The Raven Age have announced their highly anticipated third album Blood Omen. Out July 7th it
is their first record with Music For Nations Sony Music. The album is available to pre-order
now here. Marking the announcement they have unleashed the unforgiving lead single ‘Parasite’.
A barrage of riffs from guitarists George Harris Tommy Gentry and bassist Matt Cox ushers in
the Blood Omen alongside the pummelling of Jai Patel on drums and a growl from Matt James (MJ)
which transcends into wide-reaching soaring vocals. ‘Parasite’ is bolstered by a blistering
solo from guest guitarist Andy James of Five Finger Death Punch. I've known the lads in The
Raven Age for years now ” says Andy. I really like the direction they are heading with this
third record and enjoyed doing a guest solo for ‘Parasite’. It’s a heavy but memorable track
that hits you right between the eyes.”Having established their name as one of the finest in
modern British metal thanks to two brilliant albums 2019’s Conspiracy and Darkness Will Rise
debut in 2017 The Raven Age have garnered over 75 million streams worldwide and have toured
heavily across the globe. For the Essex quintet’s all-important third album” as George Harris
puts it they have expanded on every level. This motivation is written into the album’s
concept. Following the theme of its two predecessors the raven motif looms large this time
centering on the overthrowing of old masters with the band’s Raven King character coming to
prominence. Even in the artwork things are bolder a close up of The Raven King says George
taking his rightful place on the throne.” The theme weaves itself throughout Blood Omen
kicking off with ‘Parasite’ as MJ explains There’s the legend about the ravens in the Tower Of
London that if they were ever to leave the monarchy falls. Without being too political
‘Parasite’ is hinting at these dark notes of the hierarchy the bottom feeders that tend to run
everything and then screw everything up. Our Raven King he's basically ascending to the throne
to bring down the monarchy bring down the establishment weed out the parasites as it
were.”It's a heavy track ” MJ continues We knew we wanted to come back with a real punch
between the eyes. It’s the full introduction to our Raven King and it touches on elements of
everything to come. It really shows where we’re going on this album.”Blood Omen pushes
everything further than ever before. The choruses are made for arenas the riffs are taut
direct and free of fat. It all makes for a grand musical stage on which the record’s concept
plays out. ‘Forgive & Forget’ rushes in on a scalding lead guitar riff while the epic
‘Nostradamus’ is a tale of the great prophet. The heavy raging ‘Serpents Tongue’ meanwhile
deals with deceit and never knowing if you’re being told the truth ” according to George. To
capture all this on record the band enlisted the help of long-term producer Matt Hyde
(Slipknot Machine Head Bullet For My Valentine) to lay down the album’s framework before
setting to recording the rest of the album themselves. The final mastering was put into the
treasured hands of Mika Jussila at Finnvox (Nightwish Children of Bodom HIM).Blood Omen is a
record of several firsts for The Raven Age. With the metal end of the operation firmly nailed
down this time around the band were finally able to realise their ambitions of using real
strings. Working with noted British cellist arranger Audrey Riley (Foo Fighters Muse
Coldplay) at the ICMP [Institute of Contemporary Music Performance] studios in London. Watching
a quartet play along to our songs was a whole new experience ” says George. They just made
everything more dramatic.”The album also sees the recorded debut of new guitarist Tommy Gentry
the prodigiously talented axeman – whose previous work includes stints with Marco Mendoza and
former Judas Priest six-stringer KK Downing.Tommy was in our sights from day one ” says George.
He's without doubt the most talented musician I know. Not only is he an amazing guitarist
he's a grade eight pianist he can score orchestral music and all that brings something to the
table.”Blood Omen is a strong focussed and ambitious work from one of the most rapidly rising
rock bands in Britain and live they solidify this status. They have performed over 400 shows
internationally across 38 countries including major festival performances such as the main
stage at Download Festival Rock in Rio Wacken Hellfest and many more as well as touring
with the likes of Killswitch Engage Volbeat Shinedown and Alter Bridge.This summer they will
be touring arenas across Europe and the UK with Iron Maiden including London’s O2 Arena on
July 8th. They have also been announced to perform at a number of major European festivals this
summer including Germany’s Rock am Ring Belgium’s Graspop Metal Meeting Return Of The Gods
Festival in Italy Sweden Rock as well as Metal Days in Slovenia.
