RAVEN, the iconic British/American metal band, has exciting news for fans: they are set to embark on their extensive North American tour titled "Can't Take Away The Fire" this spring of 2026. In collaboration with Satellite Touring and GLM Artists, RAVEN will perform over 35 shows from March through May, bringing along fellow rockers SLACKJAW as special guests.
Vocalist and bassist John Gallagher expressed his eagerness to return to the stage after a year away, describing it as a "medical gap year" in 2025. He enthusiastically shared, "We’re eager and ready to get back to what we do best—delivering electrifying performances and a true RAVEN metal experience for our dedicated fans. With SLACKJAW joining us, this tour is going to be an all-out, thrilling event!"
Here’s a glimpse at the concert dates that have been announced so far, with more to be revealed:
- March 18 - Louisville, KY @ Goodwood Whiskey Row
- March 19 - St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag
- March 20 - Kansas City, MO @ Westport Brewery
- March 21 - Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Live
- March 22 - Dallas, TX @ RBC
- March 26 - West Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky
- March 28 - San Francisco, CA @ Above DNA
- March 29 - Reno, NV @ Club Underground
- March 31 - Portland, OR @ Dante's
- April 1 - Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
- April 2 - Seattle, WA @ The Funhouse
- April 4 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon
- April 5 - Denver, CO @ The Federal Theatre
- April 7 - Lincoln, NE @ 1867 Bar
- April 8 - Cudahy, WI @ X-Ray Arcade
- April 9 - Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Rock Club
- April 10 - Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs
- April 11 - Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge
- April 12 - Hamtramck, MI @ Sanctuary
- April 14 - New Kensington, PA @ Preserving Underground
- April 16 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
- April 17 - Ottawa, ON @ Rainbow Bistro
- April 18 - Quebec City, QC @ L'Anti Bar & Spectacles
- April 19 - Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar
- April 21 - Albany, NY @ Empire Underground
- April 22 - Old Town, ME @ The Old Town Theatre
- April 23 - Manchester, NH @ Jewel Music Venue
- April 24 - Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz
- April 25 - Harrisburg, PA @ HMAC
- April 26 - Richmond, VA @ Ember Music Hall
- April 29 - Raleigh, NC @ Chapel Of Bones
- April 30 - Greenville, SC @ Radio Room
- May 1 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
- May 2 - Atlanta, GA @ Boggs Social & Supply
- May 3 - Bradenton, FL @ Oscura
Last August, RAVEN had to postpone their planned summer and fall 2025 European tour due to health issues faced by John Gallagher, who later revealed in a heartfelt video that he had suffered from "a bleed on the brain."
RAVEN is a celebrated name within the "New Wave Of British Heavy Metal" movement that emerged in the early 1980s. They gained notoriety for their groundbreaking tours across the United States, which played a significant role in paving the way for legendary bands like METALLICA and ANTHRAX.
Reflecting on their experiences, John recalled in a 2014 interview with CantonRep.com about their collaboration with METALLICA during the "Kill 'Em All For One Tour," named after their respective albums. He described the tour as chaotic yet exhilarating, saying, "It was like guerilla warfare—17 people crammed into a six-person Winnebago! We often found ourselves riding in the back of trucks because it felt cleaner! Arriving in places like Oklahoma City was surreal; it reminded me of the 'Blues Brothers'—only there was no protective chicken wire to keep flying objects at bay! We were used to playing for punks in working-class clubs in Northern England, so we fought back by knocking over drinks and rallying the crowd with, 'Are you with us or against us?' It was our job to connect with them. It was METALLICA's first tour, and we guided them through it—they were wild! Traveling together felt like being part of a large gang on an adventure across America."
The band's influential albums, including "Rock Until You Drop," "Wiped Out," and "All For One," are credited with essentially laying the groundwork for the speed metal and power metal genres. RAVEN has continuously pushed musical boundaries while maintaining their distinctive sound, especially evident in their live performances.
Their most recent EP, titled "Can't Take Away The Fire," was released in February 2025 through Silver Lining Music.
