Artist : Ravenword

Album : Transcendence

Release Date : 31-01-2020

Added : 01-03-2020

Album of the playlist 2020 : Metal symphonic albums of the year

'Ravenword' was formed 13 years ago by keyboardist 'Davide Scuteri' and after a first demo, it followed a long period of inactivity and 2016 saw the reformation of the Italian combo to finally lead to a first studio recording in early 2020 'Transcendence'. This first opus is inspired by the poem 'The Raven' ('The Raven') by Edgar Allen Poe 'who is an author who often returns in the influences of metal groups (see for example 'Aeternitas' and their album 'Tales of the Grotesque' released in 2018). After a first listening, I have the impression to return to the beginning of the symphonic metal at the end of the 90s, with a preponderant use of keyboards, the guitar riffs being relegated to the second plan but while keeping energy and power of this style.
From the first title 'Blue Roses', we discover in a catchy and accessible melody the singing of 'Chiara Tricarico' which is not an unknown since she already has several projects to her credit with among others 'Temperance' (see last albums in which she participated here and here) but also another project ‘Moonlight Haze’ and her register fits perfectly with the group's cheerful style. Follows ‘Life Is Your Hands’ which continues in this way with a new melody immediately assimilated and a nice alternation between sung and instrumental parts, then ‘No More’, with its catchy tempo also offers judicious tempo changes. ‘Lullaby of the Last Petal’, well placed after the fiery ‘No More’ is the first ballad break in which ‘Chiara Tricarico’ shows that she is also very comfortable in calmer moments. With 'Purity', one of my favorites from the album, I have the impression of returning to the melodic lines of the first 'Nightwish', at the end of the 90s, especially since in some parts, Chiara has intonations similar to what 'Tarja' was doing at the time and 'Rain of Stars' which follows is also in this style. The sequel continues to scroll through compositions all as melodic as each other, the catchy 'Queen of Darkness' with very beautiful vocal arrangements, the energetic 'What I Need' with some growls, a new beautiful ballad 'The Swan Song' then 'Dylan' and 'Crismon Lake', both near of 7 minutes, which are undoubtedly the two most sought-after and varied titles in the album and it is with the magnificent mid-tempo 'The Distance' with folk accents and a memorable ballad of almost 8 minutes which brings us back to the begining of 'Nightwish' that the album finishes.

In summary, the Italians of 'Ravenword' released an album of symphonic metal quite remarkable, varied and alternating beautifully energy and serenity, and, even if their style does not necessarily bring anything new to the genre, 'Transcendence' will undoubtedly be very well received by a whole public which follows symphonic metal since its beginnings in the course of the 90s...

Line Up / Musicians

Chiara Tricarico (Vocal), Davide Scuteri (Keybords), Cesare Ferrari (Guitar, Bass), Michele Olmi (Drums)