Rage | 21

by Nikiforos Skoumas
Staff Writer –

German heavy-melodic-metal legends Rage are back with their brand new album 21, that’s how many studio works they have put out since their formation in 1985. One has to hand it to Rage, they have been through the various twists and turns of the music industry for the better part of 27 years and despite changes in line up, contracts and popularity standards, they have been undeniably consistent in their releases putting out a studio album almost every year, or, every second year.

21 is the third studio album to feature the established line up of founder bassist and vocalist Peter Wagner, long serving guitar virtuoso Victor Smolski and drummer Andre Hilgers.

During the world-tour for their previous album Strings to a Web, Wagner made clear that Rage will be following a new business, artistic model in the way they put out music. It goes something like this; each year they will be marketing a straightforward heavy metal album (in their traditional ‘80s, early ‘90s style) followed by a second album which will feature all the symphonic, experimental elements that have become a key part of their identity since the late ‘90s.

Well, as you would expect, 21 falls in the first category being a full-on heavy metal attack that takes no prisoners. It is just about the thickest and heaviest release Rage have come up with, though thankfully not obscenely fast in tempo. 21 is strictly a guitar-bass-drums-vocals affair with minimal use of background keyboards and no orchestral arrangements. Still experimentation seems to be in Rage’s DNA so clearly the trio tries to make the best out of these four instruments.

It is perhaps surprising for one to find that Hilgers is the one pushing the envelope further on this new album. Andre comes up with really unconventional drum patterns and fills while retaining the metal-drumming identity and this effectively grants 21 a musical personality of its own. On the other hand, 21 is far from Victor’s best guitar performance, baring in mind his virtuoso status, while Wagner is back to the usual vocals/bass business while choosing to sing one of the songs on growls (which clearly does not do the tune any justice). That is not to say however that 21 does not feature standout material; “Concrete Wall,” “Black and White,” “Destiny” and the superbly melodic “Feel my Pain” are prime examples of Teutonic heavy metal a-la Rage.

Bottom line: 21 will definitely not let down long term fans of Rage, particularly those who have followed their career over the decades. On the other hand new admirers might be startled at the rawness of 21, that’s Rage after all.

Genre: Heavy Metal, Melodic Metal

Line up:
Peter “Peavy” Wagner – vocals, bass
Victor Smolski – guitar
André Hilgers – drums

Track List:
1 – House Wins
2 – Twenty One
3 – Forever Dead
4 – Feel My Pain
5 – Serial Killer
6 – Psycho Terror
7 – Destiny
8 – Death Romantic
9 – Black And White
10 – Concrete Wall
11 – Eternally

Label: Nuclear Blast

Web: http://www.rage-on.de/

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10

Rage Strings to a Web

by Franco Wissa
Staff Writer

Rage, formed in 1984, under the original moniker, Avenged, released their debut, Prayers of Steel, in 1985. The same year, after discovering another band shared the same name, they made the switch to Furious Rage, shortly after shortening it to Rage, and released Reign of Fear, in 1986 under their new name. Strings to a Web, Rage’s 19th full length release, and the follow up to 2008’s Carved in Stone, is a cataclysmic, powerhouse of a CD, but still, showing through are traces of melodic, power metal, progressive, soft and indeed a showcase of varying songwriting styles and on more than one occasion, vocal harmonies, peeking their way through.

What makes this particular CD so inviting is that just when you start to pigeonhole the band into one genre as what can be heard on the first few crushing, power metal tracks, they change styles frequently throughout the CD’s playing time, uniting rudiments of the progressive, “Empty Hollow,” the melodic “Into the Light,” the thrash Metallica sounding “Tomorrow Never Comes,” the incredible drumming heard on the rousing “The Beggar’s Last Dime,” the futuristic title track, the aggressive “The Edge of Darkness,” the ball crushing “Hellgirl” (from what has been written is an homage to drummer Andre Hilgers’ new born daughter,) the cymbal heavy, nasty “Savior of the Dead,” the flowing, soft “Through Ages,” the pomp and circumstance of the mid tempo “Connected,” the stunning piano, and the orchestral strings of the short instrumental ballad “Fatal Grace,” which with comes a sensational acoustic guitar.

Rage front man, Peter Wagner, sings with a growling, muscular style that perfectly compliments the hard hitters heard on Strings to a Web, and as a band sound they sound much fuller than one would expect for being a trio. The drums are hard hitting (Andre Hilgers has assumed his new place, having replaced long time Rage drummer Mike Terrana,) and the guitar and bass are superb.

A few of the tracks sound familiar and purists of Rage may find themselves skipping over the progressive and the ballads, but, even to them and as well to the casual fan there is something here to definitely latch on to. Truly not a bad track to be heard, as the talent is tangible, and the powerful sentiment heard time and again is real. Overall, this is a great addition to Rage’s already impressive category of power metal.

Genre: Power Metal

Band:
Peter “Peavey” Wagner – bass, vocals
Victor Smolski – guitars, vocals
Andre Hilgers – drums

Track Listing:
1. Edge of Darkness
2. Hunter and Prey
3. Into the Light
4. The Beggar’s Last Dime
5. Empty Hollow
6. Strings to a Web
7. Fatal Grace
8. Connected
9. Savior of the Dead
10. Hellgirl
11. Through Ages
12. Tomorrow Never Comes

Web: www.rage-on.de

Label: Sonic Unyon

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10