This week we caught up with melodic metalcore band The Raven Age at the Key Club in Leeds, with opening acts Sertraline and Defences. The gig was in support of their recent album launch 'Conspiracy' and part of their European tour which also takes the same name.

After an impressive build up from both support bands The Raven Age were ready to take the stage. The venue seemed to suit the bands well, with a small yet intimate atmosphere.

The show got started with ‘Betrayal of the Mind’ (video embedded) from their new album Conspiracy - this caught instant interaction from the enthusiastic audience and everyone seemed fixated on the act. The group commented that it was actually their first time in Leeds, which could perhaps contribute to the slightly lower numbers of attendance, considering they're a London based group. Nevertheless, they continued with an impressive and intense set, mixing songs from their new album Conspiracy and some of their older classics.

Although slightly heavier than we're used to, I could still appreciate the show, talent and effort that was on display. Periodically they switched to more slower numbers which seemed to contrast well and also pleased the fans. As the pace dropped, they even had the crowd of keen fans waving their phone torches to an acoustic track ‘The Face that Launched a Thousand Ships’.

Throughout their set there was plenty of moshing, head bobbing, thrashing and hair swinging from both the audience and the group themselves. Along with the occasional impressive drum stick flick, heavy riffs and technical solos - they definitely put on a good show.

Looking at The Raven Age's background the group arent short of inspiration and talent either. They were formed in London in 2009 by guitarists Dan Wright and George Harris (son of Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris). They have been dubbed as the next big hope in UK metal, with high praise coming from the likes of Kerrang, Metal Hammer and Powerplay.

Their new album 'Conspiracy' was named after the collective noun for a group of ravens, Conspiracy is equally melodic as it is heavy, with big riffs and hook laden vocals and instrumentals making this a diverse listen and a step up from their 2017 debut. As a band they have matured and developed their songwriting which shows throughout this release and have a refreshed sound thanks to the recruitment of new singer Matt James.

About

Their name derives from the legend of the ravens at the tower of London and their interest in historical myths and events is something that has shaped the band’s aesthetics and identity. The new album contains songs referencing Joan Of Arc (check out ‘Fleur De Lis’) and the Second World War, while other tracks such as ’Surrogate’ and ‘Betrayal Of The Mind’ delve deeper into subjects such as mental health adding a personal touch to the record.

They are currently touring their UK and European headline tour in support of their album, before spending the summer on the road playing to thousands of people and also supporting Iron Maiden in the US.

EUROPE – MARCH/APRIL

Sun 31st – Biebob, Vosselaar,

BELGIUMMon 1st – La Boule Noire,

Paris, FRANCE Wed 3rd – Backstage Halle,

Munich, GERMANY Thu 4th – Colossaal,

Aschaffenburg, GERMANYSat 6th – Luxor, Cologne,

GERMANY Sun 7th – Cassiopeia, Berlin,

GERMANY Tue 9th – Headcrash,

Hamburg, GERMANY Wed 10th – Poppodium W2,

Den Bosch, HOLLAND

https://www.facebook.com/TheRavenAge

https://www.theravenage.com