RAGE „Speak of the Dead”

Country: Germany
Label: Nuclear Blast http://www.nuclearblast.de/
Official website: http://www.rage-on.de/
Style: Power Metal

After the release of their 20th anniversary live album last year, This trio has released an amazing new album! RAGE has unleashed onto the metal world their 17th! studio release, ‘Speak of the Dead‘.

The first 8 tracks on the album all roll into one concept track similar to RUSH's 2112. RAGE has titled this mini-masterpiece, ‘Suite Lingua Mortis‘ which is an obvious sequel to the ‘Lingua Mortis’ album, released in 1996.

RAGE are not only great song writers, proven by numerous top class albums over their 20 year career, their current line-up is a threesome of fantastic musicians. Vocalist and Bassist, Peter “Peavy” Wagner, Guitarist extroidanaire ‘Victor Smolski‘ and percussionist ‘Mike Terrana‘ have blended together their musical abilities brilliantly and in addition the concept pieces on album were recorded with Inspector Symphonic Orchestra (Belarus), and the chemistry between the band and orchestra is an amazing thing to hear.

At times the music sounds like classic tracks of STYX or KANSAS on steroids, at others it is reminiscent of METALLICA’s ‘S&M’ live album. The mood ranges from haunting to bombastic. with the 2nd track of the suite ‘Prelude of Souls’ being my favorite part of the suite with its intense piano intro building with crunching guitar chords, very anthmetic in feel.

But wait… don't overlook the fact that there are 7 more tracks on this album, each having their own personality and metal quality, combined together making what is an excellent album with plenty of harmonic variety. The rest of the album gives us a great combination of teutonic thrashy riffs, catchy choruses, great rhythmic section and many progressive parts. RAGE is a top notch power metal band because of their technical musical attributes each member of the band possesses, something which is unmistakably obvious throughout the entire album.

‘Kill Your Gods’, the heaviest track on the album, and comes across with bone crushing intensity which will threaten to destroy your senses. Next up is the heavy very infectious track titled, ‘No Fear’ which is a bruising song which is apparently to be used on a soundtrack of a forthcoming German movie. If the film is anything like the song then it won’t be for the faint hearted… Beware!

‘Soul Survivor’ and ‘Be With Me or Be Gone‘ are also strong compositions, both boasting catchy choruses backed up with a range of top class riffing. The albums finest standout track is ‘Full Moon‘, approaching a near perfect metal song! Every metal fan should absolutely eat this stuff up!

Title track ‘Speak of the Dead‘ closes the album in fine fashion and ultimately proves that RAGE are a metal band who are more than worthy of their 20 year status and loyal worldwide following. This is a band that knows how to write great metal, in more than one style, and on this album those qualities shine through with a deal of magnitude.

This is how power metal is meant to be played! With no compromises! “Speak Of The Dead” is an album that grabs your senses from the first second and doesn't let go! The first thing you will do after hearing this album is hit the repeat button on your CD-player until its worn out! This is an album that you can listen to from the first to the last song, because you won't find any fillers here! If you only buy one power metal CD for 2006 this one has got to be your choice!

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1. Morituri Te Salutant
2. Prelude Of Souls
3. Innocent
4. Depression
5. No Regrets
6. Confusion
7. Black
8. Beauty
9. No Fear
10. Soul Survivor
11. Full Moon
12. Kill Your Gods
13. Turn My World Around
14. Be With Me Or Be Gone
15. Speak Of The Dead

Line-up

“Peavy” Wagner – vocals, bass
Victor Smolski – guitars
Mike Terrana – drums
Inspector Symphonic Orchestra