Political Ritual

Statement

Somewhere between cosmic minimal techno, hardcore noise and abstract sound art, Political Ritual’s dark drones form hypnotic mantras and cathartic crescendos through transcendent improvisations driven by pummeling beats and ethereal synth modulations. In an effort to push the boundaries of live audiovisual performance, these improvisers integrate analogue modular synthesis, invented instruments, prepared cello and traditional instruments. Backed by an array of highly contrasted of both meditative and stroboscopic video projections, Political Ritual craft a unique A/V experience.

Bio

Political Ritual is a live A/V duo comprised of Maxime Corbeil-Perron and Félix-Antoine Morin. They’ve released music on labels such as Kohlenstoff Records and Ambiances Magnétiques. They’ve presented live music at renowned experimental and electronic music festivals, such as Mutek, Suoni per Il Popolo and Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville (FIVAV).

Record Reviews

«the brilliance of the work became evident» Chain DLK (USA)

«The Montreal-based duo Political Ritual—Maxime Corbeil-Perron and Félix-Antoine Morin—combined
synthesizers, objects, and prepared and invented instruments to create a powerful soundwork, in
which electronic sound became continuous with the natural world, oceanic waves of sound
surmounted by tiny details in a narrative of consciousness itself. The duo Not the Music focused
more on discrete, even, acoustic sounds, with a continuous sense of an inflected, unfolding line. » Musicworks (CA)

«No matter what it is, Political Ritual plays it with sheer intensity and delivers a most powerful record. […] I am sure if a riot needed a soundtrack this duo could play one.» – VITAL WEEKLY (NL)

«Given how difficult it is to break new ground in this field, credit is due to Corbeil-Perron and Morin for a unique amalgam that is somehow both fresh and familiar. Strong recommendation.» -Avant-Music News (USA)

«The ‘politics’ of Political Ritual remain somewhat unclear, but its ambiguity is addictive.” Stray Landings» – Stray Landing (UK)

«Il représente une expérience musicale pratiquement inqualifiable» –Mes Enceintes Font Défaut CA)

«C’est une musique dense, qui se développe par couches, en construisant des espaces gigantesques… 4/5» – Voir (CA)

Live Reviews

«The midnight performance offered by the duo delivered on expectations, delivering on FIMAV’s massive sound system to offer a intense, physical audiovisual performance. […] this beast stands out even more in a live setting.» -Mes Enceintes Font Défaut, Canada, 2019

« the electroacoustic duo called Political Ritual seemed to mirror turbulent times with its program combining visual art in black and white with dense layers of sound. It was a noisy hour with Maxime Corbeil-Perron using synthesizers, objects, and computer and Félix-Antoine Morin playing prepared cello, invented instruments, and oscillators to propel a sound that was dense and over time had a hypnotic effect. They played two half-hour pieces, closing with an arresting image of a tornado and the distant sound of a siren.» -Avant-Music News, USA, 2019

«Political Ritual, the duo of Maxime Corbeil-Perron and Felix-Antoine Morin closed Thursday’s program with the world premiere of music composed and improvised upon for a new visual projection. Coarse and granular, the music was beautifully textured and unbearably loud.» -All About Jazz, USA, 2019