So it’s been 40 years since All for One from Raven came out and here they are on tour and in Bannerman’s tonight to play the whole album in full but first off we have two bands.
First up tonight with no yodeling or Cuckoo clocks in sight are Switzerland’s very own Daxx & Roxane who proceed to rock the socks off the already packed-out venue. As the guitars kick in, the boys open up with the pounding rocker “Sugar Rush” from their fabulous self-titled 2020 album, it’s like a Swiss classic rock version of Airbourne; a well tasty start including a nice touch of harmonica. We meet up with the “Girl Next Door” and a “Strange Woman”, both groove-laden guitar stunners. The set also includes “Give it Time”, “Breathe” and Grind”, the band have that classic rock and roll swagger and vibe, the band end a manic, fast-paced set with “Hard Rockin’ Man” from 2017’s Ticket to Rock with yet more harmonica. Never mind more cowbell, let’s get some more harmonica into rock music. This was a tremendous start to the evening with a young up and coming band on fire, catch them when you can and let them rock your socks off, you will not be disappointed.
Up next, and all the way from Texas, are heavy metal trio Hellgrimm with Erica Missey on drums and lead vocals, Jerry Conner on guitar and George Ortiz on bass. We have “Hellgrimm” up first from 2020’s Elysium album and from the start it’s clear Erica has a deep, powerful vocal range as they power through the song with some excellent guitar work from Jerry and some mean bass riffs from George. The pace really picks up now with a couple from last year’s Ritual album now, starting with some AC/DC vibes in the form of the “Jack of All Blades”, a tasty rocker before the darker “Sin After Sin” kicks in with some different vocals from Erica with hints of a heavy L7 in the tone.
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The band play through a few more heavy rockers with Jerry’s skill on the guitar very evident before we get some lovely bass vibes from George as we get to hear the Black Sabbath-infused “Dreamon” with Jerry channeling his inner Tony Iommi, definitely one of my favourites of theirs tonight along with “Speed Demon”. The band end an enjoyable classic style heavy metal set with another bass infused song “Leatherface” which features some tasty wah pedal action from Jerry, before ending the set with some “Cheesy 80s Rock Anthem”. I really enjoyed their set which had bits of heavy metal, blues and doom a great combination, Jerry is a great guitarist and George was a joy on bass, but the star was definitely Erica with a vocal style I just love. I really think she could even stretch those vocals even further if she felt like it. If you like classic style heavy metal played well then this is the band for you, give them a listen and if you can check them out live, a good night will be had.
Now next up are a band I have followed since 1980, Raven. and last saw live in 2013 with Girlschool at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow, a great night that was [Agreed! – Ross]. But back to tonight where the Gallagher brothers are celebrating 1983’s All for One by playing it in its entirety along with a few other tasty morsels for us to listen to. The intro goes as they take to the stage to “Destroy All Monsters” and we are off with Mike Heller absolutely smashing those drums; an absolute powerhouse. The venue goes nuts with John absolutely killing those vocals and thumping that bass for all its worth and Mark… well, he is just insane on that guitar – a great start to the night.
We head back to 1981 now for some “Hell Patrol” from Rock Until You Drop, there is just something special about metal from that era and this is no exception, a full on assault on the senses, particularly with both brothers just not staying still at all. To that end John is wearing a head microphone to allow him to keep singing and moving as they rock out.They unleash a couple from the Metal City album starting with “The Power” now which really shows of Mike’s skill on the drums as this is a real full-on almost thrash metal song. I thought he was just incredible tonight, one of the best drummers I have seen live. We head to the “Top of the Mountain” now and at this speed it won’t take long with some tasty guitar from Mark on this one.
We go back to 1981 now to “Rock Until You Drop” with its classic drums, bass and guitar riffs, just classic metal, I’m in heaven. We get “Faster Than the Speed of Light” now, as if they could go any faster but yet they do as everything is at breakneck speed, assaulting the senses. The main reason for the tour now as they start to play the entire 1983 album All for One from “Take Control” with its drum thumping intro to “Athletic Rock” with its guitar power. The highlights for me are definitely the title track with its “All for One, One for All” chorus line, the manic guitar-driven “Hung, Drawn & Quartered” and the classic “Break the Chain”.
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John said there was a lot of confusion at the time as they “Seek and Destroy” which is funny as they toured America in 1983 on the back of this album with Metallica opening for them. The band end the set tonight with the fast paced “Chain Saw” from their 1982 album Wiped Out. This was a powerhouse display tonight of full-on heavy metal with a band absolutely loving what they do and the packed-out venue rocking out is testament to the love a lot of people still have for this band, Mike was incredible on drums tonight, John was tremendous on bass and never stayed still all night, as for Mark he was just a nutter on guitar all night sweating like Niagara Falls due to his insane playing; just a joy to watch and listen to tonight.
This was a tremendous night of rock and roll and heavy metal in a fabulous three band bill. If you missed it then you missed a fabulous night of music, I went home a happy bunny as did everyone else, I hope. Catch Raven live if you can as the boys still play with ion and power, you can see they are still enjoying being on stage and not just going through the motions, these boys will rock until they drop.
Photos by Gary Cooper Photography
