Ravensire (POR)

[Horex]

Ravensire - We March Forward (2013)













Year : 2013
Style : Heavy Metal
Country : Portugal
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 110 mb

Bio:

To pinpoint the exact moment RAVENSIRE started is an impossible task! Nuno Mordred (guitars) had been busy creating riffs and musical patterns for quite some time when the idea to join ranks with Rick (bass guitar) came over a few beers. But, unfortunately, conflicting schedules and turmoil in their personal lives brought things to a halt for a while.A few years later, Nuno Mordred was having some fun jamming with F (drums) who was playing guitar back then. Although these sessions were purely for fun (and had nothing to do with RAVENSIRE), Nuno Mordred talked with F about his and Rick's ideas for a band and what they were aiming for. F got so interested in the concept that he decided to start playing drums from scratch!So, with the spinal cord of RAVENSIRE already formed, it was time to develop consistency and get the beast rolling. It took some weeks to consolidate the backbone of the songs and to have fun while playing pure HEAVY METAL! During this time, Zé Gomes (vocals) and Zé RockHard (guitar) started hanging out at the rehearsals, and It didn't take long to realize that they were the ideal partners to finish RAVENSIRE's line up.Influenced by legends like IRON MAIDEN, old MANOWAR, MERCYFUL FATE, OMEN, BROCAS HELM, ALKATEYA, HEAVY LOAD (among many others) and contemporary heroes like SLOUGH FEG, DOOMSWORD, SKULLVIEW, THE LAMP OF THOTH, to name a few, RAVENSIRE aims to deliver its Heavy Metal raw and passionate, the way it's meant to be! The debut EP “Iron Will” was released in October 2012 by A Forja Records and has received great reviews on several publications.In the meantime, in November 2012, due to personal reasons, Zé Gomes left the band. After a few tests, the band decided to continue as a 4 piece, with Rick handling both the vocals and the bass guitar. And with this lineup, the band entered Iron Pit studio and recorded the debut full album "We March Forward" released by Eat Metal Records! The album was very well received on the underground circuit and some shows throughout Europe soon followed. Not wanting to let the flame wither, the band started composing right away what would be the second album "The Cycle Never Ends", released by Cruz del Sur Music in early 2016. The album was again very well received on the scene helping consolidate the name of RAVENSIRE around. Unfortunately, shortly after, both Zé RockHard and F had to leave the band, being replaced by Mário (guitars) and Alex (Drums). With this lineup, new songs are being forged for a future 3rd album that we hope will see the light of day in 2018.

Album:

Great debut album!! I don't think that anyone could argue that the metal scene is becoming more complex with each passing day. A huge amount of bands find their way to our speakers, especially now with the internet, and countless genre fusions emerge, just for the sake of trying to be different. It can be fun sometimes, but usually its a lose-lose situation, both for the bands and the fans. Because music is something you do, not something you plan. Thankfully there are many bands that really play metal and leave the planning to the riff-raff. It only takes time and patience to find which is which.The Lisbon-based four man act RAVENSIRE released their debut album “We March Forward” last autumn. Now it's time for the LP reissue through Eat Metal Records. I'm really happy to do this review, because having seen them live once, I can state for a fact that these guys are no riff-raff. For those unaware we're talking about a Heavy Metal band not unlike legendary epic bands from the early 80s, like HEAVY LOAD, MANOWAR, RUNNING WILD, or VIRGIN STEELE, just to name a few.Clocking at 47 minutes, “We March Forward” has everything a metal fan longs for. What is really amazing is that old school traditional Heavy Metal can sound so fresh 30 years after its inception when performed by such talented musicians as RAVENSIRE. Rick's gritty melodic vocal performance is just amazing. Killer guitars, courtesly of Nuno and Zé, from ripping riffage to schorching melodic solos, that are just fantastic, plus a rhythm section loosely relaxed yet always on point, laying the foundation for those epic lyrical kick ass tunes RAVENSIRE have conconcted. Highlights? Truth be told, I can't choose. In my opinion “We March Forward” is a listen from start to end kind of album. That, and a big FU to all those innovation-wannabes plaguing our ears lately.While “We March Forward” sounds like a paradox of a title, since it could have easily been released in the mid 80s, it can be interpreted in another way. When you are true and faithful to your roots you are indeed moving forward. A job well done guys. Now get that next album out soon!

Line Up:

Rick Thor - Bass (2011-present), Vocals (2012-present) - See also: Filii Nigrantium Infernalium, Perpetratör, ex-Axe Murderers, ex-Ironsword, ex-Morbid Lust
Nuno Mordred - Guitars
Zé RockHard - Guitars
F - Drums

Tracklist:

01. Dark Abyss 00:44 instrumental
02. Night of the Beastslayer 04:05
03. Gates of Ilion 06:43
04. Fate Is Inexorable 05:45
05. Drawing the Sword 05:39
06. Iron Pits 04:08
07. Mire of Delusion 04:08
08. Homecoming 04:25
09. Beyond the Portcullis 05:06
10. Warriors to the Slaughter 06:20




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Ravensire - The Cycle Never Ends (2016)











Year : 2016
Style : Heavy Metal
Country : Portugal
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 110 mb

Bio:

To pinpoint the exact moment RAVENSIRE started is an impossible task! Nuno Mordred (guitars) had been busy creating riffs and musical patterns for quite some time when the idea to join ranks with Rick (bass guitar) came over a few beers. But, unfortunately, conflicting schedules and turmoil in their personal lives brought things to a halt for a while.A few years later, Nuno Mordred was having some fun jamming with F (drums) who was playing guitar back then. Although these sessions were purely for fun (and had nothing to do with RAVENSIRE), Nuno Mordred talked with F about his and Rick's ideas for a band and what they were aiming for. F got so interested in the concept that he decided to start playing drums from scratch!So, with the spinal cord of RAVENSIRE already formed, it was time to develop consistency and get the beast rolling. It took some weeks to consolidate the backbone of the songs and to have fun while playing pure HEAVY METAL! During this time, Zé Gomes (vocals) and Zé RockHard (guitar) started hanging out at the rehearsals, and It didn't take long to realize that they were the ideal partners to finish RAVENSIRE's line up.Influenced by legends like IRON MAIDEN, old MANOWAR, MERCYFUL FATE, OMEN, BROCAS HELM, ALKATEYA, HEAVY LOAD (among many others) and contemporary heroes like SLOUGH FEG, DOOMSWORD, SKULLVIEW, THE LAMP OF THOTH, to name a few, RAVENSIRE aims to deliver its Heavy Metal raw and passionate, the way it's meant to be! The debut EP “Iron Will” was released in October 2012 by A Forja Records and has received great reviews on several publications.In the meantime, in November 2012, due to personal reasons, Zé Gomes left the band. After a few tests, the band decided to continue as a 4 piece, with Rick handling both the vocals and the bass guitar. And with this lineup, the band entered Iron Pit studio to record the debut full album "We March Forward" that'll be released next Autumn on Eat Metal Records! Expect 9 songs of pure, unadulterated Heavy Metal.

Album:

Three years ago Ravensire got their start on the excellent Iron Will EP, combining the raw pulpy delivery of fellow Portuguese barbarians Ironsword with more prominent lead guitar playing reminiscent of older American style power metal and the traditional metal that preceded it. Most important were the ferocious half singing half growled vocals of Zé Gomes, contributing hugely to the forcefulness they had displayed. He left later on however and the band seemed to lose something with him; We March Forward from the following year came off as a bit hasty and lacking the same creativity. Warp forward to 2016 and the band’s sophomore is in my possession. Is it at that same level as their ironclad beginnings? Well, maybe; The Cycle Never Ends does show the band further polishing the underlying aspects of their songcraft towards a more melodic and articulate form rather than focusing on the gutsiness that informed their debut and for me, it was a solid path to pick.Ravensire’s sound on this album can be likened to something along the lines of mid-paced Omen esque band with more prominent lead guitar melodies used to add colour to the cast-iron riffing patterns. Over this are almost Motorhead raw vocal patterns; a throaty bellow that manages to be at once bar room raucous and swelling with conquering, broadly melodic might. At times sounding like a barely tuneful yowl, it’s definitely not going be an easy pill to swallow for your average retro and power metal fan. However they add a grounded and satisfyingly atavistic element to their sound that melds well with their triumphant marching sound. The riffing is stripped down, cast-iron rawness that approaches early speed metal with its rhythmic simplicity and raw delivery. However Ravensire use more prominent lead melody, sometimes breaking riff patterns with wild solos or using denser lower notes to anchor down concise, colourful displays of fretboard dexterity. It’s this combo of raw musculature with strident melody that gives this album a more orderly mood than many of their compatriots (of which Ironsword are the easiest to compare), showcasing more grandiose aspirations compared to that band’s almost Venom-esque hammer-strumming attack.There’s a good variety of songs backing this up. Off the bat we have “Cromlech Revelations” with its staccato gallop and gradually unfurling lead motifs, culminating in a grand doomy chorus sounding like something to be chanted over a golden hall filled with battle-hardened Hyperborean warriors. “Procession of the Dead” states its deadly intent with an imperious marching riff that brings to mind Italy’s Domine circa Champion Eternal. The track possesses moody Arabesque solos interspersed between phrases, breaking off into an eerie spoken word section that summons forth a fiery duel of battling fretboard fireworks before a brisk charge brings it to its end. The “White Pillars” trilogy that caps off the album is also a treat. “Eternal Sun” weaves a skillful swashbuckling lead through its verses that recalls Running Wild and recent Rocka Rollas that cleverly undulates around the open-throat bellows, being the album’s most melodic number. “Blood and Gold” starts off on a similar note but with sudden breaks into dashing, slicing rhythms. Finally, “The Temple at the End of the World” is almost hymnal in its carefully unfurling melodic rhythms, letting Rick Thor’s voice rise with some truly invigorating lines while broad stroke dirge riffs harmonize perfectly with his gravelly roars. Even more breathtaking is yet another colossal soloing section, arguably the same level of flashiness as on “Procession of the Dead” and definitely even more climactic given that it is the final track.I was a little disappointed with this band with their debut album and this album didn’t quite grab me right off the bat. However after repeated listens I find myself respecting the direction they’ve chosen to go in. While epic heavy metal bands slowly seem to start leaning more towards UK’s Solstice, I’m glad that Ravensire alongside Ordalia, Quicksand Dream, Battleroar, and Hyborian Steel are keeping the subgenre diverse and finding new grounds for it to express itself with. Some listeners might find its more overtly melodic elements to be lacking the usual heaviness this genre is associated with but in my opinion, like with Argus, they give an extra layer of detail to their sound. Granted they aren’t quite on the level of those Americans yet but this album shows that there’s more than enough fight left in them yet. Hopefully for album three they can take their leads further and make their riffs even heavier.

Line Up:

Rick Thor - Bass (2011-present), Vocals (2012-present) - See also: Filii Nigrantium Infernalium, Perpetratör, ex-Axe Murderers, ex-Ironsword, ex-Morbid Lust
Nuno Mordred - Guitars
Mário Figueira - Guitars (2016-present) - See also: Bleeding Display, VS777, Sannedrin
Alex - Drums (2016-present) - See also: Midnight Priest, ex-The Unholy

Tracklist:

01. Cromlech Revelations 06:48
02. Crosshaven 04:50
03. Solitary Vagrant 03:17
04. Procession of the Dead 06:03
05. Trapped in Dreams 04:24
06. White Pillars Trilogy: Part I - Eternal Sun 04:38
07. White Pillars Trilogy: Part II - Blood and Gold 04:55
08. White Pillars Trilogy: Part III - Temple at the End of the World 06:37




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Ravensire - A Stone Engraved In Red (2019)











Year : 2019
Style : Heavy Metal
Country : Portugal
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 110 mb

Bio:

To pinpoint the exact moment RAVENSIRE started is an impossible task! Nuno Mordred (guitars) had been busy creating riffs and musical patterns for quite some time when the idea to join ranks with Rick (bass guitar) came over a few beers. But, unfortunately, conflicting schedules and turmoil in their personal lives brought things to a halt for a while.A few years later, Nuno Mordred was having some fun jamming with F (drums) who was playing guitar back then. Although these sessions were purely for fun (and had nothing to do with RAVENSIRE), Nuno Mordred talked with F about his and Rick's ideas for a band and what they were aiming for. F got so interested in the concept that he decided to start playing drums from scratch!So, with the spinal cord of RAVENSIRE already formed, it was time to develop consistency and get the beast rolling. It took some weeks to consolidate the backbone of the songs and to have fun while playing pure HEAVY METAL! During this time, Zé Gomes (vocals) and Zé RockHard (guitar) started hanging out at the rehearsals, and It didn't take long to realize that they were the ideal partners to finish RAVENSIRE's line up.Influenced by legends like IRON MAIDEN, old MANOWAR, MERCYFUL FATE, OMEN, BROCAS HELM, ALKATEYA, HEAVY LOAD (among many others) and contemporary heroes like SLOUGH FEG, DOOMSWORD, SKULLVIEW, THE LAMP OF THOTH, to name a few, RAVENSIRE aims to deliver its Heavy Metal raw and passionate, the way it's meant to be! The debut EP “Iron Will” was released in October 2012 by A Forja Records and has received great reviews on several publications.In the meantime, in November 2012, due to personal reasons, Zé Gomes left the band. After a few tests, the band decided to continue as a 4 piece, with Rick handling both the vocals and the bass guitar. And with this lineup, the band entered Iron Pit studio and recorded the debut full album "We March Forward" released by Eat Metal Records! The album was very well received on the underground circuit and some shows throughout Europe soon followed. Not wanting to let the flame wither, the band started composing right away what would be the second album "The Cycle Never Ends", released by Cruz del Sur Music in early 2016. The album was again very well received on the scene helping consolidate the name of RAVENSIRE around. Unfortunately, shortly after, both Zé RockHard and F had to leave the band, being replaced by Mário (guitars) and Alex (Drums). With this lineup, new songs are being forged for a future 3rd album that we hope will see the light of day in 2018.

Album:

Ravensire’s quest for global metal prominence continues on their third full-length effort, “A Stone Engraved in Red”, an album of might, spirit and will – dedicated to Mark “The Shark” Shelton and Hartmuth “Barbarian Wrath” Schindler.Since their 2011 formation, the band has steadily been putting a dent into continental Europe, including spots at the Riddle of Steel and Up the Hammers festivals. The proof is in the response: Ravensire is regularly hounded by concertgoers to return – a sign that their brand of epic traditional metal is connecting with audiences.Now with two full-lengths, two EPs and two splits under their belts, Ravensire takes the next logical step forward with their third album, “A Stone Engraved in Red”. Out on June 14th 2019 via Cruz Del Sur Music.Rolling and rocking, Carnage at Karnag brings pace and energy as Ravensire push an old-school style of fist pumping heavy metal to the forefront. Riff heavy, pounding drums, deep echoing bass and vocals that are weathered but clean, we have a quality start here. Emphasised by a powerful guitar solo that screams out.Thieves of Pleasure’s faster and groovier beat hooks in deep, Gabriel Lies Sleeping’s galloping rhythm led by a great drumming performance and Dawning in Darkness’ vocals push the more ‘epic’ sound of Ravensire to higher levels. Each track offers hearty metal listens.Not that what comes next changes that in any way. As following a short and mellow intermission (Bloodsoaked Fields) we get the rollicking After the Battle. A punchy call to arms, Ravensire nail what it means for a metal song to get the adrenaline pumping and set the mind alight.Finally, to close out an album stewed in old-school heavy metal juices, The Smiting Gods and The Games of Titus finish things up. The former energetic and bouncy, the drops in tempo and way in which the guitars seem to just go off on a tangent really impressing. The latter, a very lengthy epic that opens with acoustic strumming and building in volume and power. The lengthier run time gives Ravensire a chance to really stretch themselves here and it pays off.A gloriously old-school metal record.

Line Up:

Rick Thor - Bass (2011-present), Vocals (2012-present) - See also: Filii Nigrantium Infernalium, Perpetratör, ex-Axe Murderers, ex-Ironsword, ex-Morbid Lust
Nuno Mordred - Guitars
Mário Figueira - Guitars (2016-present) - See also: Bleeding Display, VS777, Sannedrin
Alex - Drums (2016-present) - See also: Midnight Priest, ex-The Unholy

Tracklist:

01. Carnage at Karnag 06:26
02. Thieves of Pleasure 04:35
03. Gabriel Lies Sleeping 04:04
04. Dawning in Darkness 05:13
05. Bloodsoaked Fields 01:10 instrumental
06. After the Battle 06:50
07. The Smiting God 04:31
08. The Games of Titus 08:15




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/