Review Summary: An epic experience filled with many twists and turns and grand sweeping set pieces.
This album "Heresiarch" is a must-listen for fans of progressive technical death metal; it really captures the essence of what makes the genre so great. The production quality is outstanding, giving it this grand, cinematic atmosphere, especially with all the symphonic touches. You can definitely hear some similarities to Inferi, which is pretty typical in this kind of tech death, but it’s still worth noting. The production here uses a lot of compression, making everything feel huge and immersive. It’s like you’re in a scene from Lord of the Rings, where the orcs are plotting against the Fellowship.
It also brings to mind "I: Voice" by Warforged, which is a big compliment since that album is one of a kind. You can sense some of that influence in The Ritual Aura's music. Get ready for rapid transitions and unexpected key changes, but the song structures are more coherent and catchy than "I: Voice," with a bit more melody. The album takes you on an epic journey with its many surprising shifts that keep things interesting.
The quieter moments are a nice touch to break up the intensity. "Heresiarch II: Enduring Prophecy" has a brief segment that really makes an impact, creating a dark, scheming atmosphere as if a beast is plotting against its enemy. The following track, "Heresiarch III: Devouring Sun," continues this feel with a cello intro and frantic violin, like something sinister is about to strike.
The tracks balance chaos with a sense of order. Most songs feature catchy guitar leads that stand out amidst the frenzy. It’s impressive how they manage to keep the energy high while still delivering memorable riffs. For instance, "The Watershed Misnomer" has a riff that feels like a wild slash but remains catchy, showcasing some excellent songwriting.
The album definitely kicks off on a slow note, which is a bit of a downside. The first two tracks don’t really set the stage well; they take their sweet time to get going. While they do create a nice atmosphere, it feels like it drags on too long for a technical death metal album. Honestly, starting with "Heresiarch I: Bruma Aeterna" would have been a much better choice. That track has a moody intro but dives into the action way quicker. It features an epic opening with sweeping melodies and intense blast beats. As for "Light's Hope," it probably could have been cut entirely, but "Ailing Catharsis" actually brings something interesting to the table, even if it’s in the wrong spot. It would fit much better right before the final track, "Denouement Knell."
The vocals are definitely solid, mixing high-pitched harsh vocals with deep gutturals, which adds a nice variety. The delivery has a bit of an Inferi feel once more, which isn’t a bad thing to note. "Heresiarch" delivers everything you’d expect from technical death metal of this variety and then some. Sure, the slow start is a hurdle, but once you get past it, the album really shines. The song structures are anything but predictable, making for an epic journey filled with sweeping melodies and impressive cinematic moments.
