Ravage

The heavy metal band Ravage began as the idea of two young brothers from Boston MA, USA. The two, whom fans would come to know as Al Ravage and Eli, wished to form a band that could bring bombastic heavy metal back to prominence and crush the insipid alterna-grunge music craze of the mid-90's. Though the barely-high school aged rockers had mighty ambitions when they played their first gig in 1996, they quickly learned that Rome was not built in a day, and Ravage had to endure endless line-up changes while honing their sound and forging their way through the local underground metal scene. Rough demos, bootlegs and countless shows began to pay some dividends as the band gained a cult following. Ravage soon reached a level of international acclaim with the self-release of their 2003 'Curse Of Heaven' EP. The EP sold out quickly, and the band was signed to Germany's Karthago Records to release their first full-length album in 2005. Further line-up problems and internal strife plagued the self-financed recording which was well received by some for it's strong songs, but was often overlooked for it's weak production value. Following the release, Al, Eli, and long-time guitarist Nick Izzo (who had joined the band in 2001), put together a new line-up with local bass basher Howie 'The Mosh Pig' Snow, and drum smasher GTB who had been working with Eli on a side-project. The new line-up was invited to play at Germany's Swordbrother's festival in 2006 where the band put on a raucous display for thrilled fans who came from all over Europe. Upon their return home, the band began recording their second full-length album "The End Of Tomorrow". The next two years would see the band in and out of the studio as they completed 17 tracks including a cover of Warlock's "Cold Cold World" which was released on a Warlock Tribute album by Pure Steel Records. Ravage chose 6 of the other songs to comprise the "Freedom Fighter" EP which the band self-released in order to find a new label. With the new recording evidencing musical leaps and bounds in both song-writing and production, Ravage set out to find a cover artist who would do justice to their work. The band soon announced that they had secured the talents of the one and only master of metal cover art Ed Repka - best known for his work with MEGADETH and DEATH.

Ravage then signed with California-based Metal Blade Records to release the new CD. Ravage's new album seamlessly intertwines the sounds of NWOBHM, late 80's American Thrash Metal and late 90's European Power-metal to showcase the band's signature style. The album is sure to be enjoyed by metal maniacs young and old as it blends the soaring vocal and guitar melodies of Iron Maiden and Helloween with the raw power of thrashers like Testament and Kreator, presented in a crisply modern production-style courtesy of producer Peter Rutcho, the mastermind behind the band VOMITRON. "The End Of Tomorrow" was released on August 18th, 2009. Ravage is now back with “Return of The Spectral Rider”, an album of uncompromising melodic heavy metal from a band that has never bowed to trends. Ravage formed in the Boston area in the mid 90’s seeking to produce exciting, kick-ass music and an engaging live performance inspired by heroes like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. As many of the genre’s legacy acts begin to disappear, Ravage continues on as a new voice for traditional metal, ignoring passing trends to instead offer a sound that unquestionably falls within the bounds of heavy metal and thrash, while remaining uniquely distinguishable from any band that has preceded them. Ravage’s new release is a complete re-recording of the band’s “Spectral Rider” album, which was given a limited release by Germany’s Karthago Records in 2005. Production issues plagued that original recording, and since Ravage was never in possession of the original unmixed tracks for the record, a remix was not possible. Over ten years passed since the original release and since many of the songs remained staples in Ravage’s live set, the band finally decided to deliverer an ultimate version of them, with a strong new production quality, a dynamic performance, and an all-new, fantastic cover art by Tim Jacobus, who is well-known for his paintings on the R.L. STINE’S GOOSEBUMPS and FEAR STREET series of horror novels. Ravage’s core line-up from the original recording remains intact with founding vocalist Al Ravage and his brother, guitarist Eli Firicano combining with long-time guitarist Nick Izzo. Al Ravage’s unique vocal stylings and the guitarist’s dual lead guitar assault are complimented by an all-new rhythm section with drummer Derek Jay from the band SEAX and long-time friend Tommy G holding down bass duties. Since Ravage did not have a full-time drummer when recording began, the album features guest appearances on drums by GTB (who played on Ravage’s last album), Yianni Tranxidis (a drummer who has played in numerous bands in the Boston scene), and Bassil Silver, (POWRGLOVE and was an engineer on the original “Spectral Rider” recording). The band recorded and mixed all the tracks at their own Hellbent For Acoustics Studios in Malden MA and Peter Rutcho (REVOCATION, BURY YOUR DEAD), producer of Ravage’s previous album “The End of Tomorrow”, mastered the tracks. Following the album release, Ravage will be playing shows and festivals throughout the year while preparing material for the band’s next collection of original metal.
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