Raven - Rock Until You Dro: The Over The Top Edition

Expanded four CD edition of Raven's debut album Rock Until You Drop. With demo's, single B-sides, and two incendiary live recordings. Although Raven were very much part of the NWOBHM of the late '70s and early '80s, brothers Mark and John Gallagher had formulated the idea of creating their own rock group way back in 1972. With John on bass and vocals and Mark on lead guitar, they played their first gig in 1975, building up a loyal following across the North East of England. Recording a rudimentary demo in 1978, included here on CD2. Signed to Neat Records, they recorded further demos, by which time they had trimmed down to a power-trio when the Gallaghers were joined by Rob "Wacko" Hunter on drums. Neat would release their debut 45 'Don't Need Your Money' in 1980 and make Raven the lead act with 'Inquisitor' on the cassette compilation, 'Lead Weight'. Raven released their debut LP Rock Until You Drop in 1981 successfully capturing the energy of their live shows, the album picked up instant champions across the influential UK rock press, with key features in Kerrang! And Sounds. Their live sound was captured illicitly by a fan on tape while on tour in Italy in December 1982, and is featured here in it's entirety, the collection completed by their May 1982 performance at Manchester's Apollo. As well as an extensive essay from NWOBHM expert John Tucker, this Over The Top Edition of Rock Until You Drop also features a 24 page booklet featuring many rare and unpublished photos supplied from the band's own archive.