|
|
in review
THE RAVEN AGE
"BLOOD OMEN"
Reviewer - David Weddle
British Heavy Metal band The Raven Age have just released their eagerly anticipated album third studio album “Blood Omen” via Music For Nations/Sony Music, and it is an absolute joy to listen to. The Raven Age have already toured with the likes of thrash metal legends Anthrax as well as Killswitch Engage not to mention giants of metal Iron Maiden building up a large and loyal fanbase worldwide.
As a self-confessed metal head, any new metal album is welcome to help keep the genre alive and breathe new life into my playlists.
The opener “Changing of the Guard” is an instrumental track that builds the atmosphere and sets the scene for what is to come, and believe me there is plenty to come. The Raven Age have built their own unique sound while incorporating styles and techniques from the modern metal oeuvre as well as some good old fashioned heavy metal vibes. A modern sound that harks back to a golden age of metal, a little bit of the past mixed in with the music of the future.
The five piece from London are cited as Melodic metalcore and that is a fair assessment of the overall sound but there is so much more going on. “Forgive and Forget” for example is a true metal masterpiece. Hard and heavy with an addictive bassline from Matt Cox and stunning guitar work from George Harris and Tommy Gentry, intermingled with a classic style vocal, the drums on this track keep tie it all together. A proper stunner.
As a self-confessed metal head, any new metal album is welcome to help keep the genre alive and breathe new life into my playlists.
The opener “Changing of the Guard” is an instrumental track that builds the atmosphere and sets the scene for what is to come, and believe me there is plenty to come. The Raven Age have built their own unique sound while incorporating styles and techniques from the modern metal oeuvre as well as some good old fashioned heavy metal vibes. A modern sound that harks back to a golden age of metal, a little bit of the past mixed in with the music of the future.
The five piece from London are cited as Melodic metalcore and that is a fair assessment of the overall sound but there is so much more going on. “Forgive and Forget” for example is a true metal masterpiece. Hard and heavy with an addictive bassline from Matt Cox and stunning guitar work from George Harris and Tommy Gentry, intermingled with a classic style vocal, the drums on this track keep tie it all together. A proper stunner.
Things get heavier towards the end of the nine track album, after “The Journey” comes “War In Heaven” which picks up the hard and heavy baton from “Forgive and Forget” and runs with it fast……..…………….very fast. Jai Patel took the drums up to the next level and gave the skins a good old thrashing, a real treat for the ears. Vocalist Matt James pushes his voice to the edge and beyond, this lad’s range is insane.
There are many layers to their tracks and each listen showcases a different aspect of their musical ability. The closing track "Tears of Stone", is a prime example of this, there is so much going on that it is impossible to take it all in with just one listen. Yet even with all its complexity it is easy to listen to and a perfect outro to a fantastic album.
The band have already achieved so much in a relatively short space of time, and the quality of their work is top level. They there is no weak spots on this album, it looks like The Raven Age are set for greatness and it will be well deserved. Their touring schedule is looking pretty full for the foreseeable so there is a good chance you will be able to see them live at a show near you (keeping fingers crossed for a Newcastle show sometime soon).
For details and more information on the band visit www.theravenage.com
The Raven Age are:
There are many layers to their tracks and each listen showcases a different aspect of their musical ability. The closing track "Tears of Stone", is a prime example of this, there is so much going on that it is impossible to take it all in with just one listen. Yet even with all its complexity it is easy to listen to and a perfect outro to a fantastic album.
The band have already achieved so much in a relatively short space of time, and the quality of their work is top level. They there is no weak spots on this album, it looks like The Raven Age are set for greatness and it will be well deserved. Their touring schedule is looking pretty full for the foreseeable so there is a good chance you will be able to see them live at a show near you (keeping fingers crossed for a Newcastle show sometime soon).
For details and more information on the band visit www.theravenage.com
The Raven Age are:
- George Harris – guitars
- Matt Cox – bass, backing vocals
- Jai Patel – drums (2013
- Matt James – lead vocals
- Tommy Gentry – guitars