EPK – Bloodfeast Ritual – Altars of Sacrifice (2020)
Publicist – Jon Asher – asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“This EP is a love letter to Death Metal. Old School, Modern, Technical and Brutal; we love all of the aspects of death metal as a genre, and we wanted to show that with this EP. We tried to display our influences by dramatically changing the vibe of each song.” – Bloodfeast Ritual
For fans The Black Dahlia Murder, Arsis, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Death
EP Title: Altars of Sacrifice
Release Date: July 24, 2020
Distribution: Self- Release
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“It would be easy to understate how epic this EP feels, especially with it being a smaller release by a new band, but do yourself a favor and give yourself over to the monster mash that Bloodfeast Ritual is throwing down. You won’t regret it.” – New Noise Mag
“The first solo on “Eternally Molested By The One Most Foul” being a fine example of that, it’s second to none in face melting style. Adding in some gang chant moments is perhaps a step away from the genre but works really well, while a second is jaw dropping. As a group they have matched off the lyrical horrors with the sonic perfection with furious intent and breakneck speed riffs so there is no weak moment in this beast… “Altars of Sacrifice” needs to be heard to be believed, it’s an absolute tour de force of Death Metal, a whirlwind of exceptional leads and bloodcurdling storytelling [9/10]” – Metal Noise
“”Chunky riffs, technical playing, and vicious raspy barks make up the majority of their sound, but they also display fistfuls of melodic leads that have more of a Trad sensibility to them that helps the band stand out, particularly on the first two tracks.” – The Metal Crypt
“Are you a fan of Swedish Death Metal (not the HM2 style) mixed with a bit of technical death metal and mixed with just a little bit of a kind of Brutal Death Metal here and there? Well, if you do, this EP is for you. This is the first release from this band and it is a very good first release. You really need to check them.” – Blessed Altar Fanzine
“Bloodfeast Ritual offers us a combination of riffs, solos and various vocals. Filled with good transitions and brutal final parts, you’ll find it also enjoyable on stage! In the meantime, way to headsets and speakers to listen to this lavish Death Metal while watching an Old-School artwork with dark colors and a gory design.” – Actain Fernalis
“frontal, straightforwardly blunt and without detours to the sun-tanned bald head. This was a death metal treat and I am absolutely thrilled!” – 10/10 – Hellfire Magazin
“Consistently brutal and relentlessly thrashy, Bloodfeast Ritual’s Altars of Sacrifice is an impressive and intense debut showcasing the many musical influences and songwriting prowess the band has to offer.” – Uncanny Metal
“If you like your death metal a little bit more of the shred-tastic sides of things, and are sick of all these ‘old school’ bands, then Bloodfeast Ritual’s debut EP ‘Altars of Sacrifice’ might just be for you. Coming hard on the Arsis/Black Dahlia Murder side of things, these Los Angeles dudes are tearing it up… The mix of shredding brutality and classical guitar work here is a reason that Bloodfeast Ritual have really got something going on on ‘Altars of Sacrifice’. It is a true love letter to the genre in its myriad forms, and Bloodfeast Ritual have the chops to pull off a variety of styles to really uphold the traditions without losing their modern edge. Check it out” – The Killchain Blog
“Gruesome death metal played with loads of energy and skill that will blow you away!” – Zax Records and Reviews
#20 on WORT-FM (Madison, WI) Loud Rock Top 20 and Adds for the Week of 8/17/20
STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Drum tracking took a week, and the band ended up scrapping most of it.
2. While in the studio, David Ainsworth spent over $75 on Taco Bell. The band ate it all.
3. Guitars were tracked in two days, including solos.
4. The band had to rewrite the lyrics twice because vocalist David Ainsworth kept losing the papers they gave him.
5. Mike and Hunter know almost all of the lines of the movie “Scream”.
About:
Bloodfeast Ritual was formed in the barren lands of Los Angeles when guitarist Hunter Gurney found fellow guitarist Michael Bala shredding at a Guitar Center in Hollywood, CA. With the shock and awe of each other’s talent, a friendship was quickly formed, and soon after the two mad lads began jamming, jellying, and collaborating in all senses of the phrase.
Between the two of them, there was a strong, electrical creative energy that compelled the pair to both write songs. The young shredders were very inspired by HP Lovecraft, 80s horror, and older style death metal. Hunter added his own flavor to Michael’s existing songs, and Michael helped Hunter expand his own songwriting abilities. The pair worked very quickly, and composed a handful of crunchy tunes; soon after, it was time to find other members to join their cult for brutality.
Through a mutual friend, the duo met growler David Ainsworth. Michael and Hunter were taken aback at David’s ability to perform metal vocals in a wide variety of styles, and suddenly the wolf pack became a terrifying trio of tremendous heavy metal titans. The Mississippi Mutant aka David became close with Michael and Hunter and joined them on their quest for death metal domination.
After a few solid months in the practice room, the trio decided it was time to hit the studio. Five songs for annihilation were chosen to be recorded and were executed with surgical precision, under the watchful eye of Charlie Waymire from Ultimate Studios. Michael and Hunter shared bass duties on the recording, and vocalist David injected his vocal venom from with lyrics of demons and eldritch horrors. Showcasing a range from technical death metal to melodic shred, the trio’s sonic devastation “Altars of Sacrifice” (EP) was completed and set to assault the masses on July 24th, 2020.
Hunter adds:
“I think there’s something for every type of metal fan on our debut EP. We have some more melodic stuff, some more brutal stuff, some stuff that sounds modern, some stuff that sounds old school. I believe people will think the songs are fun to listen to.
Michael also comments:
“We want the EP to tell a story, in a sense. It’s inspired by 80’s horror movies, HP Lovecraft, and general blasphemy. Musically, the EP starts very melodic, but becomes more dissonant and technical as it goes on. We’re hoping that this takes the listener on a journey of shred brutality, and fun. Overall, this EP is our love letter to Death Metal. Old School, Modern, Technical and Brutal; we love all of the aspects of death metal as a genre, and we wanted to show that with this EP. We tried to display our influences by dramatically changing the vibe of each song.”
2020 is proving to be a big year for Bloodfeast Ritual. The band is beginning their journey, and they appreciate each and everyone that has encouraged them, either in the form of inspiration or those that have taken the time to pass on a kind word. Especially during the current age of Covid.
Bloodfeast Ritual’s debut EP “Altars of Sacrifice” is available on Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon.
Discography:
2020 – Altars of Sacrifice – EP
Track By Track Explained:
- Grave Fodder: Very influenced by the Swedish death metal from the 90s. Lyrics about a man who digs up corpses to keep him company.
- Eternally Molested By The One Most Foul: This song is the result of not being able to sleep for a week. Has some four awesome guitar solos.
- No More Room In Hell: Inspired by old school Carcass and Cannibal Corpse. This track has a brutal slam section. Written about Dawn of The Dead.
- Chopped Up and Burned: Very inspired by the death metal of the early 90s. About “The Evil Dead” (movie).
- Fetid Offering: This was the first song Hunter ever wrote for the band. It is highly influenced by The Black Dahlia Murder and Necrophagist. Lyrics inspired by the video game Bloodborne.
[Download EP Cover | Dowload EP Lyrics]
EP Title: Altars of Sacrifice
Release Date: July 24, 2020
Distribution: Self- Release
Track Listing:
1. Grave Fodder (4:27)
2. Eternally Molested By The One Most Foul (4:46)
3. No More Room In Hell (4:40)
4. Chopped Up And Burned (3:39)
5. Fetid Offering (3:21)
EP Length:
EP Credits:
All Songs Performed by: Bloodfeast Ritual
All Songs Written by: Michael Bala and Hunter Gurney
Produced by: Charlie Waymire, Ultimate Studios
Mixed by: Charlie Waymire, Ultimate Studios
Mastered by: Ernesto Homeyer, Ultimate Studios
Album art by: Lucas Korte
Album/ Live Band Line Up
Michael Bala: Guitars/ Bass
Hunter Gurney: Guitars/ Bass
David Ainsworth: Vocals
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