RAGE

Formed nearly thirty years ago and remaining prolific through their album releases during that time, Rage's latest is, rather remarkably, their twenty first full-length studio offering (well, 20th under the Rage moniker as debut release 'Prayers of Steel' appeared through the band's initial guise of Avenger). So, appositely, it's been called '21' although rather than the predictability of mere consecutive numbering, they use the title as an in to the album with an orchestral gambling-themed prologue in 'House Wins' which segues into the title track. What follows is a pure encapsulation of the very essence and core of the metal genre in its broadest sense with almost an hour of fast-paced fun all the way. It's heavy in parts (Rage at their heaviest in fact) which is mixed in with rockier moments, symphonic elements, progressive twists, thrash, power, speed, breath-taking guitar virtuosity courtesy of the uber talented Victor Smolski and Peter Wagner's varied vocal styles which range from rock and trad-metal histrionics to a growled death delivery (particularly effective on 'Serial Killer'...at least I'm presuming it's Wagner responsible for the growling). And considering the wide array of said styles that, on paper, could potentially be a disjointed mess, Rage manage to forge a seamless blend as they shift with unnoticeable ease between all the different parts. There's masterful songwriting aplenty here on an album that's not only remains true to Rage's fruitful metal history but also manages to sound relevant in the twenty first century with a contemporary heavy edge that will, hopefully, see the band attract a whole new generation of fans. '21' is all about mixing up the old with the new and it works so very well. Recommended.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Nuclear Blast

Album

21

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

57:24

RELEASE DATE:

24th Feb 2012

TRACK LISTING

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

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Germany

"...a pure encapsulation of the very essence and core of the metal genre..."