Album review – RA “Critical Mass”

Pinning a musical label on Ra’s latest album “Critical Mass” is a difficult and ultimately pointless task, because this band brings together such a wealth of influences and sounds. Alternative metal, hard rock, nu metal, progressive rock… it’s all here, with Ra’s special added touch: a strong current of Middle Eastern rhythms and vibes. All of this musical lushness is occasionally challenging, sometimes bewildering, but most of all seductive and captivating.

“Critical Mass” delivers right from the start. First track “Brutiful” is a slamming, fast and fierce piece of hard rocking goodness, with that tug of exotic rhythms right below the heavy riffs, the dominating drums, the catchy melody, and the taste of electronica. “Awake” is next, a track that is heavy and hooky enough to make you want to sing along even if you don’t know the words; and the flashy “Supermegadubstep” is another keeper, its gritty guitar and bass ripping things up.

The best tunes on “Critical Mass” are the ones that go really deep and really heavy, winding together the twisting, flowing threads of those Eastern rhythms with the strength of hard rock and metal, and then adding Ra’s often beautifully poetic lyrics to the mix. Prime examples are the inspired “It’s All Over Now”, a track I just love, its Arabic-flavored chants and instrumentals melding with rib-shaking rock; and the mesmerizing, shape-shifting “Running Blind”, which starts off soft and acoustic, then twists itself into a Middle East rhythm, flowing and shifting again, throbbing with satisfying brawny riffs.

Ra eases up a bit on the shiny “Won’t Be Home Tonight”, with a glistening acoustic intro that eases into some writhing, edgy guitar work and soft, delicate vocals. Otherwise it’s the heavier tunes that appeal to me the most, like “The Voice Inside My Head” – a track that rocks hard and deep with some serious depth in the lyric. The riffs are all metal, the melody is so damn strong, and that Eastern swing really makes it soar.

“Through The Valley” is fantastic as well – a dark, menacing, and complex track that really showcases the band’s musical arsenal. Final tune “Crawling To The Sky” is strong too: heavy, melodic, prog-rocking, and just plain beautiful with an ethereal quality to the vocals. At times it reminds me of “Close to the edge” by Yes, and that’s a good thing.

The only tune that feels somewhat off is “Ecstacy” which is not really bad, but just doesn’t seem to jive with the rest of the album.

Ra has been around since the 1990s, going through some changes in its lineup and switching record companies over the years, but “Critical Mass” proves that the band is still a highly creative outfit, wielding some tremendous musical and song-writing skill. This is a rich and powerful album that is worth revisiting again and again.

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