RAVEN: Rock Until You Drop

Released: 1981

While they were to become even less than a shadow of their former selves a few years later, in 1981 Raven was years ahead of its time. The energetic breakneck pace and exuberence on display throughout this recording wasn't to be replicated until the likes of Metallica and Slayer began to emerge over two years after this was released. Raven had already existed for over six years when this was issued, long enough for them to have developed a sound that, while in some ways typical of north England's metal scene from the time, was also quite original, particularly in regards to its athletic delivery.

This album's mayhemic sleeve art - basically a huge pile of trashed band gear -- is a good representation of the music inside. At this point of their career, Raven was playing what can be best described as outrageously wild heavy metal. John Gallagher wails until he is almost out of breath, brother Mark throttles his guitar like a psycho and drummer Wacko, gridiron helmet and all... Well, Wacko is just whacko! Most incredible however, is the amazing sense of control in the pandemonium on display that results in instantly catchy original songs in the shapes of tracks like "Hard Ride", "Hell Patrol" and "Don't Need Your Money", all bristling with shout-along choruses and cranking riffs just made for unrestrained headbanging. Just as that trio of tracks ignites Rock Until You Drop to a blazing start, it closes in a similarly impressive way. First, Raven takes a medley of Sweet classics "Hellraiser" and "Action" and turns it into a blitzkreig, then they follow it up with the seriously cool "Lambs to the Slaughter" that would later be covered by none other than Kreator. But it's the closing track that elevates this album to true greatness. A complex proto-thrash mini-epic that predates Metallica's Kill 'Em All by a good two years, "Tyrant of the Airways" is easily one of the best British metal songs ever recorded. From a slow, menacing intro, this song explodes into mayhem, slows down again into an extended instrumental break where the lead guitar solos over quiet arpeggios plucked on an eight-string bass and then erupts once again into a frantic speed metal assault. "Phantom of the Opera" from Iron Maiden is about the only other thing from the time that comes even remotely close to this track, and even that isn't a good comparison. All told, Rock Until You Drop is an undisputable masterpiece of early British metal.

1. Hard Ride


2. Hell Patrol


3. Don't Need Your Money


4. Over the Top


5. 39/40


6. For the Future


7. Rock Until You Drop


8. Nobody's Hero


9. Hellraiser/Action


10. Tyrant of the Airways


11. Lambs to the Slaughter

Rating: 91%