REVIEW: Cursed Sun rise to invite us all revel in Rituals of the Shattered Mind

From the rabid rambling of the human species, Cursed Sun cut a swathe through the vacuous noise with a declared intent to kill off mediocrity, deal a death blow to the inept, and ask questions of the collective mental illness afflicting the populace in pain.

Rituals of the Shattered Mind is an ep packed out throughout with the extremities of the metal’s outer edges, 22minutes, five songs that smack listeners straight in the face, and leave devotees smiling.

However, that is not to suggest it is one dimensional, lacking in subtleties. Cursed Sun understand that a wall of noise becomes white noise when delivered without shades of darkness painted aurally. Instead, they add the touches that separate them from contemporaries who play the noise game without consideration.

From the off this is a declaration of contemplation and contempt aimed squarely at the “clowns” whose plans are conveyed as ‘The Experiment’ (video below). There has been discussion of this neoliberal western ideal, but Cursed Sun slam it in an echo of the documentary Hypernormalisation.

Underpinning the delivery is a solid, stomach rumbling rhythm delivered by Chris and Craig, with Monty’s rhythm weaving riff patterns.

On tracks such as Lunacy Act it provides the foundations to provide Jonny space to challenge listeners to engage with the solos, and Jonesy to expedite his rage.

It could be argued that all tracks stand equal on this release, but Devils Night stands out, with almost hypnotic playing and the sinister declaration of the significance of November 4^th (the Nazi SA established on this date).

Delivery of challenging subjects amidst metal is an overlooked aspect of the genre, yet Cursed Sun believe it is their Northern Ireland roots that mean they can add edge. And, who would dare disagree.

Cursed Sun were birthed with a vision in 2007, just a year after this blog was established by an ageing rocker. That vision from Cursed Sun is realised by Rituals of the Shattered Mind: five tracks consciously designed to make you think, make you headbang, make your fragile frame dive into the pit, and, smile like you’ve hit on the best drug – metal..