Grief Ritual’s new single Spiral is a scathing manifesto on theft in its most insidious forms. Pulled from their forthcoming debut album, Collapse (set for release on January 31), Spiral rages against a world where livelihoods, health, and hope are systematically robbed from the majority.
“Theft,” as the band explains, extends beyond the material—it’s the pilfering of potential and the crushing weight of systemic greed. “We live in a world where the majority are underpaid, living paycheck to paycheck,” they state, “unable to live a safe, happy, fulfilling life due to years of cronyism, austerity, and greed from those above society.”
The track accuses, indicting the complicit architects of poverty, war, and societal decay.
The release of Spiral follows the December 16 reveal of Grief Ritual’s Recursion, another track from Collapse. Featuring Rachel Aspe of Cage Fight, Recursion delves into the exhaustion and helplessness of living amid relentless suffering—war, disaster, and systemic neglect. Vocalist Jamie Waggett’s lyrics focus on the cyclic nature of societal misery, the deliberate infliction of harm upon the marginalized, and the growing mental and physical toll on younger generations.
As with Spiral, the themes of Recursion pull no punches: this is music written not just to be heard, but to be reckoned with. Grief Ritual’s brand of extreme metal, featuring seismic riffs, guttural vocals, and crushing breakdowns, is deeply rooted in an uncompromising critique of capitalism, authoritarianism, and ecological ruin. As they describe it, Collapse offers no reprieve from the anger—it’s a distillation of rage and disenfranchisement aimed at the systems fueling global despair.
Grief Ritual’s debut EP, Spiritual Disease, hinted at their potential, catching the attention of Kerrang, Knotfest, and Metal Hammer in 2022. But Collapse signals a bold evolution. While staying true to their extreme metal roots, the album expands its sonic and lyrical depth, ensuring that each track serves as both an assault and a statement.
The band’s sharp political edge carries into their broader influence on the scene. Jamie Waggett recently shared his picks for the heaviest albums of 2024, showcasing his deep engagement with forward-thinking music. Albums like Candy’s It’s Inside You and Tzompantli’s Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force were highlighted for their innovative approaches to heaviness—whether through relentless hardcore experimentation or the visceral integration of indigenous history and ritual.
Grief Ritual is not here to offer easy escapism. Join their ride and hear why.
