RAVEN GOD - 'Fenrir in Chains' [UK Black/Viking Metal]

Band: RAVEN GOD
Release: 'FENRIR IN CHAINS'
Genre: BLACK/DEATH/VIKING METAL
Country: UNITED KINGDOM
Label: UNSIGNED
Year of Release: 2020
Link: https://ravengodmetal.bandcamp.com/releases


RAVEN GOD are a UK Black Metal band who have released an album that feels more like an extended demo. Sporting a simple but refreshing photo for it's cover art with medieval font, 'Fenrir in Chains' is quick off the mark to highlight it's Viking influence. (Straight away references to Odin (Raven God) and Fenrir (The epic wolf and offspring of Loki) Production wise the album is clear and well produced without being overly flashy and musically Raven God are more than competent whilst still leaving room for improvement and development. I'm going to make an extremely sloppy journalistic point here so I apologise profusely. This album has similarities with Amon Amarth (Also to a slightly lesser extent German band Obscurity), and that is a compliment.  Amon Amarth per-se. The vocal work, the lyrical precision (Obviously the themes are the same, but Raven God have put together a very coherent, well flowing lyrical performance similar to the Swedish giants.) and some of the fast, straight forward riffs that begs the comparison, as does a lot of the song structure and melodies such as during 'Hall of the Slain' and 'Hanging'. Take 'Once Sent From the Golden Hall' era Amon Amarth, strip out a little of their intense sound but add in a darker strain in the riffs and that in a nutshell is Raven God. Melodic death metal, heavy on the Vikings and with a dash of black metal... right up until 'Fate of the Gods'.

'Fate of the Gods' is a sleeker, faster beast than previously encountered and now finally the black metal influence begins to assert dominance. Here raven God move away from my previous analogies and forge their own way in a more noticeable fashion. Here any warmth within the bands sound is bleached away, the riffs are powerful and brooding and this sound continues into 'Midgard Serpent' which is equally catchy, driven and biting. What makes this such a good album is both it's dexterity and the clash of styles. It's fast, determined and chocked full of Viking lore, and in this age of social distancing, death, politics and sport without fans, surely that is all anyone truly wants? [8 out of 10]