Raven (British band)

Raven
Raven performing live in 2023
Background information
OriginNewcastle, England
Genres
Years active1974–present
Labels
MembersJohn Gallagher
Mark Gallagher
Mike Heller
Past membersPaul Bowden
Paul Sherrif
Mike "Mick" Kenworthy
Sean Taylor
Pete Shore
Rob "Wacko" Hunter
Joe Hasselvander
Websiteravenlunatics.com

Raven are an English heavy metal band, formed in 1974 by the Gallagher brothers, bassist and vocalist John and guitarist Mark. They have released fifteen studio albums to date, and had a hit with the single "On and On". Often referred to as "athletic rock", the band gained notoriety as part of the early-to-mid 1980s new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) scene and is considered to be an influence and inspiration on the development of the thrash metal genre, including "the big four" (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax), as well as other bands such as Testament, Exodus, Overkill, Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Onslaught, Death Angel, Flotsam and Jetsam, Coroner, Annihilator, and Razor. Raven are also notable for headlining Metallica's first-ever national tour in 1983.