When you love epic guitar riffs, black metal drums and all things of the occult, you are sure to love Hymns of the Crimson Raven, a new album by progressive metal band Etherius released November 1st. A strong and impactful instrumental journey that takes you for a ride full of electric rhythms and haunted melodies creating visuals in the mindseye of faraway lands and harrowing pursuits. Bloody daggers and skulls on a moody landscape come quickly into mind.
The album opens strongly with punchy guitars and horns to start the quest in “Arctic Shadowscape,” taking it down to some chunkier and lower tones for the second track, “Gilded Shadows of the Oblivion.” My personal favorite was the third track, “Sedna,” which opened on an ethereal note soon followed by some of the heavier, bone-crushing riffs and breakdowns of the album. This track stood out to me as the most unique on the album and truly gave a sense of foreboding doom, conquer and victory.
Next was a track titled after the album, “Hymns of the Crimson Raven” which continued to carry the epic pacing with guitar chugging and various lamentful string cries. “Beneath the Land and Sea” took things down to a slower pace providing for a moment of contemplation and perhaps mourning. I especially loved the added element of what sounded like a bell tolling to add an ominous feeling of doom and dread.
The pacing then picks back up for the last few tracks with fierce and ferocious guitars and added orchestral elements creating what could easily be a fantasy film or video game soundtrack. After shooting Beyond the Gates in Bergen, Norway this year, I could easily see Etherius as part of the lineup for future renditions and hope to have the chance to check them out live.
Overall, an amazing progressive metal album with musical themes trailing through death and victory.
Tracklist:
- “Arctic Shadowscape” (strong intro; jumps right into it, lots of fun higher guitar melodies, introduces some horns and orchestral sounds making it very epic)
- “Gilded Shadows of the Oblivion” (lower, chunkier riffs)
- “Sedna” (favorite so far, angelic intro into heavy riffs into some breakdowns)
- “Hymns of the Crimson Raven” (another epic one; named after the album title)
- “Beneath the Land and Sea” (slowed down)
- “The Dark Oracle” (back to fast)
- “Adlivun”
- “Veins of Silver and Sorrow”
MORE ABOUT ETHERIUS:
Since forming in 2017, Etherius made themselves known for their unique take on the modern guitar instrumental genre. Refusing to bend the knee to trends, the group’s direction stands its ground while elevating their sound to new and uncharted territories. Etherius, led by guitarist Jay Tarantino, have managed to modernize the approach of classic influences such as Megadeth and Testament to inspirational new heights.
Their newest album, “Hymns of the Crimson Raven,” marks the start of an entirely new chapter for the neoclassical thrash metallers. Produced by Angel Vivaldi and mixed by Jason Suecof (Trivium, All That Remains, August Burns Red), their upcoming album is sure to turn the guitar instrumental genre on its side with a much needed power-packed release of ferocious guitar playing and unrelenting thrash riffs with a classic aura.
Their debut EP, “Thread of Life” garnered them the fanbase to open for acts such as Allegaeon and Within The Ruins. Slated to tour with Allegaeon in 2020, the unfortunate circumstance of the pandemic kept them home and focused on their second release “Chaos. Order. Renewal.” produced by guitar virtuoso Angel Vivaldi and mixed/mastered by Chris Clancy at Audioworks Productions. After the album’s success, it was clear that Etherius were here to stay and continue to push the boundaries of what progressive thrash metal can become.
2024 has seen the debut of their third release which takes the genre of guitar instrumental to new and unexplored heights. Stay tuned towards the future, as Etherius is just getting started.