Eric Raven “The Shape Of Pain”
Eric Raven is one of the most interesting voices I’ve heard in recent memory. I’ve wanted to love dark/industrial techno for a while now, but every time I try to get into it, I stop short. It just hasn’t clicked for me.
So I was absolutely thrilled to hear the work of Eric Raven. The New Jersey native cites influences such as Code Orange, Nine Inch Nails, and Depeche Mode with the mission statement of bringing together the disparate genres of metal, hardcore, and techno. And that’s pretty much what the artist does.
Raven is impressive in their craftwork. What really stood out to me while listening to the debut singles they released in 2022 was the diversity of the sound. You have a track like “Something I Can Never Have,” which is a straight-up hardcore banger. But then there are also songs like “Ascension (The Gate),” which are almost entirely dark techno.
Each of their tracks features esoteric samples, low-key bridges, crushing breakdowns, or melodic interludes that keep the music compelling throughout. The result is a short, but sweet collection of incredibly refreshing music that left me wanting more. Needless to say, this new album was highly anticipated
The Shape of Pain opens with “Ascension,” which functions as a solid opener. The drop around halfway through the track is heavy and the squealing guitar over it is exciting before the howling vocals pour in. “Anointed” follows up. Although it’s only a minute and a half, Raven’s vocals are pure fiery hardcore and easily carry the track for its short duration.
“Substance” brings a totally new vibe with some bright, colorful synths right at the front. There’s also an uncredited guest vocalist who duets quite nicely with Raven.
We get the heaviest track so far with “Afterglow.” The fast-paced beat is rife with well-placed industrial synths and a surprising amount of peaks and valleys for such a short track. However, “Chance for Absolution” brings the album back to the same melancholic vibe of “Substance.” It’s admittedly a
little jarring to switch back and forth like this, but the tracks fly by so quickly that it sort of mirror the extremes of each song.
“Safeword” has an eeriness to it I really enjoy, with some creative samples. More than any other, this one screams “trap metal.” The call-and-response style vocal in the latter part of the track hit hard, I just wish they went on for a little longer.
“Left Hand Pass” finishes out the tracklist with a bang. I should take this time to give credit to the immaculate mixing. Every track feels different, but there are clear sonic throughlines that bind them together. Each one has great space, and the professional finesse is there. I’ll also give credit to the vocals, which range from somber to explosive, and the lyrics, which are overflowing with Satanic references and battering outburst of frustration and despair.
If you love metal, hardcore, techno, or trap, you really owe it to yourself to try out The Shape of Pain. It’s honestly shocking how high-quality it is for a new project. Plus it only clocks in at just under 16 minutes, so you really don’t have anything to lose.
Eric Raven’s blend of different genres is something I never knew I wanted, but now I can’t wait for more.
Favorite Track: “Left Hand Path.”