Goat Major - Ritual

2024-03-06 08:00:24

Stoner Doom from Great Britain naturally brings to mind the forefathers of darkness as well as witch hunters and modern riff giants. Place yourself somewhere in between Goat Major from Wales. Three long-time friends, who grew up within a kilometer of each other, found each other during the lockdowns and were inspired by all kinds of musical legends as well as the special aura of their homeland with a mighty medieval castle. After a first EP and several appearances with acts like Thunder Horse, Wytch Hazel and the unfortunately disbanded OHHMS, Ripple Music stepped in to make the debut „Ritual“ to provide the right stage.

A powerful, monumental five-minute track makes it clear right from the start where the journey is headed. Although “Snakes (Goddess Of The Serpent)” takes a while to organize itself and find its way into the track, the patience is worth it. Droming, heavily distorted guitars, a rumbling bass line and powerful drums provide the foundation for Tom Shortt’s longing, slightly plaintive and yet poisonous vocals, which are often used like another instrument. The oppressive second half in particular, with its surprisingly bitter sweetness in the base, knows how to surprise positively and immediately bites you.

“Evil Eye” from the EP of the same name is of course also there and is still damn good. It takes a while for Goat Major to leave the initial thicket behind them, but the raw sound of sawing doom burns in immediately. Before that, “Mountains Of Madness”, an eight-minute track that combines all of the trio’s qualities, lurks. The Welsh’s concentrated musicality comes through here, especially in the long instrumental gallop, which seems to drag on the surface, but hides magic behind it. Fragments of polyphonic vocals, increasing tempo and thunderous neck blows then set a real scent.

Between the long song intros and the harsh sound, it takes a while to fully get involved with this album. Unsurprisingly, it’s worth it from the first minute to the last, as is the case with Ripple releases. Between a sense of tradition and raw, unfiltered joy of playing, this first album from Goat Major turns out to be an exciting happening full of powerful riffs and exciting songs. Sure, “Ritual” requires a lot of hard work, but it’s absolutely worth it. Between guitars that one would expect in far-dry funeral realms, emotionally charged vocals and oppressive musicality, the result is an exciting debut with a highly addictive factor. Nice thing.

Rating: 8/10

Available from: March 8, 2024
Available via: Ripple Music (Bertus)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/goatmajorband