White metal band, from New Jersey. Started out in the late 80's, but sadly went away in the mid 90's. They play a slightly progressive metal form, similar to old Queensr˙che, Sacred Warrior and Bloodgood.

ANTHOLOGY VOLUME 1 (2001) M8 (2-CD)

CD1: YOUR DYING DAY (1990)
  1. On Judgment Day
  2. Deliver Me
  3. Murder
  4. Below The Grave
  5. The Calling
  6. America
  7. Escape
  8. Help Me Follow
  9. I Found Love
  10. Your Dying Day
  11. Below The Grave (demo)
  12. On Judgment Day (demo)
  13. America (demo)

Line-up on CD1:

Kevin Ayers - Lead and Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitars

Tim Benton - Drums and Percussion

Andy Bruner - Lead,  Rhythm, 12 String Acoustic and  Classic Guitars

Ed Bruner - Bass Guitar

CD2: Straight From The Cutting Room Floor (1997)

  1. Run

  2. Interview

  3. The Battle
  4. Interview
  5. Light The Way
  6. Interview
  7. Band Talking At Practice
  8. Holy War
  9. Interview
  10. Don't Throw Your Life Away
  11. Interview
  12. Find Your Place
  13. Was Machen Wir Haute
  14. Hodge Podge, Pt.1
  15. Hodge Podge, Pt.2
  16. He Died For You

A gift from a friend, and the biggest surprise in years!! This is absolutely stunning stuff! Haven play excellent heavy metal, with slightly progressive tendencies (not progressive as in Symphony X, but more in a Sacred Warrior manner, a band that is very fair to compare them to). Vocalist Kevin Ayers sounds like Geoff Tate of Queensr˙che, or John Arc of Fates Warning. And believe me, Haven doesn't stand back to any of those bands!! The addition of acoustic guitars here and there, gives the album a fine touch. This album just took me by surprise, and I love every single minute of it (well, except for the demos). 'Your Dying Day' was originally released on R.E.X., but my copy is the reissue from M8. It's a double disc entitled 'Anthology Volume 1'. 'Your Dying Day' makes disc 1, and disc 2 is a collection of demos and rehearsal recordings. In between songs we get interviews with the band. I wish I could get my hands on the original release, and while at it, the rest of this bands catalogue as well.

Rock trivia: On this debut-album, none of the members were over 21 years old. Most of them were just 19!!

Killer tracks: All of them!!!

AGE OF DARKNESS (1991) R.E.X.

  1. Tenacious Volition - intro
  2. Divination
  3. When You Said Goodbye
  4. Holly
  5. Exaltation
  6. The Witching Hour
  7. Seance
  8. Spend My Life With You
  9. Unchanging Love
  10. Blood Of The Lamb
  11. Once Upon A Time

Line-up:

Kevin Ayers - Lead & backing vocals, electric, acoustic and classical guitars

Tim Benton - Drums

Ed Bruner - Piano, classical guitars, bass guitars

Andrew Bruner - Lead & rhythm guitars

John Farrell - Lead, rhythm, electric & classical guitars

Haven seem to change styles on each album. And 'Age Of Darkness' sees them going more into the progressive power metal vain. Some of the songs even border speed and thrash metal. They still sound very much like Haven, and there is no denying that Kevin Ayers distinct voice sees to that. But there are really two sides to this album. The songs that are good on it, are so great they are definitely the best work this band have ever done. Tracks like "Seance" are so phenomenal, I lack words to describe them! It surely is one the best written songs I've ever heard! But other songs doesn't stick in my mind, even 5 minutes after listening to them. And on both other albums, I really like almost all the songs. So 'Age Of Darkness' is the album I like the least of the three. That doesn't make it a bad album, Haven have just spoiled me. On 'Spend My Life With You' we get a glimpse of what the band are going to sound like on their next album. I'm very pleased to own all Haven's albums (although not all original releases).

Killer tracks: Divination, The Witching Hour, Seance, Spend My Life With You

HAVEN (1995) KMA

  1. Haven
  2. Her Eyes Can't Hide
  3. Falling Down
  4. Her Eyes Can't Hide (Conclusion)
  5. Don't Let The Moment Slip Away
  6. Prisoner
  7. I Will Follow
  8. Love From Above
  9. When Jesus Lights The Way
  10. The Almighty
  11. Don't Run Away
  12. Without Excuse

Line-up:

Kevin Ayers - All Lead and Backing Vocals, Drums, Lead-, Electric-, Acoustic- and Classical- Guitars, Fretless Bass

Carlos Cintron - Lead Guitars on 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11

Guests:

John Farrell - Rhythm and Lead Guitars on 5

Andrew Bruner - Lead Guitars on 5, 10

Edward Bruner - Bass Guitars on 5

Michael Cineron - Bass

This was the last Haven disc to be released (not counting the demo and rehearsals release 'Straight From The Cutting Room Floor'). The only remaining full member is singer Kevin Ayers, though some of the old members do appear in some of the tracks. But to me, Kevin is Haven, so I have no problem with that. This self titled disc is a bit more on the softer side than the others. The music is very melodic, and that suits Kevin's voice perfectly. I love the ever-present worship vibe on Haven's albums. For a good example of that, check out the title track of this album. What is not really up to pare here though is that 'Haven' was released on an independent label (Kevin's own, if I'm not mistaken), and the production and cover art is an example on how that is showing on the finished result. But at the end of the day, it's the music that counts. Finally replaced my CDR with an original!

Killer tracks: Haven, Falling Down, Don't Let The Moment Slip Away, When Jesus Lights The Way

Haven also appear on:  

V/A - 'ARGH!!! The Official R.E.X. Sampler''