Classy German power/speed metal. This band has a long history dating back to 1984. They were formerly known as Avenger and released two incredibly hard to find albums in '84 and '85 under that name. The first Rage disc titled "Reign Of Fear" was released in 1986 on Germany's Noise Records. Rage play a very unique style of melodic power metal, especially when compared to the current trends in music. Their earlier works are more straight forward heavy metal, and were obviously recorded by a less musically mature band. Most of their 1990's albums are pretty similar in style, retaining the unique Rage power metal style that is heavy and accessible, yet not overly commercial. Their more recent discs "Lingua Mortis," "XIII," and especially "Ghosts," the band has introduced classical instruments and styles to their sound, often playing along with a full orchestra.  Bassist, vocalist, main song writter Peavy is the only original and consistent member. Rage are a late find for me, as I didn't discover them until around 1999, but I can guarantee that this page will continue to grow 'cause I will be adding more Rage to my collection.

Rage-Reign of Fear (Noise) 1986

1. "Scared To Death" (4:40)
2. "Deceiver" (3:34)
3. "Reign Of Fear" (3:52)
4. "Hand Of Glory" (3:23)
5. "Raw Energy" (3:24)
6. "Echoes Of Evil" (4:45)
7. "Chaste Flesh" (4:50)
8. "Suicide" (4:02)
9. "Machinery" (4:20)
10. "Scaffold" (9:11)

"Reign of Fear" is the very first Rage album. I cannot for the life of me figure out why these guys didn't kick some major butt in the 80's. They had an excellent sound that was more aggressive than much of what passed for metal in '96. OK, there are some production flaws and Peavy does tend to push his limits on some of the higher vocals, but overall, this disc smokes! As with every disc on this page, had to get it from a friend in Germany as distribution in the U.S. is so poor.

Rage-Execution Guaranteed (Noise) 1987

1. "Down by Law" (3:22)
2. "Execution Guaranteed" (6:49)
3. "Before the Storm (The Secret Affair)" (4:48)
4. "Streetwolf" (6:04)
5. "Deadly Error" (5:06)
6. "Hatred" (3:55)
7. "Grapes of Wrath" (5:12)
8. "Mental Decay" (5:52)
9. "When You're Dead" (4:29)

"Execution Guaranteed" is very heavy and very raw. Superb German heavy metal. This disc, along with most of the discs on this page, were a gift from a friend in Germany. What better gift than the gift of metal? This particular disc has seen many repeated plays.

Guitarist Rudi Graf was formerly the guitarist for Warlock (w/ Doro). Jörg Michael went on to join the German band Headhunter, played on Grave Digger's comeback album "The Reaper" and the following tour, joined Running Wild for four albums, and today, he's a constant member of Stratovarius. In addition, he played for the German true metal "guitar hero" Axel Rudi Pell on his 'Nasty Reputation' cd with Rob Rock.

Rage-Secrets in a Weird World (Noise) 1989

1. "Intro (Opus 32 No.3)" -instrumental (:52)
2. "Time Waits For Noone" (4:49)
3. "Make My Day" (3:37)
4. "The Inner Search" (4:41)
5. "Invisible Horizons" (4:35)
6. "She" (5:20)
7. "Light Into The Darkness" (4:50)
8. "Talk To Grandpa" (2:45)
9. "Distant Voices" (5:48)
10. "Without A Trace" (9:13)
11. "Lost Side Of The World" (4:43)

Rage steps up the production, the speed and the intensity for this, their third release. I think, If I am not mistaken, that their record company was really pushing them into a more thrash metal direction since thrash was the flavor of the day in 1989. After a short instrumental introduction the second song begins with a fast riff played at a speed that would have compared with Slayer in '89. Still, despite having some thrash tendencies here and there, the music is still for the most part, power metal. To my delight Peavy successfully experiments with some higher vocal melodies on this disc as well. Yet another fine German power metal cd from Rage.

Perfect Man (Noise) 1988

1."Wasteland" (3:26)
2."In the Darkest Hour" (3:15)
3."Animal Instinct" (3:43)
4."Perfect Man" (3:32)
5."Sinister Thinking" (3:17)
6."Supersonic Hydromatic" (3:31)
7."Don't Fear the Winter" (3:26)
8."Death in the Afternoon" (3:56)
9."A Pilgrim's Path" (4:26)
10."Time and Place" (4:14)
11."Round Trip" (3:23)
12."Between the Lines" (3:18)
13."Symbols of Our Fear" (3:32)
14."Neurotic" (2:59)

Hailed by many as the band's best album. I'm not sure I would say it was their absolute best but it certainly is at the top of their catalogue. The music is tight, fast, well-constructed, and certainly one of the best German speed metal discs of the late 80's. There certainly is not a weak track to be found on "Perfect Man." Cool cover art as well.

Rage-Reflections of A Shadow (Noise) 1990

1. "Introduction (A Bit More Of Green)" (1:33)
2. "That's Human Bondage" (4:26)
3. "True Face In Everyone" (5:12)
4. "Flowers That Fade In My Hand" (7:40)
5. "Reflections Of A Shadow" (3:53)
6. "Can't Get Out" (5:03)
7. "Waiting For The Moon" (4:40)
8. "Faith" (5:42)
9. "Saddle The Wind" (4:06)
10. "Dust" (4:49)
11. "Nobody Knows" (3:50)
12. "Wild Seed" (5:26)

The band was just getting better with each album they released, yet without getting more commercial or riding some insipid trend. "Reflections" is just 100% heavy metal with the hooks, looks, and attitude that goes along with that label. Just another quality disc by a very underrated band.

Rage-Extended Power (Noise) 1991

1. "Woman" (3:47)
2. "Ashes" (5:02)
3. "Bottlefield" (2:44)
4. "Waiting for the Moon" (4:40)
5. "What' Up" -instrumental (3:30)

I like EP's as they usually either showcase some of the bands best material or they have a bunch of rare b-sides and covers. In this case, "Extended Power" features five spectacular speed metal symphonies. Several times I have listened to this disc all the way through only to push the play button again and listen all the way through a second time.

Rage-Trapped! (Noise) 1992

1. "Shame On You" (4:52)
2. "Solitary Man" (3:36)
3. "Enough Is Enough" (6:42)
4. "Medicine" (3:43)
5. "Questions" (3:55)
6. "Take Me To The Water" (6:01)
7. "Power And Greed" (4:25)
8. "The Body Talks" (4:34)
9. "Not Forever" (3:36)
10. "Beyond The Wall Of Sleep" (4:04)
11. "Baby, I'm Your Nightmare" (5:22)
12. "Fast As A Shark" (3:03)
13. "Difference" (4:57)

WOW! Now this is absolutely one of the band's finest cds. The production is outstanding being mixed by the infamous Tom Morris from Morrisound Studios in Tampa, FL. (This same studio has cranked out quality metal by Iced Earth, Death, Agent Steel and numerous others.) The songs are melodic yet without losing an ounce of aggression and energy. "Trapped" is what heavy metal is all about-fast riffs and solos, pummeling drums, solid vocals, and hook laden choruses. Add to this a cover of one of the first speed/thrash songs ever, Accept's "Fast As A Shark." This disc is simply fantastic. I really can't say enough good things about it.

Rage-Beyond the Wall EP (Noise) 1992

1. "Bury All Life" (5:34)
2. "On The Edge" (4:14)
3. "I Want You" (3:40)
4. "(Those, Who Got) Nothing To Lose" (4:15)
5. "Last Goodbye" (4:21)
6. "Light Into The Darkness (acoustic)" -live (5:37)

An essential disc for Rage collectors, this mini-album went out of print not long after it was released. From what I have read, the EP was put out to help support the European "Trapped" tour. It contains five new studio tracks exclusive to this cd. All five tracks are are as good as the material on 'Trapped'. "Bury All Life" starts of as a fast and furious thrash assault, "On the Edge" is a power metal song that takes it down a few decibals, while retaining the power and intensity. "I Want You" is not the Kiss song, although that would have been cool, but is yet another fast Rage speed metal original. "Nothing To Lose" is a slow, doomy power metal number with a catchy guitar riff. "Last Goodbye," despite the deceiving title is not a ballad, but yet another quality speed metal number. The last song is an acoustic version of "Light Into The Darkness" that originally appeared on "Secrets In A Weird World". This version was recorded live in Tokyo, 7/24/92 during an acoustic radio jam session without any overdubs.

Rage-The Missing Link (Noise) 1993

1. "Firestorm" (4:57)
2. "Nevermore" (4:27)
3. "Refuge" (3:39)
4. 'The Pit And The Pendulum" (4:17)
5. "From The Underworld" (3:09)
6. "Certain Days" (5:45)
7. "Who Dares?" (4:27)
8. "Wake Me When I'm Dead" (5:20)
9. "Lost In The Ice" (9:48)
10. "Her Diary's Black Pages" (3:35)
11. "The Missing Link" (4:23)
12. "Raw Caress" (5:24)

I love this disc. Classy, well-constructed, well-executed power metal for the 90's. Very cool cover art. Lots of guitar leads. Killer vocals to boot. WOW! Everything a band is not suppose to have in the 90's. Rage are AWESOME!

Rage-Black in Mind (Noise) 1995
Avenger-Prayers of Steel/Depraved to Black (Noise) 1985

In the late 90's Rage are starting to sound a bit more like fellow German bands Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray. Being that I am a big fan of this school of German speed metal, this is not a bad thing for me. I think that Rage tends to be a bit more mid-paced than Blind Guardian, not unlike Iced Earth. In my personal opinion, this makes the songs more memorable than much of their contemporaries music. Man, how I missed this band for so many years is a mystery, but I am glad that my dear friend Olaf hooked me up. Thanks again Olaf.

For more information on the Avenger tracks, see the Avenger page.

Rage-End Of All Days (GUN) 1997

1. Under Control (4:07)
2. Higher Than The Sky (4:17)
3. Deep In The Blackest Hole (4:23)
4. End Of All Days (4:45)
5. Visions (4:17)
6. Desperation (4:55)
7. Voice From The Vault (5:36)
8. Let The Night Begin (3:53)
9. Fortress (3:56)
10. Frozen Fire (3:42)
11. Talking To The Dead (4:00)
12. Face Behind The Mask (3:37)
13. Silent Victory (4:54)
14. Fading Hours (6:28)
15. The Sleep (3:57)
16. The Trooper (4:00)

"End of All Days" is very similar to "Back in Mind." Rage are one of those metal bands who have seriously improved with age. The progression is especially noticable to me as I was able to hear "Execution Guaranteed" (1987) for the first time right before hearing this 1996 release.

Rage-Ghosts (GUN) 1999

1. "Beginning of the End" (4:42)
2. "Back In Time" (4:20)
3. "Ghosts" (5:13)
4. "Wash My Sins Away" (4:06)
5. "Fear" (5:07)
6. "Love And Fear Unite" (3:35)
7. "Vanished in Haze" (5:00)
8. "Spiritual Awakening" (3:30)
9. "Love After Death" (4:12)
10. "More Than A Lifetime" (4:28)
11. "Tomorrow's Yesterday" (6:55)
12. "End of Reality" -bonus track (4:20)

AWESOME! This is the only word I can think of to describe this symphonic metal masterpeace. Rage have progressed over the years, like any good band will, but they have not neglected their fan base, nor have the ignored their roots. Still heavy, still metal, but adding in the progressive and symphonic elements, not unlike later day Savatage. My copy is from Germany, is a digi-pack and contains one song not on the regular cd release.

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