Rating: NNN
Having played in Germans, Bruce Peninsula, Sailboats Are White and Sebastien Grainger’s Mountains, the members of Rituals already have some sway in the local scene. But the newish trio’s more likely to play basements, garages or art galleries than more traditional music venues. That’s probably by choice their noisy, distorted take on post-punk just sounds better in dark, beer-soaked settings.
Their self-titled four-song EP is a good approximation of their punky live show: loud and overdrawn vocals reverbed into oblivion. But it also reveals a surprising trance-oriented side. Controlless keeps a steady motorik beat behind its relentless psych guitars, while Life Saver almost resembles techno in its repetitive groove-based structure. The EP’s a tantalizing glimpse into Rituals’ potential, and suggests they’re more than just another Joy Division-influenced band on the scene.
Top track: Life Saver
