Review Summary: Now with Rage fully consolidated as a trio and with a dream formation (Wagner, Smolski and Terrana), the band had a big challenge ahead to get over the superb "Unity"! Were they able to do it?
And to achieve that, they once again trusted producer Charlie Bauerfeind, who achieved a pristine and very well rounded sound. Maybe the guitars are a little less crisp than on the previous album for some reason, but without a doubt the group sounds even more cohesive than before.
Stylistically, we find a more straightforward Rage, less progressive and baroque than in "Unity" and more oriented towards simpler power-metal, but with an enviable compositional quality that undoubtedly portrays the good moment the band was going through at that time. Nevertheless, the wild Smolski's guitar solos and the elaborated instrumental passages will also delight fans of the most complex branch of the group.
Perhaps my only complaint is that here the number of filler songs is a tad bigger than in "Unity", and I certainly believe that in progressive fields the group stands out greatly, something that I miss in this more conservative "Soundchaser". But I would fully understand people who prefer this one over "Unity! I can't really argue with them. It's just a matter of taste, I guess.
In summary, "Soundchaser" is another Rage release which is highly recommended for any fan of the band or metal in general! A good example that sometimes being prolific is not incompatible with quality.
Best Tracks: Great Old Ones (a classic in the band's repertoire, with an incredibly melodic guitar solo), Soundchaser (the instrumental interlude is mind-blowing) and the Falling from Grace suite (featuring Andi Deris's collaboration!)
