Blabbermouth sez that WALK THROUGH FIRE will be out in Europe on SPV Records at the end of March '10. Still no mention of when it'll get a US release. I wonder if SPV still has the SPV-USA branch to release their stuff over here, or if that was a casualty of their bankruptcy restructuring.

Even if it doesn't get a US release at the same time, at least European imports are generally cheaper to get than Japanese ones.

Looks like Metal Blade will be handling the new Raven album in the U.S.! ... and hey, the American version gets bonus tracks for a change! Woot!

RAVEN Signs U.S. Deal With METAL BLADE RECORDS - Jan. 7, 2010

Legendary British/American heavy metal trio RAVEN has inked a deal with Metal Blade Records for the U.S. release of its new album, "Walk Through Fire". The CD, which came out in Japan in March 2009 via King Records, was recorded at the Assembly Line Studios with engineer/mixer Kevin 131 (PROJECT: FAILING FLESH, DECEASED, DYSRYTHMIA, GARDEN OF SHADOWS).

Due in the U.S. on March 30 (one day earlier in Europe through SPV/Steamhammer), RAVEN's first album since 2000's "One for All" contains 14 new songs and two live bonus tracks.

"Walk Through Fire" track listing:

01. Intro
02. Against the Grain
03. Breaking You Down
04. Under Your Radar
05. Walk Through Fire
06. Bulldozer
07. Long Day's Journey
08. Trainwreck
09. Grip
10. Running Around In Circles
11. Hard Road
12. Armageddon (The Beginning)
13. Attitude
14. Space Station #5 (MONTROSE cover)
15. Live at The Inferno **
16. Rock Until You Drop **

** Bonus Live Tracks

Vocalist, bassist, and founding member John Gallagher comments: "We are ecstatic. We go way back with Metal Blade (we've known Brian [Slagel, Metal Blade founder] since meeting him backstage at one of our shows in the U.K. in 1982!!!) so there's mutual respect.

"We feel that having this killer new album, 'Walk Through Fire', and a relationship with Metal Blade, an outfit that lives and breathes this music — that UNDERSTANDS where we have been and what we've been through, will show that we are not trading on past glories but that we are a band that continues to be relevant… and kicks ass more than ever before!

"We've set the bar high here with this album and are happy to have a partner willing to get it out there to the metal fans and spread the word. This is the RAVEN album the diehards have been beating us up for… and then some!"

Metal Blade Records' Michael Faley comments: "We are excited and proud to be releasing the new album by RAVEN entitled 'Walk Through Fire'! This record has garnered tremendous reviews worldwide and combines all the strength and power that only the Gallagher brothers can deliver, rock-solid METAL! With a career that has spanned over 25 years, RAVEN is back with a CLASSIC album."

I'm not familiar a lot with Raven. I should.

Very cool it has been years since I purchased a Raven album and I am looking forward to this release.

The Metal Blade version of WALK THROUGH FIRE is now available to pre-order from Amazon for $13.98... release date is March 30th...

They're taking preorders for Armored Saint's LA RAZA too. Hmm, y'know, my birthday isn't till May but maybe I can order my gift(s) a little early?

Besides, I'm doing the Raven Discography Thread here!! I HAVE to get WALK THROUGH FIRE as soon as possible. For, uh, research purposes. Y'know? For the sake of the thread ... or something.

So maybe I shall start my Raven colection backwards?

Tour dates... none in my area, of course.

RAVEN: North American Dates Announced - Mar. 10, 2010

Legendary British/American heavy metal trio RAVEN will play a very
limited number of North American dates in support of its new album,
"Walk Through Fire".


The details are as follows:



Sep. 10 - Sonar - Baltimore, MD

Sep. 11 - Gill's - Virginia Beach, VA

Sep. 12 - Jaxx - Springfield, VA

Sep. 16 - Wreck Room - Toronto, ON

Sep. 17 - Peabodys - Cleveland, OH

Sep. 18 - The Abbey Pub - Chicago, ILL

Sep. 19 - Blondies - Detroit, MI

Oct. 01 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA

Oct. 02 - Red Room - Vancouver, BC

Oct. 03 - Peters Room - Portland, OR

Oct. 22 - Trees - Dallas, TX

Oct. 23 - Scout Bar - Houston, TX

Oct. 24 - Scout Bar - San Antonio, TX

Damn I wish I had some bread for a plane ticket I would fly over to Texas, crash on detuned's couch, drink his beers and go so see Raven.

Very good band

Nothing near me! DRAT!

Listening to the CD right now...

Nothing on the West Coast either this time..... I shoulda went when they were in the city....

NUTS>!!!!!

Got WALK THROUGH FIRE in the mail from Amazon today. It's sooooooo good to hear this band again!! Glory, majesty, hail, hail, HAIL!!!!

Horray! Finally scored a copy of this! Sounds fantastic!

RAVEN!