| Ravage press:
From Heavy Oder Was Magazine ( Germany )
(Translated by Claus A. Dette)
Ravage "Curse Of Heaven" 10/12 points
Hello, what came into this house? A cd.
Everything, the band's name, the logo and the cover are crying aloud "Metal!" You know it, if you see the cd, it can't be bad! Ravage, from Boston Massachusetts , they don't dissapoint me. It's very nice music which is to my liking. Classic, melodic US Metal with a light Maiden touch and agressive riffing is perhaps the best description. Vocalist Alec Firicano is one of the hopefuls of the new generation. It's as if Blaze is still with Maiden, but is able to sing as good as Bruce Dickinson. All six songs are good on the same level, but my favorite is "The Wasteland". You can see them on their homepage www.665.org/ravage I would wish a label would grab the band soon: they are ready for a deal!
- Martin Brandt
From THE METAL GOSPEL (2003)
RAVAGE – Curse Of Heaven (Self-Released~2003)
Sometimes it just happens… You find an album that strikes that place in your ears that makes you think it’s simply special! RAVAGE are yet another bunch of young Americans (hailing from Boston , Massachussetts) that swims against major MTV trends and dive heads on into the Traditional Heavy sounds. You know, when I read in their bio that RAVAGE “incorporates the melodic sound of the NWOBHM with the relentless attack of Bay Area Thrash[…] to forge a sound that it’s traditionally based yet still unique”, I thought to myself : “Ok, maybe their exaggerating a bit and I’l be listening to some recycling of old ideas”. Not that it’d bad, mind you! I like these styles so much that I wouldn’t bother listening to them once more. But these words are very ACCURATE as I found myself listening to the album (in fact, 6 tracks) and failing to pinpoint a single major influence!! Of course the MAIDEN-isms are there, along with some palm muting riffing that is quite characteristic, but the ensemble fails to fall in any of the categories mentioned earlier. These guys make very good use of guitar melodies but instead of only using them upfront like so many did and do, they also use them to underline some vocal passages, add a bit of variation to the riffs, etc… Very well done! Also, the songs really ROCK! They make good use of the dynamic drum rhythms to create a rocking groove. If I would have to point out a somewhat similar band I’d go with the young Canadians WARMACHINE… But in my opinion, RAVAGE is on an upper level! I’d strongly recommend this CD to all those into melodic, yet powerful Metal. It costs only $7 (available on their site) and comes packaged in a DVD case (!!!).
-Mordred
Website: www.665.org/ravage
E-mail: ravaged@rocketmail.com
From Leif Kringen/Scream mag., Norway September 2003
I have reviewed a demo from an American band called RAVAGE before, but I am not sure if this RAVAGE is the same one. ”Curse Of Heaven” is the title of the demo, and this is pretty much typical US metal with some inspiration from British bands like Saxon and Iron Maiden. It’s also very likely that the band has heard their fair share of Hammerfall, even though the vocals in RAVAGE are rawer and quite different from those of the Hammerfall-singer. The music, however has some of the same melodic touches as the Swedes. This demo is made up of six songs, and they’re all good. The sound isn’t exactly top-notch, but not bad either, if you’re used to demos. RAVAGE is a very pleasant surprise, and I just got myself a new American band to keep an eye on.
From Metal-Rules.com (2003)
RAVAGE - CURSE OF HEAVEN (demo) 4.3/5
I know several reviewers here are blowing their loads over how this year is turning out. Don’t get me wrong, there have been a few solid releases thus far, but nothing to get all that excited about. I’m just not seeing anything all that creative or original. I’m not talking about reinventing the metallic wheel or pushing the boundaries, etc., but let's show some sense of originality! Please understand that I love the old school style. However, I want to hear new ideas or interpretations within that style. This year, so far, seemed fairly weak until I heard Ravage’s "Terror’s Head": old school, simple, powerful, great fucking riff and, most importantly, original. Sure, the actual song echoes Priest, Maiden, etc., but the vocals cut a new route through familiar territory. There are plenty of vocalists that can do an Ozzy, Halford, Dio or Dickinson impression, but precious few forge their own identity. Al "Al Ravage" Firicano definitely has his own thing going on and it’s awesome to hear a new voice front a classic styled metal band. Overall, "Terror's Head" is my fave track (song of the year) and easily rates as a 5/5 on its own, but every song here is quality. I really hope Ravage gets more exposure, because CURSE OF HEAVEN shows that this band is capable of achieving greatness.
From Souncheck Magazine www.SoundcheckMag.net
RAVAGE HHHH
Curse Of Heaven
www.665.org/ravage
Track #1, the title track, Curse of Heaven, will send you into a time warp, circa 1980, when true metal was born. Dual guitars, great drumming, and a cool bass line all compliment the voice of Ravage. And DAMN, what a voice it is. Al’s vocal range can compete with any of his influences, like Dio. The solos put out by the guitars are great, I’m playing air guitar right now. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. These boys definitely have the old school metal sound down to a tee. Track #2, “Terror’s Head,” is by far my favorite. The song just has all the elements that make up metal. I can’t say enough about Ravage except, that if you haven’t seen or heard them yet, this Wench feels sorry for you. The artwork and packaging even has the old school metal style, ancient castles, and skeletel looking people. Track #5, “The Wicked Way,” takes you on a fast moving adventure of ancient times. Track #6, “The King Forgotten,” an epic of over seven minutes. Hey, what would a metal CD be without at least one long-ass tune. Enough, just get the CD!!
- Metal Wench
"'CURSE OF HEAVEN' ...contains 6 tracks of solid Classic Heavy Metal with genius melodic parts,breaks and a vocalist that fits very well in this concept".
- Metal To Infinity webzine
"When the first song kicked in, 'Curse Of Heaven' became a 'Gift From Heaven'.This is one of the most talented bands I've heard in quite some time, including old and new bands alike. I would love to see them get a shot at opening for Maiden on the US tour. To be this young and this damn good is quite a spectacle".
--EC - Maximum Metal maximummetal.com
DISENGAGED, BANE OF EXISTENCE, RAVAGE, GUT
The Middle East 6/16/03
"I was told Ravage are old school, and it's true. They're totally in the spirit of Iron Maiden and the other metal forefathers. Being from the old school, I can't help but feel biased, but their compositional, vocal and lead guitar styles are refreshing to hear. The vocalist invokes such greats as Geoff Tate, Bruce Dickinson and Michael Kiske. If there's a local band that does retro-metal better than these guys, I haven't heard them yet. The crowd agrees with me... Best metal night yet!" - Joe Hacking - The Noise Magazine ( Boston )
"This is the way Heavy Metal was meant to sound". - New England Black Circle webzine
"I think this band will soon be a player in the U.S. metal scene". - 59 Cents Magazine ( Seattle )
From Transcending The Mundayne Magazine -
Ravage - Curse of Heaven
Boston's Ravage have earned the respect of the hardened New England hardcore/ grind scene- and that says a lot because they play traditional power metal like Iron Maiden and Jag Panzer. Formed by the brothers Firicano; vocalist Alec and guitarist Eli, Ravage have been playing anywhere and everywhere since 1995. Their previous demo was good but Curse of Heaven is a very solid disc. The Firicano's have recruited a new line-up and Al has developed into a top notch vocalist.
Along with bands like Twisted Tower Dire and the Lord Weird Slough Feg, Ravage could represent a new beginning of true metal much like the always heralded N.W.O.B.H.M. scene- well at least that's wishful thinking. Just like Pure Sweet Hell's self titled debut, Curse of Heaven comes in d.v.d. packaging. First thing you notice upon listening to Ravage is Al's vocals. Easiest, most accurate comparison is Bruce Dickinson, although he generally keeps the vocals more mid range. "Terrors Head" and "Reign Fall" have a little more kick and border on thrash. Eli and Nick Izzo play some guitar dual harmonies on "The Wasteland". "The Wicked Way " is the best track here with its classic thrash metal approach. "The King Forgotten" closes the disc in epic fashion, this disc features only six songs but Ravage reveal all facets of their metal repetoire. These guys live and breathe metal.
Album Score: 8 out of 10
Reviewed by: Brett VanPut
From Metallian.com -
RAVAGE - CURSE OF HEAVEN
I wish I had the proper demo of this new band because Ravage's biography states that the cover is a professionally-illustrated metal artwork. Perhaps that would give this sweet girl something to criticize. The 'pre-release' demo is very cool otherwise. It make me shiver with heavy metal delight listening to this brazen display of pure, molten, glorious heavy metal. The band was formed in 1995 by the Firicano brothers. Yet, due to a heavenly cursed has not released official music until now. The wait has been worth it though. Take the voice of Bruce Dickinson, the feeling of Warlord and Lizzy Borden and prepare to be ravaged. The singer certainly has some character behind his voice. They have the power, the hooks, the solos and I wonder if they have the long hair to go with it too!! Visit www.665.org/ravage and find out. I know that's where I am going. (OK, I am back. I cheated. Their site is not accessible because I use the wrong browser!) All hail heavy metal! Alternatively e-mail ravaged@rocketmail.com. - Sheila Wes Det (Metallian.com)
From Strutter Web Zine http://www.strutter.8m.com
RAVAGE ‘CURSE OF HEAVEN’ (DEMO)
Out of the US state of Massachusetts comes the band RAVAGE, who unlike many other new US bands play pure 80s Classic US Power Metal that reminds me of JAG PANZER, LIZZY BORDEN, 80s MAIDEN and also is along the lines of other US newcomer bands such as TWISTED TOWER DIRE, WAR MACHINE etc. The sound/production is very impressive, instrumental it sounds excellent (guitarists Eli Firicano and Nick Izzo are playing their instruments very well) and also the included 6 songs are pretty good. The vocals of singer Alec Firicano are raw and fit perfectly into RAVAGE’s Classic Metal tones. RAVAGE is still a very young band, and so I think the future will learn us more, but in the meantime they have managed to bring us a pure 80s US Melodic Power Metalsound which will be loved by all the European Metalheads, so I can easily recommend the 6-track demo of this US band. Highlights are “Terror’s head”, “The wasteland” (fantastic!) and “Reign fall”. Concluded, if you’re into JAG PANZER, FROST, ICED EARTH etc., then you might also want to check out this RAVAGE. More info at: http://www.665.org/ravage and e-mail them at: ravaged@rocketmail.com
(Points: 8.0 out of 10)
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