With roots that date back over fifty years, Blues Rock and England has been a marriage made in heaven. Home of musicians such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and John Mayall, just to name a few, bands like RavenEye keep the tradition going all these years later. Formed back in 2014 out of the town Milton Keyne, RavenEye is currently made up of Founder Oli Brown (vocals/guitar), Aaron Spiers (bass guitar), and Adam Breeze (drums). A seasoned performer, Brown had a successful solo career prior to forming RavenEye, winning several awards, including the British Blues Awards for Best Young Artist and Best Male Vocalist in 2010.
Making a name for themselves, RavenEye put out their Breaking Out EP in 2015 and even hit the USA on tour supporting Slash with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators in 2015 and The Darkness in early 2016. Now signed on with Frontier Records, RavenEye drop their debut, full-length album, Nova. Released on September 23, 2016, the 11-track album was produced by Warren Riker (Lauryn Hill, Michael Jackson) and find this talented young band focusing on big things.
With gritty guitars and powerful vocals, showcasing highs and lows, the album launches with “Wanna Feel You.” Featuring lyrics which are simple, yet coolly suggestive and raw, it is a fantastic way to start. Then “Come With Me” brings more energy to the table with solid Rock beats, catchy lyrics, while possessing a charged and edgy sound that is alluring. Coming on with a bouncy enthusiasm, and a touch of rebellion, “Inside” is brought to life by more loud vocals from Brown and lively drumming from former member Kev Hickman. Anchored by the relentless guitar work, it is a inspirational song that will have many wanting to scream along.
Following the lead of the previous tracks, “Supernova” has an understated intro building up tension before gently releasing a sentiment and an ethereal vibe. Thereafter, “Walls” comes in with heavy tones and a serious attitude while Brown’s voice is straightforward in the onset, but the inflection in the chorus brings on a darker drama similar to that of Soundgarden. Showing more diversity, “Oh My Love” is next with drawn out effects and a slow, swaying beat. Combining more gritty guitars with classic Blues, it is an undeniable mood that will devour the listener whole.
Switching to a more Hard Rock sound, “Madeline” settles in with crashing drums and fast guitars. Rough around the edges and full of life, it has a groove that would make Queens of the Stone Age smile. Keeping the volume up, “Hate” rolls in with more blistering guitar riffs and drums sounding like ocean waves breaking on rocks, there is a resilience that matches Brown’s words of defiance. Showing it is not all about loudness, “Out of the Rain” has haunting and somber moments in between the soaring vocals. A fitting final farewell, “Eternity” is a delicate send off with acoustic guitar and a more reserved Brown pleading his case. Sad and thoughtful, midway through, it kicks into steady electric guitars before fading into the night beautifully.
Nova is an album filled with depths and textures, solidifying each track individually. Blending several styles together, most notably Blues and Rock, RavenEye sound like veterans who are well beyond their years. While Blues and Rock hybrids may not be new, the unique combination presented on Nova is sure to garner worldwide attention and stay there. That is because these songs are well crafted, delivered with feeling, and sound oh-so crisp. That said, CrypticRock gives RavenEye’s Nova 5 out of 5 stars.
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