Album Review: The Raven Age - Blood Omen
Reviewed by Liam True
Despite having been around for quite some time, playing major festivals around the world, a four-year hiatus and supporting some major metal bands, The Raven Age are only on their third studio album. The modern metal heavyweights are now back with newest output, Blood Omen. Which you must admit is a great album name.
Changing Of The Guard is an atmospheric opener, just there for flare and show as it transitions into opening song Parasite. As guitarists Geroge Harris and Tommy Gentry lay down the melody with their crunchy riffs, drummer Jai Patel hits hard with his double bass attack as vocalist Matt James lulls you in with his soothing vocals that bear resemblance to Andy Biersack on times but he holds his own with his higher range of vocals. The riffs and melodies continue into Serpents Tongue as James’ vocals cut deep as he utilises his vocal range more, as he does with the rest of the album. And with the speed really picking up on the track you’re looking forward to the rest of the album and what’s to come.
Essence Of Time that time of the hard rock album where it gets slow, for a portion of the song that is. As Patel builds up with his drums the band burst to life with more riffs. While Harris has been a part of the band since their inception, Gentry happens to make his album debut. And what a way to start. The riffs he brings and tone he adds to the album is second to none.
Forgive & Forget is the best song on the album by far. The lyrics, the guitar, the vocals and drum work all come together to create a beautiful song with a stunning guitar solo toward the end which elevates the song to a new height, along with James’ vocals and the music video that accompanies it both make it impossible to skip this track.
Nostradamus & Tears Of Stone, I must admit, are the only downfalls of the album. While both different in tone, Nostradamus being the more speed influenced song while Tears is the ballad, before kicking into a faster affair, of the album and they both do nothing for me personally and just serve as filler, and that’s fine as the album is mostly killer.
Apart from the two aforementioned songs, the entire album is stocked full of songs, riffs and singalongs to keep you spinning the record month after the release. It also shows the progression the band has made in terms of songwriting and lyrical work. It’s the comeback of the year we didn’t know we needed but that was given to us as a gift. With new territories explored and blending various genres, so far, it’s in the run for album of the year. And Gentry’s guitar work and prowess is a well needed addition to the machine that is The Raven Age.
