Rainbow Rituals of the Spiritual Sojourner is Inspired Synth Brilliance
Have you ever been struck unawares by an album or film that leaves you mentally stunned? I know of several motifs that have seemingly begun to filter into movies, namely what has been dubbed "neon horror". Films such as Mandy, The Color Out of Space, Maniac, all contain an undercurrent a recurring theme - that of the late '60s / early 70's psychedelia; a pastiche amalgamation of early 80's sword and sorcery pulp novels melted into a slag and mixed with 70's LSD-induced horror films - dross and all.
"Rainbow Rituals of the Spiritual Sojourner" by Temple of the Fractured Light is a progressive/psychedelic dungeon synth project album that was released in April; it resides among themes mentioned in the previous paragraph, and it is a stroke of absolute brilliance. I will admit that the "70's prog" is not my go-to sound when I am searching for music with which to listen, and perhaps that is the very reason this album struck such a resonant chord with me.
Reminiscent of notable film styles we have grown up watching, those stylish Italian films and envelope-pushing oeuvres usually starring the likes of Christopher Lee, "Rainbow Rituals of the Spiritual Sojourner" is an inspired, progressive synth journey. Warm synths meander playfully, with small percussive inflections at timely intervals, and even creepy - creepy - sound clips of Jim Jones interspersed at times. This album is thematic, obviously around cults and their psychological grip on people's minds, and it is pure brilliance.
Hovering somewhere between Tangerine Dream, Goblin, and Satanic parlor organ music in the lobby of a theater playing gialli films, this album is inspired, minimalist brilliance. The composer grasped his theme, aimed for the fences, and quite frankly, knocked the ball out of the park with this one; trippy, occult-laden synths that would fit right in place as the background to a Roger Corman flick, or better yet, Fulci.
Listen to this album; buy this album. Support artists like this.
You can find this beauty on Bandcamp: