The Raven Age’s Blood Omen (Music For Nations) is a scorcher of an album. It’s an album that was played on repeat prior to any writing of reviewing. It was super easy to get into this album as it sounds like music I’ve heard before and enjoyed thoroughly. The beginning song ‘Changing of the Guard’ throws you off as its operatic, European, and very folklore driven in tone. It’s a beautiful introduction but is not in the same genre as the rest of the album.
‘Parasite’ is this hard-driving part Metallica, part Bon Jovi, part Alter Bridge, all badass song. It’s instantly head bangable. The guitar parts are very metal with this gorgeous Arabic melody that floats over it at intervals. The harmonies are delicious. ‘Parasite’ is an instant like. Massive kudos to composers Tony Maue, Matt James, and George Harris. This song is wicked good!
The next song, ‘Serpents Tongue’ starts out with this mathematically lovely introduction before launching into some amazing guitar work by both George Harris and Tommy Gentry. What I want to know is, why more people aren’t talking about Jai Patel’s drumming. He’s a beast. The time he keeps, the wicked changes, and the sheer ferocity make him a contender for one of the best metal drummers out there.
‘Essence of Time’ has some amazing vocal harmonies. The vocals are like buttah, so smooth. There is a forward movement to this song, almost like horses racing through a forest of birch trees in the early morning, a light mist is present gently clinging to the armor of the rider. The song swirls with greys and blues and I swear I can hear the horse snort. ‘
The Journey’ is an uplifting song that is like praise for the universe. It gets caught up in your soul and lifts you. ‘The Journey’ is full of pathos and Matt James vocals are divine.
When you read online in other places that they are … “one of the finest in modern British metal”… it’s not a boast, nor hyperbole. The Raven Age are just that darn good.
Buy the album here:
https://theravenage.lnk.to/BloodOmen
8 / 10
VICTORIA ANDERSON