If you’re the type of person who likes their music skewed slightly on the unconventional side – but not too unconventional – you’ll certainly like this.
The ten songs, while journeying through moments of tension and uncertainty, always return to an overarching feeling that embodies the hopefulness and promise of an early spring.
Overall, Illumination Ritual is the band at its poetic best, riding the quiet night wind to a restful conclusion.
Appleseed Cast don’t excite so much as they comfort; Illumination Ritual is more a soundtrack for thinking about feelings rather than being in the thrall of emotion.