Raven is hitting Empire Underground on a Tuesday night, and if you know anything about the history of heavy metal, that sentence alone should have you reaching for your wallet. This is a band that helped build the foundation of speed metal, and they’re bringing it to a basement venue in Albany. Tuesday night metal doesn’t get more legitimate than this.
About Raven
Raven is a British heavy metal band that’s been at it since the late ’70s. They were part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal alongside bands like Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, and they helped pioneer the faster, more aggressive style that would eventually evolve into thrash and speed metal. Decades later, they’re still touring and still bringing the intensity that made them legendary. Seeing Raven live is a history lesson and a masterclass in heavy metal performance all in one. The Gallagher brothers bring a ferocity that hasn’t diminished with time — if anything, the decades of performing have only sharpened their attack. Every show is a reminder of why they matter, delivered with the kind of conviction that only comes from a lifetime dedicated to heavy metal. This is the real thing.
The Venue
Empire Underground in Albany is a 500-capacity underground room that’s become the Capital Region’s home base for heavy music. The low ceilings and enclosed space make everything louder, heavier, and more immediate. For a band like Raven, who cut their teeth in small clubs across England, this kind of venue is exactly where they belong. The basement setting adds a raw, authentic edge that bigger rooms can’t touch.
Tickets & Details
Raven plays Empire Underground on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Doors at 7:00 PM. Check the link for pricing. Get tickets.
A NWOBHM legend in a basement venue on a Tuesday night — that’s the kind of show real metalheads live for. No frills, no spectacle, just a legendary band playing loud in a small room for people who actually care. If you consider yourself a student of heavy metal history, missing this would be a mistake. Get down to Empire Underground and pay your respects. NWOBHM bands in basement venues is the kind of experience metalheads dream about. Raven at Empire Underground is a chance to be part of that dream. Respect the legends — show up.