Exclusive Interview: Rituals talk writing and recording new EP “Show Me The Signs”!

Who knows what goes on behind closed doors? Even with a glass against the wall you’re not going to be able to make out every word of every argument that happens when two or more people are screaming at each other and throwing things to get their point across. Just hope you’re not in one of those places where the walls paper thin because if someone does launch a projectile then chances are it’s coming through it at your skull. Instead of all that fuss and bother, we ask the questions so you don’t have to do any of that. So without anymore much ado about nothing, here’s a second interview with Newcastle Metal collective Rituals about what went into creating their rather special new EP “Show Me The Signs“…

How did your previous experiences writing and recording help to smooth the path for “Show Me The Signs“? “100%, we spent more time perfecting these songs as well as being open to everyone’s ideas regarding changes. As well as working with vocal ideas and melodies and not settling until everyone was happy, we feel the difference is 100% audible in our new release”

How does the writing process of a new track start? Melody, riff or rhythm first? How does it evolve from there before you consider it the finished article? “Ewan will make a demo, which always begins with a riff and he’ll kind of sketch out the rest of the track. From there everyone will chip in with ideas and then we’ll get in the room and tweak until we are happy”

The new record feels like a collection of three singles that showcase the development in the Rituals sound rather than three cuts that were intended to fit together. How much of that was conscious thing when you set about writing these songs or was it simply something that happened naturally? “Never a conscious thing, otherwise it’ll sound forced and unnatural, as long as we all got a buzz from the initial idea we would just push it as far as it can go!”

When recording the drums, are you ones for using a click track or metronome or are you ones for more of a live feel and a little more timing variety? “This was our first time using live drums, and using natural drum tones. They were recorded to a click as it makes quad tracking guitars easier and just tightens everything up”

For us gear nerds out there, can you tell us what you’re using gear wise (pedals, strings, drums etc) to get your sound? “All rhythm guitars were recorded with an EMG loaded Fender Strat, and leads with a ESP EC1000 with Legendary pickups installed, 11-54 strings used on both. Amp wise it was a 5150 block letter using some cab impulses. Drums wise Dix used his Tama Superstar Custom Hyperdrive in Titanium Fade with Gretsch snare. For bass Dom used his Strandberg bass which we just took a DI from.”

What difference would it make to you as a band if you could land an endorsement from a gear manufacturer? “Absolutely massive difference, it would help us promote the products we use as well as being shared to a new audience by the companies”

“Show Me The Signs” by Rituals is out now!