EPK – Ravenous – Hubris (2021)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations.com
For fans of Blind Guardian, Falconer, Powerwolf, Sabaton, Unleash the Archers
Album Title: Hubris
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Label: Feast Beast Records
Distribution: Universal Music Japan & Spiritual Beast (Asia), CDBaby (Online)
“Lyrically, the album tells 10 stories from various sources all surrounding Hubris, the notion of arrogance and the hunger for power, resulting in the demise of the story’s main characters – beneath the surface, hidden messages are scattered throughout various lyrical lines that pertain to the band’s real-life experiences. Musically, the album is the marriage of European Anthemic Power Metal and American Speed Metal, with a penchant for speed and aggression accentuating the dynamics of the music.” – Ravenous
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“#2 on Top 30 Power Metal Albums of 2021”- Last Rites
“one to watch in the power metal scene” – Bravewords
“Hubris is absolutely teeming with chest-swelling energy and, well, hubris, which matches the comprehensive theme of arrogance leading to collapse explored by songs that emphasize everything from Street Fighter (Akuma / “Die 1,000 Deaths”), Goethe’s Der Erlkonig (“The Alder Queen”), and Steven Erikson’s remarkable Malazan series (“Bridgeburners”). R.A. Voltaire’s voice is deep and roaring—along the lines of someone like Jake Rogers of Visigoth—and he knows how to deliver a vocal hook. Surrounding him are the three remaining members who equal that power by kicking out an explosive energy via notably brisk riffing, aggressive drumming, and just enough ripping melody to prettify the corners. In short, Hubris absolutely is a power metal album custom-built for fans and bystanders alike. But even more so, it should be a case study for just how far a band can get when their vision and aptitude is heroic enough to overcome all the obstacles that typically damn those less committed into obscurity.” – Last Rites
“Calgary’s Ravenous have fused their flamboyant cross-breeding of European power metal and early ‘80s US speed metal, using it like a sharp ’n’ shiny scythe to forge their way through the crowded underground. Past accomplishments have included tours and gigs with Delain, Alestorm, Hammerfall, Striker and Powerglove with festival appearances and headliners interspersed in between. Considering all of the above, it shouldn’t come as a surprise a large part of this quintet’s musical vocabulary involved loving it speedy, epic, melodically grandiose while having a sword waving good time in the process.” – Decibel Magazine
“Ravenous aren’t afraid to put it all out there; symphonic assaults blend with all-out thrash metal, underpinned by some of the most enthusiastic power metal of the year. From start to finish Hubris is chock full of anthemic and contagious fist-pumping, head-banging songs featuring dramatic vocals and shredding solos. Power metal fans rejoice: Hubris is a worthy addition to your collection.” – Heavy Music Headquarters
“A great album of Power Metal, and even more. 9.5/10” – Metal Express Radio
“a sparkling speed metal fuelled power metal rampage, raising fists high, banging heads hard, and causing fans everywhere to roar out loud with delight. 5/5” – Metal-Roos
“a sparkling speed metal fuelled power metal rampage, raising fists high, banging heads hard, and causing fans everywhere to roar out loud with delight.10/10” – Metal Gods TV
“Hubris reminds me of early Dragonforce (the faster numbers) and Orden Ogan (the mid-paced material) though the songwriting is a notch or two below those bands currently. This is a solid second album from Ravenous, who display significant upside, and fans of the aforementioned bands will want to give it spin. 3.75/5” – The Metal Crypt
“From its tension building crescendo of an intro to its lightning quick pace, ‘…Of Beasts And Faust’ is a glorious rampage of speed blended power metal, setting land speed records left right and centre.” – Frenzy Fire
“Ignoring Ravenous E.H. would be as foolish as turning your back on Arya Stark” – Tinnitist
“Ravenous is not your squeaky clean, hyper-active, frilly shirts with puffy sleeves, keyboard-driven, ballerina, musical-box type of Power Metal, but more your mud and blood and grime with style” – Metal Rules
“A power metal album with enough to the longstanding traditions that makes the style fun and exciting for those who crave melodies and hooks” – Metal Observer
“Everything is here and there are no weaknesses. A real gem that will be written for years! I am waiting for more! Until then, “repeat” remains!” – Power Metal Warrior
“An abundance of Power Metal motifs that blend into a more or less captivating musical waterfall” – Metal Forever
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Title: Hubris
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Label: Feast Beast Records
Distribution: Universal Music Japan & Spiritual Beast (Asia), CDBaby (Online)
Track Listing:
1. Carnage in Carthage (4:37)
2. Astral Elixir (5:16)
3. Son of Storms (4:33)
4. Die 1000 Deaths (5:24)
5. Bridgeburner (6:10)
6. The Alder Queen (3:17)
7. March of Hunger (4:47)
8. Claw is the Law (5:24)
9. Onwards & Upwards (4:09)
10. …Of Beasts and Faust (10:21)
Total Length 53:57
Japanese Version Exclusives
11. Cakaw Te Partiro (Bonus) – 3:13
12. 一瞬千撃 (Bonus) – 5:25
Total Length 62:34
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Ravenous E.H.
• All songs written by: R. A. Voltaire (Music: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12. Lyrics: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12), Jake Wright (Music: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Lyrics: 2, 5, 7), Skyler Mills (Music: 7), Francesco Sartori (Music: 11), Lucio Quarantotto (Lyrics: 11)
• Produced by: R. A. Voltaire, Jake Wright
• Mixed by: Fredrik Nordström
• Mastered by: Fredrik Nordström
• Album Artwork by: Moch Luthfi (LuthSlaughterArt)
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album Band Line Up:
R. A. Voltaire: Lead Vocals (1-12), Backing Vocals (1-12), Acoustic Guitar (9), Guitar Solo (10)
Jake Wright: Rhythm Guitar (1-12), Lead Guitar, (1-12), Guitar Solo (1-12), Acoustic Guitar (3, 5, 8, 10), Gang Vocals (1, 4, 7, 8, 10)
Skyler Mills: Guitar Solo (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12)
Chris Valax: Bass Guitar (1-12)
Dave Crnkovic: Drums (1-12)
Daniel Carpenter: Orchestration (1-12), Piano (9), Guitar solo (10)
Heinrich Yoshio: Guitar Solo (4, 12)
Nina Osegueda: Lead Vocals (6)
Wolfbeard O’Brady: Lead Vocals, Gang Vocals, Accordion (8)
Deckhard Cordwain: Mandolin (8)
Smithy Crow: Gang Vocals (8)
Mathias Blad: Lead Vocals (9)
Vincent Jones: Lead Vocals (10)
Sam Wright: Banjo (10), Gang vocals (1, 4, 7, 8, 10)
Elly Uz: Gang vocals (1, 4, 7, 8, 10)
Live Band Line Up:
R. A. Voltaire: Vocals
Jake Wright: Guitar
Skyler Mills: Guitar
Chris Valax: Bass
Dave Crnkovic: Drums
Discography:
2021 – Hubris (LP)
2019 – Eat the Fallen (LP)
2019 – Conquering the Sun (Single)
2017 – Eternal Hunger (EP)
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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. The working title of the album before it came together was “Symphony of Savagery” which was a play off of the juxtaposition of aggressive metal music with sophisticated orchestration. After the album took form, Ravenous struggled to come up with an appropriate title for this album for months. When they realized that each song had underlying themes of Hubris, arrogance, and personal actions leading to one’s downfall… they realized the title had been there all along
2. Ravenous had custom live outfits created for them in 2019 by Kim Dylla from Kylla Custom Rockwear (Abbath, Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, Candlemass, Carcass, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, it’s a long list…) , only to get to use them a small handful of times before the world shut down amidst the COVID-19 pandemic! They should see the stage again soon..
3. Ravenous’ photo shoot for this album was interrupted by a grizzly bear! They scared it away by yelling THE CLAW IS THE LAW!
4. Robert Kukla was editing the vocals for this album at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. Fredrik Nordstrom heard the songs and reached out to Ravenous to hire him to mix and master the album, Quoted saying “this is the cheesiest thing I’ve ever heard… I HAVE to mix this!”.
5. Nearly the entire ‘Hubris’ album – along with a handful of unused tracks – was written in approximately 2 weeks by Rav and Jake at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown in March and April 2019, and then further refined and augmented over the following months. The dark atmosphere, tension, and aggressive nature of many of the songs have to do with the uncertainty and anxiety they were feeling at the time.
L – R: Ravenous Current Line Up | Skyler Mills (Guitar) | Dave Crnkovic (Drums) | R. A. Voltaire (Vocals) | Chris Valax (Bass) | Jake Wright (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Monika Deviat
Ravenous was forged in the spring of 2016 in Calgary, Canada as the brainchild of vocalist R.A.V, known for his exploits leading Edmonton-based satirical terrorist Metal band Villainizer. Ravenous also started with members of other established Western Canadian metal bands: Viathyn, Scythia, and Black Pestilence. Influences ranging from Thrash, Power, Black, and Progressive metal came together to deliver heroic Heavy Metal anthems in the style of Manowar, Sabaton, Iced Earth, and Running Wild.
Rife with soaring vocals, thundering percussion, and shredding solos, the ‘Eternal Hunger’ EP, recorded and self-produced by Ravenous in December 2016, was released in January 2017 and featured just a taste of what was to come.
In 2018, together with founding guitarist Jake Wright (Viathyn) and bassist Chris Valax (Black Pestilence), Ravenous recruited drummer Dave Crnkovic (Viathyn) and guitarist Skyler Mills (W.M.D). This lineup would go on to play several shows, including the debut of the Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver as well as dates with video game metal band Powerglove.
In preparation for their upcoming full-length album ‘Eat the Fallen’, Ravenous released a music video for ‘Conquering the Sun’ – dedicated to the 70,000 Tons of Metal festival, featuring the festival’s staff and fans.
After a successful pre-order campaign reaching their $5,000 presale goal, Ravenous signed to Feast Beast Records and set out to release ‘Eat the Fallen’ on April 26, 2019. Combining their various influences across the gamut of Metal, they coined a new term for their music – Metallum Heroica Celeritas, Heroic Speed Metal.
The album was engineered by frontman R.A.V, mixed and mastered by Sacha Laskow at Perfect Filth Studios, and features orchestration from Jon Phipps (OrchestralMetal.com), guest solos from Charlie Parra del Riego (Solo, Difonia, M.A.S.A.C.R.E., Ex-Kobra and the Lotus), Tim Brown (Striker, Ex-Kobra and the Lotus), and samples by former drummer James “Little V” Mills.
Ravenous announced several Western-Canadian shows in support of the new album which including Alestorm on select Canadian tour dates and performance on Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver.
Now in 2021, Ravenous is set to bring out another heavy music feast with their next full-length entitled “Hubris” due out October 2021 via Feast Beast Records for North America and Europe along with a Japanese release via Spiritual Beast Records, which will include two exclusive tracks.
“When we formed we were originally looking to make fun, simple, fist-pumping songs that a crowd could sing along with. After touring for the Eat the Fallen record in 2019 and playing some great shows across Western Canada, we started thinking about the direction we were going to take our second album. When the Pandemic hit and the world shut down, the songs started to flow out organically in a darker tone than they had previously. We wanted to maintain the catchiness and simplicity that we had focused on in the early days, but tighten up the writing, performances, and editing so that we could put out something professional and punchy. We were meticulous and anal when it came to how everything was done, and the fantastic production job by Fredrik Nordstrom really showcases everything we set out to achieve. We recruited several of our friends (and one long-time vocal idol!) to contribute guest vocals and instrumentation to fill out the album with the appropriate amount of atmosphere and variation.” – Ravenous
Lyrically, the new record tells ten stories from various sources all surrounding Hubris, the notion of arrogance and the hunger for power, resulting in the demise of the story’s main characters – beneath the surface, hidden messages are scattered throughout various lyrical lines that pertain to the band’s real-life experiences. Musically, Ravenous offers up a marriage of European Anthemic Power Metal and American Speed Metal, with a penchant for speed and aggression accentuating the dynamics of the music. So pump your fist, bang your head, and roar your lungs out to show your hunger for more!
“Hubris” will be out on October 22, 2021
Shared Stage with: Alestorm, Hammerfall, Delain, Aephanemer, Powerglove, Striker, Crimson Shadows
Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Alestorm Canadian Tour
2019 – Eat the Fallen Tour
2019 – Hyperspace Metal Festival II – Vancouver, BC
2018 – Powerglove North American Tour
2018 – Hyperspace Metal Festival – Vancouver, BC
2017 – Hammerfall/Delain North American Tour
2017 – Striker Tour of Alberta
Music Placements:
Downloadable ‘Dragon Shout’ in Skyrim
Past Canadian Radio Charts:
2019 – Eat the Fallen – #8 National (source: Earshot)
2019 – Eat the Fallen – #1 Calgary (source Earshot)
Past Features:
Recommended by Sarah Kitteringham on BangerTV – YouTube
[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
Photo Credit: Nicco Van Hamja
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