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- Record Label: Graveface Records
- Release Date: Apr 23, 2013
- Artist(s): Chris Crisci, Nate Whitman, Taylor Holenbeck, Nathan Wilder
- Summary: The eight full-length studio release for the Kansas post-rock band introduces guitarist Taylor Holenbeck and drummer Nathan Wilde to the line-up.
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- Record Label: Graveface Records
- Genre(s): Emo, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
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Score distribution:
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Positive: 6 out of 6
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Mixed: 0 out of 6
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Negative: 0 out of 6
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Oct 22, 2013Not to say they've been turning out clunkers every two or three years, but there's a renewed energy and focus on Illumination Ritual that lifts it towards the upper echelon of their best works.
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Apr 23, 2013It might not be the same band as in 1998, but this graceful, elegant record is more than deserving of a place in their discography.
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Apr 23, 2013With one foot in the constantly building atmospherics and experimentation of groups like Explosions in the Sky and the other in the openhearted optimism of the emo scene that they grew out of, Appleseed Cast offer up some of their best work to date on Illumination Ritual.
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Apr 23, 2013There are a few moments that go on a bit too long toward the end, like “Branches on the Arrow Peak Revelation” and “North Star Ordination”, but overall, Illumination Ritual is the band at its poetic best, riding the quiet night wind to a restful conclusion.
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May 10, 2013Overall, Illumination Ritual succeeds as a mood piece, even though it might not be quite as “illuminating” as one would like.
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Apr 23, 2013For the curious listener, the definitive nature of Illumination Ritual can cut both ways, as Appleseed Cast demonstrate their capabilities without having too many definitive strengths come to the fore, consolidating a decade and a half of intriguing, and occasionally compelling experimentation into a manageable 45 minutes.