Album Review: Rites to Ruin – Daughter of Hatred (Self Released)

UK heavy metal outfit Rites to Ruin are set to release their highly anticipated debut album, ‘Daughter of Hatred’, on 30th June 2025.

Filled with heavy metal flair, and not just because of vocalist Krissie’s signature soaring vocals, Rites to Ruin bring NWOBHM kicking and screaming into the modern era. Stylishly combining retro head banging vibes with progressive creative thinking across ten mighty bangers. Putting it simply, it’s an album with depth, but it’s also an album that encourages head banging.

Case in point, the title track, which begins things in epic fashion. Big riffs, big hooks, a big chorus, and to cap it off, a big guitar solo gets things started in a very positive way. Rites to Ruin are here and kicking a ton of ass. Yet, it’s just the start of this ass-kicking and in rampaging style, Prevail comes along to impress too. The guitars are awesome here, but the chorus shift and how the vocals rise up, is what stands out the most here.

I love it when a heavy metal album, one that promises to be pretty straight-forward, shows off variety early on. It’s the kind of creativity that doesn’t just keep me listening on, it makes me excited for what comes next.

Which just happens to be hyperactive efforts like In Memoriam, with its riotous guitar playing and thick sounding drums. Heart-racing efforts like For the Love of Gold, and the aptly titled Fire, which comes with burning heavy metal intensity and some exciting theatrics. Each track comes with so much oomph, delivering thought-out harmonised heaviness that is significantly addictive. If, by the half point, you’re not convinced of Rites to Ruin’s quality, I would suggest you clean your ears out.

You like heavy metal, right? Of course you do, and you want your heavy metal to sound suitably grand, powerful, and infectious, right? Then Rites to Ruin is the band for you and the second half of the record only enhances that statement. Reflections, Rise, Free, Sorrow… tracks that come with thumping force and extravagant features (such as more melody). Again, it must be stressed that there is a ton of varied ideas here and together, the band really do show off just how creative they can be in a notoriously stiff genre.

They’re so good at making heavy metal music, and Krissie might be one of the best vocalists in the scene right now.

So, how does a band this talented wrap up a banger record? By going heavier, groovier, and darker with the thrilling Envy. A massive hit to end things on and one final reminder of this band’s mighty fine ways. A fist raising, chest thumping, head banger of a debut album.

Rites to Ruin – Daughter of Hatred Track Listing:

1. Daughter of Hatred
2. Prevail
3. In Memoriam
4. For the Love of Gold
5. Fire
6. Reflections
7. Rise
8. Free
9. Sorrow
10. Envy

Links

Website | Big Cartel | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube