Raven - Over the Top! The Neat Albums 1981-1984 (2019) {4CD Box Set}

• Although Raven’s origins date as far back as 1974, they came to the attention of the British rock media with the 1980 release of their debut single, ‘Don’t Need Your Money’. Hailing from Newcastle, it seemed inevitable that brothers John & Mark Gallagher, on Bass Guitar / Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar respectively, joined by drummer Rob “Wacko” Hunter, would sign to Newcastle based NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) label Neat Records, alongside other NWOBHM luminaries Venom, Fist & White Spirit.

• A big influence on future thrash metal legends such as Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth & Anthrax, their highly energised form of speed metal became the self-styled “athletic rock”, a genre that would extend to the band wearing of baseball and American football apparel on stage.

• Their full length debut, the self-explanatory “Rock Until You Drop”, was released by Neat to much acclaim in 1981, finding champions in the pages of Sounds and Kerrang! magazines. Although a pumped up medley of The Sweet’s ‘Hellraiser’ & ‘Action’ betrayed some of their earlier glam rock influences, tracks such as ‘Hell Patrol’, ‘Lambs to the Slaughter’ & ‘Tyrant of the Airways’ left no doubt to their dedication to metal muscle.

• Further cementing their reputation as influential metal legends, second record “Wiped Out” was issued in 1982, kicking off with ‘Faster Than The Speed Of Light’ and including ‘Live At The Inferno’.

• 1983’s “All For One” on CD3 was co-produced by Michael Wagner and Accept lead singer Udo Dirkschneider, who also joined the boys for a cover of Steppenwolf classic ‘Born To Be Wild’, included here as a bonus track.

• Featured on CD4 is the seemingly inevitable double live album, “Live At The Inferno”. Across 19 tracks, including live favourites ‘Mind Over Metal’, ‘Crash Bang Wallop’, ‘Rock Until You Drop’ & ‘Faster Than Speed Of Light’, the album proudly states THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO OVERDUBS ON THIS ALBUM!! Following “Live At The Inferno” Raven would sign a major label deal with Atlantic Records, relocating to the States for further fame & fortune, with the band still regularly gigging and releasing records today.

• Bonus tracks include ‘Wiped Out’, the “Crash Bang Wallop EP”, ‘The Ballad Of Marshall Stack’, ‘Inquisitor’ and ‘Power And The Glory’, as well as an extensive liner note from renowned NWOBHM expert John Tucker.