RAGE: Wings Of Rage (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After thirty-five years of career and more than twenty albums, the reviewer lacks words to describe the vitality of Peavy Wagner. Barely a year and a half after the Refuge parenthesis, he is back with Rage for a 25th album, "Wings Of Rage". The arrival of his two new companions in 2015 gave him a boost and this resulted in some high-flying records cut in a powerful Germanic heavy and less technical but melodic style.

Of course the recipe is often the same and we could regret a lack of variations, but each time Rage avoids the pitfall of repetition with the little extra that makes the difference as with the conceptual part 'The Tragedy Of Man' on the previous album. This new opus follows this pattern with several parts. The first part is typical of recent Rage. The tracks navigate between heavy melodic and thrash with simplicity. The direct side is emphasized with an aggressive Peavy that goes high in the treble. On the guitar Marcos is efficient, he manages to find a good balance between technique and fluidity and sign of good soli. With 'True', 'Let Them Rust In Peace', 'Chasing The Twilight Zone' and 'Tomorrow' he creates some nice moments of bravura that make the head shake.

The second part starts with the transition 'Shadow Over Deadland (The Twilight Transition)'. A bit mysterious, it paves the way for one hell of a trio. We find here the melodic rage of the "Ghosts" era - 'A Nameless Grave' dates from this era, an epic and melancholic pearl with a symphonic tinge, a superb chorus and remarkable melodies. 'Shine A Light' is a splendid ballad that rises in power to land on a memorable chorus carried by a Peavy at the top of his art. Here again the guitar melodies are perfect and the symphonic finale makes its effect. 'Don't Let Me Down' is more powerful but also puts the melody forward for a result that varies the moods with efficiency.

The last part starts with a rereading of Rage's youthful hit 'Higher Than The Sky' from 'End of All Days'. Renamed 'HTTS 2.0', it keeps its unifying side with its chorus and benefits from a nice rejuvenation with a big dynamism. The last two tracks are more classical with notably a 'For Those Who Wish To Die' which mixes thrash and strong melodies with efficiency.

"Wings Of Rage" is an excellent vintage from a Rage on whom the weight of the years seems to have no hold. Once again the band has surpassed itself to offer the best of a powerful heavy metal capable of making emotions speak with class. - Official website

RAGE

WINGS OF RAGE

SPV STEAMHAMMER

HEAVY METAL