Rage – A New World Rising
Rage – A New World Rising
SPV/ Steamhammer
Release Date: 26/09/2025
Review by Beth Morait
7.5/10
German Heavy Thrashers, Rage, have been kicking it for some years now, and their sound has always been distinctive, blending the elements of Classic Thrash, with the defined melody of Classic Heavy Metal. Their new album, “A New World Rising”, promises much of the same, but with more modern techniques thrown into the mix. So, does it deliver on that promise? Let’s find out.
After a brief ambient intro, Rage launch into the thunderous ‘Innovation’, and it is indeed everything you’d expect. Crazy pace, like a runaway train steamrollering towards you, with drums and bass providing the heart-pounding rhythm, wailing guitars, with some ridiculous finger skills, and the unmistakable gravel of frontman Peavy Wagner. It’s Rage through and through.
And this really is how it continues, but with added twists, such as the slight progressive passage in ‘Against The Machine’. It feels uplifting too, despite its heaviness. And it’s solid, but this is what you’d expect from a band with the longevity of Rage. However, despite professing to be bringing things into a more modern light, personally I think this album feels a little safe at times, reverting back to old tropes. Someone got a synth for Christmas though, for sure. And it’s employed in various areas throughout the album.
Production wise, it’s good, but I think Peavy’s vocals are probably too high up in the mix, and pushed too far into a register that’s no longer comfortably achievable. He’s still got it for the raspier and screamed sections, such as in ‘Cross the Line’. But when he goes fully clean, it’s worryingly stark that his voice is beginning to show age and overuse. I hate saying that, because I love Rage. But there comes a point where you have to gracefully accept that you’re not as young as you used to be! In live performances, this wouldn’t really be as much of an issue, because the acoustics are completely different. But on studio recordings, the sound-proof booth is unforgiving, and this mix here would definitely have benefitted from the vocals being slightly further back.
That said, ‘Fire In Your Eyes’ sees Peavy bringing the vocals down into a more comfortable register, and they sound great, because he’s not forcing as much. This track is the ballad of the album, and it works. I think this is the perfect area for his voice now, and it still has the musical heaviness that Rage audiences want. It’s a really happy tune, full of love and nurturing. I won’t mention the fade out at the end of this song though… Pffft.
‘Paradigm Change’ has got a nice groove to it, and the vocals feel better, because they’re focused on the rasp, rather than the clean. It’s slower-paced, and more in the realms of Classic Heavy Metal. There’s a great guitar hook in here too, which is a bit of an earworm.
All in all, this is another good, solid Rage album. It doesn’t push boundaries. It feels sort of modern. But really, it’s one for the fans, and the fans will be pleased.
TRACKLISTING:
01. A New World Rising
02. Innovation
03. Against The Machine
04. Freedom
05. We’ll Find A Way
06. Cross The Line
07. Next Generation
08. Fire In Your Eyes
09. Leave Behind
10. Paradigm Change
11. Fear Out Of Time
12. Beyond The Shield Of Misery
13. Straight To Hell ‘25
LINKS:
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