Review THE RODS „Wild Dogs Unchained“

The Rods formed 45 years ago and are among the veterans of heavy metal from the US. The band was founded by David Feinstein, Ronnie James Dio’s cousin, as well as Carl Canedy and Steven Starmer. Two of the founding members, Feinstein and Canedy, are still part of The Rods, along with drummer Freddy Villano.

After splitting in 1986, it took until 2008 for them to find common ground again and reactivate The Rods. Since then, the band has released three albums, with the most recent one hitting the shelves these days.

The latest album, “Wild Dogs Unchained,” features ten thunderous metal tracks. The great thing about “Wild Dogs Unchained” is that the band sticks to its roots, bringing some old-school heavy metal to the plate. The three guys perform with passion and commitment. Heavy metal from the late ’80s blasts out of the speakers with heavy riffing, great melodies, and an anthemic approach.

This heavy metal journey begins with “Eyes of a Dreamer.” The opener is a stomper, with Feinstein’s vocals taking center stage. The song maintains a moderate pace, leaning more towards hard rock. It’s a great way to start the album, though, as the tune hits its stride right away. Next is the infectious “Rock and Roll Fever,” which starts dramatically before turning into a NWoBHM-inspired headbanger.

Next is the infectious “Rock and Roll Fever,” which starts dramatically before turning into an NWoBHM-inspired headbanger. The album offers another pounding metal track with “Mirror Mirror” that brings you to the title track. Like the album’s artwork, the title track bridges the past and the present. In this case, we connect to 1982, when the band released “Wild Dogs.” “Wild Dogs Unchained” is a newly interpreted version of the title track. The new rendition has a denser, more powerful sound, while the original has a more rebellious character.

Another song that refers to the early days is “Hurricane.” It is the opening track of the “In the Raw” album and another excellent interpretation of an 80s classic.

The presence of the atmospheric aspect of The Rods is notable in the calmer “World on Fire,” a highlight of the album that evokes the classic rock of the 70s. We are listening to a seven-minute milestone song that conveys a great deal of emotion before The Rods return to ferocious metal with “Make Me A Believer.”

Overall, we can conclude that “Wild Dogs Unchained” is a great metal album that brings the sound of the ’80s into the modern world. While still roaring loudly, The Rods have maintained the vibe of the heyday of rock and metal. The album’s hooks and melodies are so good that it instantly captivates the listener, yet it still has enough depth to inspire multiple replays. This album is a denim-and-leather delight.