A New Era For Live Albums With New Quiet Riot And Raven!!!

b,y Matman

​In the 1970's  and 80's, live albums were HUGE! For KISS, Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick, the live album gave their careers a serious kick and for RUSH, Iron Maiden and Scorpions... it was a showcase of the rock experience, and a way to get all the hits in one package.  It seems that after a bit of a hiatus, the live album/concert experience is making a comeback and I've got two awesome ones to share, both amazing in their own unique way! 

Up first is the metal band who in 1983 struck gold (and platinum) with their album METAL HEALTH and in 2017 released their 13th studio album, ROAD RAGE. Last year Quiet Riot played the Frontiers Rock Festival last year and the result is a killer album that proves the band still has what it takes to put on an amazing show.  ONE NIGHT IN MILAN (Frontiers SRL) contains 16 songs guaranteed to make you remember why you first loved this band, the amazing catalog! Cum On Feel The Noize, Run For Cover, Party All Night and my favorite, The Wild And The Young all sound amazing and feature longtime members Frankie Banali (drums), Chuck Wright (bass) and Alex Grossi (guitar). On vocals is James Durbin, the American Idol contestant who sings these songs with the passion and fire of the late Kevin Dubrow in his heyday. ONE NIGHT IN MILAN is a celebration of everything good about Quiet Riot who prove here (and on the live DVD/Blue-Ray from the show) that they are at their best onstage, making fans happy.

On the other side of the metal spectrum is Raven, the British trio that for me was my introduction to the world of speed metal!  Playing with power, danger and a sense of humor, Raven release this week their latest, SCREAMING MURDER DEATH FROM ABOVE, LIVE IN AALBORG! from SPV/SteamHammer.  To know Raven is to understand what you will be getting on this live album; controlled chaos with a "what the hell" attitude.   Led by founding members, the brothers Gallagher; Mark (guitar) and John (bass/vocals) and new drummer Mike Heller, Raven attack with an in your face collection of 11 songs covering their incredible history.  From album opener Destroy All Monsters to the closer Crash Bang Wallop, this recording made me remember what a Raven shows was like, despite the fact I haven't seen them live since 1988. 

Two amazing live albums from two bands that are so different in their approach... but the same in what they give to their audiences.