Junius are one of those bands that are so damn consistent. But they are not complacent. In fact, their new album “Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light” not only maintains that prog-gaze (I just made that up) style they have always had but it adds a few new wrinkles to keep things fresh.

My issue with “Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light” is actually those damn new wrinkles because they are brought in by guest vocalists. I do like harsh vocals of just about any type but I am not a fan of guest vocalists when a band has a great singer already. Joseph E. Martinez is that singer and his distinct vocal style is what makes Junius sound like Junius.

Guest appearances from Drew Speziale (Circle Takes the Square) and Gian Minardi (General Public). While I am not familiar with Circle Takes the Square, I know that they are considered a “screamo” band and yes that’s what Speziale brings to “Clean the Beast” as part of a call and answer chorus. It actually works fine but I don’t really think it’s needed. The song would hold up fine without it. On the flip side, adding General Public makes sense since they are clearly an influence on Junius.

Another thing is that the track prior to “Clean the Beast” called “A Mass for Metaphysicians” sounds basically the same song, same riff so essentially it’s a two part song. It’s a bit too much of the same thing for me, and the one slight misstep on the album. The good news is that tracks like “Beyond the Pale Society” and the first single “The Queen’s Constellation” more than make up for it by being classic Junius sounding tracks. Like Alcest and Katatonia were jamming on some heavy shoegaze. The back half of the album is arguably even stronger than the first half with “Black Sarcophagus” being an excellent closing track.

While it did take the band a while to get some new music out (lineup changes will do that), I think “Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light” is another solid outing by a great band. Hopefully this is an album that will bring Junius the wider audience that they deserve. It’s still very much Junius and I love that.

Rating: 8.5/10

Tracklist:

1. March of the Samsara
2. Beyond the Pale Society
3. A Mass for Metaphysicians
4. Clean the Beast
5. All That Is, Is of the One
6. The Queen’s Constellation
7. Telepaths & Pyramids
8. Masquerade in Veils
9. Heresy of the Free Spirit
10. Black Sarcophagus

Label: Prosthetic Records
Website: www.juniusmusic.com
Bandcamp: junius-official.bandcamp.com/album/eternal-rituals-for-the-accretion-of-light