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Sure, why not name your band after a big,
ugly black bird who picks at the flesh of dead carcasses.
Raven was formed in 1974 in Newcastle, England, and was categorized as
one of the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal" bands. Raven was
known for high energy concerts and wild antics onstage. Raven was
known for wearing sports gear on stage, such as helmets, guards, etc.
(things a hockey or baseball player might wear) and even using some
sports items as instruments.
In the early 1980's, Raven signed with a small label
called Neat Records, and their debut album, Rock Till You Drop,
was released in 1981. Wiped Out (1982) was released on the
same label, and Raven was becoming a hit in the U.K. So much so,
that Megaforce Records took notice in the USA, and All for One
was released in 1983. The band subsequently toured with Antrhax
and Metallica in support of the album (which should demonstrate to
readers that Raven is on the heavier side of metal). By 1985,
Atlantic Records had picked up the band and Stay Hard was
released in 1985. Some of you may remember the song "On and On"
from this album.
After 1985, Atlantic Records steered Raven to produce
more polished metal (a sign of the times). This shift did not sit
well with die hard fans. Nevertheless, Raven continued to produce
and tour. At the time of this writing, the Raven Discography was
as follows:1981: Rock Until You Drop
1982: Wiped Out
1983: All for One
1984: Live at the Inferno
1985: Stay Hard
1985: The Devil's Carrion
1986: The Pack is Back
1987: Life's a Bitch
1988: Nothing Exceeds Like Excess
1990: Unreleased Tracks
1991: Architect for Fear
1993: Mind Over Metal
1994: Glow
1983: Destroy All Monsters Live in Japan
1997: Everything Louder
1999: Raw Track
2000: One for All
2002: All Systems Go! The Neat Anthology
2009: Walk Through Fire |
