RAVENSCRY - review added 16th March 2010
Album Review: Ravenscry (self-titled) (2010)
For fans of: Alt Rock... and operatic vocals
Ravenscry, built from the ashes of another band called Sand Of Time, hails from the Italian cities of Rome and Milan. The current line-up is Giulia Stefani on vocals, Mauro Paganelli and Paul Raimondi on guitars & programming, Andrea “Fagio” Fagiuolion bass & programming. and Simon Carminati on drums.
The sound is a hybrid of Within Temptation style symphonic rock, opera, and industrial metal. There are numerous dance beats and synthesized additions too. The result is okay in places, although the way Giulia attacks her vocals can be an acquired taste.
There's a good song trapped in 'Nobody', although it is fairly well hidden. The crunching guitar sounds and bombastic rhythms are great, but those vocals head into cat-scaring territory on several occasions. 'Calliope' has a more measured vocal performance. However the song itself is less exciting. Combine the best bits from the first two tracks and you'd be getting somewhere.
'Redemption I - Rainy' is a quiet piano-led piece that's pleasant enough, if a tad unexciting. 'Redemption II - Reflection' is an instrumental continuation of the former. 'Redemption III - Far Away' lifts the heaviness to a more respectable level. It's a better song than the previous couple, if still nothing mind-blowing.
This self-titled EP boasts decent musicianship, but the characterful vocals and lack of decent tracks conspire it to also-ran status. Maybe they can pull something out of the bag when they come to do a full length album...
Check out... The pleasant guitar sounds throughout.
Track List:
01. Nobody
02. Calliope
03. Redemption I - Rainy
04. Redemption II - Reflection
05. Redemption III - Far Away
Artist's website(s): Ravenscry , MySpace
