Are you a fan of the macabre and the twisted? Do you have a fondness for the brutal and the bazaar? When you heard Darth Vader speak of going over to the dark side, did you think that sounded like a thought-provoking proposition to you? Then you my friend, may be interested in Raven Black, the uncompromising female-fronted metal band turning heads with their gritty tunes and dark carnival inspired visuals. It’s this mixture of fun and frightening that pulled me in, and it was their haunting hooks and sinister style that kept me wanting to know more about this band.
Last year, Raven Black released the EP ‘Seven Sins,’ which feature seven songs each as good as the last. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars,” the first track on the record, is the perfect introduction to the group thanks to its circus-themed rhythm which metal fans could liken to ‘Black Waltz’ era Avatar. To be honest, I loved every song on ‘Seven Sins,’ partially because it was as if someone took some of my favorite things, such as sideshows, Stitched Up Heart, voodoo, Daisy Chainsaw, Butcher Babies, vintage horror movies, unhinged vocals, unwielding guitars, and dominating drums, put them in a blender, and then added just enough LSD to make things totally unpredictable. Furthermore, I can feel the emotion behind the bands lyrics, such as in the song “Still Healing.” When vocalist Raven Black sings, “You let me fall. You Let Me Drown. You let me down. I’m still healing,” she doesn’t just throw those words away. They’re spoken in a way that makes them action verbs, bringing them to life. And isn’t that what we all want in our music? For it to transcend and help us to feel like we aren’t alone, even during our loneliest moments? “Damaged,” on the other hand, showcases the bands spirited sick side with rapid-fire pedals, a chugging hook, and seriously brutal vocals that prove just how hard women in metal can rock.
‘Seven Sins’ is delightfully demented, and offers just the right balance of sincerity and a band that does not take themselves too seriously. Raven Black is definitely one of those bands to watch, even if they make you feel as if you want to sleep with one eye open.
Kelly Mason
Chimera Magazine