Rating: 7.0

Country: Japan

Release Date: 2004

Record Label: Razorback Records

Track list:
1. Zombie Ritual
2. Zombie Fire
3. Zombified
4. Zom-beer
5. Zombies Devour You Alive [mp3]
6. Brains for Zombies
7. Zombie Axe Massacre
8. Zombie Party
9. Zombie Drive [mp3]
10. Zombie Legions Kill! Kill!
11. Die Zombies Die
12. Zombie Metal War

Band Website: Zombie Ritual

Zombie Ritual - Night of the Zombie Party

Dr. Hatred - Vocals
Alcohol - Guitars
Vlood - Bass
G.S. - Drums

Put on that decaying Possessed shirt that lost its black dye aeons ago, crack open a can of Dead Stripe lager and raise that horned holy water umbrella before biting into this debut album from these nostalgia worshippers who live their lives like extras in a Romero/Fulci movie. Once again Razorback have shown faith in those prepared to add a twist of lemon to an ethanol drenched old school ethic. In the case of Japan's Zombie Ritual the historical references are diverse within a timeframe and the structures are rock solid. The band constantly remix a contagious cocktail of thrash, death, crust and hardcore from the mid-eighties to early nineties. There is an ever-present melodic sensibility amongst the menace, particularly in the emotive classic-sounding leads. Only once, during an interlude within "Zombie Axe Massacre" does this unbalance their approach, being totally incompatible with the neat chromatic basswork and dissonant chords of the intro/chorus.

"Zombified" (a new version of that on the 2003 'Fast and Alcoholic' demo) is the highlight, with its strong Carcass chorus, rapid Slayer verses, Massacre/Death pre-chorus and an innovative resurgent crossover riff. Analytically the main negative of the album is that it is as scooped as the guitar sound; the first three and last three tracks are a treat but the middle of the album is more repetitive, it lacks inspiration and the dynamics seem dulled. The party regains its spark again once "Zombie Legions Kill! Kill!" kicks in with a groove, a chug and a clamorous meltdown. "Die Zombies Die" smacks of a potential live set closer - a very swift grinding thrash frenzy with a flawless Mayhem-like interlude. "Zombie Metal War" stitches together Carcass verses, a Massacre/Dismember chorus and a lavish lead with the body and spirit of Schuldiner.

Sound-wise the guitar/bass tones are gritty and heavy but a little too rounded, being effective for most of the material but lacking for the intricate thrash picking. The bass is vibrant and ever-present, in contrast to the below-par percussion sound and performance. The vocals are varied and it is good to hear attention to detail regarding the coordination of snarls, growls and screams.

Although the music stands up well to close examination, 99% of the imagery/humour comes from the packaging/appearance (1% from the few intelligible vocals). Combine this slap-on image with the verse/chorus rigidity and we are encroaching on popular music territory - yeaarrruuukkkk! (zombie vomit). In Ghoul's 'Maniaxe' the humour and the music are more intermingled. Zombie Ritual need to decide whether to take their image/concept further into the music itself or streamline their approach to become a sharper instrument for dissecting listeners that can't get enough of the early days of extreme metal.

February 23rd, 2006