Review Summary: The outcome of the band's recent changes and a spice of nostalgia
Rage should not need presentations, but they’re often forgotten when it comes to list the most influential metal bands of the ‘80s. From 1985 to 2012 they released 21 albums, and each one of them had its own style and brought something new. Their sound evolved from a raw speed/thrash metal to a more symphonic one. Abandoned the symphonic side, band’s founder and only stable member Peter "Peavy" Wagner re-embraced the style that characterized the band in the ‘90s, releasing 21 and
The Devil Strikes Again, their 22nd full length album.
The album immediately makes it clear: a shout charged with rage explodes with a strong riff, the sound is fast, raw and doesn’t seem intended on stopping. Instruments blend in an optimal way, new guitarist Marcos Rodriguez delivers energy throughout the album, and some of his solos, albeit short, are noteworthy, while drummer Lucky provides a simple but impeccable accompaniment and stands out in various situations. However the spearhead that always distinguished Rage is Peavy, vocalist and bassist, and his singing is excellent, alternating aggressive sections with melodic ones, and the choruses backed by his two bandmates result in very catchy moments.
Unfortunately the production and guitar bury the bass, which is almost inaudible save for some parts, though it still manages to create some solid bases to songs like the title track.
It’s clear that Rage wanted to reopen certain doors of their career that remained closed for decades, from the genre of music to the themes: there are various lines that nostalgically quote older songs from the band like "Echoes of Evil" or "Black in Mind", and the very name of the album is a quote to their "Sent by the Devil".
Passed the first two heavy tracks, an unexpected melodic comeback will probably capture the attention of the fans of the band’s power metal material, even if the intention of bringing back the progressive side does not seem taken into account. The guitar manages to give identity to every track. Some transitions in "Spirits of the Night" and "Times of Darkness" are very well written and the solos, particularly the one in "The Dark Side of the Sun", are very easy to enjoy: they are melodic and go hand in hand with the rest of the song.
Instrumentally and lyrically angry songs alternate with melodic and sentimental ones, while never slowing down until the second-last track, and concluding perfectly with a slightly longer track on the threshold of 45 minutes. A little mention to the lyrics is due, sweeping from social criticism to personal thoughts. In the last few years Rage has gone through many changes, the line-up completely changed save for Peavy, and he clearly wanted to use a more direct and simple musical style, but the melodic influences from their 2000s material are evident:
The Devil Strikes Again is the final result, fully showing the dynamic situation of the band.
The downside of this album comes indeed from the decision to simplify the musical style, most of the tracks are about 4 minutes long, and their structure has very little ambition, often using the standard chorus-based formula. For this reason it’s almost impossible to ignore the choruses, rather catchy but nothing special compared to what the band is capable of. The ones in "War" and especially in "Deaf, Dumb and Blind" could be annoying.
The album is about 45 minutes long, pretty short for Rage but this certainly improves the flow. This results in a great and fun album, with the potential to introduce new listeners to the band and hit the spot but also leaving the most demanding die-hard fans to desire more. After all, Rage means quality, and after more than 30 years of activity they confirm it once again.
