It’s halfway through the year Dear Reader and let’s not kid ourselves. We both know, all you’ve been doing is sitting around wondering why my favorite albums of the year, up to this point have been.
So, without further ado…
Raven: ExtermiNation
This songwriting on this album is classic heavy metal in every sense, bolstered by today’s production values. John Gallagher’s voice has not lost an iota of its piercing range. There’s even a lilting guitar interlude called “Golden Dawn” for good measure.
I love Raven, so I’m predisposed to like this album. This is not an album I would have guessed would be my favorite of the year, up to this point. Yet, here we are, Dear Reader.
What I find particularly engaging about this one is the slightest restraint of the vocal performances. Admittedly, Mr. Gallagher in the early days of Raven was sometimes a bit self-indulgent and took the “lunacy” a bit far for my taste, sometimes to the point of becoming grating. An older, wiser John Gallagher still sings with as much fire as ever, but maintains a laser-sharp focus on the melody of the song. For me, that makes all the difference.
Go buy a Raven album. It’ll do your old, metal heart some good.