One For AllRaven |
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Revitalized, recharged… in fact for anyone who's ever listened to their music-really listened, the songs almost sound like an ongoing argument with no end! An argument that soon escalates into remorseless physical violence-who ever first implied heavy music as a source for release… I think the first three songs on this new disc are pretty affluent at laying it out on the line here-it's "white, hot, anger" directed at no one in particular, yet could be meant for anyone-"I'll be kicking Seven Shades outta you," and "Double Talk," two prime examples that Raven's not here to make new friends. Gallagher's lyrics are as usual, well aimed, purposeful, never subtle… and whom better than he to deliver such a toxic discourse. "One for All" was not meant to be the evil twin from the classic '83 release "All for One," nor does it sound exactly like it-aside from other such coincidentals as reteaming with one Michael Wagener! But if the aim was to shoot in the direction of yesterday and recapture some of the luster that afforded the band the prominence and success they were to achieve, it's not far off. Not quite as commercially active as the "Stay Hard" or gulp! "The Pack is Back," this is Raven getting back to their roots… with a few stray branches poking up and out from time to time. Not quite a comeback though many will perceive it as such, but is their first domestic release in over a decade however. "Everything Louder…" was their last studio work and really wasn't that good (try the album with the song they plucked that line from first-"Life's a Bitch" from '87-now that was a killer!) "One for All" is better, almost outstanding with a nice variety of songs and "live" mix that doesn't quite reach the impact of their early 80's classics, but aside from the unheralded (and unknown?) "Architect of Fear," one of their most solid efforts in recent memory! Ranging from all out terror on the opening three tracks, they break off to a slightly more modern feel on "To Be Broken," go into a slow burn on "The Hunger Inside," and Mark puts his fingers to the test on "Top of the World" which downs a dose of prime time power and commercial flare. Legends never die that's true. But no one ever said anything about those respectable also-rans… those who came close but were always one or two steps away. So in spite of the still fresh tire tracks that remain embedded in 'em, this band remains a force that won't stay down and "One for All" is a tight-knit, focused effort that won't make 'em any new friends but should give their enemies something to worry about! Released by Metal Blade Records
GmbH, P.O. Box 1332, 73054 Eislingen, Germany.
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