Ritual Howls is a Detroit trio consisting of Paul Bancell (vocals and guitar), Chris Samuel (synth, samples, and drum machine), and Ben Saiginaw (bass) who find themselves in a very unique spot in today’s version of indie rock. Part industrial sounds, part dance-rock, and part post-punk, their formula also includes bits of twang, jangle, and plenty of surreal moments on this very alluring 12” EP.
“This Is Transcendence” starts the listen with a throbbing post-punk setting that tips its hat to legends like Depeche Mode and New Order with deep vocals à la Ian Curtis. “A Manifestation Of Time” continues the ’80s influences with dark melodies and New Wave bouts as strategic percussion and playful bass highlight the affair. While it’s far from feel good music, for fans of alternative, punk, and other variations of unorthodox rock, Ritual Howls know how to plug into an inner layer of angst like few other current noise makers can.
The middle of the listen has the pace picking up into dance floor friendly territory with the ominous, yet beat driven “Their Body,” while “Perfume” extends into deeper areas of industrial rock that will make us all reminisce about the early (better?) days of Ministry. “Blood Red Moon” exits the listen with as much adventurousness as it started, as dense bass unfolds alongside a driving rhythm and dreamy undertones.
A record that’s gloomy but still has the ability to get your body moving, it’s hard not to think of Joy Division, Bauhaus, or even modern outfits like Odonis Odonis. when listening to Their Body. Call it dark wave, goth rock, or whatever the socially acceptable tag it is this week; Ritual Howls is forging a path all their own, and it’s a sonically engaging and sometimes menacing one that you can’t help but be drawn to.
