Rob’s Album Of The Week: Here Lies Man’s Ritual Divination

Los Angeles’ Here Lies Man have a sound that’s a blast from the past along with being a breath of fresh air. The quartet of vocalist and guitarist Marcos Garcia, drummer Geoff Mann, bassist JP Maramba and keyboardist Doug Organ fuse ’70s heavy metal riffs with rhythmic and funky beats. On top of this fusion there’s a psychedelic aura that encompasses each song and takes the mind to a different place. The band’s fourth album, Ritual Divination, off of the label RidingEasy Records (who you might know from their Brown Acid series) goes right for the senses with unrestricted vigor. If you like the kind of music that makes you want to turn the volume all the way up, this is the next fix you’ve been looking for.

Obviously the legendary acts Black Sabbath and Fela Kuti come to mind at first listen. There’s more to it than simply those influences though. There’s a ton of harmony and Organ’s skills on the keys really make the record stand out. It’s not cookie cutter at all with a lot more to offer than just stunning guitar chords and pulsating beats. The syncopation between the four musicians is astounding with the progressions managing to sneak up on you.

I’m kind of happy that January 2021 is on its way out. I don’t know about you, but this month seemed like it took forever to end. I’m also tired of the friction in today’s…