Top 10: Raven Songs

For the past 24 hours, every “rock” media outlet has been fixated on the reunion of some bloody wankers from the ’90s that made an entire career off aping Lennon and McCartney. We won’t utter their name, but we’re sure you can guess who. Here at Defenders of the Faith, the only Gallagher brothers we give a damn about are John and Mark, the wings of the British metal bird that is Raven. For the past 50 years, they’ve been flying high, releasing one stone cold classic after the next. With this in mind, condensing a half century’s worth of metallic excellence into 10 songs is rather unfair, especially when said list can vary from day to day. Seriously, if you presented me a list of 10 completely different Raven songs as the be all, end all, I wouldn’t even fight it. Until then, here are OUR Top 10 Raven Songs.

10. “Hard Ride”

Although Raven first grabbed the attention of headbangers in 1980 with their debut single, “Don’t Need Your Money”, it was in ’81 that they really took the heavy metal world by storm with their debut full length, Rock Until You Drop. For all intents and purposes, we could’ve taken any of the first three Raven albums and ranked their respective track listings for this list, but to be as transparent as possible, we’re including songs from all three and beyond. “Hard Ride” is an excellent first song, first album smash, absolutely bursting with the youthful charisma of the NWOBHM. It’s rowdy, anthemic, and guaranteed to get your fists punching the sky. And what a “Hard Ride” its been for these lunatics ever since!

9. “Part of the Machine”

By the early ’90s, Raven jumped on the very thrash metal bandwagon they helped get rolling along a decade earlier. 1991’s Architect of Fear is an absolute tour de force, loaded with mosh-worthy moments and hard hitting guitar riffs, with none hitting harder than “Part of the Machine”. It boasts that brute force that makes you want to absolutely pummel your annoying co-worker or schoolyard bully or whoever it is that’s on your case. Not that I’m encouraging violence of any kind, but hey, if you’re gonna engage in such, you may as well have the right soundtrack. Unsurprisingly, Mark Gallagher told me in conversation that this was his favorite song off Architect of Fear, simply because of its riffage.

8. “Live at the Inferno”

In an era where bands like Venom, Witchfynde, and Angel Witch were singing about hell and its deities, one could be forgiven for thinking Raven was tagging along with the devilishly titled “Live at the Inferno”. However, this was anything but the case. “The Inferno” in question here is not the underworld, but rather the shows Raven used to play, which would get so hot and packed, they’d turn into an “inferno”. If memory serves correct, I believe it’s referring to a specific venue (perhaps the Mayfair Ballroom?), but I can’t remember off the top of my head. John, Mark, if you’re reading this, help a brother and his failed memory out!

7. “Chainsaw”

It’s cuts like “Chainsaw” that helped make Raven speed metal superstars all throughout the UK and beyond. Fast, unrelenting, and absolutely bonkers from start to finish, “Chainsaw” makes the rising crop of hard and heavy bands of the era sound tame by comparison. True to its title, this bad boy will tear you in half and then some. Also, get a load of those wild shrieks courtesy of Mr. John Gallagher. Yes, Ronnie James Dio and Rob Halford he is not, but would we really want him to be? His truly singular vocal stylings helped set Raven apart from the pack, and is as synonymous with their sound as their frantic guitars and brutal double bass drum attack.

6. “Inquisitor”

Looking back on the NWOBHM, I must say, you Brits were spoiled silly. Not only were these bands cranking out full length albums practically every year, but when they weren’t, you could always rely on a trusty 7 inch or compilation appearance to hold you over in the interim. This was exactly the case for Raven’s “Inquisitor”, which first appeared on Neat’s Lead Weight compilation in 1981. How this didn’t end up on Rock Until You Drop is beyond me, but I digress. While some (AKA posers) slag on Raven for their no bullshit approach and obsession with all things rock and metal, they could churn out some musically inclined numbers as well, like this one. “Inquisitor” always struck me as a speed metal spin on Stained Class era Priest, resulting in an unforgettably extraordinary metallic voyage (more on those later).

5. “On and On”

Congratulations! You’ve now reached the obligatory “Raven deserved better” rant of the list. By 1985, our heroes found themselves signed to Atlantic, ready to take on the US with a music video to boot. On their fourth full length, Stay Hard, Raven found themselves veering towards the mainstream, but still fitting in enough speedsters to appeal to their core fanbase. Ideally, the song that would’ve brought this whole package together is “On and On”: An absolute pop metal anthem. As far as I’m concerned, it’s on par with Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, or any other headbanging hit of the day. Yet for whatever reason or another, it didn’t catch on with the masses. Well, at least that left more Raven for the rest of us!

4. “Hell Patrol”

Who’s ready to boogie?! I’m not going to singlehandedly take credit for coining the “boogie metal” moniker, but alas, it is helpful when describing the shuffle-friendly metal spawned by the likes of Status Quo, Nazareth, and Foghat. Considering the ginormous impact these three bands (amongst others) had in the ’70s, it’s no surprise that influence extended well into the ’80s, especially on a song like “Hell Patrol”. This high speed boogie banger grabs you by the throat and simply doesn’t let go. If you’re not headbanging, you’re attempting your best high top sneaker-clad two step. And if you’re not doing either, what the hell’s wrong with ya laddy?!

3. “Run Silent, Run Deep”

Remember earlier when I said Raven doesn’t get the credit they deserve as musicians and songwriters? Look no further than “Run Silent, Run Deep”. When it comes to 1983’s All for One, headbangers are quick to praise “Break the Chain”, “Take Control”, and the title track, and rightfully so. This whole affair is an anthem-palooza if there ever was one. That being said, there’s something about the progressive NWOBHM leanings of “Run Silent, Run Deep” that grips at my very soul. Like the aforementioned “Inquisitor” before it, this epic channels those ’70s metallic maneuvers, transforming them into a truly unforgettable suite.

2. “Hung, Drawn and Quartered”

Isn’t it wild how Cancer’s “Hung, Drawn and Quartered” is merely the second best metal song to be titled such? Sorry CFC (if you know, you know), but it’s the brothers Gallagher and their trusty sidekick Wacko who take the cake with this neck-snapper and a half. This one lies especially close to my heart, as it’s the first Raven jam I remember hearing as a youngster, probably around junior high. I can’t remember exactly where I heard it, but I know that from there on out, it was a speed metal love affair that’s been going strong ever since, one that is only trumped by…

1. “Faster than the Speed of Light”

“Listen here, mission control. Einstein was wrong…” It’s with that opening line that we’re propelled head first into one of the three ’82 songs I’ve referenced as foreshadowing the birth of thrash (the other two can be found here). The NWOBHM was an era rife with musical innovation and exciting new ideas, ideas that would essentially lay down the groundwork for all metal to follow. It’s no secret that Raven were crucial for their work in the speed department, with no song being more impactful than the aptly titled “Faster than the Speed of Light”. As soon as Mark Gallagher’s chaotic guitars kicked in, can’t help but push the speedometer into the triple digits and wail along with that chorus: “Faster than the speed of LIIIIGGGHHHTTT!!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!” Don’t lie to yourself; you know you just sang that aloud. For its historical impact alone, coupled with sheer high octane badassery, it’s “Faster than the Speed of Light” that’s rightfully crowned the greatest Raven song.