Spectral Rider

In an age of re-hashed styles and themes, when modern power metal is a continued parade of copycats and each new band is a clone of the last, Ravage provides a fresh break from the norm with their debut album SPECTRAL RIDER. Combining elements of European power metal with the traditional, heavy sound of NWOBHM bands, Ravage gives us some damn good heavy power metal. The sound can best be described as a more melodic Grave Digger, with clean(-er) vocals.

The album is filled with songs that have catchy choruses and heavy riffs. Standouts include the title-track “Spectral Rider”, “Wyvern” and “Bring Down the Hellhammer”. The lyrics are far from typical power metal fare with heavy use of themes such are war destruction and death.

The only flaw with this album I can find is that the tracklist on the back of the CD is screwed up, so you have to pay attention to know what you're listening to.