Biography
The Raven Age emerged from the United Kingdom as a heavy metal-cum-hard rock outfit whose music foregrounds intricate yet accessible melodies alongside vocal harmonies, a broad dynamic range, clean lead vocals, dual lead guitars, and propulsive drumming. Their 2017 debut long-player Darkness Will Rise refreshed the late-1970s and early-1980s New Wave of British Heavy Metal template while incorporating the theatrical compositional approach associated with Ronnie James Dio and the textural refinement of Fates Warning. The follow-up Conspiracy, issued in 2019, expanded in progressive directions through the addition of chamber strings and atmospheric textures and marked the first appearance of lead singer Matt James, previously of Wild Lies. Exile arrived in 2021 and ventured further into progressive territory by contrasting densely layered acoustic passages and varied instrumentation with multipart vocal harmonies and melodic hooks. On 2023’s Blood Omen the group adopted a more overt political perspective and introduced string arrangements for the first time.
The London-based project originated in 2009 when George Harris, son of Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris, and Dan Wright began collaborating on songs; the accumulated material eventually prompted them to assemble a complete lineup. By 2013 the Raven Age operated as a five-piece featuring Matt Cox on bass and backing vocals, Michael Burrough on lead vocals, and Jai Patel on drums. Harris has noted that the band’s name draws from the legend attached to the ravens housed at the Tower of London, according to which the departure of the birds would precipitate the collapse of both the tower and the monarchy.
An independently financed, self-titled EP released in 2014 charted on multiple online platforms despite receiving no promotional support or label backing. Two years later the group postponed plans for its first full-length album to serve as support on Iron Maiden’s Book of Souls tour and to share bills with Mastodon, Gojira, Opeth, and Ghost. Building on the audience cultivated through live performances and the earlier EP, the band secured a deal with BMG and issued Darkness Will Rise in December 2016; the album’s lead single “Salem’s Fate” took its narrative cue from the 1692 Salem Witch trials. Ahead of Conspiracy, Wright and Burrough departed, making way for singer Matt James and guitarist Tony Maue. This configuration delivered the more radio-friendly Exile in September 2021. Subsequent live activity included appearances at Download Festival, Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, and Rock in Rio, plus support slots alongside Killswitch Engage, Shinedown, Volbeat, and additional acts. The group then moved to the Sony-distributed Music For Nations imprint, under which Blood Omen surfaced in July 2023. By the time recording concluded, guitarist Tommy Gentry had replaced Tony Maue in the lineup.
The London-based project originated in 2009 when George Harris, son of Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris, and Dan Wright began collaborating on songs; the accumulated material eventually prompted them to assemble a complete lineup. By 2013 the Raven Age operated as a five-piece featuring Matt Cox on bass and backing vocals, Michael Burrough on lead vocals, and Jai Patel on drums. Harris has noted that the band’s name draws from the legend attached to the ravens housed at the Tower of London, according to which the departure of the birds would precipitate the collapse of both the tower and the monarchy.
An independently financed, self-titled EP released in 2014 charted on multiple online platforms despite receiving no promotional support or label backing. Two years later the group postponed plans for its first full-length album to serve as support on Iron Maiden’s Book of Souls tour and to share bills with Mastodon, Gojira, Opeth, and Ghost. Building on the audience cultivated through live performances and the earlier EP, the band secured a deal with BMG and issued Darkness Will Rise in December 2016; the album’s lead single “Salem’s Fate” took its narrative cue from the 1692 Salem Witch trials. Ahead of Conspiracy, Wright and Burrough departed, making way for singer Matt James and guitarist Tony Maue. This configuration delivered the more radio-friendly Exile in September 2021. Subsequent live activity included appearances at Download Festival, Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, and Rock in Rio, plus support slots alongside Killswitch Engage, Shinedown, Volbeat, and additional acts. The group then moved to the Sony-distributed Music For Nations imprint, under which Blood Omen surfaced in July 2023. By the time recording concluded, guitarist Tommy Gentry had replaced Tony Maue in the lineup.
Albums
Singles
