Rikets – Anything For The Devil

Rikets – Anything For The Devil / 2004 Corporate Punishment / http://www.rikets.com / http://www.corporatepunishment.com / Reviewed 24 March 2006

Let’s see. What all do we have as influential to Rikets? “Useless” mixes together Disturbed, System of a Down, and (most present) Pantera. The band does not stop in its crunchy metal stomp, with the screamed vocals of the band. By adding a second layer of vocals to the track, there is a fullness added that the somewhat-shrill main set of vocals just do not have the range to provide alone.

In contrast, “Hollywood” takes on a very Korn-like sound, with a little of Korn’s progeny (Disturbed, Staind) finding their way as influences during the track. The fury that the band exhibits at any one given time during “Anything For The Devil” is something that would be good to not under-discuss; it may actually be their strongest suit on this disc. The tracks are not experimental, but go forth in a style of music and save it from being trite and without much of the way of interesting music. Rikets throw together an interesting batch of influences during their “Anything For The Devil” and do so in a way that individuals of all musical stripes can find something interesting to grab onto. Five tracks are all that is necessary to give individuals a full idea of who Rikets is and what they will do in the future.

“Blister” is the middle track on “Anything For The Devil” and it may yet be the most interesting track on the disc. While the track starts out with a sound that seems influenced by To My Surprise, the middle parts of the track are really good in forecasting the style of acts like Evans Blue. Without a second to breathe during this EP, Rikets have ensured that individuals will be tuned into the band’s frequency when the full-length comes out. Again, the style may be something that is done to death but Rikets puts a new spin on it that may just be enough to keep the style afloat for a few more years. Twenty minutes is all that is really needed to craft a style that is simultaneously hard and rocking while still being sensitive and confident. Rikets may not be played on many radio stations at this current moment but just give the band time; their moment in the sun will come and come in a major way. Five hits of Rikets is just not enough to keep going; let’s hope the band comes out with something new soon.

Top Track: Blister

Rating: 6.0/10

[JMcQ]