Raven with UDO “Born To Be Wild” (Steppenwolf cover)

Track taken from the 2000 reissue of 1983’s “All For One” Raven is a heavy metal band associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, that formed in 1975. They also opened for punk bands The Stranglers and The Motors. They had a hit with the single “On and On”, and refer to their music as “Athletic Rock.” Formed in Newcastle, England by brothers John and Mark Gallagher, Raven quickly set the pace for the burgeoning metal renaissance in the UK at the time. Raven began creating a sound which was rooted in British hard rock with progressive tendencies and a willingness to take musical chances . The band’s highly energized live show and interaction between members developed an image and style of play the band described as “athletic”. They began wearing guards, helmets and plates from various sports (hockey, baseball,etc…) and incorporating them into the playing of their instruments (for instance, elbow pads were used to strike cymbals for a unique performance angle). Eventually, the band signed with Neat Records, the legendary, low-budget metal label of the Northlands, releasing Wiped Out and Rock Until You Drop within a year’s time and making an impressive showing on the UK charts a the time. Sufficient noise was made for the American market to take notice and New Jersey’s Megaforce Records signed them, issuing their next recording in the States as All for One. The band came stateside in 1983 and toured extensively with Megaforce bands Metallica and Anthrax, both of …