Emerging from the depths of Australia’s heavy underground, RITES have arrived with their debut single release Depletion. Delivering a doom-laden solemn dirge that defies easy categorization and could be described as sorrowful, pretty, and surprisingly heavy. While at its core, RITES’ sonic identity can be broadly defined as a fusion of Post Metal and Doom, yet they defy conventional genre boundaries with a captivating blend of Death/Black Metal and Folk Rock influences. The result is a unique and captivating integration of sound that challenges preconceived notions of what heavy music is.
At the heart of RITES’ music is the organic intricacy of Samara Faye’s folk-influenced finger-picking guitar style. Her delicate and haunting vocal melodies intertwine seamlessly with the sludgy, visceral riffs and clean-to-guteral vocals of Tom Waterhouse from Earth Rot and Concede. Along with the hard-hitting drum stylings of Rory Keys, best known for his work with Twin Serpents and King Zog. This juxtaposition of ethereal and brutal elements creates a uniquely delicate but harsh tone that washes over the listener like a melancholic tidal wave.
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