Raven & Night Demon: Repeating Metal History DIY Style

By Andrew Bansal

raven_metallicaIn the year 1983, British classic metal group Raven, comprising the trio of John Gallagher (bass, vocals), brother Mark Gallagher (guitar, synth, vocals) and Rob Hunter (drums), released their third studio album ‘All For One’ in America on Megaforce Records and in the same year arrived here for their first Stateside adventure titled the “Kill ‘Em All For One” tour, named after their album and “Kill ‘Em All”, the title of the debut album by a then fledgling band called Metallica, who were on their first ever tour. 31 years later, while Metallica is one of the biggest bands in the world and quite far removed from their Kill ‘Em All days in every sense, Raven are still soldiering on through the efforts of the Gallagher brothers and longtime drummer Joe Hasselvander and are set to repeat history.

Raven are gearing up to embark on ‘ExtermiNation America’, an extensive North American headline tour starting October 3rd, and not only is this their 40th anniversary celebration, but this time they’re taking with them Ventura, California trio Night Demon to make it an out-and-out classic metal lineup, and it happens to be Night Demon’s first ever North American tour just like it was Metallica’s back in 1983, a band the Night Demon members are huge fans of, so much so that they brought original Metallica guitarist Lloyd Grant out of hibernation to join them for their recent live performance of ‘Hit The Lights’ and ‘Seek And Destroy’ at the Five Star Bar in downtown Los Angeles.

ExtermiNation tour_2014_venue posters2Raven’s latest creative effort was their 12th studio album ‘Walk Through Fire’ released in 2009 via SPV/Steamhammer, and as for Night Demon, they have a self-titled EP under their belts, have completed work on a soon-to-be-released full-length debut, and are ready to conquer North America with their brand of unadulterated classic heavy metal in the vein of Diamond Head, Angel Witch, early Metallica and the like.

The nature of this upcoming tour comes across as very DIY, put together by members of Raven and Night Demon, with no label support or booking agents, at venues all across North America ranging from famous rock ‘n roll clubs like the Whisky A Go Go (Los Angeles), Reggies (Chicago) and Saint Vitus Bar (New York) to sports bars and house parties.

For classic metal fans all over the continent, this show is certainly worthwhile to witness the longevity of Raven as an entertaining live act and the exuberance of Night Demon as a rapidly rising force. Yours truly is chuffed to be a small part of it as Night Demon’s merch dude/roadie, and I’ll be documenting the activities on the road, so stay tuned to Metal Assault for several more updates through the tour.

Raven + Night Demon ‘ExtermiNation America’ tour dates:
10/03: Pompano Beach, FL @ Rip’s (Raven only)
10/04: Atlanta, GA @ 529 Bar
10/05: Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Café
10/07: New Orleans, LA @ Siberia
10/08: Dallas, TX @ TBA
10/09: Houston TX @ TVBA
10/10: Little Rock, AR @ Vino’s
10/11: Austin, TX @ Red 7
10/12: Midland, TX @ Keglers Lounge
10/13: Las Cruces, NM @ The Green Room
10/15: Mesa, AZ @ Club Red
10/17: Ramona, CA @ Ramona Main Stage
10/18: Santa Barbara, CA @ Biko House
10/19: Las Vegas, NV @ Cheyenne Saloon
10/20: Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A Go Go
10/22: San Bernardino, CA @ Black Flame Collective
10/23: Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar
10/24: Ventura, CA @ Bombay
10/25: Los Osos, CA @ Sweet Springs Saloon
10/26:  Sacramento, CA @ Blue Lamp
10/27: San Francisco, CA @ The Elbo Room
10/28: Sparks, NV @ The Alley
10/29: Ashland, OR @ Club 66
10/30: Portland, OR @ Tonic Lounge
10/31: Spokane, WA @ The Hop!
11/01: Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
11/02: Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
11/03: Boise, ID @ The Shredder
11/04: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Lo-Fi Cafe
11/05: Denver, CO @ TBA
11/07: St Louis, MO  @ Fubar
11/09: Columbus, OH @ Shrunken Head
11/11: Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
11/13: Indianapolis, IN @ Headquarters
11/14: Akron, OH @ Empire Rock Club
11/15: Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck
11/16: Chicago IL @ Reggie’s
11/18: Detroit, MI @ Token Lounge
11/19: Syracuse, NY @ Macs Bad Art Bar
11/20: Pittsburgh, PA @ Dead Horse
11/21: Brooklyn, NY @ St. Vitus
11/22: Philadelphia, PA @ Dobbs
11/23: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
11/24: Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
11/25: Raleigh, NC @ The Maywood

Comments

comments