Behind The Tracks: Ritual Effect - Resolution (Single) (2025)

"Resolution" came about in an unusual way. Musically, the majority of our songs are born in the rehearsal room while jamming, but this one came about one evening when I was just messing about on guitar. I remember spacing out and stumbling a couple of chords and not going full throttle into riff mode, which would be the norm for me whenever I have a guitar in my hands. The verse and chorus progressions came quite quickly, and I was instantly curious as to how I could make a full song out of them.

Not content with building the entire track around chord progressions, I went in the opposite direction and tried to write a riff with a vibe that was the complete opposite of what the composition was telling me at that moment. This resulted in one of the heaviest riffs in our catalogue to date. Somehow, the marriage of this riff and the chord progressions worked in a beautifully chaotic way.

To close the song, I wanted something that reflected everything that came before it. I figured a sort of endless swirl of ascending chord progressions and solos and a catchy vocal melody should do the trick! This resolved the music nicely.

Lyrically, this one is very personal. I went through an emotional rollercoaster after someone took advantage of me at a time when I was very vulnerable. I was dealing with grief, loss, guilt, and existential questions—“Why are we here?” kind of stuff. Someone in my circle saw that vulnerability and stepped in, taking things from me while my guard was down. I had to face some hard truths and confront some deceitful people to reclaim what I’d lost. That process brought on a whole new wave of emotions. At times, I felt stuck in a hole I couldn’t climb out of—but with time and the support of some amazing people, I managed to pull myself back up and return to normal.

I tend to write in an optimistic "glass half full" kind of way. I try to find positivity in negative situations. In "Resolution", I tell my story, but the main message is one of gratitude: I am thankful to have come through this experience mostly unscathed, grateful to everyone who helped me, and more cautious in life because of it. In a way, it's the classic "good always overcomes evil" story, and more than ever, in today's world, we need more of that.

Both musically and lyrically, there’s a sense of resolution throughout, so I think the title speaks for itself.