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Rage: Strings To A Web

German heavy metal trio Rage have celebrated their 25th anniversary, having accumulated quite a list of top metal releases, and also gone through many line-up changes during this considerable period, basically never straying too far away from the music they are so well known for.

Rage have now released Strings To A Web, the second full length studio album, the first being 2008's Carved In Stone, with the line-up of the only original member the very capable Peter "Peavy" Wagner with his dominant vocals and pumping bass. The band has a big asset with guitar master Victor Smolski, who just smokes his fretboard once again on String To A Web; Victor joined Rage back in 1999. More recently in 2007 came Andre Hilgers, who fills the spot vacated by former ace drumming power house Mike Terrana, which was no easy feat. This is claimed to be Rage's "strongest and best ever" line-up yet- I'm not sure about that but they are indeed very impressive. I suppose I'm just a fan of Terrana's playing, but then again Andre is no slouch behind the kit, as he has proved so far with Rage and previously the metal bands Silent Force and Axxis.

Classic Rage fans are catered to, as Strings On Web has has a fair component of Rage's style of heavy duty melodic metal, as evident with the crushing sounds of "Purified", and the band has also implemented progressive touches like the potent instrumental section of "The Edge Of Darkness".

Rage also continues to combine orchestral music, and when mixed with their brand of metal like they did so successfully on Speak Of The Dead, it really sounded fantastic. Well here on Strings To A Web, Rage have succeeded once again with "Empty Hollow" a five part varied suite which sinks its hooks in once Victor Smolski's metal groove is revealed. Included is the title track "Strings To A Web" with an excellent instrumental performance from this trio, and the suite concludes with "Empty Hollow(Reprise)".

When purchasing Strings To A Web you have the option of a digi version with bonus live DVD, which like the excellent live DVD released with Carved In Stone is also a great value with a quality song selection, and highlights include a performance of "All I Want" with Blind Guardian's Hansi Kursh.

Rage have yet another splendid and powerful metal album to their name in 2010, and the bands music lives on with Strings To A Web. After so many albums this band still offers plenty to get excited about.


Track List:
1. The Edge Of Darkness
2. Hunter And Prey
3. Into The Light
4. The Beggar..s Last Dime
5. Empty Hollow
6. Strings To A Web
7. Fatal Grace
8. Connected
9. Empty Hollow (Reprise)
10. Saviour Of The Dead
11. Hellgirl
12. Purified
13. Through Ages
14. Tomorrow Never Comes

Added: November 9th 2010
Reviewer: Scott Jessup
Score:
Related Link: Bands MySpace Page
Hits: 4183
Language: english

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Rage: Strings To A Web
Posted by Butch Jones, SoT Staff Writer on 2010-11-09 12:26:00
My Score:

Legendary German Metaller's, Rage, have released a killer new record called, Strings To A Web (Sonic Unyon Records), that is 50 minutes of 'go for the throat' old school Metal. New record, Strings To A Web, celebrates Rage's 25th anniversary in grand style with a hyper powerful, metallic statement with awesomely catching choruses and fantastic high flying guitar pyrotechnics. Filled with some great Power Metal and a nod to some Progressive tinges as well, Rage are firing on all cylinders.

Lead off track, "The Edge Of Darkness", that features a guitar intro reminiscent of the classic Van Halen "Mean Streets", guitarist Victor Smolski sets the stage for the guitar histrionics' that will be one of the guitar performances of the year. This powerful trio storms through songs like the catchy, "Into The Night" and "Hell Girl" to the Power Metal styling's of "Hunter And Prey" or "The Beggar's Last Dime" to the Prog Metal chops all over the title track, "Strings To A Web", all while never losing a step. This is all good stuff, indeed. The eeriness of the song "Empty Hollow", filled with a landscape of strings and keyboards gives you an instant soundtrack to murder mystery and sounds like an almost mini concept record within a record. The diversity throughout this record is simply amazing all well done.

Strings To A Web also shines from a great production job done by guitarist Smolski and Charlie Bauerfeind (Hammerfall and Helloween). The guitars are front and center and with the guitar performance from Smolski, he has earned the right. Vocals are crystal clear and piercing, while the drums are thunderous. This is was a great Metal record should sound like. Singer/Bass player, Peter "Peavy" Wagner's voice doesn't disappoint one note, nor his solid bass playing and drummer, Andre Hilgers throws out some nice off time shuffling himself.

Rage is one of those bands that you've either been following since the '80's or you probably never actually heard them BUT, HAVE heard of. Either way, for the new fan this is an excellent record to get on board with. Powerful, heavy and filled with great songs, this is a great way to celebrate your 25th anniversary, by making a kick ass record that happens to be one of the best of your career! Strings To A Web deserves your attention, so do yourself a favor and give it a whirl. You won't be disappointed.



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