Rage – Spreading the Plague Review

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It’s always great to review the album of such a legend as Rage. To me it’s such a pleasure because the cannons of Metal muysic are always on top of the mind of many fans. Ok, many Metal fans have a fall for obscure bands – I do too – but the high profile bands are the ones that made Metal what Metal it is today. One of the reasons Metal is recognized all around this sad and lonely and pathetic little planet is because of them all. Ask any friend which is the band – or bands – they appreciate the most and I’m sure most of them will the big guns. Right, Rage have never been such a big record seller. I guess they could be considered a medium band in terms of album selling. However, in Metal music record selling doesn’t mean that much to fans. The band’s attitude and reputation are more valued. After all this Metal we’re talking about not pop or other highly commercial style. Metal is guts and blood, sweet and tears, power and glory, death or insanity, iron or maiden.

“Spreading the Plague” is an EP with six tracks. Three of them “To Live and to Die,” “Spreading the Plague” and “The King Has Lost His Crown” are 2021 album “Resurrection Day” and previously unreleased. And the other three are “A New Land” with a nice and kind new acoustic wrapping with a guitar solo full of finess. “The Price of War 2.0.” was first released a few months ago as a digital single including video clip to introduce new band members Jean Borman and Stefan Weber, but has not yet been available on any physical record, same as the Rage classic “Straight to Hell,” a live stream from the Balve Cave venue in July 2020. From the three, “Straight to Hell,” may strange the newcomer fan with its groovy guitar riffing very far from Rage’s tradition.

“To Live and to Die” totally is Rage’s face. Straight ahead as hell with the known sore vocals with some rhythm in the guitars, but not that much and a catchy chorus. The kind of track especially made to be the album opener. Following track “Spreading the Plague” gives the a chance to breath and recov er from the previous headbanging. In a pace that isn’t the regular pace of Rage’s music. The kind of track that in a show works as a cool off and to give the band sometime to rest. “The King Has Lost His Crown” recovers from the preious track and goes wild as Rage always do. Another track that is totally Rage’s modern face.

“Spreading the Plague” is a great appetizer for what is to come. in general EPs are to fill hiatus in a band’s career. Or to satisfy contracts. However, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

Rage “Spreading the Plague” will be released on September 30th via Steamhammer/SPV.

Track Listing:

  1. To Live and to Die
  2. Spreading the Plague
  3. The King Has Lost His Crown
  4. A New Land (acoustic version)
  5. The Price of War 2.0
  6. Straight to Hell (live from the Cave)

Watch “To Live and to Die” official music video here: