RAVEN - The Pack Is Back 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Genuine NWOBHM, Heavy Metal

Released in 1986 on Atlantic Records, "The Pack Is Back" is a pivotal album for British metal legends Raven. With legendary producer Eddie Kramer at the helm, the album maintains their signature raw energy and aggressive spirit, yet with a more polished production. Featuring the anthemic title track, "On and On," and "Gimme Some Lovin'," this NWOBHM classic showcases a refined yet relentless sound, solidifying their legacy in heavy metal history.

RAVEN - The Pack Is Back NWOBHM 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

Raven's "The Pack Is Back": A NWOBHM Evolution with a Polished Edge
Album Description:

Released in 1986, Raven's "The Pack Is Back" marked a significant turning point in the band's career. While firmly rooted in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) sound that had propelled them to underground fame, the album showcased a noticeable shift towards a more polished and refined production style. This evolution, guided by renowned producer Eddie Kramer (known for his work with Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin), did not diminish the band's raw energy and aggressive spirit, but rather enhanced their signature sound with a new level of professionalism.

Historical Context and Genre

By 1986, the NWOBHM movement had reached its peak and was beginning to evolve. Many bands were experimenting with different sounds and production techniques, seeking to expand their reach beyond the underground metal scene. Raven's decision to work with Eddie Kramer reflected their desire to evolve while staying true to their NWOBHM roots.

The album's music is a blend of classic heavy metal and speed metal, with influences from hard rock and punk. The Gallagher brothers' guitar work is as fast and furious as ever, but the production gives it a cleaner, more defined sound. John Gallagher's vocals retain their signature rasp and power, while the rhythm section remains tight and energetic.

Musical Exploration

"The Pack Is Back" showcases Raven's songwriting prowess and their ability to craft memorable heavy metal anthems. The album features a mix of fast-paced bangers like the title track and "On and On" and more melodic tracks like "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Young Blood." This diversity demonstrates the band's versatility and their willingness to experiment within the heavy metal framework.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of rebellion, social commentary, and the rock and roll lifestyle. The lyrics are often tongue-in-cheek and humorous, reflecting the band's playful personality and their refusal to take themselves too seriously.

Production and Recording

The album was recorded at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, and mixed at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. Eddie Kramer's production brought a new level of polish and sophistication to Raven's sound, without sacrificing the raw energy and aggression that made them a fan favorite.

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal / NWOBHM 

Album Production information:

The album: "RAVEN - The Pack is Back" was produced by: Eddie Kramer for Remarkable productions

Mastered by : Bob C. Ludwig at Masterdisk NYC

Album cover photography: Mark "Weiss Guy" Weiss

Album cover concept: Tony Incigeri

Additional information on the production team members

  • Edwin H. “Eddie” Kramer – Producer, Audio Engineer

    The guy who could take Hendrix saying “make it sound green” and somehow turn that into real audio.

    Edwin H. “Eddie” Kramer, in my book, is rock’s ultimate behind-the-glass magician: starting in London studios in the early 1960s, then going full-throttle with Jimi Hendrix from 1967–1970, capturing Woodstock (1969), engineering major Led Zeppelin work from 1969 onward, steering Electric Lady Studios as engineering director in 1970–1974, and later locking in that arena punch with Kiss through the mid/late 1970s (and beyond). When I see his credit, I expect big guitars, bigger atmosphere, and a mix that still feels alive.

    Edwin H. “Eddie” Kramer Wiki

  • Bob Ludwig – Mastering Engineer

    My quick tell for a record that’s about to sound expensive: “Mastered by Bob Ludwig” quietly lurking in the credits.

    Bob Ludwig, for me, is the final boss of “make it hit”: cutting lacquers at A&R in the late ’60s, shaping the 1970s at Sterling Sound, the 1976–1992 Masterdisk era, then building Gateway Mastering in Maine (founded 1992) before retiring in 2023. His mastering fingerprints run from classic rock to metal to modern pop—Led Zeppelin and Lou Reed through Metallica, Nirvana, Tool, and Daft Punk.

    Bob Ludwig Wiki

  • Mark Weiss – Rock music photographer

    The “Weissguy” behind a huge chunk of the 1980s rock image—backstage, on tour, and way too close to the hair spray.

    Mark Weiss, Mark “Weissguy” Weiss is the rock photographer whose images basically taught the 1980s how to pose. His origin story is wonderfully punk: in 1977 he got arrested for selling his KISS photos outside Madison Square Garden, and by June 1978 he’d landed a national splash with a Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) centerfold for Circus—then ended up on staff. In the 1980s, he wasn’t just “covering” bands; he was riding alongside them as a tour photographer for artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Poison, Metallica, and Twisted Sister, helping lock in that whole glam-and-guts look while it was still hot and loud. Later on, his lens also tracked bigger pop-culture gravity wells—acts like The Rolling Stones, Madonna, and Wu-Tang Clan—but the heart of the Weiss legend is still that late-’70s-to-’80s run where rock didn’t just sound larger-than-life; it looked like it too.

    Mark Weiss Wiki

    		•

    Record Label & Catalog-nr:

    ATLANTIC 781 629

    Media Format:

    12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

    Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

    Year & Country:

    1988 / 1989 Made in Germany
    Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: RAVEN - The Pack is Back
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • John Gallagher - bass, vocals
    • Mark Gallagher - guitar, guitar synthesizers, synthesizers, vocals
    • Rob Hunter - drums
    Complete Track-listing of the album "RAVEN - The Pack is Back"

    The detailed tracklist of this record "RAVEN - The Pack is Back" is:

      Track-listing :
    1. "The Pack Is Back" – 3:43
    2. "Gimme Some Lovin'" (Spencer Davis, Steve Winwood, Muff Winwood) – 3:14
    3. "Screamin' Down the House" – 4:00
    4. "Young Blood" – 3:24
    5. "Hyperactive" – 3:41
    6. "Rock Dogs" – 4:00
    7. "Don't Let It Die" – 3:47
    8. "Get into Your Car and Drive" – 3:54
    9. "All I Need" – 3:34
    10. "Nightmare Ride" – 3:38

    The Ultimate Gallery and Discography of RAVEN's Vinyl LP Albums in the NWOBHM Genre

    RAVEN - All For One ( 1983, France ) 12" LP
    RAVEN - All For One (French and Italian Releases)

    Raven's "All For One," released on the French label Bernett Records in 1983, is a high-octane explosion of New Wave of British Heavy Metal. This album, the band's third, showcases their signature blend of speed, aggression, and melody

    - All For One (Italian Release) - All For One (French Release)
    RAVEN - Live at the Inferno ( 1984, Netherlands ) 12" LP
    RAVEN - Live at the Inferno

    Raven's "Live at the Inferno," released in 1984, is a raw and electrifying document of the band's energetic live shows during the height of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. This double LP captures the band's signature blend of speed, aggression, and melody, showcasing fan favorites

    Live at the Inferno ( 1984, Netherlands ) 12" Vinyl LP
    RAVEN - The Pack is Back 12" LP
    RAVEN - The Pack is Back

    Released in 1986, Raven's "The Pack Is Back" marked a shift in the band's sound, embracing a more polished production while retaining their signature energy. Produced by Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin), this NWOBHM album features the anthemic title track and "Gimme Some Lovin',"

    The Pack is Back 12" Vinyl LP
    RAVEN - Life's a Bitch ( 1987 ) 12" LP
    RAVEN - Life's a Bitch

    Released in 1987, Raven's "Life's a Bitch" showcases a matured yet unrelenting NWOBHM sound. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker, this album features a mix of hard-hitting anthems like "Lock and Load" and melodic tracks like "Playing with Fire," demonstrating the band's versatility and solidifying their NWOBHM legacy.

    Life's a Bitch ( 1987 ) 12" Vinyl LP
    RAVEN - Stay Hard ( 1985, Germany ) 12" LP
    RAVEN - Stay Hard

    Released in 1985, Raven's "Stay Hard" marked a turning point, showcasing a more polished sound while maintaining their aggressive energy. Produced by Michael Wagener, this NWOBHM album features the anthemic title track, "On and On," and "Hard Ride," highlighting the band's evolution

    Stay Hard ( 1985, Germany ) 12" Vinyl LP
    RAVEN - Wiped Out ( 1982, Italy ) 12" LP
    RAVEN - Wiped Out

    Raven's "Wiped Out" LP, a rare Italian pressing on NEAT Records, signifies the band's evolution and transition from the label. This pivotal album blends speed metal and NWOBHM influences, encapsulating Raven's signature style.

    Wiped Out ( 1982, Italy ) 12" L