October 24th, 2026 - Return of the Spectral Sweet Rider

 

Hey there headbangers and craft brew lovers!  Your drinking buddy the Meista is here this evening with another great pairing for ya... I'm rocking the hell out with another great pairing for ya... I'm headbanging to "Return Of The Spectral Rider", kick-ass 3rd album by the mighty Ravage and a Voodoo Ranger Sweet Ride Juicy IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!  

Album Info:

• Artist: Ravage
• Title: "Return Of The Spectral Rider"
• Recorded: 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts
• Release date: May 26th, 2017 (3rd full-length studio album by Ravage)
• Record company: Society for World Wide Ravage
• Production: Eli Firicano with Ravage
• Album cover art: Tim Jacobus
• Personnel: Alec "Al Ravage" Firicano (vocals), Eli Joe Firicano (guitars), Tommy Grimaldi (bass), Nick Izzo (guitars), and Derek Jay (drums)
• Guest musicians: George "GTB" Bellofatto Jr. (drums on "Whyvern" and "Wake The Dead", narration on "The Wasteland", and backing vocals), Tony "The Metal Duke" Canillas (backing vocals), Amber Newberry Izzo (backing vocals), Bassil Silver-Hajo (drums on "Spectral Rider"), and Yianni Tranxidis (drums on "Turn The Screw" and "Masque Of Black Death")
• Musical style: Heavy metal, speed metal, power metal
• Sound: Characterized by wonderfully crushing guitar riffs, soaring solos, thunderous drums and bass, and Al Ravage's district and powerful vocals, the sound on "Return Of The Spectral Rider" is pure, traditional, kick-ass American metal!
• Major themes: Destruction, darkness, evil, horror, death, , etc.
• Tracks: 
1. "Dies Irae"
2. "Spectral Rider"
3. "Turn The Screw"
4. "The Wicked Way"
5. "Masque Of Black Death"
6. "Ravage Part 1: Damage"
7. "Whyvern"
8. "Wake The Dead"
9. "The Wasteland"
10. "Curse Of Heaven"
11. "Bring Down The Hellhammer"
12. "The Kingdom Forgotten"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado)
• Website: https://www.newbelgium.com/ 
• Brew: Voodoo Ranger Sweet Ride Juicy IPA
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 6.5%
• IBUs: 25
• Ingredients: Sabro, Lotus, Strata, and HBC 522 hops, and Pale Malt, Oats, and Wheat malts
• Pour: The Voodoo Ranger Sweet Ride Juicy IPA pours a hazy, golden-yellow hue with a frothy, bright white, 2+ finger head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate, and layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very citrusy, floral, sweet, and slightly malty.  There are aromas of fresh squeezed orange juice, tangerine, pink grapefruit, mango, fresh peach, wildflowers, caramel, and a hint of booze.
• Taste: The taste of the Voodoo Ranger Sweet Ride Juicy IPAA follows the nose with lots of citrusy, juicy, punchy, and hop-forward fruit flavors.  There are big notes of orange, tangerine, mango, and peach, along with more subtle notes of pineapple, pink grapefruit juice, and sweet caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the Voodoo Ranger Sweet Ride Juicy IPA's mouthfeel is very crisp and very juicy with a dry, slightly boozy, and sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The Voodoo Ranger Sweet Ride Juicy IPA is a very crushable, somewhat sweet, and flavorful brew that is a perfect companion to the rockin' metal onslaught that is the mighty Ravage's "Return Of The Spectral Rider"!  Those biting hops go great with the darker thematic elements of the album's lyrics and rhythms, while the brighter, sweeter elements go great with the fiery guitars and soaring vocals!  'Nuff said!

And if you haven't done so already, check out my interview with the very cool Al Ravage!  You can access it here: https://youtu.be/wJ7kukDRq6c

Cheers and hails!!  Rock on!!