[Introduction] Ültra Raptör (Canada)
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First of all as Always thank you to Ültra Raptör for giving me the Permission to write this Introduction.
As the Readers of this Blog most know by now, I'am often on Spotify and switch through so many Artists. And in this Sense i found also Ültra Raptör!
Many groups that I know have achieved a certain status, but there are also some really great underground bands that deserve recognition. Personally, I am more of a symphonic, speed, or power metal listener, which is Perfect since this Band covers Heavy and Speed Metal in one swing.
Line-Up L to R (on the Picture above) :
Cristòbal Raptollini aka Criss Raptör - Lead Guitars
Philip Thunder Lundqvist aka Phil T. Lung - Vocals
Richard Grøßgrënn Van Heuss aka Dick Van Heuss - Bass Guitar
Antonio Broncosaurus aka Tony Bronco - Drums
Zoltan - Rhythm Guitars
July 2018 brought us a new heavy metal/speed metal sensation from Canada. Ültra Raptör burst onto the music scene with a roar and their self-titled EP.
1. Highways of Ice (04:07)
2. Raptor Riders (04:19)
3. Under the Claw (03:26)
4. CyberFortress (03:41)
5. Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (04:59)
Full-Playtime: 20:32
Here some Supporter notice from there Bandcamp Site:
Elric: I would book these guys for a dinosaur-themed birthday party in a heartbeat if I had the money.
Diabolus in Muzaka: Glad I managed to get a copy of this. An absolute riot to spin, and their full-length also rules.
NANDO: Absolutely amazing old school Speed Metal with great vocals and guitars..
And the Overall Description on there Bandcamp:
Heavy/speed metal band, formed in late 2015 in Quebec City, Canada.
Their style is influenced by 1980s German speed/USPM metal and is based on an exaggerated xenozoic/science fiction theme.
Nevertheless, we were able to ask our questions. And, as always, we were curious to see what answers we would receive. All questions were answered by the band’s Vocalist Phil.
Ceyla: "Is there any band that inspires you the most? Or, if there isn’t such a band, where do you draw your inspiration from?"
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Phil: "Well, let's say our core influences are a mix of 80's German Speed and Heavy Metal (Running Wild, Grave Digger, early Helloween, Rage, Risk) and US Power Metal (Savatage, Agent Steel, Jag Panzer, Vicious Rumors). You can also say we have hints of NWOBHM, Thrash, and the heavier parts of Hair Metal, like WASP. 80's Metal as a whole basically! As long as it's not too poppy or gentle. "
You can definitely hear the influences of the Bands mentioned above in the songs, but the sound of the songs is still very unique. Unique enough to let your imagination run wild and just let yourself be carried away. Even if that's hard to imagine with some music genres.
I found another detailed review of their EP.
Ah, Québec City, home to Winter "Carnaval" (presided by jolly Bonhomme snowman mascot) and mighty Château Frontenac, can now boast claim as birthplace of heavy metal's latest dinosaur themed troupe of storytelling miscreants, Ültra Raptör, the alpha of its genus when it comes to musically rampant and revved, speedily melodic works. With five tracks running full steam over twenty minutes, 2018's rawboned and deft titular EP waxes prehistoric, not only on obvious monster saurian, but Cadillacs and Xenozoic Tales, also - to quote Wikipedia, "an alternative comic book by Mark Schultz set in a post-apocalyptic future".
(A further topic of discussion should include yarn inspired by Topps' mega gory Dinosaurs Attack! trading card series from 1988 i.e. fourth grade hell, which "tells the story of dinosaurs transported through time into the present day through an accident freak and wreaking havoc on Earth, intended to evoke memories of the successful Mars Attacks trading card series of 1962.")
Line up wise, lead guitarist Criss Raptör, bassist Dick Van Heuß and indelibly named front man Phil T. Lung remain on last year's rich, raw and invigorating (as well as Judas Priest approved) Tyrant's full-length debut, having welcomed newcomers Tony Bronco on drums and rhythmic axe'r Nick Rifle.
Beforeclaw, respective roles were held by Rick Wild and Steve Force, although there's barely any difference with latent quintet's intensity. It's still the same mixture of greasy cloying hooks and energetic vocals which benefit from a highly organic and rarefied production, bringing to mind fond Canadian clash between Toronto's loose and party-animalized, albeit intensely shred-some, Skull Fist and Montreal's grim biker rock mutation Lüger.
One thing is for sure: Ültra Raptör is anything but "traditional", unlike former countrymen who, for all their prowess and skill, fail to surprise despite guaranteed rise. Opener "Highways Of Ice" makes fine antecedent, in terms of lowbrow intricacy and ear worm harmony, to 2021's "Missile (Metal Warrior)" thanks to mystically dazzling and rabidly technical Marty Friedman-esque chops. There's nothing "easy" regarding "Raptor Riders", where an early bird - modern day relationship - lead predictions blast beat and "trem" tourbillion, hence rocking USPM vibes akin to Boston's Ravage. Then again, the imagery of Oakley shaded, hog riding, boom stick totting Velociraptors has lots to do with said analogy.
My ever-neurotic metal filing places 3.5 minute express humdinger "Under The Claw" in 3 Inches Of Blood-meets-early Sin Starlett territory, as the latter's 2012 Throat Attack closer, "Beholders Of The Claw", inspires similarly empowering unguis lore on behalf of predatory, bad-ass endowment. Twin peak cripplers "CyberFortress" and "Cadillacs And Dinosaurs" complete this none-too-vegetarian menu, as the latter thrash-y anthem explodes down the line in true Razor/Exciter spirit (for want of informed and far from random name drop). Compared to much catchier Tyrants, the EP serves as a warning screech.
Jurassic Park, beware!
In November 2021, the Canadians brought their long-awaited debut album Tyrants to the music world, and their fans were more than happy about this development.
1. Missile (Metal Warrior) (04:49)
2. Cybörg-Rex (04:06)
3. Take Me Back (04:49)
4. An Offering to the Tyrant (03:57)
5. Nightslasher (03:49)
6. Gale Runner (04:58)
7. The Quest for Relics (04:47)
8. Winds of Vengeance (05:00)
9. Caustic Shower (03:37)
10. SpaceFighter (442 AlphaClass Pegasus SubC35.2) (05:32)
Full-Paytime: 45:24
Some pieces of the detailed Description of there Debut Album:
One of my thoughts on first listening to Tyrants was that it would work well for Dragonforce fans who wanted the group's faster songs to touch on thrash drumming instead of blastbeats and who prefer more of a trad metal swagger to the lofty power metal cries for freedom. I say that because Ültra Raptör lay down an almost entirely fast album while still focusing on hooks and a bit of guitar hero shredding, yet control the experience to prevent any of the 10 songs becoming unwieldy. The crash and slam of combative cuts such as 'Gale Runner' and 'Cybörg-Rex' were enough to draw me in at first, seeing as even these comparatively mid-paced songs burst with energy and slide off towards epic lead guitar diversions between regularly punctuated choruses. If you can forget the main riff and chorus of 'Gale Runner' any time in the 24 hours after listening to it, this album may not be for you. Regardless of the hooks, the production seems practically faultless, smashing the drums hard but not too forward, pumping the riffing through both guitars and bass, then allowing a little extra juice for vocals and especially leads.
The vocals need careful examining, since what Phil T. Lung (yup) does draws a line between classic heavy sounds and a rather less obvious choice in the power/speed/heavy field. Sometimes, really high squeals emphasize the '80s influence on Tyrants, chasing Udo Dirkschnieder in terms of pure screaming pitch, yet the vast majority of the singing takes place in a gruff and bullish mid-to-low belt, which packs grit, power, and a bit of raspy showmanship too. That's almost the perfect voice for shouting out slogans and victorious choruses, bringing 'Take Me Back' and 'The Quest for Relics' - in my eyes the standout - to demand participation on each listen. That 'The Quest for Relics' seems to be a metal version of Bargain Hunt or an antiques trawl proves how catchy it is, because that would otherwise be a stupid topic. Due to the speed of many of the verses, the lyrics sometimes take a backseat, hence why 'Caustic Shower' or 'Missile (Metal Warrior)' feel like thrash, although 'Winds of Vengeance' slows things down a bit for sombre, doomy atmosphere.
Of course, there was also the question of the festivals.
Ceyla: "Are in Germany or more so in the World any Festivals or Events that you would like to attend
Some of them are always giving Chances to Apply to. Or give it Bands that you would like to Tour with?"
(Feel free to include any you may have already visited. Or want to Visit again).
Some of them are always giving Chances to Apply to. Or give it Bands that you would like to Tour with?"
Everyone has different ideas about which events they might be suitable for, so we are always curious to see what the answer will be.
Phil: "Well, some of us in the band already went to European festivals like Wacken or Hellfest as a spectator, in my case I never went to Europe period! So yes indeed I would love to attend Wacken or Hellfest or Sweden Rock or Bloodstock etc... at least once haha! As a band for Ultra Raptor, something like Keep It True would be a main goal for sure. Bands that we would love to tour with: In the US it would be "I Am The Intimidator" for sure, in general it would be with Vulture, Venator and Sabire. "
As many of You know, i do love to recommend to different Festivals, like Dong Open Air, Full Force, Rock Harz, Summer Breeze, Turock Open Air , Party San Open Air, Frostfeuernächte and many many more. The only thing we could share is the Summer Breeze page.
Nonetheless, we're keeping our fingers crossed for the upcoming festival season for the band where they get the Chance to Play.
This year, 2025, there second album, titled Fossilized, was released. It takes you directly back to there universe full of cyber dinosaurs that so you can fight with. As a little preview of the album, their single "Fossilized" was released a few days beforehand, which only fueled the fans' excitement even more.
1. Fossilized (04:08)
2. Spinosaurus (03:55)
3. Hard 'N Fast (04:19)
4. Living for the Riff (04:14)
5. Bitter Leaf (04:40)
6. X-Celerator (Feel the Power) (03:58)
7. Pterö-Ranger (04:09)
8. Down the Drain (04:54)
9. Le voyageur d'Oort (01:10 (instrumental))
10. Face the Challenge (05:11)
Full-Playtime: 40:38
Here some Supporter notice from there Bandcamp Site:
Scott Malthouse: I've given up going to the gym because the act of listening to Fossilized grows muscles.
bovamonster: Speed metal and dinosaurs, how could anyone resist?
Of course, we always give artists and musicians the option to leave a message for the readers. These messages are always very heartwarming, even if you shouldn't mention them in metal. And yet, they are all absolutely lovely people.
Ceyla: "Is there anything you would like the readers of this blog to know about you and your music?"
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Phil: " Greetings German Metalheads! If you want an album that is either perfect for speeding down the Autobahn as fast as your shitbox can, or headbanging while chugging down pitchers of DAB and Warsteiner with the volume turned up very loud, well our lastest album "Fossilized" is just for you! Let's hope we can play gigs near you guys in a not so distant future! Follow us on facebook/instagram if you want any more details about us, or on Bandcamp and Fighter Records if you want to buy something from us. Cheers! "
With this, we had another Honor to write about a Awesome Band and we hope to fascinate so much more People to look into there Music.
All named artists, as well as festivals and the entire discography, are linked throughout the article!
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