Goth (Positive) punk band Ritual started in 1979 and were one of the first goth punk bands but never got the same recognition as Sex Gang Children or Southern Death Cult. Many compare them to Theatre of Hate as the band also had a sax player. Prior to the 7″ single, Ritual released a six track demo tape. They also recorded tracks for an LP called “Songs For A Dead King” which was released on cassette tape with a booklet and can be listened to at the bottom of this post…
The band fell apart as drummer Ray Mondo and guitar player Jamie Stewart were asked to join Death Cult. Ray Mondo later switched the drummer seat with Nigel Preston (ex-Theatre of Hate) to play 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. All a bit ‘keep it in the family’!
Hope you enjoy these recordings. Most of the text was ripped off this fine site here, because recently I have tried to juggle working full time, nesting for a penguin chick to arrive in no more than a weeks time, and five websites. I forgot to mention it originally, normally if you look at other posts previously I do mention the source material if I have used some. Thanks for the gentle reminder Curious Guy!
Structure / Human Sacrifice / Playtime / Man Power / Portrait / Cult
Brides / Closedown / Effigy / Waiting For My Man / End Product / Mind Disease / Assassin
John No Last Name
March 21, 2008 at 5:02 pmThis post is for Pete or any other ex-inhabitants of that house on Petherton Rd (the first time I lived on that street, not the second). Remember when Tufti and Nig had some friends of theirs from Harrow come over and play a show in the basement? I found out from Jamie years later that that was Rituals first show.
Curious Guy
March 21, 2008 at 8:02 pmHmm, I think I’ve read some liner notes of this post before 😉
Anyway, thanx for Songs For A Dead King. Hope Ritual gets the proper reissue treatment as there seems to be a growing interest in “posi-punk” these days.
Caleb
March 24, 2008 at 7:09 pmI actually got a hold of Mark Bond. He seemed to be interested in the idea of a re-issue. He wanted to speak to Errol first. He said he talks to Errol about once a year. So now I am just waiting to hear back. But there has been some progress at least.
Izza
March 20, 2013 at 8:14 pmThe artwork for back cover of “Mind Disease” was done by Jamie! Didn’t know that. What a talented man!!!
Nick Hydra
May 17, 2023 at 9:27 am“Above, the black cap of forever damnation
Below, the earth waits for you
Lift off the shroud
See yourself, see
You’ve got nothing but hate for you”
Fantastic first single from Harrow’s finest. So much energy – Guitarist Jamie and (utterly jaw droppingly talented) drummer Raymondo poached by Astbury to form Death Cult after SDC dissolved, which was a real shame as Death Cult were only good for one 12″ and Ritual had a whole LP of good material that never got released.