Review Hymns of the Crimson Raven: Etherius Delivers a Progressive Metal Masterpiece

Review by Seb Hallam

Etherius’s latest album, Hymns of the Crimson Raven, launching on November 1st, 2024, is a monumental work of progressive metal, showcasing the band’s mastery over their genre while pushing its boundaries. With the visionary Jay Tarantino leading on guitar, the record unfolds like an intricate tapestry, blending classical-influenced melodies and complex arrangements with fierce metal energy, solidifying the band’s place among progressive metal’s finest.

The album opens with Arctic Shadowscape, setting an immediate tone with technical precision and a chilling melody that grabs listeners and doesn’t let go. Tracks like Gilded Shadows of Oblivion and Sedna demonstrate Tarantino’s blistering guitar work and the cohesive synergy of Etherius’s lineup, delivering intricate melodies alongside relentless riffing. This precision is further elevated by the keen production of guitar virtuoso Angel Vivaldi, who adds a polish that accentuates every detail without sacrificing the raw power of the music.

In the title track, Hymns of the Crimson Raven, the band presents a cinematic blend of ethereal passages and aggressive progressions, creating a sonic landscape that’s both immersive and evocative. Bassist Zaki Ali and drummer John Gallagher bring their rhythmic prowess to tracks like Beneath the Land and Sea and The Dark Oracle, driving each composition with complex beats and fluid transitions, seamlessly blending technical skill with expressive artistry.

Adlivun stands out for its haunting ambiance, building from atmospheric riffs into a cascade of powerful, layered instrumentation, while Veins of Silver and Sorrow closes the album on a meditative yet intense note, a perfect bookend to the album’s journey through sound and emotion.

Each track on Hymns of the Crimson Raven is meticulously crafted, displaying a balance of precision and passion that speaks to Etherius’s evolution. This album is not just an exploration of the boundaries of progressive metal but a complete, immersive experience from start to finish. For both long-time fans and newcomers, Hymns of the Crimson Raven will resonate deeply, leaving a lasting mark on the progressive metal landscape.