RAVEN is a British heavy metal band that emerged in the late 1970s during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. The band consists of brothers John Gallagher (bass, lead vocals) and Mark Gallagher (guitar), as well as Joe Hasselvander (drums). Raven is known for their energetic live performances and their unique blend of heavy metal and punk rock influences.
History:
Raven was formed in Newcastle, England in 1974 by brothers John and Mark Gallagher. Originally called "Copperhead," the band changed their name to Raven in 1976 after the release of the classic horror film of the same name. In the late 1970s, Raven began to gain a following in the UK thanks to their high-energy live performances and their unique blend of heavy metal and punk rock influences.
Raven released their debut album "Rock Until You Drop" in 1981, which featured the hit single "Don't Need Your Money." The album was a critical and commercial success, and helped to establish Raven as one of the leading bands in the NWOBHM movement. Raven followed up with a string of successful albums in the early to mid-1980s, including "Wiped Out" (1982), "All for One" (1983), and "Stay Hard" (1985).
Despite their success, Raven was never able to break through to mainstream success in the US. The band continued to tour and record throughout the 1990s and 2000s, releasing a number of albums on independent labels. Raven continues to tour and record to this day, and is considered one of the pioneers of the NWOBHM movement.
Musical Style:
Raven's musical style is characterized by a unique blend of heavy metal and punk rock influences. The band's early material was heavily influenced by bands like Judas Priest and AC/DC, as well as punk rock bands like The Ramones and The Sex Pistols. Raven's music is characterized by fast, aggressive guitar riffs, thunderous bass lines, and hard-hitting drumming.
Raven's music also incorporates elements of humor and satire, with songs like "Faster Than the Speed of Light" and "Crash Bang Wallop" featuring tongue-in-cheek lyrics and playful instrumentation. Despite this, Raven's music is also known for its powerful and anthemic choruses, with songs like "Rock Until You Drop" and "Break the Chain" featuring sing-along choruses that have become fan favorites.
Impact:
Raven is considered one of the most influential bands of the NWOBHM movement. The band's unique blend of heavy metal and punk rock influences helped to define the sound of the movement, and influenced countless other bands in the genre. Raven's energetic live performances and powerful, anthemic music also helped to establish the band as one of the leading acts of the movement.
Raven's influence can be heard in the music of countless other bands, including Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer. Metallica's Lars Ulrich has cited Raven as one of his favorite bands, and the influence of Raven's music can be heard in Metallica's early material. Anthrax's Scott Ian has also cited Raven as a major influence, and the band has covered Raven's song "Live at the Inferno" on several occasions.
