"We're too young to have daft haircuts and two step. We play 6 string guitars, drink beer and play metal.
We're Eyes of the Raven!
Combining stoner/groove and a shit load of beer, we're not claiming to have started a musical revolution, but we've sure as hell put a crack in the mold be there, or be somewhere really boring..."
As this EP is set for release in April 2018, the band have pushed themselves harder and further than ever before. Employing Dark North Media for not one, but two music videos; one for the title track, 'Crown of Serpents' and the second for 'I Endure', which will be unveiled closer to the launch date!
Well these guys certainly are busy bodies! and i have heard the name before but guiltily i have not heard anything till this ep! so i guess late than never..
Right so we start with "Black sun rises" a odd sounding almost metallic sounding metal tone starts in my left ear then straight into groovy chugs and almost P
hil Anselmo styles vocals but still having their own feel, the rhythm is a constant groove and it breaks up and down through the song, we then have a break down of the riff and it slows up and gets me nodding through and the solo creeping through and coming to the forefront to bring some dynamic to the song which is masterfully executed. good start so far.
Next into "Five year winter" blows the doors down straight away and comes in with a more harsh vocal and does not shy from groove and riffs! has more punch than first track which what you want tbh and some good headbanging moments, The down influences are very much present and its not a negative still crafting their own sound. The song has another well merged solo that transitions into a great build and a heavier more mental solo! (i headbanged at this point) then the groove comes back in! this track is solid gets me exited for whats next!
Now onto "embrace the void" AND THAT INTRO serious flashbacks to SYL and static-x and then the song just proceeds to remind me of the 90s! and i am loving it, This track feels more sincere and darker than previous tracks and did i mention the groove? This track is my favorite so far with its technicality and passion and that BREAKDOWN moment loved it(got me headbanging again)
Track four "crown of serpents" unsure how this will follow void..It starts off quite emotive and melodic and a interesting atmosphere that got me all chilled and this is evidently a "ballad" but it KICKS IN HEAVILY! sounding almost machine head then back into the atmosphere unsure about that transition but hey it worked! i do think this song came in too early in the album in my opinion this has some groove and melody cant complain but i am curious if they next song will pick up the momentum again!
Track five "Endure" comes in slow and heavy and has got some passionate grit but the album has dropped momentum at this point after the "ballad" so I'm wondering if this building up to it on next song? but no they picked up with some solid groove picking the energy back up!
track six "What binds us" comes in strong! brings back that heavy metal almost clutch feel you can definitely tell this is the closing track though due to the groove is less here and more chords and vocals are softer, its a decent track but i feel a bit let down in regards to momentum. There's some solid solo work again and the track rings out to build to something then doesn't, definitely the weakest track but its also a ending track so it feels like good closure.
Overview: I would listen again. Had me up and down banging my head and tapping, the album lacks a consistency in the momentum but that's all i can say that's negative, Even then its purely subjective! masterful groove which id argue there was not enough of and great solos and good vocals all way through! solid listen will defiantly see them live if i can!