heavy-metal-darkness: Ritual Arcana | Ritual Arcana |Heavy Psych Sounds

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Ritual Arcana | Ritual Arcana |Heavy Psych Sounds

Release Date January 23^rd, 2026?

Format CD/LP/Digital

Genre Doom/Stoner Metal

Country USA

Ritual Arcana rises from the underground as a power trio featuring SharLee LuckyFree on bass and vocals, the doom godfather Scott “Wino” Weinrich on guitar, and Oakley Munson on drums. While Wino is known for his work in legends like The Obsessed and Saint Vitus, and Munson comes from The Black Lips, this project charts a new path. Their debut self-titled album is released through Heavy Psych Sounds, blending supernatural themes with raw, amplified power.

When you see a lineup like this, expectations are instantly high, and Ritual Arcana mostly delivers the goods. This isn't just Wino doing another doom project. The inclusion of SharLee LuckyFree and Oakley Munson changes the chemistry entirely. The album kicks off with a massive wall of sound that immediately tells you this is about volume and riff-worship. It sounds like three people in a room sweating it out, cranking their amps until the tubes scream. The energy is undeniable, blending that classic Maryland doom stomp with a garage-rock looseness that keeps things interesting.

The production work by Frank Marchand and mastering by Alan Douches deserves a mention because the album sounds massive. The guitar tone is thick enough to chew on, and the bass rumbles right in your gut. It’s heavy, but you can hear every instrument clearly. The drums snap and crash through the mix, driving the songs forward even when the riffs drag into the sludge. There is a primitive quality to the recording that suits the music perfectly. It avoids modern, sterile production techniques in favor of a raw, live feel that metal fans will appreciate.

SharLee LuckyFree handles the vocals with a chanting, melodic style that fits the occult themes of tracks like "Summon The Wheel" and "Wake The Goddess." She just lets the melody ride the wave of distortion. The songwriting keeps things tight. Most songs clock in around three or four minutes, meaning they get in, bash your skull, and get out. There is no endless noodling here. The band focuses on the hook and the groove, making sure your head is banging from the first second to the last.

This debut is a solid slab of rock and roll. It hits hard and leaves a mark. While it sticks to the roots of the genre, the execution is top-tier. You get ten tracks of supernatural heaviness that work best when played at maximum volume. Ritual Arcana proves they are a cohesive unit, not just a random assembly of musicians. If you want riffs that crush and drums that swing, this record belongs in your collection.

Score: 7.5