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Formed in 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rites To Sedition has been shaping their sound for
over a decade, refining a style that fuses symphonic black metal grandeur with
the intricacy of melodic and technical elements. The band has carved a niche
that draws upon myth, history, and atmosphere, and their second full-length, “Draco
Dynasties”, continues that path with a sweeping, ambitious vision. The line-up
consists of Gabriel Lucia (vocals, guitars,
keyboards), Jon Westmoreland (guitars), Jesse Lane (bass), Mitch
Moore (drums), and Ray Howard Jr. handling
drum programming, production, and guest guitar work.
“Draco
Dynasties” takes the listener through a journey of mythological battles,
floods, plagues, and resurrections. It is a conceptually rich album that weaves
together ancient tales and cataclysmic events. From the Akkadian flood myths in
“Generations Of Ea” to the Egyptian divine struggle in “Draco Dynasties”, each
track builds upon the album’s narrative vision. The band’s storytelling
approach adds weight to the music, tying together history, legend, and
atmosphere.
Musically, the album blends surging guitar work with sweeping keyboard layers, maintaining a strong balance between aggression and grandiosity. The drumming alternates between relentless blasts and more restrained pacing, allowing the songs to breathe. Vocals shift between commanding roars and sharper blackened snarls, amplifying the epic tone. There’s a noticeable emphasis on melody throughout, not only in the lead guitar passages but also in the symphonic arrangements that expand the sound into something cinematic.
Songs like “Blood
Sworn” and “Solstice Of The Condemned” push the intensity to its peak, while tracks
such as “In The Shadows Of Rebirth” and “Within The Houses Of Xibalba” explore
darker, more introspective passages. The inclusion of an Iced Earth cover, “Stormrider”, closes the album
with a respectful nod outside the band’s usual territory while still fitting
the overarching tone.
The production handled at Entropy Studios allows each layer to stand on its own while contributing to the greater whole. The guitars carry weight, the drums retain impact, and the symphonic elements are integrated in a way that feels expansive rather than ornamental. The sound brings out both the aggression and the majesty that define this style of metal.
Overall, “Draco
Dynasties” is an album that will appeal to listeners who value ambitious
storytelling paired with symphonic and melodic black metal intensity. It’s
detailed, engaging, and built with care, standing as a strong statement from a
band that continues to refine its path in the genre.
Score: 7.5
https://ritestosedition.bandcamp.com/album/draco-dynasties
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7C586MzsQXZAlY0yZLwqqq
https://www.facebook.com/people/Rites-to-Sedition/100063901232512/
https://youtu.be/JcAq2MeMABg?si=2px27dYrTRTe7ZJW
https://youtu.be/dmjYqNqMvzQ?si=QuYbPxroYuHSrXXf
https://youtu.be/hh_TaN0-pdU?si=mPy0qY42dCvY0ZBF
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