Review Summary: An elegant rose hidden among the thorns
Japanese neoclassical metal with a more than distinctive sound, well, simply excellent. "Maiden Ritual" is that kind of albums that one listens for commitment to the band, who often knows him because he is a Versailles fan and wants to try his other projects, and without expecting something so important, one meets this EP, a shining sapphire capable of destroying everything.
It is clear from the beginning that Hizaki came to leave his mark on the neoclassical metal scene, and despite not being as well known as other great guitarists such as Malmsteen or Becker, he achieves an impressive level of quality. Although the track "Overture" is the least remarkable because it only serves to create tension and expectation, we already begin to perceive a bit the grandiloquent direction of the entire project.
"Maiden Ritual" stands out for its virtuosity and great use of musical elements, achieving that balance between the neoclassical, the symphonic and the power metal. This trifect is the one that dyes the entire album along with Hizaki's own speed and musicality, achieving an overwhelming level of artistry, especially in pieces such as "Lunar Eclipse" (with that peculiar start) or "Requiem". Going deeper into "Lunar Eclipse", the changes between guitar and organ, the intelligent use of other symphonic accompaniment elements and Hizaki are the highlights of the piece. Hizaki is a necessary point to touch. Throughout the album, he stands out, and as I said, he is a virtuoso, but he is also a guitarist capable of transmitting his emotions to the instrument without losing a hint of quality. Especially in "Lunar Eclipse" is where I think it reaches the climax of this musical expressiveness, with its fast solos that transit between the epic and the emotional, resulting in the sections where it does not make an appearance, making them only a small rest for the next neoclassical adventure.
The song "Tragic Serenader" is the union of a portentous singer and a guitar genius, resulting in a really enjoyable track, which sins on the basic lyrics. It is not necessary to delve much more, although I want to recognize the great performance of Fuki.
The last track I would like to mention is "Ritual". The contrast it makes with the overture is interesting, because although it continues with that grandiloquent atmosphere, it sometimes feels heavy. Despite this detail it is an unquestionably good song, with a typical instrumentalization and structure, without highs and lows or remarkable changes, albeit with two wonderful performances: One by Hizaki (already mentioned too many times), and the other by Juka, who reaches an even higher level than Fuki, with a dramatic style similar to Kamijo, but distancing himself by his timbre and a less recurrent use of vibrato.
In conclusion, "Maiden Ritual" is an ideal start for Hizaki Grace Project, marking the beginning of a new solitary musical stage and highlighting a style that will continue to appear in subsequent albums. Without a doubt, this is a highly recommended experience for every fan of fast and bombastic neoclassical metal, with serene touches and heartbreaking solos, which together make this album as elegant as a rose.
