A mid-November Monday night, with a storm raging outside is not the most conducive to getting a crowd to a metal gig.
The Asylum, though, is busy tonight, and well it might be, given that The Raven Age are probably the best of the modern metal bands (even if they are three albums in).
The set is heavy, but heavy also on new stuff. In the summer they released the brilliant “Blood Omen” record, and most of it is played tonight.
But it is more than that. It’s polished, it’s skilful, and that’s that of a brilliant heavy metal band.
Bathed in red, “Parasite” is a strident opener, and vocalist Matt James is a striking, imposing presence. That said, they’ve always been this good as “The Day The World Stood Still” proves rather early on.
The Raven Age belie their age by delivering a huge, mature sound. “Essence Of Time” and the likes, have a grandiose streak, and it’s that which makes them so good. Tommy Gentry, ex of Gun, has joined them on guitar and he’s a talented individual who has improved things. “Nostradamus” builds to a real explosion, while “Salems Fate” has a mighty slice of twin guitar with George Harris, and it’s about the only thing that makes them “classic metal” if you will.
They are heavier than that “old school” sound too, “Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier” has a vicious breakdown, and if “Seventh Heaven” has a huge singalong moment, then it’s ready for the arenas that they’ve been playing in.
James dons his acoustic for “The Journey”, which he describes as “one of our favourite songs on “Blood Omen” and they are joined by an audience member on drums with Jai Patel for “Angels In Disgrace”.
The last one “Tears Of Stone” almost flicks a switch and gets itself into a frenzy. And of course, there’s an encore. Three songs too, “Serpents Tongue”, and “Grave Of The Fireflies” are good, but after promising “to crank it up one more time” – they do with a raucous “Fleur De Lis”.
The obligatory selfie actually makes a good point. This is a modern metal band, these are modern times, competing for social media and streaming as much as anything else, but The Raven Age are the complete package. As ready as anyone for the move to Metal’s Premier League.
