RITUAL – RITUAL (1995/ 2026) (Karisma Records) (Release date: 9th January, 2026)

To quote from the Karisma press release “The Swedish band Ritual entered the prog scene like a typhoon with their 1995 debut album. The Scandinavian scene was already strong with bands like Änglagård, Anekdoten, White Willow and Landberk, but Ritual came with a different approach. They are both highly accessible and melodic, and also very technical and symphonic. Tove Jansson’s Moomin universe inspired several songs on the album, but the music leans more toward folk, symphonic rock, and 70s-style prog, resulting in a richly imaginative sound. Drawing on Jansson's work, the lyrics explore imagination, nature, and the fantastical. Ritual’s songwriting focuses on storytelling and emotional depth, creating an immersive experience.

I remember the album well. The Acid Dragon review at the time found it hard to believe that it was a debut album. It gets off to a flier with ‘Wingspan’ and kicks on from there. ‘The Way of Things’ shows a folk leaning. (Frederik Lindqvist plays bouzouki, mandolin, mandola, recorder, dulcimer and tin whistle). The exhilarating ‘Typhoons Decide’ is another example of a folk rock element to their music, guest Charlotte Hasselqvist’s violin on this (and three other tracks) most welcome. There is a distinct Gentle Giant influence on ‘A Little More Like Me’ (Great guitar and keys with tasteful synth break!)- the multi-part vocal harmonies are back on the singalong anthemic ‘Dependence Day’. ‘Solitary Man’ is 8 minutes of vintage prog rock with a neat organ break and guitar question and answer. ‘Seasong for the Moominpapa’ has narration in Swedish and the chorus is like something out of The Incredible String Band back catalogue. The violin is back on ‘You Can Never Tell’ for a bit of hoedown. ‘Big Black Secret’ starts with a flourish of piano and is classic example of highly accessible heavy rock.

The rest of the Ritual band were Patrik Lundstrom on lead vocals (a very good one) and guitars, Jon Gamble on keyboards, harmonica and vocals and Johan Nordgren on drums and percussion, mallet, Jew’s harp and vocals. Originally released on Musea it now enjoys its first 300 limited vinyl LP release in a gatefold remastered double LP edition.

Although they only released a few albums nor should it be forgotten that “The Story of Mr. Bogd part 1” was released in 2024 to enthusiastic reviews on Karisma Records.