Raven with Udo Dirkschneider
“Break the Chain”
12″, 45rpm Single
RoadRunner – RR12.55.25
US
(1983)
“Break the Chain” is not Raven’s finest work but still good. It’s got all the characteristics that separated Raven from the rest in 1983: John Gallagher’s wonderfully wild vocal delivery and Mark Gallagher’s frenzied whirl of a guitar punch.
But it gets better as you flip the vinyl over …
Side B: I happen to like the Udo/Raven teaming-up for this maniacal version of “Born To Be Wild.” It takes an iconic rock song and turns it on its head. One person has told me that it had taken them to the same place Yoko Ono’s voice has driven them: out of the room. But I think that’s the point. Getting the ugly out is not for the easily annoyed.
What’s even better comes next: “Inquisitor” — early Raven meets early Accept. This meeting of vintage metal creatives make “Inquisitor” as cathartically psychotic as possible. Fucking metallic home run.
The metal merchant (literally) I bought this single from ($5!) told me this one was in the bin for a long time. Ah, a hidden gem. Well, vinyl hunters, if you are reading this, pick this up if you ever see it.
