Dissonance Productions [Release date 27.04.18]
Formed in the north of England in the mid 70s by brothers John (bass, and vocals) and Mark (guitar) Gallagher, Raven were a trio associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Playing what they branded as athletic rock, Raven (and similar bands like Jaguar) were a strong influence on thrash and subsequent speed metal scenes. Their 1981 debut Rock Until You Drop appeared in 1981, and this 1982 follow up rocked just as hard and fast.
With Rob Wacko Hunter on drums (completing the ‘classic’ line-up), this album is a real corker and essential listening for even the most casual metal-head or guitar shredder.
With a buzz build, ‘Faster Than The Speed Of Light’ then does what says on the tin, let the ear splitting begin.
There’s many a chunky (even occasionally boogie) rhythm under the shred, the guitar and vocals are often high and fast, soaring like a fighter jet. Stand out track has to be the classic and catchy ‘Live At The Inferno’ (the band even named a double live LP after this song, and a classic set that is I can tell you).
Several previously issued bonus tracks round off the set nicely. A wonderful listen beginning to end, my only issue is that this album is issued alone and not part of a cohesive catalogue overhaul. ****1/2
Review by Joe Geesin
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Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025
SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
RED GIANT Free Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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