Review RAGE “A New World Rising”

When it comes to heavy metal from Germany, Rage belongs to the real veterans. What started as Avenger in 1983 turned into Rage in 1986, and it was apparent from the release of their debut that Peavy and his bandmates had the potential for a long-term career.

Rage is an extremely productive band, as evidenced by their long list of full-length releases, the latest of which is “A New World Rising.” One of the great things about Rage is that the band found its signature sound early on. They maintained this basic texture and evolved it over the last 40 years. Whether they worked with the Lingua Mortis Orchestra or delivered more thrash metal riffpower, each record was excellent, with a slightly new touch.

You can recognize a Rage song immediately due to Peavy’s vocals, but the guitar melodies are also typical and recognizable as Rage. “A New World Rising” reflects this, although the album is heavier than the previous release, “Afterlifes,” and has a more optimistic spirit. While “Afterlifes” was a rather dark album, the newest release spreads more joy and positivity. This is evident in songs like “Freedom,” which features an infectious “ohohoh” chorus. The light-hearted guitar solo also spreads infectious optimism. At the same time, the album features heavy riffs that point back to thrash metal.

The album begins with “A New World Rising,” which is actually an intro, followed by “Innovation.” The title alone shows the band’s mindset. Standing still is like taking a step back, and that’s not Rage’s approach.

“We’ll Find a Way” exemplifies the album’s overall optimistic mood, backed by powerful riffs that energize rather than destroy. Another notable song is “Fire in Your Eyes.” It is an ode to all metal fans and the social connection generated by music and lived by fans. The thunderous “Leave Behind” fuses melody and heaviness with a forward-looking mindset. The song immediately unleashes its intensity, leading to the pounding start of “Paradigm Change.” Each song has its own characteristics, but it’s the earlier-mentioned trademark sound that ties everything together. The album’s common base and versatility are two of its great strengths. “A New World Rising” also features modern elements, as in “Fear Out of Time.” Since there is a Part 2 of the “Der Schuh des Manitou” movie, the album also features an updated version of the soundtrack contribution with “Straight to Hell ’25.”

Rage stands for great and honest heavy metal, and the new album is the band’s next milestone release. It’s fresh and dynamic, making your eardrums swing while you bang your head. “A New World Rising” brings positivity to a time of fear, failure, and negativity. This album is a wake-up call for everyone to create something new instead of drowning in fear. The songs are a soundtrack for such a mindset.