RAVENS CREED

Formed in 2006, and already with a handful of releases to their name on Czech label Doomentia Records, Brit metallers Ravens Creed have unleashed their sonically merciless thrash offensive once again in the form of four track, eight minute EP 'Nestless and Wild'. Serving as a teaser ahead of a promised new full-length release, these recordings are the first to feature new vocalist Al Osta (aka "The Syrian Destroyer") who was recently recruited after the departure of former frontman Ben Ward who left due to time constraints, presumably to focus all his efforts in primary band Orange Goblin. So together with ex-Sabbat bassist Frazer Craske, ex-Iron Monkey/Cerebral Fix axeman Steve Watson, and onetime Skyclad/The Clan Destined sticksman Jay Graham, Ravens Creed are back to full strength. Although the playing time of this release is perhaps a little on the short side, they still manage to deliver an abundance of heavy-as-fuck riffage, pounding basslines, and a barrage of thunderous drumming, topped off by Osta's effectively guttural vocal delivery, and all that within the confines of four short compositions. With the longest clocking in at a little over two minutes in duration it's proof that a song is as long as it needs to be in its purpose. And that purpose is to assault your ears with a quick hit of raw, dirty, straight-to-the-point, unpretentious, in-your-face British metal at its very best. Self-professed "Venom-worshipping scumbags", the influence of Cronos and co is discernible in Ravens Creed's general sound and song structures, and they even cheekily feature a moment of overt Venom pastiche in opener 'Stampede of Skeletons' with the line "Lay down your weed for the gods Ravens Creed" which is delivered in the same style as "Lay down your soul to the gods rock 'n' roll" from the infamous 'Black Metal'. Aside from the Venom influence, there's a whole range of thrash allusions with stylistic nods towards the likes of Nuclear Assault, Exodus, Sodom, Slayer, and even the recently reactivated Evildead, but the songs themselves are an amalgamation of said metal of yore which Ravens Creed have crafted into a sound that is distinctly their own and as fresh sounding as it is downright dirty. If no-nonsense, intense sounding thrash is your thing, then Ravens Creed will most certainly be for you.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Doomentia Records

EP

NESTLESS AND WILD

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

7:42

RELEASE DATE:

January 2011

TRACK LISTING

1) Stampede of Skeletons
2) Breaking the Lord
3) Shoot the Wounded
4) The Wires Will Kill You

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

"...raw, dirty, straight-to-the-point, unpretentious, in-your-face British metal at its very best."