The Ritualists reveal the single “You Know Better”

’You Know Better’ is about the irony of living in an age where the only thing more impressive than our unprecedented access to countless amounts of dubious information is the unapologetic examples of ignorance which seem fueled by it.

says lead vocalist/songwriter Christian Dryden of the “gothic art-rockers” (Hollywood Life) The Ritualists about their new bold, dance-driven track. “You Know Better” sets the stage for their upcoming album, “Too Pure to Cure”, set for release on April 22 via Suite484Music.
 
The music video for “You Know Better” (also out now) features live performance footage from a recent show at NYC’s Berlin, capturing their electrifying stage presence and the wild afterparty that ensued. Directed and shot by video producer Aleksei “That Russian Guy” Postnikov, Dryden recalls:

I think he was somewhat overwhelmed—disturbed, even—by the situation, but somehow found a way to make some sense of the mayhem!

Recorded at Clive Davis Studios in Brooklyn and mixed and co-produced by GRAMMY®-winner Mario J McNulty (David Bowie, Prince, Nine Inch Nails, Laurie Anderson, Glen Matlock, Lou Reed), “Too Pure to Cure” follows the The Ritualists’ sophomore album, the critically hailed “Baroque and Bleeding” (2021) which Post-Punk.com called “a goth glam rock opus.” The first single from the album, “The Plastic Crusade,” (released in November 2024) was hailed by Adam Bernard of Adam’s World as, “a biting look at society, while still being a good time musically thanks to their mix of goth, glam, and modern rock.”
 
Inspired by English Romantic poets and the infinite abyss of the online world, “Too Pure to Cure” explores themes of love, lust, hope, fear, and digital-age existentialism. The album and its title track (“Too Pure to Cure”) serves as an artistic manifesto of self-acceptance.

It’s not so much a protest as it is a shoulder shrug. It’s very much a sort of declaration about knowing thyself. This is who we are. It’s either inside you or it isn’t. If it’s inside you, if it’s pure, there’s nothing that can ‘cure’ it. Christian Dryden

The songwriting process for “Too Pure to Cure” was also deeply influenced by the growing chemistry within the band, especially with the addition of drummer Eric Kuby, whose presence, Dryden says, allowed himself to shift focus off drum duties and explore new creative depths.

This album was a reaction to our band’s evolution. I wrote parts with the guys’ styles in mind, which made the whole experience feel more natural and cohesive. Christian Dryden

Each track on the album offers up a variety of unique sonic and lyrical inspirations. For instance, the catalyst behind “King of Air” came from Dryden’s mysterious, recurring dreams of having an ability to master a breathing method which allows him to fly.

I enthusiastically try to show everyone else how to do so, but none of them believe me, and/or are able to do so, and I end up floating around all by myself. Christian Dryden

He says he thinks the dream relates to a “desire for recognition, while also feeling very misunderstood.” Elsewhere on the album, the soaring and epic “Every Thread” embraces dynamic contrasts and unexpected melodic twists and touches on an ancient, but human feeling of insignificance that we may relate to whenever we feel distant from being a “vital part of something, whether it be our clan, village, country, planet, solar system, universe…etc.” Adding, “I kind of juxtaposed that with some relatively simpler themes of love, infatuation, envy, and hypocrisy.” Meanwhile, “The Wake,” pays homage to Dryden’s love for dark young adult fantasy films like The Neverending Story and their accompanying theme songs. He says that due to the song’s overt pop leaning which features a style of bass playing that was “heavily influenced” by John Taylor of Duran Duran – he eventually won the rest of the band over which inspired keyboardist Jeffrey Andrew to “reach for the stars” with the synth layers and arpeggios, which created a wonderful pad for the vocal lines and drums.

Making an album is always a learning experience for me. This time around, we had the honor of working with McNulty, who helped me focus on simplifying the groove pocket and embracing certain melodic elements I wouldn’t have normally highlighted. Christian Dryden

Rising from the underground glam scene in NYC’s East Village, The Ritualists have established themselves as a cornerstone of the Lower East Side music scene, a vibrant world that inspired Dryden’s musical vision. Embraced by that scene’s strong musical community whose spirit embraces NYC’s Velvet Underground and New York Dolls as much as its allegiance to British glam rock, Dryden’s sonic flair encapsulates both disciplines while adding his own modern stamp.

Being inspired by larger-than-life characters such as David Bowie, Simon Le Bon, Bryan Ferry, and Marc Bolan was a blessing and a curse. It was magical and transformative to imagine these people as your sort of musical soulmates, but also seemed to engender feelings of loneliness, as there didn’t appear to be anyone else who shared this vision where I was… that is, until I started to frequent the venues and clubs of the Lower East Side.” Christian Dryden

The Ritualists are Christian Dryden (vocals, bass); Jeffrey Andrew (keyboards); David Andreana (guitars); Ignacio Lecumberri (bass, guitars); and Eric Kuby (drums). Their new single “You Know Better” is available on all streaming platforms today. Their upcoming album, “Too Pure to Cure” will be released on April 22 via Suite484Music. 

Tracklist:

Side A: 
“The Wake”
“You Know Better“
“King of Air”
“1,000 Tears”
“Too Pure to Cure”

Side B: 
“Every Little Thread”
“Sweet Despair”
“Eroticallyl Erratic”
“The Plastic Crusade“
“Play the Sparrow”