Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Released last October, Ra’s Universal/Republic debut, “From One,” has already become a success with its first single “Do You Call My Name” blazing up the radio charts, and the band selling out venues throughout the US on their recent tour. Musically, the band seems to embrace not one but many styles of music into an eclectic mix that is a blend of metal and alternative. Taking their name from the Egyptian Sun God, RA sprinkles some Middle Eastern influences into their music that give it a unique and rich flavor I found throughout the entire album.

The CD opens with their single, “Do you call my name”, an angry anthem with a tribal soul, searing lyrics and infectious hooks, I found myself singing it long after it was over. The music is heavy yet extremely melodic, rocking right into the next track “Rectifier”, which features some eerie back notes, crunchy guitars, and a rhythmic, almost hypnotizing beat. Its best feature is a heavy chorus and a drop mid song that takes your breath away before slamming you full force back into the song.

Next up is my absolute favorite off this effort, “Fallen Rock Zone”, which may surprise you as a slow starter, before it breaks into a ferocious and addicting rock beat. The band definitely shows its teeth with this song, an angry tirade with a hooky chorus. Another highlight was a guitar lead with a Middle Eastern groove, which is often featured on this CD but in subtle parts, never over shadowing the music.

There is also “Only” that while featuring their trademark guitar, and drums is more of a slow burner that really showcases the vocalists amazing abilities with a soul bearing intensity. This theme continues with “On my side” with its breathy vocals and epic, harmonic feel. “Violator” begins with just drums; a tribal flair soon mixed with raunchy guitars, followed by “Believe” a ballad with an infectious chorus. This song really began to grow on me after a repeated listen.

The second part of the CD is rounded out with songs “Parole”, a fast tempo’s ride and another highlight is “Skorn”, a bass driven beat, and an angry goodbye anthem after a “Dear John letter”. I also really liked the acoustically driven and nostalgic “Walking and Thinking”, which I thought was beautiful and poetic, the poetry flowing right into the closing track, “Sky,” with its slow haunting beginning that finally gives way to a powerful heavy chorus, a perfect end to an amazing first album. I can’t even imagine what further efforts are going to be delivered from this powerful band.

I think that fans in many genres will be open to this music, and that the band in its style is unique enough to have some longevity in the ever-changing face of the music industry today. They balance both emotions and powerful melody with a steady intake of heaviness, which is sewn together tightly with the lyrically driven songs delivered with superb skill and a soulful abandonment. While the band has an instantly recognizable sound that makes itself known through every song, the first listen it might seem repetitive, but after I heard it a few times it began to weave a tapestry of sound and dynamics through layers of melody.

This band has all the necessary elements of success; excellent musicianship, a powerful vocalist, amazing lyrics, and they blend it with just enough “commercial” hooks to make you want to hear it again. And again. And again. 

Like their name, which pays tribute to the sun, their music sheds light, but lets in just the right amount of darkness.