Klaïton – Behind The Ritual Review

Klaïton is an Old-school Death Metal band hailing from the Netherlands, formed in 2013. On October 12, 2024, they unveiled their independent debut EP titled “Behind The Ritual.” The promotion of the EP was handled by Hard Life Promotion.

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Klaïton - Behind The Ritual Review

Klaïton, Behind The Ritual Review: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.

The First Three Sins of Behind The Ritual

Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of Klaïton and their album, Behind The Ritual

The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Features twin guitar attack of intense and commanding presence, showcasing a blend of robust, aggressive tones with rapid-fire riffs and intricate string shredding that electrifies the soundscape. The bass riffs weave through the soundscape, filling any gaps. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Characterized by a haunting force, of deep guttural growls that resonate with a sense of anguish and ferocity. The Third Sin—The Percussions: The drumming plunges into a relentless realm of speed and aggression, featuring intricate fills and an abundance of double bass and blast beats that propel the music forward with unyielding energy.

Klaïton - Behind The Ritual Review

The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion:

A sound that feels as if it’s been steeped in decay, resonating with a primal energy that is both intoxicating and repulsive

Upon pressing the play button, the listener is welcomed by the opening track Scavenger. Which welcomes the listener with an audio clip, subsequently leading into an overwhelming surge of intense instrumental and vocal aggression for the remaining piece and the subsequent four pieces. Where the overall musical composition provides the listener with a lyrical theme, that focuses on dark and intense subjects.

As the listener progressive deeper in the band’s music, the listener will find a devilmanship, that is not new to the metal scene, but consists plenty of experiences. An auditory journey offers a wickedly exhilarating experience, delivering a relentless barrage of raw, fast-paced, and unapologetically brutal old-school death metal. It’s a sound that feels as if it’s been steeped in decay, resonating with a primal energy that is both intoxicating and repulsive, and what more could one desire and ask for?

As the listener delves further into the band’s sound, a certain devilish fruit of art emerges, (again) rich with experience, echoing throughout the musical landscape of Behind the Ritual. The intricate instrumental arrangements reveal a depth that captivates, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in a world where chaos, darkness, brutalization intertwine.

Spanning a brisk twenty minutes and divided into five distinct tracks, this composition immerses the listener in a whirlwind of instrumental prowess. The rapid-fire guitar shredding electrifies the atmosphere, while the pulsating drum patterns propel the music forward, creating an exhilarating drive. Meanwhile, the bass riffs weave through the soundscape, filling any gaps with a rich, resonant depth that enhances the overall experience. The vocals cut through the mix with an intensity that is both fierce and captivating, delivering guttural tones that seem to consume the very essence of the lyrics. Wrapped in a robust production quality, the sound is polished yet retains a gritty edge, embodying a raw, underground vibe that resonates deeply with the audience. This combination of refinement and ruggedness creates a unique auditory experience that lingers long after the final note has faded.

Overall, Klaiton and their EP Behind the Ritual is a heavy, raw and brutal release, that captures the essence of classic death metal. And a must-have for any extreme/brutal and death metal fan out there.
 
Klaiton delivers a powerful and unrefined experience with their EP Behind the Ritual, embodying the authentic spirit of classic death metal. This release is essential listening for anyone who appreciates the intensity of extreme, brutal, and death metal genres. With its relentless energy and uncompromising sound, making it a crucial addition to the collection of any (die-hard) extreme/death metal enthusiast.

The album concludes with the final track, Aeterna Crypt. We want to give a shoutout to Hard Life Promotion for letting us review Klaïton and their album, Behind The Ritual. Now, we are going to conclude the review by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.

Play

The Last Three Sins

Let’s discuss the last three sins of Klaïton and their album, Behind The Ritual

The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia:

When I first hit play on Klaiton‘s EP Behind the Ritual, I was taken aback by the sheer intensity of what unfolded, I was not expecting, something this brutal, dark and heavy. From the very first note to the final chord, I was swept away in a relentless storm of chaotic, raw, and heavy sound that epitomize the whole EP. This album is a powerful homage to the classic and old-school roots of death metal, showcasing the band’s exceptional artistry and devilmanship.

The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:

The artwork captivates with its striking allure, pulling you into its depths; the bold use of red evokes feelings of aggression, like the band’s music. Simultaneously, the album’s title, Behind the Ritual, resonates powerfully with the imagery of Jesus, prompting reflection that reveals more in-depth meanings upon closer inspection.

The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:

Nothing to disrelish within the musical spectrum of Klaïton and their album, Behind The Ritual. Therefore, this concludes Klaïton and their album, Behind The Ritual review.

Members

Gratien Versijpt: vocals
Erwin Wesdorp: guitars
Stefan Verdoorn: guitars
Steven Vrieswijk: bass
Ronald Camonier: drums

Track-Listing

01. Scavenger
02. Silence
03. Testament to Greed
04. Fearing the Other
05. Behind the Ritual

Klaïton - Behind The Ritual Review