"Atlanta’s metal scene continues to thrive, providing touring bands a seemingly endless parade of skull-crushing openers. Towering above them all, Sadistic Ritual brings a throwback thrash metal snarl to the scene. Frontman Charlie Southern’s whiplash riffs drive the group’s sound and spiritually depraved-yet-socially progressive lyrics. The band has dominated the local metal heap for a few years now, its popularity due to its devastating live sets. This year’s Edge of the Knife EP seals Sadistic Rituals’ mastery of the local metal scene. Songs such as “Funeral Raid,” “Restless Dead,” and “Morbid Genocide” are testaments to the power of thrash." - Creative Loafing