Raven is one of the most influential bands emerging from the NWOBHM scene of the late seventies/early eighties. Forty-plus years later, thankfully, the band has released another new record!. On its 13th full-length album, ExtermiNation, brothers Gallagher; John (vocals/bass) and Mark (guitars), joined by drummer Joe Hasselvander, are playing like a band half their age. Raven hit a bit of a rough patch in the mid eighties, but regained its momentum beginning with 1987’s Life’s A Bitch and continuing on with 2010’s Walk Through Fire. The band’s renewed enthusiasm shines through on its 15 energetic tracks that grace ExtermiNation.

CD-opener “Destroy All Monsters” serves up a blazing, classic Raven guitar lick and some classic Gallagher ear-piercing shrieks. “Tomorrow”’s menacing riffs, pounding double bass and wailing vocal harmonies on the chorus brings me back to 1983! Classic Raven ’80s styled guitar riffing and a headbang-able chorus decorates “It’s Not What You Got.” At track 5, “Battle March Tank Treads (The Blood Runs Red),” you’ll notice that Raven has not lost one iota of its energy level. And the rest of the tracks hold up equally as well. “One More Day” breaks into a tasty Metallica/Diamond Head “Am I Evil” riff, while “Thunder Down Under” pays homage to AC/DC with its pounding tom pattern and highly infectious and chantable chorus.

ExtermiNation is so good that it almost deserves an 11! However, the last two tracks, “River Of No Return” and bonus track “Malice In Geordieland”, deserve a couple of points knocked off. Not that they’re necessarily bad tracks, but there’s a noticeable dip in quality compared to the others. And at 15 tracks, there’s just too many. The band might have benefited if they would’ve ended the CD at the catchy and raucous “No Surrender,” then moved track 12, “Golden Dawn” — a 53 second instrumental — just before it. If you’re already a Raven, NWOBHM or ’80s speed metal fan, then you’ll want (need) to pick up ExtermiNation!