The evolution of Rioghan from a solo project to a five-piece outfit has been interesting. Originally an outlet for singer-poetess Rioghan Darcy, the band expanded to a trio following the release of their debut album Different Kinds of Losses in 2022, containing collaborations with members of Katatonia, Leprous, and Red Eleven among others. Kept as a follow-up continues to deliver a mesmerizing mixture of progressive, alternative, and gothic metal influences, ten tracks that encompass a diverse range of lighter to heavier affairs, sometimes more modern while at other times very atmospheric or ethereal.
You can hear angst in Rioghan’s screams next to a bouncy djent foundation throughout “Edge”, while her serene, clean melodies contrast in angelic fashion next to the forward-thinking riffs from Teemu Liekkala and Tero Luukkonen, where it feels like Meshuggah colliding headfirst into Tool meets Katatonia landscapes. Midway through “Distance” allows the listener to absorb a quieter side of these musicians, the dialed down keyboards and looped drum sequence perfect for the lush vocal melodies which exude some Middle Eastern nuances before the final minute kicks into distortion mode with some supplementary darker growls. The off-time drumming from Valtteri Revonkorpi shines next to more shimmering clean to aggressive riffs during “Motion”, at almost seven-minutes ideal for those who love modern melodic death just as much as gothic/progressive metal, the shifts will keep ears pinned for the next part in terms of atmosphere or mood. Other songs like “Dreams” and “Skin” contain moments of poignant beauty next to the music, her words tantalizing as you picture images and colors coming to life. The final cut “Grief” contains reflective keyboards next to some cinematic / classical aspects, the intertwining of her soft voicing with her impassioned higher notes once again breathtaking in execution.
Plenty of people across multiple metal genres will dig Rioghan – as the dynamic abilities showcased through Kept will keep interest on high. If bands like Evergrey, Leprous, Meshuggah, and Tool in more of a gothic, alternative soundscape appeals to you, this is a no-brainer to jump on board.