By Monk
It is comforting to know that, in these troubled and uncertain times, there are some things we can rely on. Not least of these is that the Gallagher brothers (no, not those ones) will continue to produce solid heavy metal albums and fly the flag for the NWoBHM and its abiding core values for as long as they have blood in their veins and breath in their bodies. And, while it may have been five long years since they presented us with one, that is what they continue to do with this new album, which sees us taking a welcome trip into the back alleys and sewers of the aptly named ‘Metal City’.
Having said the above, it could be argued that this, the trio’s 14th album marks something of a renaissance for a band who might otherwise be seen, by those a lot more cynical than myself, to be in the twilight of their career: after all, they have been pounding the pavements (sorry!) of the Überverse for some four and a half decades. But, why could ‘Metal City’ be regarded as something of a reawakening for the band? Well, primarily because it marks the recording debut of “new” drummer Mike Heller (best known for his stints in Fear Factory and Malignancy), who took over from Joe Hasselvander after the latter suffered a career-ending heart attack on the cusp of the band’s 2017 US tour.
As frontman John G himself acknowledges, Heller’s arrival certainly has given himself and brother Mark a very definite kick in their collective backsides, as ‘Metal City’ oozes the sort of energy and excitement you might not expect from a band at this stage of their existence. But, then, over the past few years, the “old guard” have been consistently proving, time and again, that they have nothing to fear from the plethora of young usurpers who have come up behind them, and ‘Metal City’ once again emphasizes this point with defiant positivity. In fact, it does so to such an extent that you would swear that a DeLorean has pulled up outside and transferred you back to the heady days of the early- to mid-Eighties, such is the level of unrelenting energy displayed on these ten tracks.
Not that Raven are resting on their laurels. Far from it. While ‘Metal City’ harkens back to the NWoBHM glory days of the likes of ‘Rock Until You Drop’ and ‘All For One’, it does so in a way which a respectful homage to the band’s roots, but also a declarative step forward, as well as continuing confirmation, if any were needed, of the trio’s undoubtedly and unashamed position as true originators of what we know as heavy metal, and particularly thrash, today.
- ‘Metal City’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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