Rayne
We were recently put onto Rayne, an alternative rock group who have worked hard to refine their sound, develop their abilities and get their name out there. They put us onto their debut album, The New Enlightenment, to see what we thought of things so we figured we should probably check it out. Saying that it will fast become one of, if not your favourite album of all time, I figured that it was time to hit play and see what was going on.
Please note: The order of the tracks on the review does not necessarily follow the order on the album, but instead the order in which they were downloaded.
Against The Natural Order gets things going and immediately shows of a serious dose of melody, the mix getting going softly and ushering in a track full of melodies, hooks, and moments which will sit you back and make you pay attention to what’s going on. Despite the melodic outlook on things there’s also a real sense of upbeat calm, the sort of thing which is going to make you want to get involved at a show, but will work equally as well when you’re listening to it at home. Echoed vocals combine with effect laden guitars to form a sound which is deep, powerful, and quite simply, an anthem in the waiting. Break Through moves in a different direction, following on and offering up a more bass heavy melee of hammering guitar lines, pounding drum lines and another serious dose of the sort of thing you know you’re going to love on the live scene. The vocals seem to draw you in throughout this track, offering up the sort of sound which will reignite your love for rock music, make you remember why you listened to it in the first place and rapidly do what the band said, become a track you’ll come back to time and time again.
Hero Soldier once again marks a change in the progression of the album, this time showing us the more upbeat and faster side of the band, showing that when it comes to alternative rock, these guys know exactly what they’re doing. Rolling bass drums combine with rumbling bass rhythms and hooky guitar lines, the track forming a catchy style track which once again, is sure to get you sitting up and paying attention to make sure you don’t miss a single moment of what’s going on. This track is a serious high point on the record for sure, and a moment you need to make sure you check out if you get a chance, awesome to hear. Raise The Alarm continues this rocked up approach to things, combining a soaring lead line with a powerful backing melody to get things going, and forming a sound which you know is going to be incredible to behold on the live scene. Despite this hard hitting approach, the guys still manage to keep a real sense of melody running through things, the sort of thing which is going to get you singing along, and the sort of thing which will rapidly propel them into the spotlight. Melodic, catchy, deep and powerful, this was my personal favourite track off of the album, and one which I know I’ll be playing a hell of a lot from here onwards, it’s got the emotional content to keep you engaged as well as the power to keep it interesting throughout.
Re-Design and The Ground Floor both continue the progression of things naturally, keeping the album alive and reminding you who you’re listening to but it’s when The Impossible comes about that we’re once again shown another side to the band, this time opening with a massive track full of raucous guitar lines, synth backing moments, and a real sense of upbeat movement running through things. Once again contrasting the track with heavy moments which lead into soft moments, this track is another one which stands out as a showcase of the bands style, showing that they’re not willing to sit still but are always looking for ways to develop their sound – something which has been achieved here for sure. It’s only then left to Twisted Fame to close the album for us, opening with orchestral effects which lead the track into being, showing off the metal edge of the band once again as it all kicks off. Once again managing to combine the hard hitting moments with other moments of calm and reflection, this final track is another seriously accomplished moment, finishing on a high and leaving no doubt that this is a band that need to be watched moving forwards. Personally, there was only one solution for me as I reached the final track on offer here, to go back through it all again to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.
Rayne have produced one hell of an album here, managing to combine hard hitting moments with almost dark wave elements, moments which sit you back and make you take note, emotional moments which get you thinking, and moments which make you want to get out to a show to witness it for yourself. Personally, I’m convinced that this is a band I need to check out live, something I’ll be aiming to do as soon as I can – but for now, make sure you check this album out, it’ll be worth it.
To find out more about Rayne, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Please note: The order of the tracks on the review does not necessarily follow the order on the album, but instead the order in which they were downloaded.
Against The Natural Order gets things going and immediately shows of a serious dose of melody, the mix getting going softly and ushering in a track full of melodies, hooks, and moments which will sit you back and make you pay attention to what’s going on. Despite the melodic outlook on things there’s also a real sense of upbeat calm, the sort of thing which is going to make you want to get involved at a show, but will work equally as well when you’re listening to it at home. Echoed vocals combine with effect laden guitars to form a sound which is deep, powerful, and quite simply, an anthem in the waiting. Break Through moves in a different direction, following on and offering up a more bass heavy melee of hammering guitar lines, pounding drum lines and another serious dose of the sort of thing you know you’re going to love on the live scene. The vocals seem to draw you in throughout this track, offering up the sort of sound which will reignite your love for rock music, make you remember why you listened to it in the first place and rapidly do what the band said, become a track you’ll come back to time and time again.
Hero Soldier once again marks a change in the progression of the album, this time showing us the more upbeat and faster side of the band, showing that when it comes to alternative rock, these guys know exactly what they’re doing. Rolling bass drums combine with rumbling bass rhythms and hooky guitar lines, the track forming a catchy style track which once again, is sure to get you sitting up and paying attention to make sure you don’t miss a single moment of what’s going on. This track is a serious high point on the record for sure, and a moment you need to make sure you check out if you get a chance, awesome to hear. Raise The Alarm continues this rocked up approach to things, combining a soaring lead line with a powerful backing melody to get things going, and forming a sound which you know is going to be incredible to behold on the live scene. Despite this hard hitting approach, the guys still manage to keep a real sense of melody running through things, the sort of thing which is going to get you singing along, and the sort of thing which will rapidly propel them into the spotlight. Melodic, catchy, deep and powerful, this was my personal favourite track off of the album, and one which I know I’ll be playing a hell of a lot from here onwards, it’s got the emotional content to keep you engaged as well as the power to keep it interesting throughout.
Re-Design and The Ground Floor both continue the progression of things naturally, keeping the album alive and reminding you who you’re listening to but it’s when The Impossible comes about that we’re once again shown another side to the band, this time opening with a massive track full of raucous guitar lines, synth backing moments, and a real sense of upbeat movement running through things. Once again contrasting the track with heavy moments which lead into soft moments, this track is another one which stands out as a showcase of the bands style, showing that they’re not willing to sit still but are always looking for ways to develop their sound – something which has been achieved here for sure. It’s only then left to Twisted Fame to close the album for us, opening with orchestral effects which lead the track into being, showing off the metal edge of the band once again as it all kicks off. Once again managing to combine the hard hitting moments with other moments of calm and reflection, this final track is another seriously accomplished moment, finishing on a high and leaving no doubt that this is a band that need to be watched moving forwards. Personally, there was only one solution for me as I reached the final track on offer here, to go back through it all again to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.
Rayne have produced one hell of an album here, managing to combine hard hitting moments with almost dark wave elements, moments which sit you back and make you take note, emotional moments which get you thinking, and moments which make you want to get out to a show to witness it for yourself. Personally, I’m convinced that this is a band I need to check out live, something I’ll be aiming to do as soon as I can – but for now, make sure you check this album out, it’ll be worth it.
To find out more about Rayne, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls