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RAVEN
All Hell’s Breaking Loose

Silver Lining Music (2023)
Rating: 9/10

Considering they formed back in the mid-70s, Raven has never been given the credit they rightly deserve. These guys were breaking chains, cracking skulls and deafening ears long before “metal” was a thing. Led by the infamous Gallagher brothers – that’s John (vocals and bass) and Mark (bass), not Noel and Liam – Raven marched into the 80s with a fist of records that would become classics. Rock Until You Drop (1980), Wiped Out (1982) and All For One (1983) weren’t just pivotal to the early UK metal scene, they were major influencers alongside fellow Geordies Venom who, especially nowadays, seem to take more of the credit.

But let’s move out of the misty path and concentrate on this hulking mass of infernal overkill because All Hell’s Breaking Loose is one heck of a rowdy album, in fact to the point of maddening with its blitzkrieg. I love the un-Raven like cover, but what is contained within is 38 minutes of metal mastery that fuses together rampant speed metal and rollicking New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, something which Raven have always been the wizards of.

Firstly, hats off to New York drummer Mike Heller (Malignancy / ex-Fear Factory) who for five years has bashed his kit admirably for Raven, but with this album, the 15th from the band, he really comes into his own and drags what are already maniacal songs further into the bowels of the asylum. For the true sound of passionate and aggressive metal look no further than this ten-track battering ram.

Some of you (if you call yourselves real metal fans) would have seen the video for the furious title track where John Gallagher – slightly resembling Lips from Anvil – is cooped up in a cell and strapped in a straight-jacket, and that storming track is indicative of the current Raven sound. Clearly a blast to the past in some aspects, the track is also a contemporary yet crushing tour de force of wild axe work and John’s vocal retorts and belligerent bass.

You won’t hear an album more muscular this year than All Hell’s Breaking Loose, a total powerhouse that’s unashamedly abrupt in its thrash as ‘Medieval’ races from the traps like a rabid dog. And there the tempo remains with ‘Surf The Tsunami’ and particularly ‘Turn Of The Screw’ showcasing the incredible potency of Heller who plays like a demonic octopus.

The tracks come thick n’ fast, heavyweight yet speedy assaults fronted by John’s clear wails, especially on the brilliant ‘The Far Side’. This is an album that sets out its stall to steamroll. Listen on headphones if you dare because its fury will melt your brain like an acidic wave spilled from a charge of steaming juggernaut.

I guess the only downside, for some anyway, may be the lack of mid-tempo songs (‘Invasion’ is the exception) because each track is served up like a molten fireball so rapid that there is little time for breath. However, for those who like high velocity metal then you need to be slapped by the likes of ‘Victory’s Call’ and ‘Go For The Gold’.

Raven’s latest album is like a smash n’ grab crime, an endless flurry from a veteran, yet undefeated boxer, or more so a hectic whirlwind that sweeps you up for half an hour, throws you up against a wall and batters you senseless, leaving a smattering of bruises that you carry around with you and show off just to prove you survived. Even Hell can’t contain the might of Raven. They’ve broken loose, so run for your life… or face the fist.

Neil Arnold

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