Raven (British band)

Raven
Raven performing live in 2008. L–R: John Gallagher, Mark Gallagher, Joe Hasselvander (behind).
Background information
Origin	Newcastle, England, United Kingdom
Genres	Heavy metal, speed metal
Years active	1975–present
Labels	Neat, Megaforce, Atlantic, Combat
Website	ravenlunatics.com
Members	John Gallagher Mark Gallagher Joe Hasselvander
Past members	Paul Bowden Paul Sherrif Mike "Mick" Kenworthy Sean Taylor Pete Shore Rob "Wacko" Hunter

Raven are an English heavy metal band associated with the new wave of British heavy metal movement. They had a hit with the single "On and On", and refer to their music as "athletic rock".

Raven was formed in 1975 in Newcastle, England, by brothers John and Mark Gallagher, and Paul Bowden.

Raven began creating a sound which was rooted in British hard rock, with progressive rock tendencies, and a willingness to take musical chances. The band's highly energized live show and interaction between band members developed a unique image and style of play, described as "athletic". They began wearing guards, helmets, and plates from various sports (hockey, baseball, etc...), and incorporating them into the playing of their instruments (for instance, elbow pads and hockey masks were used to strike cymbals). Their music began to develop into a unique amalgam of speed and power - heavily influencing the genres of speed/thrash metal and power metal. The band have a reputation as an extremely energetic live band - and for regularly destroying their equipment.

They started by playing local pubs and working men's clubs in the North East of England - occasionally opening shows for punk bands such as The Stranglers and The Motors.

Eventually, the band signed with Neat Records, the legendary, low-budget metal label of the North. They released their 1st single "Don't Need Your Money" in 1980 and embarked on a number of UK shows opening for bands such as Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Ozz, Motörhead, Whitesnake and Iron Maiden. Their first album Rock until You Drop was released to wide acclaim in 1981, leading the band to tour Italy and the Netherlands. Their second album, Wiped Out was released in 1982 and was influential on creating the burgeoning thrash and speed metal genres, making an impressive showing on the UK charts at the time.