Although this highly-influential heavy metal band were very much part of the NWOBHM of the late 1970s and early 80s, the roots of Newcastle’s Raven, founded by brothers Mark and John Gallagher, go back to 1972.

With John Gallagher on bass and vocals and Mark Gallagher on lead guitar, they eventually came to the attention of the Newcastle-based Neat Records (also home to Venom), forming the classic power trio when the Gallagher’s were joined by Rob “Wacko” Hunter on drums.

Playing what they branded “Athletic Rock”, Neat released their debut single ‘Don’t Need Your Money’ in 1980, followed by their full-length debut ‘Rock Until You Drop’ in 1981. Successfully capturing the energy of their live shows, Raven soon picked up champions in the influential UK rock press, with key features in Kerrang! and Sounds.

A huge influence on future thrash and speed metal bands, such as Metallica, with whom they would later tour, as well as bands such as Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, Raven released their second LP ‘Wiped Out’ in May 1982, which soon made the UK album charts.

Featuring many Raven classics, including ‘Faster Than The Speed Of Light’ and ‘Live At The Inferno’, this expanded edition also includes the ‘Crash Bang Wallop EP’, a BBC Session, plus live tracks from their hometown, plus a full show from Gouda in Holland.

This five disc set is completed by a DVD of the Gouda show which, as well as many classics from their first two albums, includes a drum solo, guitar solo and bass solo! As well as an extensive essay from NWOBHM expert John Tucker, this edition also includes a booklet featuring many rare and unpublished photos supplied from the band’s own archive.

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