Riven by Ravens, hailing from the sunny expanses of California, have made a colossal splash with their debut album “Venerate,” a record that detonates preconceived notions of hard rock with nuclear intensity. Brian Havrilla and Paul Wilson have not shied away from pushing boundaries; their fearless experimentation infuses “Venerate” with a distinctly futuristic vibe, a rarity in rock music. Riven by Ravens artfully melds ferocity with melody, challenging the conventions of the genre. This album is a critical moment in rock, featuring 14 tracks that each transform hard rock into a timeless, influential force, relevant across any era.

photo by Elle Jaye

The album blends progressive rock elements, melodic metal, heavy alternative rock, and piano, allowing it to transcend genre boundaries while attracting new listeners who previously were not interested in rock music. The impeccable heavy vocals alternately soar and gently flow, revealing pain. The album’s sound is full of contrasts: groovy vocals mixed with massive drums and deep bass parts add a cinematic quality and impeccable energy to the music. I recommend you hit pause, carve out some quality time to indulge in the ultimate heavy sound, and spin the debut album “Venerate” by Riven By Ravens. I promise you, this band is going to be your new hard rock obsession.

The album kicks off with “The Assistant,” where deep, rumbling piano notes blend seamlessly with Havrilla’s haunting vocals. It’s a serene moment that Riven By Ravens invite you to share, opening a portal to their expansive, intense world. After the slow-burning intro, “A Wise Man” unexpectedly plunges you into a relentless groove of hard rock fury. The fiery riffs, pounding drums, and flawless screams exude raw passion and ferocity. I’m impressed by how Riven By Ravens progressively unleash a heavier metal sound with each track, mastering the art of contrasts and mood. In “Trainwreck” and “Ten Years Ago Today,” the band unveils lyrical depth and emotional heft. The slow, enthralling start of “Trainwreck” builds into a hypnotic frenzy. The atmosphere intensifies as the vocals, laden with pain and power, electrify the air. With a timing of 7.18 minutes, Riven By Ravens find ample space to accelerate and deliver a crushing, heavy sound with fiery solos.

Paul Wilson’s drumming on this album rips through with a vengeance. The complexity of his drum parts? It’s like a beast unleashed, channeling pure rage. For me, that’s a crucial element in heavy metal—it’s all about that raw, explosive emotion. He throws something of himself into every track, adding a unique, authoritative edge to his performance. And when paired with the screaming vocals, it creates a delightful madness, an exhilarating rush that’s truly captivating. It’s absolutely killer!

photo by Elle Jaye

“Ten Years Ago Today,” with its orchestral opening that transitions into a true maelstrom of hard rock, captivates with its almost classical structure. If you find yourself nodding to the beat or wanting to turn up the volume, give in to that feeling, don’t hold yourself back. Riven By Ravens’ music is infused with that very spark and inspiration that lead us forward to creating better sound. And this feeling is conveyed with Riven By Ravens’ music. It’s exactly why you want to listen to tracks from the album “Venerate” over and over again.

The middle of the album is split by the dual tracks “The Pieces Pt. 1” and “The Pieces Pt. 2.” “The Pieces Pt. 1” is a dark, dark narrative where light orchestral sounds blend with hypnotic vocals. It creates a feeling of the beginning of something grand, as if darkness descends upon the earth and there is no salvation other than the music of Riven By Ravens. Then, “The Pieces Pt. 2” unfolds the climax of the setup, offering liberation. The vocals transform, the guitars roar, and the drums perform as if it’s the most important show in the world. I like how Riven By Ravens play with the atmosphere, and if you haven’t been captivated by their unique sound yet, these tracks will make it impossible to stop. However, Riven By Ravens saved the coolest and most powerful stuff for the finale.

In “The Delusionist,” the fire rages to incredible proportions, offering salvation through flawless, Havrilla’s vocals with vivid hooks. The track “Quiver of Sorrows” seems to close out the sound of the release, starting its narrative through heavy and somber keys. I appreciate this move, where the first and last tracks feel as though they become one whole, creating a conceptual tie. You know, it’s impossible not to be shocked when the voice breaks through the keys. This dystopian atmosphere and the breaking of the fourth wall immediately burst into consciousness. A triumphant culmination.

“Venerate” has already snagged shout-outs from rock legends like Chad Gray of Mudvayne and William DuVall of Alice In Chains. I’m definitely jumping on the Riven By Ravens bandwagon—this album totally rocks! Venerate” is a heavy, cinematic, and memorable release that everyone who values quality music with deep meaning should hear. And now imagine how it will sound live! Yes, everyone has the opportunity to experience the drive of “Venerate” firsthand. The album premiere will take place on October 20th, Sunday, at Goldfield in Roseville, California, warming up for D.R.I. Riven By Ravens will perform with new band members such as Joe Ambrecht (guitar) and Mikey McAvoy (bass), and promise to turn this show into an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss it.