1) A hardcore/punk band from Recklinghausen, Germany.
2) A metalcore/hardcore band from Hamilton, Ontario, formed after the break up of Dead and Divine.
3) A British heavy metal band from London.
4) A goth punk band started in 1979.
5) A black metal band from La Crescenta, California.
6) A power metal band from Cornwall, Ontario.
7) A progressive rock band from Sweden.
8) A power/thrash metal band from Cleveland, Ohio.
9) A death metal band from Caerphilly, South Wales.
10) A death metal band from Našice, Croatia.
11) An 80s doom/heavy metal band from Belgium.
12) An 80s thrash metal band from Londrina, Brazil.
13) A dark drone/noise/ambient project from Russia.
14) A thrash metal band from Wollongong, Australia.
15) A 90s hardcore/metalcore band from Elowood, New Jersey.
16) A death metal from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
17) A heavy/power metal from Washington, US.
18) A post-thrash/groove metal from Norridge, Illinois.
19) A heavy metal from Livingston, New Jersey.
20) A death/thrash metal from Apple Valley, California.
21) A thrash/groove metal band from Argentina.
22) A heavy metal from Argentina.
23) A death/thrash metal band from São Paulo, Brazil.
24) A thrash metal band from Águas de Lindóia, Brazil.
25) A death metal band from Bogota, Colombia.
26) A death metal band from Pereira, Colombia.
27) A melodic black/death metal from Nový Jicín, Czech Republic.
28) A thrash metal/thrashcore band from Milan, Lombardy, Italy.
29) A brutal death metal band from Lima, Peru.
30) A thrash/death metal band from Kalisz, Poland (changed the name to Space Ritual but after a hiatus reformed as Ritual again).
31) A brutal death metal band from Kołobrzeg, Poland.
32) An old school death metal band from Caerphilly, South Wales, England.
33) A death/black metal band from Mérida, Venezuela.
34) An alternative rock/post-hardcore band from Austin, Texas.
1. Ritual is a Hardcore/Punk band from Recklinghausen, Germany. Ritual started out in 2005.
2. Ritual is a metalcore/hardcore band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The band is made up of ex-Dead and Divine frontman Matt Ryan Tobin (Vocals), Matthew Rigg (Bass), Aaron Le Tual (Guitar), Timothy Busa (Guitar), and Chris Cranston (Drums). Their debut self-titled album was released in 2015 on Bullet Tooth (Worldwide) and Distort / Fontana North (Canada).
3. Ritual is a British Heavy Metal band from London, England; formed in 1972. They are often mistakenly referred to as “Widow”, as the cover of their 1983 album “Widow” gave no indication of the band name.
4. Goth punk band Ritual started in 1979 and were one of the first goth punk bands but never got the same recognition as Sex Gang Children or Southern Death Cult. Prior to their first official 7", Ritual released a six track demo tape. They also recorded tracks for an LP called "Songs For A Dead King" but it was never released.
5. Ritual is a black metal band from Los Angeles, California; formed in 1994.
6. Ritual is a power/groove metal band from Cornwall, Ontario, Cananda.
7. Ritual is a Swedish progressive rock band.
Ritual was founded after Bröd failed.
8. Ritual is a Power/Thrash Metal band from Cleveland, Ohio, United States
9. Ritual is a Death Metal band from Caerphilly, South Wales, in the United Kingdom. Formed in 1988.
10. Ritual is a Death metal band from Našice, Croatia.
11. Ritual was a 80s heavy metal band from Belgium.
12. Ritual is a Russian 24 o clock first death radiostation.
13. Ritual is an metal band from Londrina, Brazil, best know for their song "Senhor das Trevas", formed in the 80's.
14. Ritual is a new school hardcore band from Elowood, NJ. They had released only one album with 3 songs on it in 1993.
The Great Decay
Ritual Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seeking the essence.
Searching for God.
There is no substance.
Feelings converge.
Left alone under a hideous moon.
Clawing for grace among the doomed.
We're cursed to live until we die.
Still it's burning, I'm as cold as ice.
Got the deep desire to be held tight.
This is the great decay.
We were born in flames, we are our own slaves, we dig our own graves.
The lyrics of "The Great Decay" by Ritual describe a narrator who is witnessing the destruction of the world around them as they march towards an uncertain future. The image of a burning sky and the sound of sirens echoes the idea of an apocalyptic scenario. Despite this, they continue to sing songs of easing pain, perhaps trying to find some comfort in the midst of chaos.
The chorus speaks to the theme of decay and the inevitability of death, yet there is a glimmer of hope in the line "At least this world is good from time to time." The singer is searching for something greater than themselves, perhaps seeking God or a higher purpose, but finds that "there is no substance" and "feelings converge." They are left alone under a "hideous moon," surrounded by the doomed, and clawing for grace.
Overall, the song paints a bleak but honest picture of the human condition in the face of destruction and decay. The lyrics highlight the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, and the inevitability of death and decay.
Line by Line Meaning
While the burning sky is lighting up what lies beyond smoke and flames, I'm marching to the sound of sirens calling my name singing songs of easing pain.
Despite the chaos and destruction around me, I am moving forward, drawn by the call of something greater than myself, hoping to find comfort and relief.
Seeking the essence.
I am searching for the fundamental truth or nature of something.
Searching for God.
I am seeking a higher power or spiritual connection to make sense of my existence and purpose.
There is no substance.
Despite my search, I have found that there is no tangible or meaningful essence to what I seek.
Feelings converge.
My emotions and thoughts come together, creating a complex and confusing experience.
Left alone under a hideous moon.
I am isolated and alone, surrounded by darkness and a sense of unease.
Clawing for grace among the doomed.
In the face of inevitable destruction or downfall, I am desperately seeking mercy or forgiveness.
We're cursed to live until we die.
We are burdened to exist until our inevitable death, with all the trials and hardships that entails.
At least this world is good from time to time.
Despite the chaos and impermanence of life, there are moments of beauty and joy that make it worth living.
Still it's burning, I'm as cold as ice.
Despite the flickers of warmth and light in life, there is a pervasive sense of coldness and distance.
Got the deep desire to be held tight.
I have an intense longing for physical or emotional closeness and comfort.
This is the great decay.
All of these feelings and experiences are contributing to a decline or breakdown of something larger.
We were born in flames, we are our own slaves, we dig our own graves.
Our existence is inherently tumultuous and self-destructive, with each person responsible for their own downfall.
Contributed by Annabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.