Album review: RAPHEUMET’S WELL – Dimensions

RAPHEUMET'S WELL - Dimensions

Sometimes a local band will come along and blow you away with the music they play. Living around Charlotte, NC I’m a lucky guy because the metal scene is pretty incredible. I have been lucky to see some amazing bands and meet some super folks thanks to the scene. It makes me sad when a band I like falls apart, but sometimes when that happens, out of those ashes, something even more breathtaking happens. When I heard that Spine Extraction was more or less done I hated to hear it. Though I wouldn’t say they were my favorite local band, I did enjoy seeing them live and meeting some of the guys. But just as I said above, coming from that band is the group Rapheumet’s Well, and I have to say that quite easily, I like this band even more.

Symphonic black metal is a genre I’m just now getting into. Thanks to bands like Fleshgod Apocalypse and Septicflesh (and great friends for pointing me in that direction) I have found that there is something about this style that has a strong appeal for me. The two I mentioned are, from my estimation at least, two of the best of the genre, but with the debut release of Rapheumet’s Well s/t album, they could quickly join their ranks. Interspersing lush orchestral bits into some brutally heavy yet beautifully melodic music, this band has managed to create one of my absolute favorite albums of the year so far. For a first outing, they have certainly created something fairly spectacular.

Songs like “At the Mantle of the Gods,” “Netherworlds Exile,” “Lair of Eishtar,” and the two-parter “Betrayer” they have created a sprawling sci-fi conceptual piece that has truly blown my mind. The guitar work of Ralph Barnette and Daniel Presnell alone is worth owning the CD, but adding to that the drums of Joshua Ward and the bass of Jon Finney, the brutal growls of Tripp King and the clean vocals of Ward, along with some pretty stellar symphonic pieces they create a sound that is evil and beautiful at the same time.

There is no doubt in my mind that once people get their hands on this album, they will feel exactly as I do. Any fan of symphonic black metal needs this album. If this is what they’re capable of on their first release there is no telling what the future holds for Rapheumet’s Well. Do yourself a favor and get this album now. I don’t think you will be disappointed! ****1/2

Review by Chris Martin


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply