Raven Announce New album “Leave ‘Em Bleeding” out September 30th
22nd July 2022 0 By Jon DeauxExperts agree: Without Raven, neither thrash nor speed metal would exist in their current form. The British trio around the Gallagher brothers John (bass, vocals) and Mark (guitar) not only released some of the most important albums of the NWOBHM era, but they also had a lasting influence on an entire generation of musicians in the early 1980s. Much has changed since then, often either becoming vestigial or vanishing completely. Raven, however, have persevered, immortalizing themselves in the annals of music history with an imposing presence that continues up to this day. Not least through two studio albums that perfectly represent the recent works of the group: âExtermiNationâ (2015) and âMetal Cityâ (2020). To the great delight of their fans, Raven will be touring again in the foreseeable future â performing their new album âLeave ´Em Bleedingâ, featuring the best of the past seven years plus some red-hot bonus tracks.
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âIn a way, this record is a retrospective on the past seven years, which were hugely important to us, even if they havenât always been easyâ, is how John Gallagher describes their songs âTop Of The Mountainâ, âMetal Cityâ, âThe Powerâ, âDestroy All Monstersâ and âBattle March/Tank Treadsâ. The first three tracks mentioned are from âMetal Cityâ, the following two from âExtermiNationâ. This glimpse into the past is rounded off by a live version of âCrash Bang Wallopâ, found in its original version on the 2019 concert album âScreaming Murder Death From Above: Live…â, a special testimony to the boundless power of this band, which â in addition to the Gallagher brothers â is completed by drummer Mike Heller.
As a special gift to their large crowd of followers, Raven treats us to six bonus tracks one shouldnât miss out on. It starts with âNecessary Evilâ, one of the first three Raven songs after Mark Gallagher’s serious accident in November 2001, when the guitarist was half-buried by a six-meter wall and had to undergo several surgeries to treat his severe injuries. Although the band was back on stage mere two years later, it wasnât until 2009 that they could start working on their comeback album âWalk Through Fireâ, with âNecessary Evilâ as its spectacular finale. Second bonus track is their Montrose number âSpace Station #5â (Mark Gallagher: âDuring the early years, we often ended our shows with this songâ), followed by âMalice In Geordielandâ, a superb outtake from the session for âExtermiNationâ.
Second cover song on âLeave ´Em Bleedingâ is their Thin Lizzy number âBad Reputationâ. Gallagher comments: âWe`ve always been total Lizzy fans. I`ve never seen them live, unfortunately, but their influence on us and many others is huge.â Rounding off the list of bonus tracks are âRock This Townâ and âStay Hard (Live)â; both come with exciting back stories. Gallagher: ââRock This Townâ was produced by Michael Wagner in Nashville in March 2018 and features us as a trio live in the studio. The recording is just too powerful to have it sit in a drawer and collect dust. The live version of âStay Hardâ is a 2017 recording from âThe Vanguardâ in Tulsa, Oklahoma. An employee of the club recorded the show and gave it to us on a flash drive. We haven’t played âStay Hardâ too often, so in that sense the release is a little special.â
Six bonus tracks in perfect balance to the six âregularâ songs, meaning twelve Raven highlights in total that leave you wanting more, especially regarding the concerts that will hopefully be taking place very soon!
TRACKLISTING
- Top Of The Mountain 3:38
- Metal City 3:30
- The Power 3.56
- Destroy All Monsters 6:05
- Battle March / Tank Treads 5:27
- Crash Bang Wallop (live) 4:12
- Necessary Evil 3.56
- Space Station #5 4:03
- Malice In Geordieland 3:04
- Bad Reputation 3:09
- Rock This Town 3:51
- Stay Hard (live) 3:05
The new album “Leave ‘Em Bleeding” will be released on September 30th through SPV/Steamhammer as CD DigiPak, LP version, CD/LP bundle with shirt (only at the Steamhammer shop), download and stream: https://Ravenlunatics.lnk.to/LeaveEmBleeding
www.ravenlunatics.com
https://www.facebook.com/ravenbandofficial/
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