It’s time for Gospelheim to unveil their debut album.
Created in 2020 in England by Ricardo (guitar/vocals) and Coco (bass/vocals), the duo is joined by Jordan (guitar) and Rob (drums) to compose Ritual & Repetition, which is released in 2022 by Prophecy Productions.
The band begins by mesmerizing us with the heady melodies of Hope Springs Infernal, an airy first composition which quickly reveals a solid and energetic basis before calming down and welcoming an ethereal voice. The rhythmic ignites again by integrating choirs, then Post-Punk accents resurface in this occult basis sometimes completed by Black Metal influences and blast, then Satan Blues puts us in front of a groovy and jerky sound on which voices dance. Rage is never far from the heady tones, and the band perfectly cultivates duality in this track which fades away with the mystical sound of Lux Ephemera, a short soothing interlude. Praise Be brings saturated dissonance back in the leads while the rhythmic basis traps us again in its catchy sounds. The two vocals join the heady mix, strengthening oppression and grip of the riffs which become more intense on choruses, then Into Smithereens immediately takes over with a massive Post-Metal inspired sound. The complementary contrast between the lively rhythmic and soft vocals is as surprising as striking, leaving each part its place just like on the strange Voyeuristic Schism which creates oppression with its raw riffs. Vocals’ occult quietness gives this sound a very special taste which however seems quite different from Valles Marineris, an instrumental composition which starts with soaring riffs which will gradually grow richer and stronger to become a real wave of raw aggression before the majestic final. The Hall of the Unconsumed, the last track, smoothly begins to better overwhelm us with its jerky heaviness with aggressive and dissonant roots while distilling these mystical and dark sounds before ending.
Gospelheim is a discovery for me, and it is a real favorite. Each track has its own identity anchored in both a heady Occult Rock and in more aggressive influences, making Ritual & Repetition a surprising and rich album.
95/100