RAGE - AFTERLIFELINES

RAGE - AFTERLIFELINES

March 27, 2024, 20 hours ago
(SPV/STEAMHAMMER)

Rich Catino

Rating: 6.0

review heavy metal rage



Forty years, and now the 26th album, Afterlifelines, by the German speed/power/prog melodic metal machine. I am a fan of their history, select songs from the ‘80s, more so the Manni Schmidt era (Perfect Man - Missing Link), two guitar attack Black In Mind - Ghosts, and the Smolski albums 2001-2010. Getting you up to speed, the last four albums there has been another new drummer and change in guitarists, twice. That's many albums, and quantity over quality often, too much sameness. With that, how does this new album compare?

This is a double album, Afterlife’s first eleven songs guitar driven written as a trio, Lifelines with an orchestra behind the guitars, drums, and bass, something Rage has done several times during the history. And like lone original member, singer Peavy Wagner in the bio says "some of it may be reminiscent of albums XIII and Lingua Mortis,” which I agree, plus Speak Of The Dead form 2006. With that, first disc kicks off in traditional Rage fashion, rampaging riffs and drums driving the song. Wagner's voice has lost nothing in tone, a tad more edgy like last few albums. They have become heavier since The Devil Strikes Again, and with mixed results.

Like lead off track "End Of Illusions" has a modern breakdown and guttural growl pre solo. But, as always with Rage with speed the important guitar melody still a thread, heard in "Under A Black Crown", and the solo in the catchy rhythm for the title track. "Mortal" has a modern chugging riff, as does "Toxic Waves" with melodic verse breaks. "Waterwar" has chorus riffing pattern style more in the vein of the Smolski era. Gallop and double bass power metal for the chorus to "Justice Will be Mine". These two are my Rage.