Ravenspell Obsidian King Review
Ravenspell
Obsidian King
Fighter Records
2026
“Obsidian King” is the debut album from Quebecois symphonic power metal band Ravenspell. The band comes out swinging oversized swords and axes with a delightful bit of 80s inspired swords-and-sorcery cheese. Which tempers the steel of its own ridiculousness with genuinely impressive musicianship, and total commitment to the bit.
Ravenspell know who they are, all the way down to their stage names; Alisander the Seer on vox, Ravok Blackwing on Guitar, Corvax Crowhammer on Bass, and Volpale the Ravenous on drums. The band draws heavy influence from the golden age of heavy metal, a fact that is readily apparent throughout the entire record. The album is drenched in a distinct 80s style of Conan-ian fantasy. If bands like Beast in Black, Lovebites, Battle Beast, and Alestorm are the musical equivalent of 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons, this is AD&D.
The album features predominantly clean vocals, with some powerful low register screams and shrieking high notes sprinkled throughout. Guitars, bass, and drums are fast and noodley, and the band does a great job playing around with tempo and dynamics to keep the music exciting and propulsive.
“Onwards We March” opens strong and fast, before breaking in the final verse for a slow buildup, with a chant of 'march march' leading straight into the first big guitar solo of the album. And it's a blistering one!
Looking at the track listing, I was curious whether “Book of the Dead” would concern itself with The Evil Dead, or the Egyptian funerary text, either would match Ravenspell's vibe. As a big horror fan and occultist, I was going to be happy no matter what, and the ode to Ashes adventures in Evil Dead II was a fun spooky romp that does its inspiration justice. The track yo-yos between faster and slower passages that keeps the listener guessing.
“Warriors 9 to 5” goes all in on speed. Charging the pikewall at 90 mph and never slowing down. It also features some of the best screams on the album. This and “Hellstorm” with its apocalyptic imagery and soaring guitar solo are probably the heaviest songs on the record, and will please the speed demons plenty.
“Obsidian Wing” is probably the most symphonic song on the album. It slows the tempo down a bit, opening with a stomping beat, and a subtle haunting organ in the background that I like a lot. We got some very nice operatic background vocals and grandiose imagery. This was my favorite song on “Obsidian King”.
“Raise Hell” continues Ravenspell's interesting use of tempo, contrasting very fast guitar and drums, with much slower, more drawn out vocals. I'm a sucker for juxtaposition in music, and I think it creates a very cool sonic effect.
The closing track “Attila” marks a DRASTIC tempo and tonal shift. Starting very slowly, soft, and somber, bringing the energy down. It gradually picks up to a driving, pounding rhythm a little over a minute in. Leaving the listener with an anthemic fare-thee-well.
Ravenspell's “Obsidian King” is a sound debut offering, and an easy recommend to any fan of classic heavy metal and John Carter novels. The camp factor won't appeal to everyone, but for those of us who enjoy a bit of theater, “Obsidian King” is a hell of an adventure.
RIYL: Beast in Black, battle Beast, Judas Priest, Dio, Alestorm, Lovebites
Standouts: “Onwards We March”, “Book of the Dead”, “Warriors 9 to 5”, “Obsidian Wing”, “Raise Hell”, “Attila”
~Gwilym