{"id":10632,"date":"2023-12-17T21:05:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T02:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=10632"},"modified":"2023-12-20T13:04:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T18:04:45","slug":"ritual-servant-albus-mendacium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/17\/ritual-servant-albus-mendacium\/","title":{"rendered":"RITUAL SERVANT: Albus Mendacium"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Albus Mendacium<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It seems like forever ago now since Ritual Servant released their killer debut record Metallum Evangelii<\/em> <\/a>in 2019 on Roxx Records. Much has transpired in the world during the past 3-4 years, and also with Ritual Servant in the wake of that spiritually challenging and uplifting thrash\/classic metal hybrid. [To read more about it click on the album title link above, or HERE<\/a><\/strong> for an earlier review by Keven Crothers.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brian McKenzie once again produced, recorded and mastered Albus Mendacium<\/em>, but instead of it being released as one big collection of new music, the songs \u2013 written and recorded from 2021-2023 \u2013 were released as a series of four 7\u201d vinyl singles during that same span of time. [See more on these below]. And while the timing (due to some manufacturing delays) did not allow for all four of them to be released before the full-length CD was released, the process represented a unique (and old-school) way of slowly introducing fans to the new songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, in addition to the new songs, Ryan Roebuck (Motivik, Vultures Gathering) has joined the dynamic duo of Patrick Best (vocals\/guitars\/songwriting) and Seth Boone (drums), which just adds more creative energy and \u201cshred-ability\u201d to the Ritual Servant songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ritual Writing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For those not familiar with Ritual Servant, their music is written and created through the inspiration and guidance of God and the Spirit. Both the music and the lyrical themes, admonitions and exhortations make this abundantly clear. This approach not only assures the truth-filled message in the lyrics, but also assures the highest integrity in terms of the song execution, the mix and the presentation. In other words, if you are looking for solid-as-a rock Christ-centric metal, look no further than Ritual Servant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[To read more about Ritual Servant the band and Albus Mendacium<\/em> the album click HERE<\/strong> <\/a>for Chris Gatto\u2019s insightful interview and HERE<\/a><\/strong> for Chris Beck\u2019s in depth exploration.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Metallum Musica<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Albus Mendacium<\/em> (\u201cwhite lies\u201d) consists of 8 songs, each based lyrically on a verse or section of verses in Scripture. \u201cAnima Christi<\/strong>\u201d is a prayer placed as a prequel but is embedded within the final track \u201cRevelation 3:16.\u201d The CD version of \u201cRevelation 3:16<\/strong>\u201d represents the \u201cextended\u201d version, which as best I can tell is the same version as the one on the 7″ vinyl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 23<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Right out of the gate, Ritual Servant pick up where they left off with Metallum<\/em> Evangelii.<\/em> \u201cWhitewashed Tombs<\/em><\/strong>\u201d deals with the hypocrisy of religious leaders. This straight up 4-on-the-floor beat heavy metal admonishment features crushing guitar riffs and three guitar solos! Immediately apparent is the sound. Compared to its predecessor, the mix here has more of a live vibe \u2013 a bit muddy and distorted but not in a bad way \u2013 with a ton (but not excessive) low end push from the bass and kick. Patrick Best\u2019s vocal style and quality hasn\u2019t changed from the debut which is a good thing \u2013 biting yet not \u201cpreachy\u201d or overly shrill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 6<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo Masters<\/strong>\u201d is up next with one of the catchiest choruses on Albus Mendacium<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cNo one can serve two masters\/No one can serve two masters\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I love the use of space\/pauses on this thrasher to convey the urgency in the message. As with many of the songs on the debut, Ride the Lightning\/Master of Puppets <\/em>era Metallica comes to mind here, but Ritual Servant makes it their own on the breakout section in the middle (and of course with the words).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romans 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Engagingly, the end of \u201cTwo Masters\u201d flows without break right into \u201cHearers and Doers<\/strong>,\u201d which warns not to judge others, \u201clest ye be judged\u201d and to stand prepared for God\u2019s righteous judgement. Seth Boone\u2019s drumming on this song is a standout, the perfect balance of double bass and accented rhythms with tom flams and choked cymbal notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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