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Ravenhall - Playing the Victim Single Review

12 Sep 2013 // A review by Peter-James Dries

For those lamenting Rock’s retreat from the mainstream, or the break-up of Miscreant, I suggest Playing the Victim, the newest single from former Miscreant vocalist Chris Brebner’s brainchild Shelter (not to be confused with Ray Cappo’s Hare Krishna Melodic hardcore/Pop punk band).

Stylistically different from Miscreant, which was more live crowd-pleasing rock oriented, Playing the Victim is for the crowd that preferred Disturbed to Device and eagerly await the Blacklistt album release. 

The song makes me nostalgic for those early days of the 2000's when nu-metal was still cool and Breaking Benjamin, not Dubstep, was the approved music to break the speed limit to.

Shelter take all the best bits of that bygone error, the riffaging, the classic rock vocals, the heavy palm mute and the subtly progressive drumming, and wrapped it the expertly mastered Playing the Victim.

While slated for a 2012 release, we are still eagerly awaiting the release of Shelter’s debut EP. If they keep churning out songs as big as Playing the Victim, and get their name out there, they could be just the thing we, the people with rock withdrawals, need.

If you haven’t yet heard Playing the Victim, the single is streaming from Shelter’s Muzic.net.nz profile page (http://www.muzic.net.nz/artists/2935/shelter) and also their ReverbNation (http://www.reverbnation.com/shelternz).

NB: The lyric in the post-chorus verse is: “You bleed me, of my melody.
It is not: “You bleed me, I’m a manatee.”

You can find the rest of the lyrics on Shelter’s ReverbNation profile.

 

About Ravenhall

With a profound blend of passionate acoustic guitar-driven tunes and poignant storytelling, Ravenhall, hailing from the heart of New Zealand, speaks directly to the hearts of their listeners. Founding members Joe Ravenhall and Chris Brebner, both seasoned veterans of Auckland's vibrant music scene, have been collaborating for years, bringing a wealth of experience to their project. Ravenhall isn't just a band; it's a musical journey, an exploration of emotional lyricism and open-hearted melodies that drew them to music in the first place. Together, they've crafted over a hundred songs, each contributing a dynamic personality to enrich the band's distinctive sound.

Officially debuting in 2015 with the release of their single Everything To Me, Ravenhall has since expanded their signature sound through a series of singles, cultivating a devoted audience across New Zealand. In 2021, they released their EP The Coming Storm, showcasing their intricately crafted songwriting and reaching new listeners both in their home country and beyond.

Excitingly, Ravenhall is gearing up for a major milestone with the release of their much-anticipated 10-song debut album Brother, scheduled for February 9th, 2024. Their previous project, Live at Brebs Bar, a live album featuring accompanying videos, hit all digital platforms in May 2023. Ravenhall continues to push the boundaries of traditional singer/songwriter music, creating a sound that is not only wholly authentic but also entirely unique. Get ready to embark on a musical journey with Ravenhall, where every note is an invitation to connect and feel.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Ravenhall

Releases

Brother
Year: 2024
Type: Album
Live at Brebs Bar
Year: 2023
Type: Album
The Coming Storm
Year: 2021
Type: EP
Wild Hearts
Year: 2020
Type: EP
Straight Up
Year: 2018
Type: EP

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