RITUAL ERROR releases new album “Terminal” blending angular post-hardcore and noise-rock
London-based noise-punk band Ritual Error is back with their latest album titled “Terminal with Benefits,” set to release on September 25th. The album kicks off with a haunting bass line by Alessandro Incorvaia, accompanied by David Thair’s tight drumming and Okala Elesia’s sharp guitar riffs. Described as a chaotic nightmare in the shape of a noise-rock record, the album combines elements of noise, angular attack, and post-hardcore, seamlessly blending them together as the tracks progress.
Following their 2024 release “Dial in the Ghost,” Ritual Error teamed up with Totality to bring fans their sophomore album. The first single off the album, “New Slime,” is already out with a high-energy video directed by David Loh. Set to release on September 4th, “Hung Up on a Clown” is another track from the upcoming album. The band worked alongside Wayne Adams at Bear Bites Horse to bring their vision to life between October and December 2025.
The writing process for “Terminal with Benefits” took place in a windowless, confined practice space situated in a factory-turned-artist studios in London’s historic Cable Street. Reflecting on their surroundings, Okala describes the building as having a mixed personality, ranging from indifferent and sinister to moments of domesticity and community, creating a truly unique and rare environment to inhabit in London’s current landscape.
The band members noticed early on that the songs on this record had a different tone compared to their debut album. Described as “meaner, louder, darker,” the tracks on “Terminal with Benefits” veer into noise-rock territory, a departure from their earlier influences like Unwound and Drive Like Jehu. Okala emphasizes that this album captures a more intense and aggressive sound, tapping into the band’s adult experiences and mental health challenges in a society they view as regressing.
With a year-long writing process, Ritual Error found themselves needing five additional songs just a month before heading to the studio. The final stretch leading up to recording was a whirlwind of developing, discarding, and perfecting riffs, with feedback ranging from “Yeah” to “no” to “too poppy.” Despite the chaotic creation process, the band managed to maintain a cohesive sound that encompasses abrasive bass tones, precise drumming, and slashing guitar melodies.
“Terminal with Benefits” showcases Ritual Error’s evolution into new abrasive territory while preserving the precision and tension that characterized their previous release. The vocals on the album range from shouts to screams, covering topics like sexual alien abductions and societal absurdities. The album’s tracklist includes songs like “New Slime,” “Prospective Joke,” and “The Worst Is Still To Come,” each offering a unique blend of noise-rock elements that pay homage to the band’s influences while carving out a distinctive sound for the group.