There was a time between ’79 and ’81 where Newcastle and Neat Records in particular, were the centre of the universe of the burgeoning NWOBHM. Based in an old cinema in Wallsend, they were responsible for unleashing Raven, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Venom, and Fist, to name a few. Raven always had a huge sense of humour to go within their high energy metal, and this album was glued to my turntable.
Opener Hard Ride is a typical rocker of the time, and now would just be classed as a hard rock tune but back then everything loud was called metal. Hell Patrol is a whole bunch of fun with over the top screams ,wild guitar, and a kick-ass simple riff. Don’t Need Your Money was released as a single and this sound sums up NWOBHM perfectly. A great high octane uptempo blast with Mark Gallagher giving it plenty on the whammy bar. Over The Top keeps the tempo high with a riff that feels very familiar. After a brief acoustic interlude the madness returns with Side 1 closer For The Future with THAT riff making an appearance.
Side 2 kicks off with Rock Until You Drop, basically the band’s anthem, and if you have seen them live then they give it everything. Love the breakdown in the middle! Nobody’s Hero is up next and it’s basically a sped up old school boogie with knobs on, and the main riff is close to a Saxon one from their first album. Next up is a one two kick in the nuts of two killer Sweet covers: Hellraiser and Action. Lambs To The Slaughter sees another appearance of THAT riff and a very familiar lift of Judas Priest’s Steeler, if you listen closely. It’s favourite and last track time with Tyrant Of The Airwaves. This is a whole new level in writing and takes everything to the max. From the dramatic intro, to the speed metal main song, this is a NWOBHM classic.
Other than a compilation album called Lead Weight, this was the first album by a band released on Neat Records with catalogue #1001. Ahh happy days.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
