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Ravenia: Beyond The Walls Of Death

Symphonic Metal

3.0/5.0

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Inner Wound Recordings
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 20.04.2016

Okay. From Inner Wound Recordings, who also gave us Midnight Eternal this month, here's another female-fronted symphonic heavy metal band, Ravenia, releasing their debut album, Beyond The Walls Of Death. From Finland the band was formed around its founders vocalist Armi Paivinen and guitar player Samuli Paivinen.

Ravenia

One observation to make at the start. Ravenia plays symphonic heavy metal, even cinematic, in it's purest form. But it's also derivative and generic. All you hear is the symphonic orchestration, big drums, and Ms Paivinen's lilting operatic vocals. Vocals which never seem strong nor seem to have any variance. She's nearly flat and monotone in her presentation.

To their credit Ravenia, a large band with nine members, doesn't mess with fake synthesizer symphonic orchestration. Instead they have player for two violins, one viola, a cello, and a contrabass. That is very impressive as it gives Ravenia a truly organic symphonic sound. The problem is that there is nothing among the arrangements to distinguish one song from another. Sure, you could speak of nuances of quieter moments against those more bombastic, or changes in tempo, but largely everything simply runs together. And I can't remember a guitar solo. Heavy metal, even symphonic heavy metal without guitar solos? God forbid. Anyway. Bottom line? The positive side is the authentic orchestration using real string instruments. The down side is that the music and vocals are bland and predictable throughout. And I'm not sure what to expect in the future. However, if you like "true" symphonic metal, you might find Ravenia of some interest.

Ravenia - We All Died For Honor

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Ravenia plays symphonic heavy metal, even cinematic, in it's purest form. But it's also derivative and generic. However, if you like "true" symphonic metal with authentic string instruments rather than synth simulation, Ravenia may interest you.

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