KERRANG:
Terrible name, terrifying racket. This debut from Mancunian quintet Raucous is an intense piece of work. An ambitious bunch, they line their post-Neurosis thunderclouds with some effective post-rock touches and the occasional outbreak of almost trad metal guitar. The relentlessly lumbering nature of these seven tracks will either be an endurance test or a hypnotic and engrossing experience. Balancing warmth with bleakness, it rewards patience and repeat listens. Most importantly, they manage to stand out among the many bands doing similar work, sounding more focused and imaginative than most. Keep your eyes, and ears, on this promising new band. 4KKKKs

ROCK-A-ROLLA:
Openers Raucous have supported 5ive and Pelican in their time and were more than capable of holding there own on this excellent bill. Producing large grooves with vibrating bass volumes and harsh screaming, the band set the epic tone for the night with a set of sludgy noisescapes.

BOOMKAT.COM:
Manchester-based metal band raucous specialize in sludge-laden, bottom-heavy doom. Clearly they might have taken one or two cues from the likes of Earth in their approach to glacially paced detuned guitar workouts (as on the half-time grind of opener, ‘I’), but there’s also evidence of an inclination towards eighties thrash when they up the tempo on a track like ‘Must’, which is propped up by some great harmonized guitar that recalls vintage Megadeth. Midway through the album, ‘These’ seemingly encroaches upon the quiet/loud binary post-rock of Mogwai, before the Cookie Monster growl of vocalist James Creely dispels that illusion four minutes in. The album comes to a close on ‘Roads’, perhaps one of the more openly melodic things here, though thankfully it’s no less brash for hinting at a tune.

LOAD OF NOISE:
Emerging on the live circuit in 2004, Manchester’s Raucous have played with a whole host of excellent bands from across the pond. This experience has no doubt helped the band transform into the talented, hefty beast they are today. Raucous’ songs are lengthy affairs which have progressive structures and heaps of melody and heaviness combined. The band excels at creating thoughtful, calming moments of tranquillity and this is highlighted in the 16 minute mammoth ‘Walk’. Comparable to a variety of bands such as Neurosis, Pelican and 5ive in their epic-ness, the band nevertheless have their own take on things and their organic production helps their live power shine through on this recommended debut.

ROUGH TRADE.COM:
Over the past year raucous have been focused on writing and recording this, their debut album, entirely themselves, they have come up with seven tracks that encapsulate crushing heaviness, chaotic, frantic metal and moments of soaring melody and fragile beauty.

ZERO TOLERANCE:
Although they may be challenging for the title of "Most bollocks band name of the year", there's plenty that Manchester's Raucous (see it just makes you laugh doesn't it) should be pleased about. Seven tracks long, this is their debut album and it takes the listener on an uncomfortable journey through different shades of noise, going from delicate melodies to jarring discordant passages in an instant. The production somewhat sucks however, the vocals are muffled and in places the guitar is way too high in the mix. It's not enough to spoil a decent album though" 3/5