The debut album from Canadian metalers Ravenspell is a joy to behold, taking all that was good about the NWOBHM and putting their own unique sound and power to it.
“God The Watcher” opens the album with Alisander The Seer wailing over the top of Ravok Blackwing’s crushing riff with a scream that will make the hairs on your neck stand up, he then proceeds to melt your face with a vocal display that is insane, going from standard metal fare to thrashy screams and snarls seamlessly, while Corvax Crowhammer, bass, and Volpale The Ravenous, drums, create a monster low end rhythm that beats you into submission, Blackwing’s guitar wizardry is sublime and gives the track that extra kick to take it from good to brilliant.
“Onwards We March” continues the onslaught with crunching riffs and a blistering drum beat with a booming bass over the top. Blackwing lets rip with a killer solo as Alisander slays with his massive vocals, a cracking tune. “Book Of The Dead” opens with Bruce Campbell’s quote as Ash Willaims in Army of Darkness “Yo She Bitch, Lets Go” before the track kicks off, slowing down considerably this is more of a doom groove laden number, a rumbling bass from Crowhammer and pummeling drum beat from Volpale lays the foundation for Alisander to open his pipes and let go, Blackwing’s gritty riffs help to add to the doomy vibe but his solo is so amazing it would raise the army of darkness itself, killer. “Warriors 9 to 5” turns the intensity up a notch or two with a galloping rhythm and chugging riffs that drive the track along with another awe-inspiring solo from Blackwing, the highlight. “Obsidian Wing” is a gem of a track that has all the hallmarks of a true metal great, but with a slight doom vibe to it due to the heavy drum beat and thumping bass, with Alisander keeping pace with the rhythm to perfection, once again the guitar work is unreal, as close to perfect as you will get.
“Hellstorm” is a speedster coming in at a hundred miles an hour with crazy riffs, a blistering drum beat and driving bass line. Alisander starts with a high-pitched scream before he drops to his snarling best as he tears through the song, a thrashier side to the band that is killer. This is a real banger. The drum beat that opens “Raise Hell” is Priest’s “Pain Killer” and that is where the similarities end as these guys bring you on a metal trip that is most definitely their own; the riffs are cutting and when you throw in the manic drum beat and brutal bass line not to mention Alisander’s mega vocals you have a real standout track. “Relentless” is an apt title for this one, as that is exactly what it is: a slower, more deliberate drum beat and rumbling bass push it forward while adding that heavy feel. Blackwing’s riffs are at their chugging best, and his solo at the backend of the track is ripper, simply stunning. “Battleaxe Apocalypse” is a nice pallet cleanser before these guys ride off into the sunset on the back of the closer “Atilla”, a near eight minute opus that opens with a softly strummed acoustic intro that moves to a slower more gloomy vibe with a thunderous drum beat and thumping bass and gnarly riffs, Alisander croons a little more in this one but elevates it more around the chorus’ while Blackwing’s solo is mesmerising, an epic way to finish an epic album.
“Obsidian King” is out on the 13th of March via Fighter Records and if you are a fan of NWOBHM, then this will be right up your street. It is brilliant!
Review: Conor
TRACK LISTING:
1 – God The Watcher
2 – Onwards We March
3 – Book Of The Dead
4 – Warriors 9 to 5
5 – Obsidian Wing
6 – Hellstorm
7 – Raise Hell
8 – Relentless
9 – Battle Axe Apocalypse
10 – Atilla
Ravenspell are:
Alisander The Seer Vocals
Ravok Blackwing Guitar
Corvax Crowhammer Bass
Volpale The Ravenous Drums
