RITES TO RUIN Unleash Powerful NWOBHM Punch With Debut Album "Daughter Of Hatred"

[photo: Rites To Ruin]

RITES TO RUIN are set to release their highly anticipated debut album, "Daughter of Hatred", on the 30th June. The 10-track album sees a throwback to the glorious past of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (or NWOBHM), and finds the band revisiting some older tracks as well as delivering some brand new, trad metal riffage.

Opener and title track "Daughter of Hatred" launches the album straight into action - a short spoken word sequence starts, accompanied by swelling, atmospheric guitar parts. The guitars reach a crescendo, before giving way to a punchy, unrelenting metal riff. Sections here are reminiscent of some of the more 'proggier' Maiden tracks.

Next track "Prevail" falls into similar territory, the opening riff blending traditional metal energy with thrash technicality and speed: Part "Holy Wars", part Judas Priest. This is a standout track, and a great showcase of the band's skill and prowess.

"Daughter of Hatred" is out now [photo: Rites To Ruin]

Revisited tracks "Fire" and "Rise" sound punchier, hit heavier, and ultimately land harder than their previous recordings. The latter is a particular highlight, likely to be a high point in a live set, balancing melancholic atmosphere with a metal punch.

This is traditional metal done right, and more importantly done well. There's plenty of grand singalong and 'woah-ing' moments - "In Memoriam" wouldn't sound out of place on a Nightwish album - and tracks like "For The Love of Gold" and "Reflections" shows the band's ability to straddle genres whilst still keeping that trad metal core.

With most of the songs exceeding the five minute mark, this isn't a short album. The first half is definitely the album at its strongest, the mid section unfortunately struggling to avoid the pitfall of all sounding alike. However, closing tracks "Sorrow" and "Envy" deliver a hard hitting, relentless finishing combo, complete with a weaving instrumental section blending melody with technicality.

Rites To Ruin have proven that they are a strong contender in the new era of traditional metal. If they weren't already on your watchlist, they should be after this.

"Daughter of Hatred" releases on the 30th June. Pre-orders available NOW