Review Summary: Anthemic, mysterious heavy metal with a hard-hitting edge
Starlight Ritual has ramped things up considerably for their sophomore full-length. Rogue Angels follows 2021’s Sealed In Starlight with a similar focus on Dio-esque heavy metal but the execution is more rough-and-tumble in comparison, putting more emphasis on faster tempos and gritty performances. They’ve largely left behind their doom tendencies in favor of playing up a speed metal flair that almost reminds me of Metal Church in spots, their anthemic yet mysterious aura boosted by a production job ala Sumerlands with some extra bite.
The shift is especially commendable considering that the band’s lineup has been scaled down from a five-piece to a trio. Vocalist Damien Ritual in particular rises to the occasion, heightening his snarl on top of assuming bass duties for a strong rumbling presence. The drums also put in some extra power, the guitars still get in some muscular riffs and solos, and the periodic keyboards round out the atmosphere. The overall mix can feel a little weird at times as the mishmash of elements can take some time to gel, but they also give the proceedings an eccentric appeal.
It works well with the onslaught of relentless fast-paced numbers, making the album feel like a breezier listen than its predecessor even when they both hover around forty-seven minutes long. “Lost Among The Fold” sets the standard following its dramatic introduction that “Crusaders,” “Far Beyond The Storm,” “The Law,” and “On The Run” elaborate upon with glorious bashing. I also appreciate the tracks that level things out as the title track eases back to allow for a catchy chorus alongside a more overt gothic sheen while “Exodus” feels like their version of Dio’s “Egypt (The Chains Are On).”
As much as I’ve appreciated Starlight Ritual’s distinct identity, Rogue Angels is an impressive offering. The overall presentation has gotten blunter but the band navigates it well, putting in the sort of hard-hitting performances that make the songs even more memorable. The blend can make for an acquired taste and it’s easy to see where some refinements could be made going forward, but anybody who likes their metal anthems with some extra grit will find plenty of it here.
