If I made a list of the Top 100 Metal EPs of All Time (and I’m sure one day I will), Raven’s Crash Bang Wallop (1982) and Mad (1986) would both make the list. The former contains some all-time great NWOBHM anthems in its title track and “Rock Hard”, while the latter needs to be a topic of discussion if only for the explosive “Speed of the Reflex” alone. This is a band who, aside from the rare misstep (looking at you, The Pack is Back), have prided themselves on all killer, no filler English metal lunacy from day one. Their recent output is amongst the strongest of their storied career, and their latest EP, Can’t Take Away the Fire, continues this legendary reign.
Consisting of 5 new songs and 3 previously unreleased live bonus tracks (which makes one wonder what else the Gallagher brothers have stashed away in the archives), Can’t Take Away the Fire celebrates Raven’s 50th anniversary in high speed style. In our latest discussion with founding frontman John Gallagher, he revealed that this EP would foreshadow the direction Raven was headed in for their upcoming 16th album currently in the works. Well folks, if Can’t Take Away the Fire is a mere taste of what’s to come, you better book your chiropractor appointment now. Your neck will thank you later.
The EP opens in ripping proto-thrash fashion with the blindingly fast “Black and Blue”. Even at this stage in their career, Raven makes every other speed and thrash band look like total wimps with one fell swoop. This is largely thanks to the absurd drumming of Mike Heller, who lays down what might be his most insane performance yet on this barn burner of an opener, and I don’t say that lightly. Remember, he’s been holding down the beat for Malignancy for 20+ years now! “Power Hungry” continues the speed metal onslaught, albeit with a slightly more melodic slant, while the title track could very well be “Take Control” Jr. Close your eyes and you can vividly picture yourself in a packed arena circa ’84, pumping your fist with 20,000 other youthful headbangers.
“Gimme a Life” is yet another uptempo rager, this one boasting some old school rock n’ roll swagger akin to Motörhead. It’s simple and straightforward, daring us not to headbang and air guitar from start to finish (challenge level: impossible). Rounding out the originals is the crushingly heavy “The Wreckage”, which sees the usually fast on their feet bunch slow down the tempo for a soulful slab of Sabbath worship. Opting for more than aping Vol. 4, Raven tackles the ancient style in their own unique way, adding a strong dose of melody and passion, and crafting an epic closer along the way. Enjoy it now, because it’ll likely be some time before Raven go doom again!
The live cuts at the end are the figurative cherry on top of this colossal EP. The modern day classic that is “The Power” is executed with precision and, you guessed it, power. “Architect of Fear”, even in this lo-fi state, slaps like a mutha, throwing thing back to the band’s “thrash” era. Rounding it all out, a rendition of the boogie metal blitzkrieg that is “Don’t Need Your Money”, sounding straight from the stone age. If there ever was a release that embodied the past, present, and future of Raven, this is it. Like the title says, you Can’t Take Away the Fire!
9 out of 10
Label: Silver Lining Music
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Motörhead, Tank, Exciter