On a scorching June evening that would culminate with the almighty Iron Maiden setting London Stadium ablaze, the stage was first handed to The Raven Age — a band whose bloodline runs deep through the veins of British heavy metal. With George Harris, son of Iron Maiden’s own Steve Harris, at the helm on guitar, there was no mistaking the symbolic weight of this slot. But from the first note of opener Forgive & Forget, it was clear: this band isn’t here for legacy. They’re here to prove they deserve to be standing in the same arenas their forebears built.
The Raven Age @ London Stadium
Drawing from the modern metal playbook but infusing it with classic sensibility, The Raven Age brought a tightly wound, emotionally charged performance to a swelling crowd, many of whom had arrived early to see what the buzz was about. They did not leave disappointed.
Matt James commanded the stage with a frontman’s natural charisma—equal parts ferocious and melodic—bringing songs like Hangman and Essence Of Time to visceral life. These weren’t just performances; they were declarations. The band has come into its own, musically and sonically, blending bruising breakdowns with rich, melodic hooks that transcend genre boundaries. There’s a cinematic quality to their sound that makes it ideally suited to stadiums—each track feels like a chapter in a broader narrative.
Essence Of Time, in particular, showcased the band’s flair for the epic. Harris and fellow guitarist Tommy Gentry weaved dual guitar lines that danced between melody and menace, while drummer Jai Patel anchored the track with thunderous precision. Matt Cox, ever solid on bass, rounded out a rhythm section that was locked-in throughout, delivering a muscular, airtight performance.
The Day The World Stood Still slowed the pace slightly but raised the emotional stakes, building from ethereal atmosphere into a cathartic explosion of sound. The performance struck a poignant chord with the crowd, their focus fully locked in—a feat rarely achieved by an opening act in a stadium this size.
But if that was their moment of introspection, Serpents Tongue snapped back with venomous intent. The track, sharp-edged and relentless, showed off their heavier side, while still maintaining the melodic intelligence that separates them from the riff-for-riff masses. Live, the song had teeth—biting hard and refusing to let go.
Grave Of The Fireflies was another standout, offering a slower, moodier passage that highlighted their ability to blend dynamic contrast with lyrical weight. The track’s ominous build and explosive finale had the audience visibly engaged, heads nodding and arms raised.
By the time they closed with Fleur de Lis, the stadium was nicely filling, and The Raven Age held it like seasoned headliners. The galloping rhythm, soaring chorus, and pyrotechnic guitar interplay felt like the natural culmination of their set. It was clear they knew the opportunity they’d been given, and they met it with complete conviction.
There’s no question that George Harris’s Iron Maiden connection may have opened a few doors early in their career—but The Raven Age have kicked those doors off the hinges and are now firmly forging their own identity. Their sound blends new-wave metalcore, traditional heavy metal flourishes, and emotive songwriting in a way that feels both contemporary and timeless.
As support slots go, this was a masterclass. Not only did The Raven Age warm up the London Stadium crowd, they left a lasting impression. In an evening destined to celebrate the titans of metal, they made their own bold claim for future greatness.
With performances like this, don’t be surprised if they’re topping festival bills and headlining major tours in the not-too-distant future. For now, though, they can chalk this one up as a landmark win on a stadium stage—and not just any stadium, but one filled with fans of a band that helped define the genre. To shine in that setting? That’s no small feat.
Live review & photography of The Raven Age @ London Stadium by Kalpesh Patel on 28th June 2025.
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