It must be the season of the witch. I could cite a number of astrological reasons recently foretold to me by a California mystic as to why we have cause for alarm. Instead, I’ll direct you the Detroit post-punk trio of Ritual Howls. Signed to felte., Ritual Howls harness the dark arts through ghoulish vocals, the cold death of angular guitar riffs, and the ceaseless rap of percussion.
As an owner of a Turkish leather coat that my grandfather purchased on a visit to the country, I understand the naming of Ritual Howls’ record, Turkish Leather. Ritual Howls sophomore record finds the common thread of doom in Badalmenti-esque droning of satanic cowboy seances, the ethereal drama of This Mortal Coil, and a the morbid side of post-punk that Nick Cave trailblazed. For the group’s contribution to our Friday Night mix each member selected three to four songs, which felte. founder Jeff Owens said amounts to a recipe for Ritual Howls. That recipe contains two spoonfuls of Coil, a cup of Leonard Cohen, a dash of Nico, and a sousant of Stars of the Lid—oh and it’s all smothered in a chaotic jalapeños gravy of Brainbombs.
Ritual Howls’ Turkish Leather is out now on felte.
Track List (in order):
01 Leonard Cohen, “Avalanche”
02 Cut Hands, “Black Mamba”
03 Skinny Puppy, “Gods Gift (Maggot)”
04 Nico, “Innocent And Vain”
05 Brainbombs, “Jack The Ripper Lover”
06 Coil, “The Last Rites Of Spring”
07 Coil, “Paradisiac”
08 Pharoah Sanders, “Village Of The Pharoahs, Part One”
09 Stars Of The Lid, “Music For Twin Peaks Episode 30, Part One”
10 Crime And The City Solution, “Rose Blue”
A breakdown of each members’ selections:
Paul Bancell, vocals / guitars
Leonard Cohen, “Avalanche”
Nico, “Innocent And Vain”
Crime And The City Solution, “Rose Blue”
Chris Samuels, synths, samples, drum machines
Cut Hands, “Black Mamba”
Skinny Puppy, “Gods Gift (Maggot)”
Coil, “The Last Rites Of Spring”
Coil, “Paradisiac”
Ben Saginaw, Bass
Brainbombs, “Jack The Ripper Lover”
Pharoah Sanders, “Village Of The Pharoahs, Part One”
Stars Of The Lid, “Music For Twin Peaks Episode 30, Part One”
