Here’s a monster, monster slab of classic New Wave of British Heavy Metal for you. The first three Raven studio albums and their remarkable live album. All from the band’s early career on the NWOBHM-friendly Neat label.
Raven originated from the NWOBHM “stronghold” of the north east. A proving ground which also spawned luminaries such as White Spirit, Tygers of Pan Tang, Fist et al.
In this, er, neat package we can marvel at how good Raven were back then. This tasty box set comprises Rock Until You Drop, Wiped Out, All For One and Live at the Inferno – all on the Neat label before Raven bagged a big time contract with Atlantic.
This is all blistering stuff. Hard, heavy, powerful, athletic. Massive, chunky, brutal, strong riffs and powerchords. Manic solos, huge drumming and a vocal putting period Halford firmly in the shade.
Indeed – these Raven albums, in my opinion, are all better than anything Priest was doing at the time or since. In parts it’s not unlike Priest – but with more muscle.
Rock Until You Drop is a fine a debut album as any NWOBHM act did. Iron Maiden – who are they when you have Raven. Hard Ride, Hell Patrol, Nobody’s Hero and the rest truly remarkable. As is the barking mad cover of Sweet’s Hellraiser and Action. The album closer – Tyrant of the Airwaves the standout on an album of standouts. Have a listen.
The follow-up album – Wiped Out – was perhaps a bit rushed as the label tried to capitalise on the success of the debut though it doesn’t make it any less of a powerful listen with more of that muscular style hitting hard. It’s all good. And Raven’s potential was noticed attracting touring slots with the likes of Motorhead and Girlschool. Even America beckoned as they went on the road with Anvil.
That momentum was followed up with the third album – All For One – again showing what a force Raven were with a higher quality production from the Michael Wagner/Udo Dirkschneider “double trouble” team.
More touring followed – notably back in America again with none other than Metallica supporting.
Returning from that tour would signal the end of the band’s association with Neat for the deeper pool of Atlantic. However the switch to the majors wouldn’t put Raven as far up the tree as talent deserved.
Enjoy this box set from the “early days” to show how good Raven were in the early days. It’s proper NWONHM with muscle and stands up well today four decades later. Super stuff!
>> RAVEN OVER THE TOP: THE NEAT ALBUMS ON AMAZON HERE <<
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