Embedded Files
RAGE – “A New World Rising”
RAGE – “A New World Rising”
By Colonel Angus
RAGE is one hard working band. After releasing the double album “Afterlifelines” last year and touring to promote that material, they are back quickly with a new disk of thirteen brand new compositions. Keeping the line-up from the last record, Peavy Wagner is creating some consistency with Lucky Maniatopoulos on drums and newest RAGEr Jean Borman on guitars. I always enjoy stable line-ups so I hope this one keeps going for a while.
The uplifting title track is more of an intro as it really sounds like the music a band would use right before they crash onto the stage. The first “real” tune is also the best one on the record. “Innovation” pummels you to dust right from the beginning but gives you a moment of reprieve during the chorus. That is one of the main strengths of RAGE; their ability to sneak in some much needed melody and breathing room in an otherwise bashing tune. If you thought the band was going to relent, you thought wrong because “Against the Machine” is more of the same pounding material that made up the first tune. There is a cool middle-eastern guitar part in the track that shows off their versatility in bringing other elements into their core sound.
The thumping “Freedom” substitutes groove for some of those pounding elements of the previous songs. Peavy and company have a style of coming up with cool verses but always reverting back to catchy and melodic choruses that make each track memorable. “We'll Find A Way” starts off with some great riffing that harkens back to old-school thrash/speed metal and to keep things interesting, there is an awesome break-down midway through the solo that I wish was extended. That groove section still keeps the power but also adds this fist-pumping element that demands movement, whether you're at a concert or alone with the stereo cranked up to eleven.
Some of that NWOBHM influence shines through on the beginning of “Cross the Line” but they take the main structure of the track in another direction with thrash mixed with some newer metal parts. I like that RAGE always keeps their core sound as the foundation but add other bits and pieces to keep us on our toes. “Next Generation” is more of a straightforward speed thrasher that benefits from just sticking to main structure. Sometimes less is more and here is a good example of not veering too far off the main vibe and just keeping it simple. Taking a step back from the pounding metal of the previous six tune (I’m not counting the intro as a song – sorry), “Fire in Your Eyes” is kind of a ballad in so much that RAGE could do a ballad. While it is slower in parts, it still rocks pretty hard and Borman puts in a great guitar solo; one that matches the vibe of the whole track.
Well, you know that the little reprieve of the slower “Fire in Your Eyes” wasn’t going to last because they come charging back with “Leave Behind”. This one swaps out the thrashier elements with this power metal swagger that gives the record a bit of variety. The chorus is also one of the catchiest on “A New World Rising”. The IRON MAIDEN-ish intro of “Paradigm Change” had me wondering what direction they were going to take and they proceeded to go into a gritty metal tune that has a lot of hard rock undertones. Just when you think you have this album figured out, they throw something new in there. Church bells usher in “Fear Out Of Time” but before the band launch into more familiar territory, there is this cool brooding first verse. Ultimately, this one slips back into the core RAGE sound which is fine by me.
They finish off the record with another thrash-tastic rocker in “Behind The Shield of Misery” and a re-recorded version of “Straight to Hell 25” (adding the 25 so you know which version) from 2001’s “Welcome to the Other Side”. It is a fun tune but the original version is better and didn’t really need re-doing. Aside from that minor mis-step, “A New World Rising” is another classic added to the RAGE catalogue. After all these years, the band still keeps putting out quality albums and this one will definitely become a fan favorite in the years to come.
Report abuse