Customer Reviews

Walk Through Fire

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An absolutely amazing return-to-form for the Godfathers of Thrash. Although I've dutifully bought every album over the years, even I have to admit the last few, even the pairing with Michael Wagner just weren't quite up-to-par. Production has sounded not only a bit amaturish, but also pretty dated. Mark..please beef up those guitars! I would cry in frustration. A little bottom end..some distortion..y'know?!

Well, I don't know what brand of coffee they switched-to, but Walk Through Fire is the best album since "Excess". No question. The guitars are heavier, the tempos more varied, the kick drums hammer, and all the songs sound different! Sometimes I've been of the opinion that the boys took so much heat for "The Pack Is Back" that they went too far the other way, and stopped even trying to write catchy hooks. What they, and I suspect others have forgotten, is that the much vaunted first three albums, all had catchy, well written songs. Heavy...fast...raw, sure...but still catchy. Walk Through Fire is a return to that ideal mix of heavy, intense and melodic.

Trust me folks, as soon as the first track comes roaring out of your speakers, that band you loved so much in '83 will remind you it hasn't gone anywhere. Welcome back Raven!

Raven's new album WALK THROUGH FIRE, is a call to arms to all who LIVE METAL, this album is ALL KILLER, and NO FILLER, this good as it gets.
From the first chords of AGAINST THE GRAIN, to the title track WALK THROUGH FIRE, Raven's fierce riffs and John Gallengher's Signature Scream
never let up, to my personal favorites BULLDOZER & LONG DAY JOURNEY, that breathes nothing but pure metal heaviness. This band, from what
I read, went through alot of personal times the last ten years, but THE SOUND AND FURY of this album shows no signs of weakness, This album
proves that RAVEN are far from over, and ready to burn, all non believers of metal, and make them themselves heard. Other tracks like Trainwreck,
GRIP, and RUNNING IN CIRCLES, are more favorites on this album that will grow on metal fans alike, Plus the cover of Montrose "Space Station #5"
is an added bonus, this U.S. Release from Metal Blade Records (God Bless Em') has two bonus track of old raven favorites. I dare you to listen
and judge for your self, it anit slipknot, or lamb of god, BUT JUST A SLAB OF PURE HONEST RAGING METAL that will make all metal listeners of today,
realize how great this band is! Personally I think this album is the next best release this year, next to MEGADETH'S ENDGAME. ENJOY

You always wonder if a veteran metal band will meet expectations on a new album. More often than not, they don't. The new stuff always seems to be missing something. It just doesn't grab you like the older material did. Well, I'm happy to report that's not a problem here. On Walk Through Fire, Raven serves up a magnificent blend of classic hard rock and heavy metal that manages to be both catchy and headbanging. If at any point in your life you liked Raven, this is more of the music that you liked. It's the maniacal, over-the-top, heavy, fun, ambitious rock that made Raven a crowd favorite back in the day.

As I write this, Amazon shows no track listing, so I'll give it here:

1. Intro
2. Against The Grain
3. Breaking You Down
4. Under Your Radar
5. Walk Through Fire
6. Bulldozer
7. Long Day's Journey
8. Trainwreck
9. Grip
10. Running Around In Circles
11. Hard Road
12. Armageddon
13. Attitude
14. Necessary Evil (Bonus track - Japan Only)
15. Space Station #5 (Cover Of The Montrose Classic!)

The opener, Against The Grain, is dynamite. Think "Speed of the Reflex" meets "Faster than the Speed of the Light." It's a furious, hair-raising anthem. Other standout songs include Breaking You Down, the title track, Bulldozer (with a bass solo!), and Attitude. But they're all good, especially the cover of Space Station #5. They have that same NWOBHM sound that we all went crazy for back in the 80s. Raven know what the fans want and they come through big time.

This is currently being sold only in Japan. I bought mine from cdJapan. But it's cheaper there ($40) than the $80 currently being asked for on Amazon by resellers. If you can get it, I strongly suggest picking up a first print edition. It includes the excellent bonus track (Necessary Evil), a glossy 4"x4" Walk Through Fire sticker, and a nice article insert (though it's written in Japanese).

I've had this CD for a little over three months now and it's getting constantly play. I ripped the songs, threw 'em on my iPod, and crank 'em wherever I go. I suggest you do the same. This is a superb album and a must-own for any serious metal fan.

It's been well over a year since I heard tracks from this album on Bill Peter's Metal On Metal show, and I've been looking out for it all this time. Previously only available as an expensive Japanese import, I was glad to see it finally get stateside release. Hard Rockin' tracks, every one. Great cover of Montrose's Space Station #5, which has always been a fav of mine. I am very happy that, unlike many CDs I've purchases in the last few years, the producers decided NOT to release an overdriven, clipped, poorly equalized "iPod" style mix. Sounds great played loud in the car and the old 2 channel stereo, through actual speakers!

I will not go into song by song detail but if you liked Raven before you will love them now. This is up there with Rock Until You Drop and Wiped Out. They have brought the N.W.O.B.H.M. into 2010 and released a pure heavy metal onslaught. John even hits some high notes like before, his vocals are simply awesome, the guitars crush and the drums are heavy. The thing is, this does not sound dated one bit. And just think of these killer releases lately: Krokus:Hoodoo, Ratt:Infestation, Over Kill:Ironbound, Armored Saint: La Raza, Scorpions:Sting In The Tail, Judas Priest: British Steel 3 cd set coming up, it seems like we are back in the 80's which couldn't be better for music. Please buy "Walk Through Fire", if I was rich I would personally guarantee you your money back if you don't like it. It is that good.

WALK THROUGH FIRE is a blistering slab of hot metal; Raven at their best...you've got their 100-mph speed/thrash songs ("Under Your Radar"/"Attitude"), their slamming slower songs ("Bulldozer") and even some radio-friendly rock ("Trainwreck"). John Gallagher's screams are as powerful as ever, and Mark Gallagher has created some of his craziest guitar solos to date. All in all, another great release by one of Metal's greatest power trios...KK of ROCKOVERAMERICA

I would tell you how great this album is, but that would mean it would take you longer to BUY THIS CD! Raven kind of lost their way in the late 80's, but man have they found themselves. You will not be disappointed!...you're still here!?...click on buy!

The Gallagher brothers John and Mark have released another great Raven album. It is heavy and catchy as the other reviewer stated. Against the Grain, Breaking You Down, Walk Through Fire, etc. the whole album is remarkable. I also got the Japan with sticker and 2 extra songs, well worth the money. If you like All For One, Nothing Exceeds Like Excess, Stay Hard and every other incredible Raven album you need Walk Through Fire. I have always believed these two brothers are just as talented on bass and guitar as the Van Halen brothers.

Wow! Saw these guys at the Adams Avenue Theatre in North Park - San Diego (back in the day) Anthrax opened (with Neil Turbin - Fistful of Metal era). Raven still had Wacko on drums. The Gallagher Bros were unhinged, playing wireless (early days...), and running about the upper balconies in this tiny 'theatre'. My friend has appropriately termed Mark's vocals as 'out of the trees'... This CD catches the same wave that One For All did in 1999. Raven sound extremely tight and fresh and Joe is like a turbo-charged Tank on the kit. The recording is crunchy and authentically Ravenesque. Still has the rawness of the earliest recordings and played with as much wild abandon and athleticism. They still have that wheels about to come off frenetic energy, and Mark's voice is in top form.

This CD is my pick of the year. It is absolutely awesome if you are a Raven fan. It kick ass, it's creative and memorable which is allot more than I can say for most metal bands today!There isn't one clunker on the CD. There are some fast, some slow , some heavy and some more mainstream but all kick.I can tell allot of thought went into writing these songs they didn't just pump one out like, oh let's say Metallica, Y&T, Rob Halford, James LaBrie to name a few. Yes it has that old sound and feel, allot of bands loose that as time goes by, they try to over produce and get too technical, not Raven, they do it like they've always done it which is just plug in and kick some ASS!!!!!

Thanks guys for an awesome CD in this fickle world of metal, a true classic!