Anyone who caught Raven’s recent blast through the UK could be in no doubt that despite their veteran status, the Geordie duo of John and Mark Gallagher along with powerhouse drummer Mike Heller are in the form of their career. Their 15th studio release, All Hell’s Breaking Loose is another fine package of crazed speed, thrash, and heavy metal that hits you hard in the face, then comes round for a second and third . It’s astonishing to think that these guys were around in the thick of the NWOBHM movement, had Metallica them on US tours, and can still deliver with such ion.
“We’re very hard on ourselves,” says vocalist and bassist John Gallagher, “it had to be ‘all killer, no filler’. Absolutely every single part of every song had to make sense, had to mean something, and had to be there for a purpose.” There’s no doubting he’s nailed it, for this is ten-tracks of lean, fighting metal that get you banging your head and failing to resist the urge to race around the living room whilst throwing shapes left, right, and centre.
What Raven do so well and did on their fine 2020 release Metal City is capture the essence of their live show. Ten lean tracks, most under four-minutes in length rip through the speakers in magnificent style. Opener “Medieval” and second single “Surf the Tsunami” set the score, high tempo riffage with Heller’s incredible drumming powering the whole Raven machine with precision. The combination of John’s pulsing bass and Mark’s visceral lead breaks draw blood, but it’s a feeling that you already love – let’s face it, if you don’t like Raven this album isn’t going to change your mind, but if you do, it’s certain to rank with the early classics like All for One, Wiped Out and 1981’s Rock Until You Drop.
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All Hell’s Breaking Loose is one relentless album. The pace doesn’t cease at all. By the time you get to the early single “Go For the Gold” which closes the album, you’ll have navigated through seven other gems that are all essential to the release. Huge anthemic songs that rage at 100mph, this is as good as Raven have been for decades. In fact, I’d be happy to stick my neck out and say that this is as good a record as the band have ever made. It’s that good!
What Raven do so well here is blend all those years of experience, gather the life lessons, and ensure that a large ladle of contemporary metal is also added to the mix. The result brings you tracks such as “Turn of the Screw”, the tales of hardship in “Desperate Measures” or the return 1983 on “Edge of a Nightmare” where the band cleverly weave a couple of old school riffs of over 40 years vintage into a tub-thumper of a track.
It all adds up to an album that bristles with energy, with electricity, and with a clear lesson to those youngsters coming up on the inside. Raven may be in the veteran stage of their career, but they can still make the music that others can only dream about. Such is the firepower they bring here, there is no doubting that Raven’s longevity is something that has no sign of ending anytime soon.
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All Hell’s Breaking Loose is out on June 30th
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