Rikets – “Anything For The Devil” [EP]

Rikets… “Bent music from 7 guys from Ohio”. Their debut EP is titled Anything for the Devil and the album was released this year on the new label Corporate Punishment Records. This band is made up of seven guys each of whom were members from several bands local to the Ohio area that have now all broken up.

This band of Ohio heavyweights is made up of Scott Rose and ex-members of Erase the Grey. Former Sw1tched guitarist Bradley Kochmit also joined the band to help fill out their sound and together they are Rikets. Rikets have a very different sound. It sounds like the right blend of several bands. I’d have to say a cross between Sw1tched, American Headcharge, From Zero, and Crossbreed.

The album is full with melodic yet heavy songs, all with real great catchy hooks. The only real downside to this EP is there are just 5 songs. I really cannot wait to hear this band when they come out with a full length album. I think the label is just testing the waters to see how well the band will be received.

With a killer EP like Anything for the Devil, I can see a full length isn’t probably too far away. If you’re a fan of Sw1tched or Erase the Grey, then check out Rikets for sure! You will not be disappointed. Another thing that stands out to me is the album art work. I think it’s very creative and packaged nicely. It’s kind of different in a good way.

The album was produced by Ben Schigel, who for those of you who do not know, was the vocalist in Sw1tched. He is also the man who produced the album The Impossibility of Reason from Ohio Metal titans Chimaira. The album was also mixed by none other then Logan Mader. Let me fill you in on Logan Mader, he is the former Guitarist for Machine Head and Soulfly.

So in closing, this album is filled with an all star line up, from members in the band to the people who helped put it all together. It’s a family effort and it shows, the album is clean and crisp sounding, very tight and innovative. Rikets are a new band to come up out of the Ohio scene and I do not see them going away anytime soon. They are here to kick some serious ass, and I eagerly await their next release.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Useless
02. Hollywood
03. Blister
04. Bitter Words
05. Anything For The Devil

Run Time: 19:23
Release Date: 2005