На хрустальных качелях

Raventale are another obscure band from the Ukraine. They play a style of black metal which closely relates to the depressive sub-genre and a style of doom that is closely related to the funeral sub-genre. This mixture of genre influences has been done before, but perhaps not quite as effectively as Raventale have managed to pull off. This is a beautifully stunning full-length which greatly surprised me.


The Ukraine isn't seen by many as a leading nation when it comes to black or doom metal. Drudkh stand out as the main proprietor's of the genre, but Raventale are just as good as they are. They just don't have the recognition Drudkh have gained. It's a shame really. I don't suppose Raventale will ever be as globally recognised as Drudkh are, but once the band continues to do what it is doing, I for one really don't care. Black metal isn't a popularity contest anyway, as much as some of the mainstream bands of the genre like to think it is. As long as this high standard is kept up and doesn't deteriorate, i'm perfectly fine with Raventale going unnoticed.


Comparisons to Drudkh will be made. As the previous reviewer stated, they are from the same country and although they aren't vastly similar in sound, there are elements of Raventale's music which definitely seem to be influenced by the Ukrainian giants of black metal. There is a distinctive folk element to Raventale's music, much like that of Drudkh's. The keyboards are where this element are from and where they are developed. This aspect of Raventale's music runs through it constantly and adds atmospheric qualities to the proceedings. The keyboards give the music it's epic feel. They are constantly included and never feel as if they are weighing the record down. It's not 'cheesy' in the slightest.


The mood is sorrowful, but in a different way to many of the depressive black metal bands out there. The fact that the guitars can sound quite high pitched probably takes away from the sorrowful tone. They add a certain feeling of facing your demons and conquering your fears. This can make the music sound rather upbeat at times. The riffs are unusual at times. Raventale's music can closely resemble something a death metal band would be happy to produce. Glittering solos of sweet-sounding melodies are rampant. They act as a magic carpet, sweeping the listener off their feet and along for the ride.


Repetition becomes important to Raventale. It gives a feeling of authenticity. This is in reference to the emotive side of the record. It doesn't sound hollow and void of feeling. In fact, it's ripe with emotion. As the euphonious riffs sore through the blackened skies and as the percussion bears down on you like a hawk stalking it's prey, Raventale steal your heart away with their honest approach. The obvious emotional element of the record is clear to see through the vocals.


They aren't typical of black metal vocalists. They don't come in the form of shrill shrieks or in the rasping style. This is perhaps where the doom metal influences come into play. The vocals are low growls and nothing like I had expected. This form of variation is positive. It helps give Raventale an original feel to them. As well as this, they play alongside the instruments very well. Unusually, Raventale also have a rather symphonic texture, this is mostly due to the keyboards. I'm not a big fan of symphonic metal, so my biggest compliment to Raventale is, that for over forty minutes, I do become a fan of it.