enough at points to be mistaken for B sides to Deicide's "Legion," as the distinct variety of semi-complex and two-ton death metal with profane themes would win a trophy in a sound alike contest. The certain type of pissed off growls, the chug everything on the thicker strings and busy-body drum work can be a close emulation. That's one aspect this does have, is eleven minutes later a listener heard more notes fly by than dust motes stirred up when entering your attic.

The music can lock a listener in, as their delivery is thoroughly compacted with proficient skill. The lead guitarist is the Flash when it comes to solos and the drummer is capable of keeping up with the two guitarists having seizures on their fretboard in the rhythms. The last track is their ticket to showing another side to themselves, as the composition gradually unfolds, instead of how the first track "Weeping Death" came in with the band already stepping on your face with their crushing weight. But the last track "Eternity's Defy" is mostly free from forceful aggression with its rung out guitar notes and a tad of melody added in the leads.

Fear Ritual were musicianship oriented, and this is a tightly delivered output with different timing changes and modes of speed all down to an expertly played level. This is far from original though, the band seriously got inspired by Deicide, as even a casual listener could spot it walking by, while chewing gum and playing in another room. Glen Benton has a new band? Oh, my mistake. Then again, the Floridians were hit and miss with their discography, especially with "Once Upon the Cross" of the same year, so material by a band such as Fear Ritual adds another extension in a sense even if it doesn't surpass the mentioned's best moments.