It’s a curious thing, isn’t it, how the echoes of the past can reverberate so strongly in the present? Traditional Heavy Metal, that venerable elder statesman of rock, must surely look upon its myriad offspring with a mixture of pride and bewilderment. While it might raise a skeptical eyebrow at the more extreme, avant-garde branches of its family tree – I mean, who could blame it? – there’s a palpable warmth when it beholds the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal. It’s like seeing a cherished heirloom lovingly restored and displayed. And within this revival, I personally find myself drawn to those acts that eschew modern polish for the raw, unvarnished charm of yesteryear. Bands like Century, Lord Mountain, and the absolutely stellar Legendry have, in my opinion, truly captured that elusive spirit.
Now, Quebec’s Ravenspell enters this arena with their debut full-length, Obsidian King, clearly aiming to carve out their own niche amongst these purveyors of sonic nostalgia. From the moment "God the Watcher" kicks in, it’s evident that Ravenspell isn’t just dabbling in the past; they’re immersing themselves in it. The track’s immediate blast of rapid-fire riffs and Alisander the Seer’s soaring vocals feel like a direct transmission from the golden age. What makes this particularly fascinating is how they manage to pack so much energy into a sub-four-minute package, setting a blistering pace that defines much of the album, skillfully balancing classic and speed metal sensibilities.
In my view, Ravenspell’s greatest strength lies in their ability to channel the titans of old, much like Visigoth and Eternal Champion do. They serve up tales of swords and sorcery with choruses so infectious, they’ll burrow into your brain. Tracks like "Onwards We March" and "Book of the Dead" are prime examples – the latter even gets a nod with its Army of Darkness sample, a detail I find especially delightful. It’s this knack for crafting memorable hooks that truly sets them apart. But what I find even more compelling are the shorter, more frenetic bursts like "Hellstorm" and "Battleaxe Apocalypse." These tracks are pure adrenaline, hitting hard and fast, leaving you breathless before you can even process what happened. It’s a testament to their songwriting that they can deliver such potent doses of energy in such compact forms.
However, even the most meticulously crafted war machine can encounter a snag. The album's intended epic finale, "Atilla," unfortunately, stumbles. While the musical ideas are present, the execution feels… off. The vocal harmonies, both lead and backing, clash rather than coalesce, creating an unpleasant dissonance that disrupts the album’s otherwise cohesive sound. This track also deviates from the winning formula Ravenspell had so expertly established – the four-minute classic metal anthems and the three-minute speed metal assaults. At eight minutes, "Atilla" feels overlong and, in its current iteration, simply doesn't land. From my perspective, it’s a shame to see such a promising album falter at the finish line, especially when the preceding 32 minutes are so strong.
Despite this misstep, Obsidian King largely succeeds in its ambitious goal. The production, while aiming for that coveted old-school feel, does lean a bit loud for my personal taste, but it mostly nails the aesthetic. Ravenspell has, in essence, paid a profound tribute to the pioneers of metal. The album genuinely sounds like it could have been unearthed from an 80s record collection, and for the most part, it delivers a thoroughly enjoyable experience. While the ending might be a bit of a stumble, there’s more than enough quality material here to satisfy any aficionado of classic, unadulterated heavy metal. It leaves me wondering what they’ll cook up next, especially if they can iron out those final few wrinkles.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 5
Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Fighter Records
Websites: Ravenspell Bandcamp | Facebook
