Review: “Rise Up Clan” by Raven Banner

“It’s been a long road here, but we are thrilled for you to finally join us on this journey! ‘Rise Up Clan’ is an unrelenting album taking listeners on an epic voyage through the realms of our Scandinavian heritage.” ~ Raven Banner

Produced by Alexander Backlund (Soen, In Mourning, October Tide) at Fascination Street Studios, where world-renowned producer Jens Bogren (Opeth, Sepultura, Kreator) took care of mixing and mastering, “Rise Up Clan” marks the debut album milestone for Raven Banner. Inspired by the history and mythology of Scandinavia, the band have prepared for the discerning listener a collection of anthemic tales of Viking victories both harsh and melodic upon which to gaze longingly…

…with roots in the early Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal sound, “Rise Up Clan” begins the debut album from Raven Banner with a thunderous call to arms. Pummelling percussion and driving rhythms are accented by melodic leads and a scorching solo that suggest that the band may become a four piece for live performances, such is the abundance of the parts which raise the hairs on the back of the neck. There the feel of bands like Amon Amarth with lyrical hints at Power Metal themes and influences within this blood and thunder opening which carry on throughout the torrid affair, giving it a backbone on which to rest. “Never Yield” has a more dramatic flare to it, the driving riffs echoing the storms of nature as another clenched fist chant-a-long anthem is roared forth with the voice of a wrathful God.

Great lengths have been gone to in order to ensure a crisp clean sound with modern production despite an overall older style and that means that cuts like “Sound The Horns” sound absolutely huge with Bogren nailing the mix. This one feels like the title has been changed to fit the Viking themes rather than to match the lyrics, the chorus of “Raise the horns for me, one last time!” roared through another whirlwind of percussive battery with a steady bass line that rides the groove allowing the solo to shine once more. The storytelling throughout the album is impeccable, avoiding the cheese of Pirate Metal acts like Alestorm and instead delivering a collection of cuts like make the band sound like they are Vikings returning to our realm to wage war on modern society.

“Beware The Fury” is as weighty and gritty as the other material on offer, perhaps a more obvious single as it has a lower pace setting than it’s predecessor giving it a more streamlined approach. “No Hero’s Death” then grabs you by the neck like Predator lifting Arnold Schwarzenegger clean off the ground, the sheer power that the and are able to generate a headbangers delight before a meandering solo sets the world ablaze. Ancient warriors raise their swords for battle once more in “Thor’s Anthem“, another to raise a poison chalice to with the utmost respect. The harsh vocals give the lyrics a real sense of integrity while the melodies dance on the cerebral cortex to create something surprisingly uplifting with an arena sing-a-long sized chorus.

In truth, it’s hard not to fall in love with this debut album on the first listen as it has pretty much everything you could possibly want in a modern Metal record, the barbed grooves of “Hordes Of Vikings” along with its jackhammer kick footwork making it a joy to behold. There are a couple of seemingly old school Sepultura inspired moments in “Gutbound“, the rumbling bass and pounding rhythms breaking for an atmospheric passage like the calm before the storm but it’s “Raven’s Call” that wins the duel. That’s because the soaring solo lifts it like a phoenix from the ashes during the blood thirsty call to arms, elevating the offering to higher realm of existence, whereas the perpetual darkness of the previous cut makes it fun without the shine. The album closes with “Twilight of the Gods“, another cut of rhythmically tight aggression wrapped in dark melody that call for an inferno of a Norse funeral with a mournful quality giving it something unique. A stunning first offering from a band of seasoned veterans [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Rise Up Clan
2. Never Yield
3. Sound The Horns
4. Beware The Fury
5. No Hero’s Death
6. Thor’s Anthem
7. Hordes Of Vikings
8. Gutbound
9. Raven’s Call
10. Twilight of the Gods

“Rise Up Clan” by Raven Banner is out 1st September 2023 with pre-orders available over at bandcamp.