The band’s fans were overjoyed when in summer 2020 Rage frontman Peavy Wagner presented the group’s new line-up featuring two guitarists, announcing a return to the constellation that had recorded classics such as Black In Mind and End Of All Days. After last year’s departure of Marcos Rodriguez, Stefan Weber (ex-Axxis) was enlisted, followed just a few weeks later by Jean Bormann (Angel Inc, Rage & Ruins). The fourth band member is drummer Vassilios “Lucky” Maniatopoulos, who has been with Rage since 2015. The current line-up could be seen and heard for the first time on the ´The Price Of War 2.0` video clip, a new edition of the same-named song from Black In Mind, which has been available on all major online channels since June 2020. Immediately afterwards, the quartet commenced work on its brand-new album Resurrection Day. “I`m surprised how quickly the new line-up has gelled into a homogeneous team and how positively the talents of each band member have come into effect,” says Wagner, looking back on a highly creative production phase and commenting on Rage’s latest offering: “I feel that our music is still typical Rage on the one hand while sounding so much fresher on the other.”
Rage have recorded twelve new songs covering a stylistic range that could hardly be more characteristic of the band, from raw thrash metal tracks like ´Virginity` (also the first single and video), ´The Age Of Reason` and ´Extinction Overkill` through mid tempo pieces such as ´Arrogance And Ignorance` and ´Monetary Gods` to the straightforward ballad ´Black Room` which balances things out. “Rage fans get exactly what they want on Resurrection Day, plus a surprise or two,” promises Peavy, mentioning in particular ´Travelling Through Time`, a number that explores the extremes between bludgeoning “shoot-em up grooves” (quote Peavy) and epic moments. “The song is inspired by Renaissance composer Giorgio Mainerio,” he explains. “There`s a piece by Mainerio called ´Schiarazula Marazula`, with a wonderful theme that I often play at home on acoustic guitar. Jean and I have adapted it to suit the Rage format and given the song a different rhythmic perspective, which has added intensity. We’ve never done a number like ´Travelling Through Time` before.”
So we can look forward to a very special Rage album, and of course eventually also to live shows. Provided that the situation allows it, Peavy and his men are set to embark on a major European tour in November 2021. With Resurrection Day on their setlist, the shows are guaranteed to turn into highly explosive events!
Tracklisting
1. Memento Vitae (Overture) 1:14
2. Resurrection Day 4:18
3. Virginity 3:41
4. A New Land 3:49
5. Arrogance And Ignorance 5:00
6. Man In Chains 4:36
7. The Age Of Reason 4:22
8. Monetary Gods 3:54
9. Mind Control 4:14
10. Traveling Through Time 4:13
11. Black Room 4:49
12. Extinction Overkill 5:52