RAIDER set out with the goal of making this record to be an absolute assault from beginning to end and their first single, ‘Bound By No Fate’, is meant to kick down the gate and get that message across. They go into detail:
“This song is meant to be a barrage from beginning to end. It’s about forging your own path in spite of all the overwhelming evidence that your path is chosen for you. It’s about not settling for the predetermined life that would have you playing puppet in someone else’s show. It is an affirmation that we should forge our own way in this world – in spite of the overwhelming odds against us.”
Comparing it to the 2018 demo “Urge to Kill”, Raider has to say:
“We brought back a lot of familiar elements but added so much more. Guardian of the Fire is more diverse, more aggressive, and is frankly just going to hit way harder. We’re stoked to see what our fans and future fans think of these new tunes!”
With a writing process that flows collectively and organically, Raider cites that these eight tracks are thematically related and the first single, the title track of the recording, is the apex of the album’s theme regarding overcoming lies and hatred that stand between all of us and the truth. Musically the song is a winding journey that grooves, stanks and has a heavy-hitting chorus.
Even though the band is still relatively young, they have a burning passion to improve themselves and the music they write. As they explain:
“The band has definitely grown a lot in terms of songwriting the last few years and this new album will illustrate that. Better songwriting, better lyrics, and the songs just generally flow better. It’s also safe to say that this new album has a lot more death metal influence than “Urge to Kill” did.”
In 2017, Raider naturally came together; maniacs playing death thrash in the unconventional E standard. Stating that they are fans of the inherent tightness they combine it with blackened death metal vocals and lay waste to audiences.
The quintessential Raider song starts with collaborative jamming filled in with grit and blasts of harmony and riffs, resulting in a refined final product. Lyrics stem from experiences, history, literature, our world today, and what our world could be tomorrow. At times they are a reflection of evil and at others, conquering it.
It wasn’t until 2020 that a full lineup was finally realized for Raider. Up until then, the second guitarist had been a fill-in for live shows, but with the addition of Ira Lehtovaara the lineup was complete and carving the path for the release of LP ‘Guardian of Fire‘.
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