RITUAL BARBITURATE - Pain Manager [cassette]

From the raging current of punk evolution emerges Ritual Barbiturate – a band that defies easy definition. Matthew Davis (dogsholylife, AD, Form Rank) and Christian Wolford (ENDS., AD, Try Harder), who share a rich and extensive history of musical and visual arts collaboration, unleash a new sonic beast with their latest creation. Joined by bassist/guitarist Gabe VanBenschoten (Mossbreaker, Gale Forces) and Failure's powerhouse drummer Kellii Scott, the band seamlessly blends punk's many sub-genres, injecting hefty doses of post-punk and noise rock into their modern hardcore foundation. Their aggressive, angular guitars intertwine with driving basslines and frenetic drumming, all supporting Wolford's impassioned vocals – a soundscape further punctuated by unexpected samples and found sounds.

Ritual Barbiturate’s debut album, Pain Manager, is anything but routine. This nine-track journey is a dissonant yet artful exploration of artful expression and modern angst. Haunting guitar leads, textural noise, and layered rhythms weave a tapestry that unveils new details with each listen. "Liar," a sing-along punk anthem, delves into themes of self-reflection and personal growth, while "Everything's Coming Up Fast" and "Overboard" deliver with a more direct and aggressive tone. The title track pays homage to post-punk pioneers like The Jesus and Mary Chain and Warsaw, but with the muscularity and raw energy of Pissed Jeans. One listen reveals that Ritual Barbiturate is a force to be reckoned with.