Raven, one of the most historical and well known bands of the NWOBHM genre, have returned this year with their 12^th full length studio album. Even though since their formation in 1975 till today they have never officially split up, they were inactive from 2001 up to 2006, because of a serious injury of their guitarist, Mark Gallagher. After his recovery in 2006, they started touring again and working on new material, which finally was released this year by King Records and it is entitled “Walk Through Fire”.

The album is mostly acquainted with their 80’s releases, which are the most representative and fertile of the band. The compositions have a big variety of styles, from more classical NWOBHM tunes, like the introductory “Against The Grain” and “Breaking You Down”, “Armageddon”, with its interesting riffs and the characteristic guitar melodies, the more power orientated “Under Your Radar”, the ‘catchy’ “Long Day’s Journey”. Other tracks that are among the album’s strongest points are “Running Around In Circles” and “Hard Road”, both filled with raw energy and power, trademarks of Raven’s sound.

In general, I found this album as a very pleasant surprise and I think it will also be ideal for all of you who are fond of the traditional NWOBHM sound, but with the assistance of an up to date production and a big variety as far as the ideas within the songs are concerned, so as not to fall in the trap of a release that sounds as if it was recorded two decades ago. If you are into classic metal and it has a high position in your preferences, you should definitely check this worthwhile Raven’s effort.