Jimmy Kay For The Metal Voice interviewed N.W.O.B.H.M. band Raven at the Piranha Bar in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on April 19, 2026. Watch the interview below.
Excerpt from the chat
When Asked How Ozzy Osbourne brought the band on his first solo tour after hearing their first single on the radio
“Yeah. Friday Rock show. Oh, yeah. I mean, you know, Ozzy wants you to open up on four dates on the Blizzard of Oz tour. Ohh-kay. Right. And, it changed our lives. . That was pretty awesome because I remember them being kind of like they weren’t sure of themselves. They were saying I don’t know if people are are really digging this because the record had just been out not long and they were saying I wonder if we’re going to be able to keep this going and it was to look back on it now cuz it’s like you know like a great record. I don’t understand why they were thinking that way. Legendary it was so good . Lee Kerslake, from Uriah Heap. We got to meet all these people. It was great. What an amazing thing. And they were incredible. And the flip side of that experience for us was the crew who were absolute bastards. Yeah. And treated us like uh slime, you know. Yeah. Like garbage. But yeah, it’s part of that was part of gigging in England at the time. “
When asked about if they plan on doing a new documentary
” Yeah. We actually pretty much worked out the details and we’re starting work on it. There’s going to be a Raven documentary, like a full document. The last one was difficult because it wasn’t funded right and um actually I did a lot of the editing stuff for it and it was such a learning curve for me, if anybody’s ever been involved in something like that, it’s just a huge uh kind of learning curve. And so now this time we have like really professional people involved and we’ll be able to do I think a better job of telling the story cuz it’s quite a tale when you look at all the different angles and things that we’ve been through. And we were just talking earlier about it. A lot of the people who were involved in the beginning of this are gone. You know, even people like Johnny Z who was really uh integral to our success in the States and a lot of the different players are not around anymore. So even just our contemporaries a lot of them are gone. So yeah, so it’s pretty cool that we’re still standing.”
RAVEN lead vocalist/bassist John Gallagher has message for all the metalheads…”Hey there!! we’re hungry and itching to get back out on the road after the ‘medical gap year’ of 2025. It’s gonna be a take no prisoners full volume manic affair with Slackjaw out with us on this 2026 US tour!!”
Satellite Touring and GLM Artists are excited to announce RAVEN return to the live stage with an extensive North American tour of 40 shows from March through May this year. Support comes from special guests Slackjaw.
3/18/2026 – Wednesday – Louisville, KY – Goodwood Whiskey Row 3/19/2026 – Thursday – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag 3/20/2026 – Friday – Kansas City, MO – Westport Brewery 3/21/2026 – Saturday – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street Live 3/22/2026 – Sunday – Dallas, TX – RBC 3/24/2026 – Tuesday – El Paso, TX – RockHouse 3/25/2026 – Wednesday – Mesa, AZ – Nile Underground 3/26/2026 – Thursday – Hollywood, CA – The Whisky 3/27/2026 – Friday – San Luis Obispo, CA – Humdinger Brewing 3/28/2026 – Saturday – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge 3/29/2026 – Sunday – Reno, NV – Club Underground 3/31/2026 – Tuesday – Portland, OR – Dante’s 4/1/2026 – Wednesday – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre 4/2/2026 – Thursday – Seattle, WA – Funhouse 4/3/2026 – Friday – Boise, ID – The Shredder 4/4/2026 – Saturday – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon 4/5/2026 – Sunday – Denver, CO – The Federal Theatre 4/7/2026 – Tuesday – Lincoln, NE – 1867 Bar 4/8/2026 – Wednesday – Cudahy, WI – X-Ray Arcade 4/9/2026 – Thursday – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club 4/10/2026 – Friday – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs 4/11/2026 – Saturday – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge 4/12/2026 – Sunday – Hamtramck, MI – Sanctuary 4/14/2026 – Tuesday – New Kensington, PA – Preserving Underground 4/15/2026 – Wednesday – Brooklyn, NY – The Woodshop 4/16/2026 – Thursday – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern 4/17/2026 – Friday – Ottawa, ON – Rainbow Bistro 4/18/2026 – Saturday – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar & Spectacles 4/19/2026 – Sunday – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar 4/21/2026 – Tuesday – Albany, NY – Empire Underground 4/22/2026 – Wednesday – Old Town, ME – The Old Town Theatre 4/23/2026 – Thursday – Manchester, NH – Jewel Music Venue 4/24/2026 – Friday – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz 4/25/2026 – Saturday – Harrisburg, PA – TBA 4/26/2026 – Sunday – Richmond, VA – Ember Music Hall 4/29/2026 – Wednesday – Raleigh, NC – Chapel Of Bones 4/30/2026 – Thursday – Greenville, SC – Radio Room 5/1/2026 – Friday – Nashville, TN – Exit/In 5/2/2026 – Saturday – Atlanta, GA – Boggs Social & Supply 5/3/2026 – Sunday – Bradenton, FL – Oscura
About RAVEN
JOHN GALLAGHER: Lead Vocals, Bass MIKE HELLER: Drums MARK GALLAGHER: Guitar, Vocals
RAVEN are that rare thing in music, true originals – cut these guys with a razor and they will BLEED true heavy metal – a more intense live band does not exist on this planet!
Hailing from Newcastle Upon Tyne in North East England back in 1974 (yes – 46 YEARS ago!!!) the brothers Gallagher cut their teeth playing the pubs & clubs until solidifying their line up in 1980 with drummer Rob Hunter.
The trio went on to release three of the most influential metal albums of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) inspiring every band of that era and beyond. Basically, without Raven you just would not have thrash/speed metal…. after all, the band did give Metallica & Anthrax their first tours!
Following a tumultuous move to the USA, deals with Atlantic Records, indentured servitude and commercialism, Rob left the band in 1987 to be replaced by drummer extraordinaire Joe Hasselvander, who had made his name in cult doom band Pentagram, Savoy Brown and his own solo projects, adding a new dimension to the band.
In 2001, guitarist Mark Gallagher was involved in a near fatal accident – but fought his way back from the brink and the band proved they were stronger than ever! This renewed spirit and attitude was reflected in the title of their 2010 album “WALK THROUGH FIRE” and in the career overview DVD “ROCK UNTIL YOU DROP”.
2014 found the band opening for METALLICA (the band that RAVEN took on their first tour back in 1983) in Sao Paulo in front of 70,000 fans, and completing their finest album to date – ExtermiNation” which was released to universal acclaim from fans & critics alike in 2015!
After a serious heart attack in May 2017 Joe Hasselvander had to unfortunately bow out from the band.
While filling in on a number of shows, drumming phenomenon Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy) joined forces with the brothers Gallagher to lay waste to stages throughout the latter half of 2017…The chemistry between the three was undeniable – the addition of his prodigious technique & musicality instantly took the band up to a new level.
Following an insane 3 year blur of world touring the next RAVEN opus, “METAL CITY” was released into a pandemic scourged marketplace in September 2020, garnering both critical & popular acclaim as a game changing release for the band songs like “ Top of the mountain “ and the title track highlighted the deadly combination of the bands increasingly iconic songwriting along with Mike Heller’s nuclear propelled percussion excursions.
During the next few years the band delivered the metal goods across the globe .. themed tours covering their “WIPED OUT” and “ ALL FOR ONE” albums were a big success… the band were called on by old tour mates Metallica to help celebrate the life & legacy of Jon & Marsha Zazula (who managed both bands back in the early 80’s) at a tribute concert at the Hard Rock in Ft Lauderdale FL in November 2022.
Following a change of record label from SPV to Silver Lining in 2023; the band released their most searing album yet, the aptly titled “ ALL HELL’S BREAKING LOOSE” receiving universal acclaim from critics and fans alike. The following tour rolled into 2024, celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary as they toured across the globe from the UK to Europe, North America to South America, Singapore, Australia and Japan!
2025 saw the release of the 8 song EP “ CAN’T TAKE AWAY THE FIRE” raising the bar on metal mayhem one more time as a gift to the fans while the band work on preparing their next magnum opus!
SATELLITE TOURING and GLM ARTISTS are excited to announce, the legends of NWOBHM and godfathers of Thrash, RAVEN return to the live stage with an extensive North American tour of 35+ shows from March through May this year!
Support comes from special guests SLACKJAW!
Lead vocalist/bassist John Gallagher gleefully states:
“After our ‘medical gap year’ of 2025 we are hungry and itching to get back to doing what we do best — cranking out the megawatts and putting on a RAVEN Metal show for the lunatics out there — we have a killer band SLACKJAW out with us as special guests on these shows and it’s gonna be a take no prisoners full out affair!”
Dates announced so far, with more to come:
3/18 Louisville, KY @ Goodwood Whiskey Row 3/19 St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag 3/20 Kansas City, MO @ Westport Brewery 3/21 Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Live 3/22 Dallas, TX @ RBC 3/26 West Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky 3/28 San Francisco, CA @ Above DNA 3/29 Reno, NV @ Club Underground 3/31 Portland, OR @ Dante’s 4/1 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre 4/2 Seattle, WA @ The Funhouse 4/4 Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon 4/5 Denver, CO @ The Federal Theatre 4/7 Lincoln, NE @ 1867 Bar 4/8 Cudahy, WI @ X-Ray Arcade 4/9 Chicago,IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club 4/10 Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs 4/11 Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge 4/12 Hamtramck, MI @ Sanctuary 4/14 New Kensington, PA @ Preserving Underground 4/16 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern 4/17 Ottawa, ON @ Rainbow Bistro 4/18 Quebec City, QC @ L’Anti Bar & Spectacles 4/19 Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar 4/21 Albany, NY @ Empire Underground 4/22 Old Town, ME @ The Old Town Theatre 4/23 Manchester, NH @ Jewel Music Venue 4/24 Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz 4/25 Harrisburg, PA @HMAC 4/26 Richmond, VA @ Ember Music Hall 4/29 Raleigh, NC @ Chapel Of Bones 4/30 Greenville, SC @ Radio Room 5/1 Nashville, TN @ Exit/In 5/2 Atlanta, GA @ Boggs Social & Supply 5/3 Bradenton, FL @ Oscura
Ticket info at: –www.ravenlunatics.com –www.facebook.com/ravenbandofficial
Pioneering Newcastle UK Heavy Metal legends RAVEN unleash the ear-splitting title track from their 50th Anniversary Can’t Take Away The Fire release, out February 14th via Silver Lining Music. Video by widely acclaimed visual arts icon, Costin Chioreanu.
This rebel cry from the insane new RAVEN release underlines that the band aren’t letting their legacy dictate what they are… instead, they continue to push and redefine their approach by employing mega metal flamethrowers of CRUNCH!
Co-founding lead vocalist and bassist John Gallagher comments: “After the last album, All Hell’s Breaking Loose, we knew it was time to raise the bar yet again… ‘Can’t Take Away The Fire’ is the perfect introduction to this new EP … five tracks of pure cranium crushing headbanging mania!”
Founding Geordie brothers John Gallagher (lead vocals, bass) and Mark Gallagher (guitar, backing vocals) -aligned with the jet-propulsive power of Mike Heller (drums), throw down their speed demon gauntlet on ‘Black And Blue’, roar with turbo charged intensity on ‘Power Hungry’, carpet bomb and bludgeon with the mega riffs of ‘Can’t Take Away The Fire’ then accelerating back to the pyrotechnic fury of ‘Gimme A Lie’. The new suite of songs wraps up with ‘The Wreckage’ – a doom-tinged epic with the weight of a thousand baseball bats pummelling your skull!
Adding to the festivities are live bonus tracks from across the band’s career – ‘The Power’, as well as ‘Architect Of Fear’, with Joe Hasselvander on drums and ‘Don’t Need Your Money’ with Rob Hunter.
Featuring artwork by All Things Rotten, Can’t Take Away The Fire is a very limited-edition release, with only 1000 CDs available, all of which will be numbered and signed by the band as well as coming with an exclusive 50th anniversary RAVEN patch. The limited-edition CD will also only be available from the official RAVEN store, and once they’re gone, they’re gone! Digital pre-order is now available, all formats can be pre-ordered at this location.
Tracklisting
Black And Blue
Power Hungry
Can’t Take Away The Fire
Gimme A Lie
The Wreckage
The Power (Live In Clifton, New Jersey, 2022)
Architect Of Fear (Live In Erlangen, Germany, 1991)
Don’t Need Your Money (Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1984)
RAVEN are: JOHN GALLAGHER: Lead Vocals, Bass MARK GALLAGHER: Guitar, Vocals MIKE HELLER: Drums
Originally formed in 1974, the pioneering Newcastle UK Heavy Metal legends RAVEN have been celebrating their 50th Anniversary throughout the year and to continue with their celebrations, the band offer an electric gift to their fans on February 14th with the release of their Can’t Take Away The Fire EP.
“With the incredible reaction to our last album ‘All Hell’s Breaking Loose’ it spurred us to slave even harder in the songwriting salt mines” comments co-founding lead vocalist and bassist John Gallagher. “As an indication of where we are headed, we’ve put together for you an EP of five brand new songs (plus bonus tracks) that’s simply……. BLISTERING!!! We hope you enjoy our contribution to global warming!”
Can’t Take Away The Fire features five ferocious, no-nonsense, and full-force new songs and delivers the sort of lean, mean RAVEN-brand metal that continues to turn up the volume and land the crispest of punches. Founding Geordie brothers John Gallagher (lead vocals, bass) and Mark Gallagher (guitar, backing vocals) -aligned with the jet-propulsive power of Mike Heller (drums), throw down their speed demon intent on ‘Black And Blue’, roar with fresh old school perspective on ‘Power Hungry’, hit the heavy metal mid-pace highway with ‘Can’t Take Away The Fire’ and accelerate back into hyperdrive for ‘Gimme A Lie’. The new suite of songs wraps up with a semi-balladic, Sabbath-tinged epic, ‘The Wreckage’. Adding to the festivities are three live bonus tracks from across the band’s career – ‘The Power’, ‘Architect Of Fear’, and ‘Don’t Need Your Money’.
Featuring artwork by All Things Rotten, Can’t Take Away The Fire is a very limited-edition release, with only 1000 CDs available, all of which will be numbered and signed by the band as well as coming with an exclusive 50th anniversary RAVEN patch. The limited-edition CD will also only be available from the official RAVEN store, and once they’re gone, they’re gone! Pre-order now from this location. Digital pre-order will be available from January 14th 2025 via the same link, save the date and watch this space!
Tracklisting
Black And Blue
Power Hungry
Can’t Take Away The Fire
Gimme A Lie
The Wreckage
The Power (Live In Clifton, New Jersey, 2022)
Architect Of Fear (Live In Erlangen, Germany, 1991)
Don’t Need Your Money (Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1984)
RAVEN are: JOHN GALLAGHER: Lead Vocals, Bass MARK GALLAGHER: Guitar, Vocals MIKE HELLER: Drums
For The Metal Voice Kenny Kessel recently spoke to Mark and John Gallagher from the NWOBHM band Raven on April 27, 2024 in New Hope, Pennsylvania at John & Peters club.
When asked about their third album ‘All for One’ “This year is the band’s 50th anniversary, this album is 41 years. We came out with this album and it made an impact and in some ways we are still competing with this album, we are up against that history of that record. For us ‘All for one’ made a little bit of a first step into the USA. ‘All for one’ is a seminal record, that third album. it’s really a stamp of who we are and that is not taking anything away from our other albums. And of course it’s the title track, All for one, one for all. It’s like we are connecting with the people who come to see us. We are all kind of together. I still look back fondly on this record. We’re doing a box set for this record. It’s going to be a little bit of everything but it also includes a lot of rare stuff that’s beyond what’s on this record.”
When asked about seeing former Raven drummer Rob ‘Wacko’ Hunter for the first time in 35 years. “We never talked to Rob after he left for 5 years. Then I had a business thing come up, got him on the phone and we were on the phone for 3 hours. It was kind of nice to reconnect with Rob (recently on this tour). We picked right up where we left off. It has been 37 years since I have seen him.”
When asked about Raven Having The Same Song Title As Metallica ‘Seek & Destroy’ on 83′ Tour “Yeah we did laugh about it. We never heard either one’s (song before). All we heard from Metallica was No life til Leather (demo). I just remember hearing like, ‘Hit the light’, ‘Whiplash’ “
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