The Unkindness of Ravens – Virus
The Unkindness of Ravens - "Virus". If the only association that comes to your mind when you see these words, is that it is a specific type of an avian influenza, it is high time to change it.
The band was formed in 2009 in London and since then managed to release a couple of singles and EP I Used To Be So Pretty, to finally in 2012 offer the expecting audience debut album Virus. With all sophisticated sound, which is presented by the project, it is hard to believe, that it consists only of two members, wherein for the instrumental side is responsible bassist Ben Raine, and for the vocal - incredible Nina Wagner (though Ben supports her in some way, lending his voice as the background).
Men's half of the duo certainly had to sold his soul to the devil. Everything, that you can experience, while listening to Virus, is an unmatched precision and perfection of workshop, that Ben celebrates with his bass guitar, on basis with distortion building raw riffs and other components of the machine, and at the same time full of soul, electro rock. He pulls out of his instrument all, that other bass guitarists often will be never given, weaving on the verge of physical abilities and generally giving a specific underestimated instrument its glory. He himself must therefore be honored among contemporary rock instrumentalists, because if he is not a god, then he is for sure the guitar demigod of underground scenes.
Throughout the whole finesse presented by the man is accompanied by rhythm of a drum machine and a distinctive female vocal - one of the best, I have heard in recent years, and in all respects, technically perfect and enchanting, magical. On the one hand sensual or raw, with huge layers of energy, on the other hand - in more melancholy songs - unearthly, flowing around the listener, but always strong, clear and magnetic. Pleasantly waving or striking with the rock strength. Voice of a femme fatale, about which the modernists say, confident and dangerous, but also having a second, gentle face. Ben being the background for her appears in the choruses, and although there is no doubt, who plays the first violin in vocals, this collaboration falls extremely successful.
How to summarize sound of the duo? Imagine, that Trent Reznor joins The Cardigans formation or The White Stripes composes music, introducing to sound the style of acting play from Helena Bonham Carter - this is The Unkindness of Ravens. Raw, grunge riffs, experimenting with beats and songs structure reminiscent of early techno, minimalism and coldness balanced with warmness stored in the voice of Nina; dark, vibrant, rebellious rock and pop in one - Virus is the mastery on stage, "under" and mastery in general, innovative and progressive.
During their over thirty minutes of flight the two crows lose nine shining feathers, and calamus of each of them is sharp as a syringe - after a contact with it appears infection, which is not easy to cure.
First of them, Viper, starts with riffs drilling into a mind. This is a charismatic rock, very easily memorable, with a provocative vocal, that passes in the chorus to a pugnacious cry.
The title track is the most powerful and one of the most characteristic points of the album. Mechanical, industrial, with a hypnotic beat evokes in the listener a deep concern by relentless riffs and restless, tearing nerves by electronic sounds. Nina’s sensual voice rhythmically throwing out successive words repeated at the same time in the background by distortion enhances the hypnotic effect and indeed no one would bend before repeated by the chorus, administered in this manner suggestion - "You have to be the cure." Impression of the digital machine also strengthens the cold voice of Ben, but ends only one phrase with just one word. And only sensual vocals introduce to the song’s alive warmness.
I particularly like the text in Last Call For The River sung against the continuous work of distorted guitar.
Prototype is much distinguished by the composition. Deep beat, incessant repetitions, apparent monotony and machine motorics form techno like structure. Persistence of repeated notes similar to the grating introduces to a trance, compounded by corresponding voices of Nina and Ben and high, distinctive phrases sung by the female singer.
You Should Know By Now will please any hunter of ear catching tunes, especially since it is not monotonous, but it changes at the end of the track with the vocal, perfectly along with the words summing up the song.
In Das Gift the duo reveals its quieter side. Bass line with a gentle, pleading vocal creates a melancholy atmosphere, that will be appreciated by romantics. I adore the chorus, where the vocals seem to float among the clouds and reinforcement of the composition’s character at the end of it by the distorted guitar solo that is not abating after that.
Without a doubt the rock, heavier The Spaces In Between brings high level of energy and pugnacity, draws attention, distinctive riffs and strong vocal show the band’s "claw".
White Road is in the beginning as a remission of a disease in the morning, gentle and quiet, but gradually gains strength. A nice bass line will be dominated by energetic riff, and flowing, delightful voice of Nina will transform into low, sharper vocal of a rock diva.
The album ends in a pleasant way by Yours Forever But Not To Hold, homogeneous in the mood, allowing to silence.
Two magicians. The two magicians from London spread the virus created by themselves - The Unkindness of Ravens are true illusionists. Outstanding instrumentalist and exceptional female singer recently occupy a high position on the list of my favorite rock projects, but certainly they will remain there for long.
Tracklist:
01. Viper
02. Virus
03. Last Call For The River
04. Prototype
05. You Should Know By Now
06. Das Gift
07. The Spaces In Between
08. White Road
09. Yours Forever But Not To Hold
Other articles:
The band was formed in 2009 in London and since then managed to release a couple of singles and EP I Used To Be So Pretty, to finally in 2012 offer the expecting audience debut album Virus. With all sophisticated sound, which is presented by the project, it is hard to believe, that it consists only of two members, wherein for the instrumental side is responsible bassist Ben Raine, and for the vocal - incredible Nina Wagner (though Ben supports her in some way, lending his voice as the background).
Men's half of the duo certainly had to sold his soul to the devil. Everything, that you can experience, while listening to Virus, is an unmatched precision and perfection of workshop, that Ben celebrates with his bass guitar, on basis with distortion building raw riffs and other components of the machine, and at the same time full of soul, electro rock. He pulls out of his instrument all, that other bass guitarists often will be never given, weaving on the verge of physical abilities and generally giving a specific underestimated instrument its glory. He himself must therefore be honored among contemporary rock instrumentalists, because if he is not a god, then he is for sure the guitar demigod of underground scenes.
Throughout the whole finesse presented by the man is accompanied by rhythm of a drum machine and a distinctive female vocal - one of the best, I have heard in recent years, and in all respects, technically perfect and enchanting, magical. On the one hand sensual or raw, with huge layers of energy, on the other hand - in more melancholy songs - unearthly, flowing around the listener, but always strong, clear and magnetic. Pleasantly waving or striking with the rock strength. Voice of a femme fatale, about which the modernists say, confident and dangerous, but also having a second, gentle face. Ben being the background for her appears in the choruses, and although there is no doubt, who plays the first violin in vocals, this collaboration falls extremely successful.
How to summarize sound of the duo? Imagine, that Trent Reznor joins The Cardigans formation or The White Stripes composes music, introducing to sound the style of acting play from Helena Bonham Carter - this is The Unkindness of Ravens. Raw, grunge riffs, experimenting with beats and songs structure reminiscent of early techno, minimalism and coldness balanced with warmness stored in the voice of Nina; dark, vibrant, rebellious rock and pop in one - Virus is the mastery on stage, "under" and mastery in general, innovative and progressive.
During their over thirty minutes of flight the two crows lose nine shining feathers, and calamus of each of them is sharp as a syringe - after a contact with it appears infection, which is not easy to cure.
First of them, Viper, starts with riffs drilling into a mind. This is a charismatic rock, very easily memorable, with a provocative vocal, that passes in the chorus to a pugnacious cry.
The title track is the most powerful and one of the most characteristic points of the album. Mechanical, industrial, with a hypnotic beat evokes in the listener a deep concern by relentless riffs and restless, tearing nerves by electronic sounds. Nina’s sensual voice rhythmically throwing out successive words repeated at the same time in the background by distortion enhances the hypnotic effect and indeed no one would bend before repeated by the chorus, administered in this manner suggestion - "You have to be the cure." Impression of the digital machine also strengthens the cold voice of Ben, but ends only one phrase with just one word. And only sensual vocals introduce to the song’s alive warmness.
I particularly like the text in Last Call For The River sung against the continuous work of distorted guitar.
Prototype is much distinguished by the composition. Deep beat, incessant repetitions, apparent monotony and machine motorics form techno like structure. Persistence of repeated notes similar to the grating introduces to a trance, compounded by corresponding voices of Nina and Ben and high, distinctive phrases sung by the female singer.
You Should Know By Now will please any hunter of ear catching tunes, especially since it is not monotonous, but it changes at the end of the track with the vocal, perfectly along with the words summing up the song.
In Das Gift the duo reveals its quieter side. Bass line with a gentle, pleading vocal creates a melancholy atmosphere, that will be appreciated by romantics. I adore the chorus, where the vocals seem to float among the clouds and reinforcement of the composition’s character at the end of it by the distorted guitar solo that is not abating after that.
Without a doubt the rock, heavier The Spaces In Between brings high level of energy and pugnacity, draws attention, distinctive riffs and strong vocal show the band’s "claw".
White Road is in the beginning as a remission of a disease in the morning, gentle and quiet, but gradually gains strength. A nice bass line will be dominated by energetic riff, and flowing, delightful voice of Nina will transform into low, sharper vocal of a rock diva.
The album ends in a pleasant way by Yours Forever But Not To Hold, homogeneous in the mood, allowing to silence.
Two magicians. The two magicians from London spread the virus created by themselves - The Unkindness of Ravens are true illusionists. Outstanding instrumentalist and exceptional female singer recently occupy a high position on the list of my favorite rock projects, but certainly they will remain there for long.
Tracklist:
01. Viper
02. Virus
03. Last Call For The River
04. Prototype
05. You Should Know By Now
06. Das Gift
07. The Spaces In Between
08. White Road
09. Yours Forever But Not To Hold
Other articles:
- Anima Virus - End Of The Eden - 2012-10-14 (Music reviews)
- Interview with Anima Virus - 2010-07-01 (Interviews)
