I’m always typically predictable of revivalist rock acts that put their art to the forefront. Why is it so? Is it due to an inherent bias? Is it due to my own personal unwillingness to take a revivalist act as its own entity? Usually, I’d have to be upfront- it isn’t my personal preference to label them as such. Usually, pitfalls in composition, songwriting, and production make it where such acts end up failing miserably, drawn to the unfortunate abyss that they have created their own selves. However, today’s review is a far cry from that observation. In this case, we have a band that pays homage to their references and idealised artists, as well as being from the 90s rock scene, without producing an inferior piece of art. In fact, it is the complete opposite.
In today’s review, we have the wonderful chance of encountering ‘Ten Years Ago Today’ by Riven by Ravens. Riven by Ravens is an American hard rock band from Central Valley, California. It is not merely a hard rock band, as it also employs aspects from other rock subgenres such as progressive rock and melodic metal. It was founded in 2022 with two members who have played and performed music for decades, Brian Havrilla and Paul Wilson. They were the members of another band named Ghost Army, which unfortunately disbanded after the pandemic hit. However, with shared influences such as Tool, Architects, Chevelle, Deftones, A Perfect Circle, Slipknot, Currents, Nine Inch Nails, and Rise Against (all multidisciplinary rock acts that have employed quite interesting and innovative musicalities in their approach to their genre and transcending their genre), Brian and Paul decided to embark on a continuation of their musical journey as described here in an interview.
This release also marks the final release before their debut album, titled ‘Venerate’. The first single from the album is anticipated to release on August 4th 2024. The album is described as ‘a beautiful, uniquely crafted progressive album full of aggressive, angst ridden, earth pounding vocals, heavy guitars, massive, precise drums and thick bass layers all sprinkled with soft piano and keys… Coming together to create a triumphant, beautiful, massive album‘ and frankly, if this current single is a preview to the album itself, I’d say the description is fairly accurate as to what their music sounds like.
Read the full review by clicking below