RAGE - Welcome To The Other Side
April 24, 2001, 23 years ago
(GUN)
After three consecutive releases relying heavily on assistance from a full-scale orchestra, Rage returns to their roots as a three-piece power metal unit with Welcome To The Other Side. Peavey Wagner's growling vocals (think Hetfield) and Victor Smolski's blazing axework (Iommi's riffery meets Malmsteen's proficiency) make Welcome the best Rage release in at least five years. Veteran drummer Mike Terrana rounds out the trio. The orchestral thing was cool the first time around but one listen to Welcome and you'll wish they did this years ago. Welcome To The Other Side is a concept disc revolving around the journey of a soul after death. The centerpiece of the disc is the four-part opus Tribute To Dishonor, which runs over 19 minutes with not one dull second. In fact it is hard to find a single flaw here. When it rocks ('Paint The Devil On The Wall', 'No Lies', 'Straight To Hell'), it is magnificent. When it doesn't, the quieter moments are with tension, purpose and passion ('Point Of No Return', 'After The End'). A killer welcome back from the orchestral side for Rage. Candidate for disc of the year!!
