Snake Head Ritual – Ceremonial Thunder (CD)

The band released their debut in 2013. I really liked it. After hearing this one a couple of times. I really like this one, too. You may already know it, or I’ll tell you (again) – I love me a good riff. Snake Head Ritual deliver their riffs freshly brewed and hot! Opening track “Mama” contains some cool chunky southern rock phat riffs with excellent singer Kevin Chez laying down some soulful vocals on top. “Gone When I Get Home” really rips it up with its cool intense backbeat. The mix is rich, organic and analogue sounding with tube amp character guitar sounds, blending Strats and Les Pauls (at least that’s what it sounds like to me). “3:19” is another really cool track that sticks out a bit with its quirky rhythms and riffs, while “The Chase” delivers low down and dirty riffs and dual guitars smelling of diesel and burnt rubber. If you liked the first album, buying this one as well is a no-brainer! This band delivers!!

Janne Stark

Label: Grooveyard

Country: USA

Year: 2016

SNAKE HEAD RITUAL - Snake Head Ritual (CD)

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Ok, I may be partial, but Grooveyard Records have a special knack for digging out outstanding bluesy, riff-oriented great bands! Blindstone, Gugun Power Trio, Tony Spinner, Plankton, the list goes on. Snake Head Ritual is another name to add to that list.This band taps on that good old vintage riff based southern rock vein of classic bands like Point Blank, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet, witch a strong touch of vintage Cactus at times.  The riffage is unmistakeably seventies and the vocal delivery from Kevin Chez sounds like it could have been ripped from an old unreleased early seventiesrecording by Fanny Adams or Truk, back when the singer showed some true feeling in his vocal delivery. The riffs are timeless and the delivery is stellar. This band grooves, twists and turns and there’s no damn way I can sit still while listening. Ten great tracks is all it takes to make an album that makes you long for the next release. Montrose did it, Mountain did it, now Snake Head Ritual has done it!

Janne Stark

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Label: Grooveyard Records