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5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
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3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
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Band
Ravensthorn
Title
Hauntings And Possessions
Type
LP/EP
Company
Hellion Records
YOR
2005
Style
Traditional
4/14/2005 - Review by: Axeman
RAVENSTHORN- HAUNTINGS AND POSSESSIONS 2005 Hellion Records

Track Listing

01. Chants of the Soulless
02. Buried In The Basement
03. Farewell Misery
04. The Ring
05. Lost in the Darkness
06. Hands of the Killer
07. Possessed By Evil
08. Bloodthirst of Dracula
Hailing from Chicago, Ravensthorn was an indy band who recently signed with Hellion Records for this release. It's great to see these labels supporting the old-school style of metal. "Hauntings And Possessions" really captures that 80's style of dark, sinister metal in the same vein as Nasty Savage, Halloween and Mercyful Fate.

Singer Bill Janusch leads the charge utilizing a full range from low, snarling gruffs to mid-range howling right on to some insane, high pitch wailing. What you get with the music is riff driven scorchers with well played leads mixed with some eerie fret-board noodling on the more haunting, slowed down numbers. The well placed tracks move you along perfectly through this musical haunted house. Knowing when to tease you and when to let loose with the onslaught of fear. Great stuff!!!

In this day in age of overblown, symphonic cheese metal, it's a good feeling to be able to slap in a disc like this and rock out to music that is comparable to some of the old time bests yet still has it's own personality. I feel these guys could become really big in the European market. With an album like "Hauntings And Possessions", I hope more bands follow suit in keeping the glory days of this genre alive.

Band link: www.ravensthorn.com

--Axeman 04.04.05
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: RAVENSTHORN
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Hauntings And Possessions
2005
Hellion Records
Axeman4/14/2005
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ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: RAVENSTHORN
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