You have to hand it to the good folks over at Cruz Del Sur Music, who always seem to have a knack for finding some fantastic heavy metal bands toiling around the underground. Ravensire hail from Portugal, and their brand new, third epic release is titled The Cycle Never Ends, consisting of eight songs brimming with majestic arrangements, galloping rhythms, and memorable melodies. Calling themselves 'epic metal' and listing influences such as Manowar and Omen, one can easily recommend these guys to fans of those bands as well as Paul DiAnno era Iron Maiden. The cover art, with its armor wearing & sword wielding warrior seemingly ready for battle, perfectly portrays the feel of The Cycle Never Ends, as crunchy, raging riffing and upbeat drums permeate fist pumping power metal anthems such as "Crosshaven", "Solitary Vagrant", and "Cromlech Revelations". "Procession of the Dead" takes on a more doom laden stance, while "Trapped in Dreams" features some dramatic twin guitar harmonies and vocal passages that instantly recall Iron Maiden's early albums. The band really dive into epic, prog-metal styled waters on the three part "White Pillars Trilogy", which feature some spectacular twin guitar work for any fan of Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, and Wishbone Ash.
The Cycle Never Ends is a very powerful statement from this young Portuguese band, and if you love epic, melodic power metal, Ravensire are quite easy to recommend. 2016 is off to a fine start with the release of this little gem!
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1 - Cromlech Revelations
2 - Crosshaven
3 - Solitary Vagrant
4 - Procession of the Dead
5 - Trapped in Dreams
6 - White Pillars Trilogy: Part I - Eternal Sun
7 - While Pillars Trilogy: Part II - Blood and Gold
8 - White Pillars Trilogy: Part III - Temple at the End of the World