Raven, like Saxon, Satan, and Iron Maiden, were part of the NWoBHM that conquered the world in the early 80s. Prime platters like Rock Until You Drop, Wiped Out, and All for One were fast, furious, and goddamn rowdy doses of attitude, balls, and poor behavior, and they were always the undisputed bad boys of their scene. Some 42 years on and they’re still functioning and releasing new albums on a regular basis, making them part of an increasingly exclusive NWoBHM Survivor Series. It seemed they were not overjoyed with Huck N’ Roll‘s review of 2020s Metal City and they weren’t shy about making their feelings known either. It led to some spicy comment section jiggery-pokery, a still-running inside joke, and a wonderful site banner, so all things considered, it was a good experience for some. Now the angry birds are back with their 15th album, All Hell’s Breaking Loose and it’s Yours Steely tasked with analyzing their latest migration patterns. As a Raven watcher going all the way back to their salad days, I feel qualified for such a posting, and I’m willing to admit I liked Metal City a bit more than Old Man Huck did, while also enjoying 2015s ExtermiNation. Here’s to dodging a bitter unkindness!
And to the surprise of no one, All Hell’s Breaking Loose sounds a lot like Raven usually sound. It’s NWoBHM at its dusty, crusty core, but more hyperactive, speedy, and unhinged than the stuff most expect when they think of this style. At times the material lapses into speed and thrash territory and all knobs are broken off at 11. Opener “Medieval” is fast, high-octane metal with a frantic, panic attack-y vibe running through it. Mark Gallager tears it up on the axe with burly riffs coming in bunches, and John Gallagher’s wild and whacky voice is still wild and whacky, and occasionally spry and agile. The template thus re-established, the pecks keep coming with the catchy as fook “Surf the Tsunami” and the blistering “Turn of the Screw.” Both reek of sweat and vintage Raven leavings.
Their formula holds up well over the course of All Hell’s Breaking Loose. They keep song structures simple, write catchy refrains and then slather everything with zany vocals and wild guitar excess. Mark Gallagher is everywhere all the time and his riffs and ripping solos give the material a nonstop supply of jittery, angry energy. While no song here is going to reestablish the primacy of 80s metal, cuts like “The Far Side,” “Desperate Measures” and Victory’s Call” are just dumb, catchy fun. There are a few selections that aren’t quite as charming as the best of the litter, but nothing requires skipping. Raven wisely keeps all the songs in a 3-4 minute window which results in a winning get in, fuck shit up, get out style. The album runs a mere 43 minutes (minus bonus tracks), so it smacks you in the face with a slimy halibut and runs off into the night.
For a three-piece, Raven always sounded bigger and louder than they should, and that applies here too. Mark Gallagher will bowl you over with his insane playing. He’s a talented guitarist with a unique style and he can still craft a solid collection of song-driving leads and then dazzle with frenetic, overdone soloing. John Gallagher holds down the bass line and delivers crazed vocals that range from gruff shouts to ear-damaging screams and modest attempts at singing, sometimes sounding a bit like Peavy Wagner of Rage. In truth, he’s always been a love-or-hate kind of vocalist, and his piercing wails can become offputting and make songs grating when overused. Relative youngblood Mike Heller (Malignancy, ex-Fear Factory) has manned the kit since 2018 and he’s a living dynamo of mass destruction on the backline. He keeps pace with the chaos while adding plenty of his own to make things interesting.
Raven were always a bit of an acquired taste, and they still are. In a way, they remind me of Anvil.1 They both bring a hardscrabble, blue-collar grit and moxie to the table, keeping things metal, fun, and over-the-top. This is Raven being Raven in 2023 and it mostly still works. If you like your 80s metal ugly, uncouth, and shaggy, Raven have that setting (and only that setting). All others, approach with a guarded ear and prepare for a Wet Willy. Off I fuck, chief!
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: N/A | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: Silver Lining
Websites: ravenlunatics.com | facebook.com/ravenbandofficial
Releases Worldwide: June 30th, 2023
