RISEN CROW – Requiem for a Damned Love (2025) *HQ*
Italian metal band RISEN CROW are relatively new players in the game (formed in late 2020), but certainly it doesn’t show in their supercharged debut album “Requiem For A Damned Love.” Following many of their contemporaries by using a blend of singalong male and female vocals, they slot very nicely into this unique niche. This is the kind of modern rock music that will enthrall and engage a live audience the whole world over.
The duo of Antonella Della Monica and Claudio Vattone creates a compelling vocal partnership, choosing to complement rather than compete with each other. Musically, rather than embracing the typical power metal approach of excessive speed and piercing vocals, the album leans toward melodic metal, resulting in a more accessible listening experience.
The band’s distinctive sound is shaped by Alessandro Bernabei’s keyboard work, supported by the dual guitar expertise of Giuseppe Longo and Francesco Menale, along with the solid rhythm section of drummer Filippo Martini and bassist Flavio Cicchetti.
Kicking things off with a statement of intent, “Never Surrender” slowly builds that pure power metal fury to fever pitch with epic twin guitars and dual vocals. Next up, “Black Widow” is a classic darker, heavier metal way of storytelling which urges you to step up and participate.
The gothic “Funeral Jack” with its weeping and disturbing laughter is one of our favorite songs on the album, allowing us to get a taste of the darker side of Risen Crow. We really hope this is an avenue they explore much further.
Self-named song “Risen Crow” introduces us to the whole band in all its shining metal glory, and following track “Revelation” is just that as it demonstrates what a tight unit Risen Crow are.
The lovely piano introduction to “Dark In My Life” makes way for a much harder hitting and much bleaker song with deeply engrained and emotional vocals. This is most definitely our favorite track bar none.
Don’t “Believe In Me” when I tell you that “Requiem For The Damned Love” is a darn good album, check it out for yourself. You, too, will find it so absorbing that almost in the blink of an eye you arrive at the final song “Black Rose” which brings down the curtain with cinematic and poetic perfection.
“Requiem For A Damned Love” is one of those albums where your fondness for it will continue to grow over time with each and every listen. If you are a big fan of modern power metal with melody, then “Requiem For A Damned Love” will tick every box for you.
With music craft aplenty, Risen Crow have enough quality to stand out from the crowd in what is a very busy field and attract themselves a few more followers into the fold along the way.
Highly Recommended
01 – Never Surrender
02 – Black Widow
03 – Funeral Jack
04 – Risen Crow
05 – Revelation
06 – Dark In My Life
07 – Believe In Me
08 – Black Rose
Antonella Della Monica: Vocals
Claudio Vattone: Vocals
Giuseppe Longo: Guitars
Francesco Menale: Guitars
Alessandro Bernabei: Keyboards
Flavio Cicchetti: Bass
Filippo Martini: Drums
BUY
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