Raven - 'Over The Top - The Neat Albums 1981-84'

(Cherry Red Records)

This four-album collection is great value for money and an essential purchase for NWOBHM fans who don’t own these Raven albums. This package includes the albums ‘Rock Until You Drop’ (1981), Wiped Out (1982), All For One (1983) all which include bonus tracks – as well as 1984 live album ‘Live at The Inferno’. Maybe not as famous as many other NWOBHM bands Raven were definitely one of the best bands to emerge in that era.

Raven were a noisy trio who produced hefty slices of hard rock that was extremely memorable. At the time Raven would have been understandably considered Heavy Metal but by today’s standards their sound is more Hard Rock. One of the reasons Raven are one of my favourite NWOBHM bands is they had a strong commercial flavour and it makes them more accessible than many bands that are under that banner. Also, many bands of that time tended to suffer with poor of very light production which dampens their impact – Raven had strong productions and their songs benefitted by becoming more commercial and impactful.

Combining the power and speed of metal with punk attitude was a winning combo for them. The slick commercial flavour to their song writing also elevates them up to been one of the best NWOBHM bands of the early Eighties.

Unlike many of their NWOBHM cohorts who delivered epic grandiose songs Raven concentrated on short sharp concise shots of infectious, energetic rock that got under your skin and pogoing around dance floors.

John Gallagher’s vocals had that air raid siren style synonymous of the NWOBHM era and perfected by Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson. But Gallagher’s style also threw some punk in the mix with fast paced singing and snarls thrown in.

While I feel the band have a hard rock sound more than metal those guitar licks albeit fast paced are similar to what Maiden and Priest were delivering at the same time – So there is plenty for old school metal fans to get excited about.

If You’re a NWOBHM fan just do yourself a favour and buy this, if not you must be insane! I would say most hardcore genre fans are fully aware of Raven – so this review feels like preaching to the converted, but if you’re a newbie to the scene this boxset will be a nice wee treat for you!

8/10

Review by Woody