RAVEN
“SCREAMING MUDER DEATH FROM ABOVE: LIVE IN AALBORG”
Album Review by Iron Mathew

10/10

Raven are a heavy metal band from the UK, formed in 1974 by the Gallagher brothers John and Mark. Raven are a legendary band that helped forge the iconic sound of the NWOBHM movement during the late seventies/early eighties. The bands first three albums ‘Rock Until You Drop’ (1981), ‘Wiped Out’ (1982) and ‘All For One’ (1983) are quintessential listening, and must haves for the true fans of NWOBHM. Their 1984 live album ‘Live At The Inferno’ captured the band at their ferocious best, and now, an amazing thirty five years on, the band deliver a performance that outstrips that one. ‘Screaming Murder Death From Above: Live In Aalborg’ sees Raven firing on all cylinders, delivering a captivating one hour of “foot on the monitor” style, traditional heavy metal.

Veterans of the heavy metal scene, Raven are icons, legends in the metal world and have been an inspiration to many bands throughout their four decades plus career. I am not gonna bore you by detailing their discography, videography or life achievements, I am gonna try and convey the excitement, exhilaration and enjoyment I felt while head banging furiously to ‘Screaming Murder Death From Above: Live In Aalborg’, Featuring six songs from those aforementioned three albums, this, for me, is heavy metal heaven, as Raven played a huge part in shaping my listening preferences as a young teenager… whoa holy shit batman, if I was a teenager listening to the first three albums by Raven, who have enjoyed a four decade plus career, then that must make me how fucking old? Err, enough said, on with the show…

Raven are one of the “old breed”, no need for modern day tech, lights and pyro. Their live shows are energetic, frantic and raucous. ‘Screaming Murder Death From Above: Live In Aalborg’ shows the band at their bombastic best, pleasing the crowd with a sort of “greatest hits” set. The majority of songs are from the bands glory years during the eighties, when the NWOBHM was still evolving, with Raven at the forefront of the evolution. Opening with one of their newer songs, ‘Destroy All Monsters’, Raven then proceed to power through classic songs ‘Hell Patrol’, ‘All For One’, ‘Hung, Drawn And Quartered’ and the legendary crowd participation favourite ‘Rock Until You Drop’. An immense amount of passion and pride ooze from every corner of the stage as the three piece outfit deliver a bustling performance of traditional heavy metal. The trademark vocal screech of singer John Gallagher is still there after forty years, as is the guitar wizardry of brother Mark, with newest member, Mike Heller, delivering a stellar performance on the drums.

Guitar solo ‘A.A.N.S.M.M.G.N.’ and ‘Tank Treads (The Blood Runs Red)’ act as a bridge between the classics. The second half of the bands set brings the glory years to the fore once more – ‘Faster Than The Speed Of Light’, ‘On And On’, another crowd participation favourite ‘Break The Chain’ and the iconic ‘Crash, Bang, Wallop’. For an hour, Raven deliver the kind of performance that puts many other bands, and I have to say younger bands, in the shade. Their passion, pride and belief in heavy metal is un-questionable, un-quavering and un-equalled…okay, maybe the last one is up for debate, but whatever the outcome, Raven are the best of British, they have been there, done it and are still wearing the tee shirt. Raven are a name around the world for their contribution to heavy metal, and they are still contributing to this day. ‘Screaming Murder Death From Above: Live In Aalborg’ is not only a must have addition to a fans Raven collection, it is a must have for anyone who loves the good old sound of traditional heavy metal, that iconic NWOBHM sound that just simply refuses to lie down and die. Raven may be in the twilight of their career, but they are not finished yet, they are one of Britain’s greatest heavy metal bands, and one of my all time favourites too.

Overall, a sparkling performance by one of heavy metals longest serving and best bands, this live album displays Raven at their most energetic and bombastic best.

TRACKLIST

Destroy All Monsters
Hell Patrol
All For One
Hung, Drawn And Quartered
Rock Until You Drop
A.N.N.S.M.M.G.N.
Tank Treads (The Blood Runs Red)
Faster Than The Speed Of Light
On And On
Break The Chains
Crash, Bang, Wallop

http://www.ravenlunatics.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ravenbandofficial/

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