†‡† ( Ritualz ) @ Aether nativ

LOCATION: Aether nativ

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RITUALZ, aka †‡†, is an occult-inspired electronic music project started in mid 2010. With a lifetime of musical influences ranging from industrial to black metal to hip-hop and noise to 90s dance, RITUALZ spawns dark dance music that has been described as Ibiza-ready... if Ibiza was ready for something so influenced by drone music.

Surrounded by an aura of mystery thanks to the lack of information about its location or members and the ungoogleable symbols it first became known for, RITUALZ was signed to Houston's independent label DISARO only a few days after going public catching the attention of people all around the world including award-winning writer Warren Ellis, CREEP's Lauren Dillard and HEALTH's own Jupiter Keyes.

Soon DISARO released RITUALZ’s debut EP simply titled CDR , a release that got mentioned as one of the best on several end of year lists focusing on underground music, including Mishka’s Top 25 EPs of 2010, landing the #8 spot on the list.

In late 2010 RITUALZ was featured on Robot Elephant Records’ ISVOLT compilation, a compilation released on 12” vinyl and CD focusing on artists signed to DISARO like White Ring, Modern Witch, Fostercare and more.
RITUALZ’s next release was a digital only EP self-released through Bandcamp titled GHETTO ASS WITCH, a release heavily inspired by hip-hop and trance in which the band used faster tempos and bigger melodies, creating even moodier, darker music that was at the same time way more accessible and dance floor ready. The EP was well received by fans and critics alike and helped introducing RITUALZ’s music to a new audience.
RITUALZ’s music is often featured in dark-themed mixtapes, the most notable being ones by Pendu for WOW magazine, Vice Italy, HEALTH for VICE UK, Mater Suspiria Vision's Zombie Rave series and the MISHKA 3-CD compilation The Guide to Grave Wave.

RITUALZ’s next releases include a 12” split with Fostercare on Robot Elephant Records and another split with NYC’s Blissed Out.
An integral part of RITUALZ are the visuals that go hand in hand with the music, complementing each other. At first known as †‡†, the symbols are now a logo present on every release and piece of artwork. Visually inspired by the internet, the occult, black metal and hip-hop, RITUALZ art focuses heavily on the use of color to fit the dark and often melancholic but ravey mood of the music not being afraid to use a large number of elements to achieve its purpose.

The cover of GHETTO ASS WITCH is a prime example of this, an almost psychedelic piece featuring the crosses logo, Jesus Christ and his apostles, Magick symbols, a red Earth and modern pop culture icon Lindsay Lohan.ritualz