Unkindness of Ravens – sludgy gothic rock from Offaly

What you may need to know…

01. Offaly four-piece Unkindness of Ravens are a doom-metal-influenced outfit with gothic inflections. Think Sabbath by way of Chelsea Wolfe and Sisters of Mercy.

02. Certainly no strangers to reverence for metal traditions, the band started out as a motorcycle-fixated stoner-rock group monikered Road Rash, releasing a single extended-player before regrouping to their current configuration.

03. Streaming above is the band’s debut full-length, released last November via Michigan mail-order specialists Dura Gesta Records.

04. They’re on the road this weekend, playing Dublin’s Hangar on Saturday night, and Cork’s Urban Jungle on Sunday, in support of UK post-metallers OHHMS.

VERDICT: Big aul’ riffs are in as much abundance as cheesy organs here, and it makes for an immersive listen for fans of the aforementioned. One to be appreciated live.