By David O’Neill
The self-titled debut LP from American band Ritual Arcana is a masterclass in what the band defines as “supernatural hard rock”. This power trio – composed of bassist/vocalist SharLee LuckyFree, the legendary “godfather of doom” Scott “Wino” Weinrich on guitar and drummer Oakley Munson – delivers a ten-track odyssey that feels less like a standard studio recording and more like a staged occult ceremony.
The album’s atmosphere is thick with the scent of henbane and thornapple, causing hallucinations, immediately possessing the listener through a production style that favours raw, analogue grit over modern polish. During the Middle Ages, henbane was known as “the witches’ plant”, with exposure apparently causing sensations of flying. It’s said that the association between witches and broomsticks stems from rectal administration of substances using a stick or pole.
Tracks like the self-titled opener and ‘Wake The Goddess’ weave a cauldron of traditional doom and tripped-out psych jams, creating a sense of tension that feels both ancient and immediate. Lyrically, the record explores a cosmic awakening through themes of self-destruction and resurrection, often delving into the unsettling, existential horror reminiscent of author Thomas Ligotti.
The chemistry between the trio is the record’s defining strength. Wino’s guitar work remains bold beyond reproach, providing the bludgeoning weight expected of his pedigree, while LuckyFree’s ritualistic vocals cut through the fuzz with theatrical abandon. Munson’s drumming acts as a relentless and precise storm, providing a heartbeat that drags the listener deeper into the record’s darker grooves.
Ultimately, ‘Ritual Arcana’ is a seductive and dark debut. It manages to capture the fleeting magic of a live “trippy psych jam” while maintaining the heavy, focused structure required to stand as a definitive statement in the 2026 doom landscape. It has conjured up visions of warlocks and witches prancing around casting spells on all the attendants, a bit akin to the 1968 movie ‘The Devil Rides Out’.
- ‘Ritual Arcana’ is released on Friday (23 January).
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