Hel’s Throne – Ravens Flight

Hel’s Throne
Ravens Flight
Wormholedeath Records
July 30^th, 2021 / December 17^th, 2021
Playing time: 30:16

Symphonic Metal bands are still springing up like mushrooms. Although this genre has now passed its zenith. Big names of the past are now, at least musically, only a shadow of their former selves. Many bands of earlier years have disbanded. So now the young wild ones are trying to follow in the footsteps of their great idols, as a changing of the guard, so to speak. Sometimes they succeed better and sometimes worse. With Hel’s Throne, another German band from Jessen (Saxony-Anhalt) now presents itself. Founded in 2018, the musicians, like many others, started out as a cover band. But they soon began to write their own songs as well. The debut “Ravens Flight” was already released in July this year. In the lyrics, they turn to Norse mythology, especially hell (Hel / Helheim). After the first positive reactions, the band was able to sign a deal with the Italian label WormHoleDeath. And now they deliver a worldwide re-release.

Hel’s Throne don’t dwell on the preface and go straight into the full on “Mistress of Eternity”. It’s good to hear that singer Bekka has a powerful and expressive voice. Far away from the typical stuff that you often hear in this genre. And long live the Double Bass. Especially when it is not a means to an effect, but is used in an extremely accentuated and song-serving way. This also applies to the growls of the newest permanent band member Litzer. The title track “Ravens Flight” is also the highlight of the album. An extremely varied song. There is actually everything here that makes the heart of a symphonic metal fan beat faster. Whispered words of the singer, ballad-like piano sounds, heavy riffs, beautiful melodies, sophisticated guitar solos and of course again the driving Double Bass. The band has also released an elaborately produced video. At the beginning of the midtempo rocker “Ghost Of Yesterday”, music box sounds (?) can be heard. Later, the synths underlay the song with a string sound. Speaking of synths / keyboards. These are not overused, but are mostly used as discreet accompaniment (“Tears in the Ocean”, “Born Again”). The melodies are always in the foreground, paired with metallic hardness. I also like the bouncer “Faded” very much. After a heavy start, Bekka’s voice seems fragile in places. The chorus is very anthemic. You almost don’t recognise the Electro Pop cheesy song by Alan Walker (originally sung by the Norwegian Iselin Solheim). A prime example of how a Pop world hit can be lifted into the Metal universe.

Certainly, Hel’s Throne do not reinvent the Symphonic Metal. That is hardly possible nowadays. But they have set out to fill a gap in this genre. The musicians have the potential for it. But until that happens, a lot of water will flow from the Black Elster into the Elbe, which is not far away.

Hel’s Throne – Ravens Flight (Official Video): https://youtu.be/pFttSwTtAEs

Lineup:

Rebekka “Bekka” Schulze – Vocals
Christian “Litzer” Litzba – Vocals
Rene “Schulle” Schulze – Guitars
Andreas “Zicke” Ziegler – Drums
Willy – Bass;
Jürgen Übermuth – Keyboards

Track list:

• Mistress Of Eternity
• Ravens Flight
• Ghost Of Yesterday
• Tears In The Ocean
• Born Again
• Faded