Twenty years since Watching From A Distance… That album was huge for me back then, so I went into this one pretty nervous. I kept thinking “what if it doesn’t feel like Warning anymore?”. It does. But it also feels… different. Older.
Patrick Walker’s voice sounds really worn down now. Not in a bad way, just tired, cracked and full of years. On “Stations” and the title track especially, it almost hurts to listen to. You can feel that he’s been carrying this stuff around for a long time.
The music is classic Warning – slow, heavy, bare and heavy-hearted. Those massive riffs that just hang there and press down on your chest. No bullshit, no extra layers, just pure feeling. “Night Comes Down” is the one that’s been messing with me the most. It takes its time and when it finally opens up… yeah, it gets you.
It doesn’t feel like a big comeback record. It feels more like the band had these songs in them after all this time and finally let them out. There’s a lot of sadness here, but also this quiet, tired kind of acceptance.
I’ve spun it a bunch of times now. It didn’t blow me away on the first listen, but it’s the kind of album that slowly works its way under your skin.
I’m really glad they made it. Didn’t feel forced or nostalgic in a cheesy way. Just honest.
If Watching From A Distance meant something to you, you should hear this. It’s worth it.
Welcome back, lads!
https://warningdoom.bandcamp.com/album/rituals-of-shame
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