Raven

Raven is a British heavy metal band from Newcastle, England. It was formed in 1974 by brothers John and Mark Gallagher. Due to its early beginnings, longevity, and extensive discography, the band is considered one of the founding fathers and main players of the NWOBHM alongside Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Saxon, Venom, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Samson, Girlschool, and Tank.

In 1979, definitively taking the form of a power trio, the band developed an energetic and fast style based on aggressive and high-pitched vocals, short tracks with complex and syncopated rhythms. As such, Raven, which from its origins described its style as “athletic rock,” is one of the pioneering bands of speed metal (future thrash metal) that developed in the United States from 1983. It is also one of the few bands from the NWOBHM movement to have toured extensively in the United States, to have charted in the U.S. Charts, and to have signed with a Major label. Finally, the band is known for its particularly athletic stage performances and for its spectacular first drummer, Rob “Wacko” Hunter (N.B.: “Wacko” means “eccentric” or “crazy” in English slang), who took to the stage helmeted and in ice hockey gear.