Often referred to as "athletic rock", the band gained notoriety as part of the early-to-mid 1980s new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) scene[1][2][3][4] and is considered to be an influence and inspiration on the development of the thrash metal genre, including "the big four" (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax),[5][6][7] as well as other bands such as Testament, Exodus, Overkill, Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Onslaught, Death Angel, Flotsam and Jetsam, Coroner, Annihilator, and Razor.

[13] Raven's highly energized live show and interaction between band members developed a unique image and style of play, described as "athletic".

They started by playing local pubs and working men's clubs in the North East of England – occasionally opening shows for punk bands such as the Stranglers and the Motors.

[13] They released their first single, "Don't Need Your Money", in 1980[13] and embarked on a number of UK shows opening for bands such as Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Ozz, Motörhead, Whitesnake, and Iron Maiden.

The manager and founder of Megaforce Jon Zazula believed that Raven was major-label material, and kept them touring constantly until the big labels noticed.

A drastic shift in a more commercial direction came at the label's behest, with many die-hard fans being alienated by the slick, lightweight production of The Pack Is Back.

[13] After the tour for Life's a Bitch, drummer Rob "Wacko" Hunter left the band in late 1987,[13] to spend more time with his new wife and family.

He later pursued a career in audio production and engineering,[13] eventually working with jazz musicians Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr. Joe Hasselvander (ex-Pentagram) joined as drummer in late 1987, and the band dropped the outlandish image for a more conventional denim-and-leather look for their 1988 release Nothing Exceeds Like Excess, which was self-produced and continued the band's return to form with fast, involved compositions.

The band spent the first half of 1993 writing and demoing new material; delays ensued due to John Gallagher having a house fire and thieves stealing guitars from the remains.

In the following year, the band regrouped and inked a deal with Japanese label Zero – an album entitled Glow was recorded at Showplace Studios, Dover, New Jersey.

Also in 1994, the band attended and played live at the Foundations Forum metal convention in Burbank, California, alongside acts such as Korn, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Machine Head.

Following a number of United States shows and European festival appearances (Bloodstock Open Air in the UK in 2005, Keep it True in Germany in 2005, Bang Your Head!!!

In 2013, a retrospective DVD was released, entitled Rock Until You Drop – A Long Day's Journey, featuring never before seen footage of the band from 1982 onward, interviews with musicians including; Lars Ulrich, Dee Snider, Dave Ellefson, Chuck Billy, Jon Zazula, and Chris Jericho.

As with the Walk Through Fire album, ExtermiNation was recorded at Assembly Line Studios in Vienna, Virginia with Kevin "131" Guitierrez engineering and the band producing.

After a two-week run of dates in the United States, the band embarked on their longest headline European tour for many years from September through October, visiting a number of countries for the first time.

Jimmy Mess did the Chicago show, Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy) performed on three US dates, Fabio Alessandrini (Annihilator) did the Muskelrock (Sweden) festival, and Dave Chedrick did the 11-date tour of Europe.

The band then embarked upon a 70-date European run with 50 dates as special guests on the Udo Dirkschneider "Back to the Roots 2" tour and 20 select headline shows.