Album Review: Raven - Metal City
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
If like me your knees creak when you bend, the chances are that you’ll remember the athletic speed metal of Raven, the Tyneside legends who emerged at the forefront of the NWOBHM in the late 1970s. The embryonic shoots of the band can be traced as far back as 1974 but it was the trio of brothers John and Mark Gallagher, bass and vocals and guitar respectively, along with drummer Rob ‘Wacko’ Hunter that were the line-up that still linger in the memory. Raven were one of the early steeds in the Neat records stable, alongside neighbours Tygers of Pantang, Fist and White Spirit (not too mention a certain notable North East band called Venom). They were certainly unlike most other bands, their high-powered energetic athleticism and proto-speed metal pushing the envelope where many were unable or feared to go. High powered tempos combined with John’s alternative gruff and shrieking vocals ensured that Raven soon gathered a large following.
An anxious year’s delay on their debut album was justified by the band stating that they wanted all other bands to “get their singles/albums underway. It wouldn’t be fair to others to release the album which would defeat all others”. [Source: The NWOBHM Encyclopaedia – Malc MacMillan, 3rd Edition, 2012] The resulting release had to be something special after that and to Raven’s credit, ‘Rock Til You Drop’ was a fine release with some classic tracks including ‘Hard Ride’, ‘Lambs to the Slaughter’ (later covered by Kreator) and ‘For The Future’. The album cracked the mainstream UK charts, an amazing achievement at the time. The band hit the States in 1983 with support from an upcoming band called Metallica! The release of 1984’s ‘Live At The Inferno!’ which remains one of my favourite live albums of all time was a watershed moment as the band based themselves in the States and signed to Atlantic, moving to a more polished, hard rock sound, a million miles away from their early fiery style. When Hunter left the band in 1987, disillusioned by the flack the band received by the UK press, the band drafted in drummer Joe Hasselvander (Pentagram, Cathedral amongst a million others) who remained in place until a heart attack forced his departure in 2017. Over those 30 years since they signed to Atlantic the band have continued to work (an enforced hiatus in 2001-04 occurred when Mark was crushed by a wall) with their most recent album 2015’s ‘ExtermiNation’. Now, with drummer Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy) firmly rooted to the drum stool, Raven are back with their 14th long player, ‘Metal City’.
It’s been a long time since I heard anything new from Raven, although I admit that ‘Live At The Inferno!’ still gets a regular spin. Well, the good news, especially for an old fart like me is that Raven can still cut it. Ten tracks, 38 minutes of powerful, driving metal, catchy hooks, and plenty of riffs. It’s an album that works for both the old school fan and the younger metalhead who may be exploring a bit of the UK’s metal heritage. The tempo and attitude are spot on throughout with Heller’s explosive drumming propelling Raven at breakneck speed. It may not be classed as thrash metal, but Raven still bring the speed and the slightly crazed, out of control feel that was prevalent back in those earlier days.
There’s a retro feel to opener ‘The Power’ (Raven’s Game of Thrones song!) and especially’ Top Of The Mountain’, both songs that link the past with the present whilst ‘Human Race’ is a blistering explosive piece with an unexpected change of gear mid-song. The anthemic homage to their home city of Newcastle is covered in the title track (worth checking out the video for some true Geordie sights). ‘Motorheadin’ is unashamedly the band’s tribute to Motörhead, both in approach and style. A frantic, bludgeoning track, short and sweet and in your face. Observations on society are included with ‘Cybertron’, the band’s view on the surveillance state. After all these years, John Gallagher’s ability to hit those ear-piercing screams is impressive and he shatters glass on ‘Not So Easy’ and the pounding aggressive thrash blast of ‘Break’. ‘When World’s Collide’ is an appropriate anthem to finish.
Raven were a band who could have achieved huge things. That they didn’t is another of those mysteries that litters the NWOBHM legacy. ‘Metal City’ is massively enjoyable, and although there is more than a link to the past, it is also contemporary. Tackling the album with modern production at Michael Wagener’s Nashville studio gives it a fresh feel whilst comfortingly retaining some of the rawness that Raven have always had. With the threat of European dates in 2021, in ‘Metal City’ is a fine reminder that there is still plenty of gas left in the tank.
Metal City is released on SPV on 18th September
