The Raven Age is a heavy metal-cum-hard rock band from the U.K. Their sound is rich in intricate, yet accessible melodies and vocal harmonies, a wide dynamic palette, clean lead vocals, twin leads guitars, and up mixed drumming. The sound of 2017's
Darkness Will Rise, their debut album, updated the New Wave of British Heavy Metal aesthetic from the late 1970s and early 1980s balanced by the theatrically styled songwriting prowess of
Ronnie James Dio and the musical sophistication of
Fates Warning. 2019's Conspiracy was more progressive in utilizing chamber strings and atmospherics; it was the first to feature current lead vocalist Matt James (formerly of
Blacktop Mojo). 2021's Exile was more progressive still, juxtaposing elaborately layered acoustic interludes and diverse instrumentation with multi-part vocal harmonies and melodic hooks.
The Raven Age formed in London in 2009. The project initially began when George Harris (son of
Iron Maiden bassist
Steve Harris) and Dan Wright started writing music together. Eventually they had amassed a body of material that inspired them to form a full band. By 2013,
the Raven Age was a fully formed quintet, with Matt Cox joining on bass and backing vocals, Michael Burrough on lead vocals, and Jai Patel on drums. (Harris has explained that the name of the band was inspired by the mythology surrounding the ravens that reside in the Tower of London; legend has it that if the ravens ever leave, the tower and the monarchy will fall.)
In 2014, the band released their self-titled and self-funded, self-titled debut EP, which placed on several internet charts without the aid of press or a label. Two years later,
the Raven Age were on the verge of launching their first album, but prior to that they supported
Iron Maiden on their Book of Souls tour, and also toured with
Mastodon,
Gojira,
Opeth, and
Ghost.
Having built a solid reputation through their live shows and an EP, the band signed to
BMG for their debut long-player.
Darkness Will Rise came out in December 2016, preceded by lead single "Salem's Fate," which was inspired by the Salem Witch trials of 1692. Leading up to their second album, 2019's Conspiracy, Wright and Burrough left, replaced by former
Blacktop Mojo singer Matt James and guitarist Tony Maue. This lineup also issued the band's even more accessible third full-length Exile in September 2021. ~ Bekki Bemrose