Following on from their 2024 studio album and subsequent EP – and a collaboration with labelmate Kat Bryan – The Royal Ritual return with a live recording of their performance at the iconic UK industrial music festival, Infest.

Producer and frontman David trained as a classical pianist from the age of 7 and has worked in the music industry for many years, but The Royal Ritual was born just before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Blending harsh synthetic tones, dark, percussive sound design, and traditional world instruments, The Royal Ritual has already garnered a dedicated following, finding favour with fans of artists like IAMX, Gary Numan, Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, New Model Army and HEALTH.

Just as the albums marked a sonic progression and evolution, they also were the catalyst for the project venturing from the studio to stages in the UK and the USA. Another change saw the introduction of Dan Kentley as a live member of the band.

Reveals David about this evolution, “Because the project started out as a studio-based affair during the pandemic, it still feels unusual to be performing it live, but ultimately it is very liberating. Since everything is so instant and present when performing live, the energy of the songs feels heightened, and there is a really positive feedback loop between us and the audience.”

“We currently perform live as a duo, so we have to get quite creative. We try to perform as much of the music live as we can – but with that being said, we rely on looping and MIDI to be able to control everything.”

Live at Infest features material from the albums Pews in a Pandemic, MARTYRS, and Pleasure Hides Your Needs. It also marks the band spending more time on the road, connecting with fans, and bringing the music of The Royal Ritual to new places and new audiences.

MeiSofia, Bulgaria

Mei
Sofia, Bulgaria