If you’re in the mood for pure heavy metal that sounds a lot “truer” than most of what falls under that heading these days, I introduce you to Canada’s STARLIGHT RITUAL. These guys do things the right way and deliver hard-hitting melodic metal that reminds of HIGH SPIRITS, MAGIC CIRCLE and the like. It sounds authentic, delivered effortlessly, and not with the feeling that the band is trying too hard to fit a certain mold.

They apparently started out as a doom band, but many of the tracks here have sizable thrust and forward velocity, starting with ‘Marauders’, where echoes of METAL CHURCH and IRON MAIDEN can be found. The singer, Damien Ritual, has a passionate mid-range tone with good melody. Other tracks continue the more aggressive attack, such as ‘Civilization Lost’ and ‘Righteous Ones’, without going into thrash territory. ‘One For The Road’ and ‘Lunar Rotation’ have an almost boogie feel to the riffing that comes more from hard rock yet they still hit with metal power. The title track is a lengthy ballad where doom traces can be found, as well as excellent guitar soloing. The real monster of the record is ‘Riddle Of Steel’ and what a metal bone-crusher this is, like a cross between MANOWAR and CANDLEMASS. This is STARLIGHT RITUAL at their very best.

No major issues with Sealed In Starlight, a record that will very much satisfy those into traditional metal with a high emphasis on “heavy”.
Review By: Dr. Abner Mality

STARLIGHT RITUAL
Sealed In Starlight
Temple Of Mystery Records
4.5 / 6