DESCRIPTION:
Some members of the band Ritual had started practicing and performing sporadically, in 1979 as General Confusion. Only settling line ups and the name Ritual in 1981.

Ritual were one of the first 'positive' punk bands but never got the same recognition as Sex Gang Children or Southern Death Cult did in and around 1981 / 82.

Many compare Ritual to Theatre of Hate as the band also had a sax player. There could be comparisons to many other bands in parts. U.K Decay being an obvious one. Lack Of Knowledge and Part 1 being less obvious.

Prior to the 'Mind Disease' 7″ single, Ritual released a six track demo tape.

They also recorded tracks for a cassette album called “Songs For A Dead King” which was released with a booklet.

The booklet is featured page by page on this YouTube video.

'Songs For A Dead King' has some decent demo quality songs within the thirteen songs on the cassette, but I feel is slightly let down by the addition of a few 'live' recordings.

This is just me. I am a little O.C.D when it comes to albums released on vinyl, cassette or even 7" E.P's.

Either record and release a studio session, whether that means less tracks (as studios were expensive, then and now) or record a full on 'live' album.

I'm fine with either, but not mixed together.

Classic studio albums and classic 'live' albums are in abundance.

Mix the two and you begin to end up with, in my opinion (as if that would matter) a rather more 'desperate' release.

Anyway carrying on.

In 1983, Ritual re-recorded 'Brides', a track from the first demo cassette tape, and from the 'Songs For A Dead King' cassette tape.

The song was released as part of the 'Kangaroo Court ' 12" single. By far Ritual's best release, and sadly their last.

The band fell apart as drummer Ray Mondo and guitar player Jamie Stewart were asked to join Death Cult.

Ray Mondo later switched the Death Cult drummer seat with Nigel Preston (ex-Theatre of Hate) to be the drummer in the last line up of the (early) Sex Gang Children. Vocalist Errol Blythe and bass player Mark Bond joined Spon (ex-UK Decay) to form In Excelsis.

Both the Ritual singles, and the cassette tape 'Songs For A Dead King' can be downloaded on the KYPP post below.

http://killyourpetpuppy.co.uk/news/ritual-red-flame-records-19821983/

Hope you like this post, and remember that the images accompanying the audio is the original booklet scanned in full.