(Nuclear Blast) Total Time: 47:53
RAGE used to be one of the bands that were releasing an album per year, most of the times successfully, although the last years their speed has been decreased. “Carved In Stone” is their 18th (!!) album and the first after the not so friendly departure of Mike Terrana. His substitute is Andre Hilgers and everybody was curious of how the band would sound after this change.
One thing is for sure: this album is more straightforward metal than of the few previous ones as it doesn’t have any classical elements – save the last track. In spite of its straightforwardness, the album didn’t reveal its inner connection at once. At first I thought the songs were kind of mediocre, but after a couple of listenings I was discovering more and more parts that were satisfying my ears. The compositions are based on the guitar harmonies of Viktor Smolski and his vibrato playing in the fast parts that almost every song has along with some more rhythmic and slower ones. Hilger’s playing is quite tight, although Terrana’s sound is a trademark and unique. Peavy is the good old Peavy with his rough voice and his heavy bass paving the way for the band. There is a balanced flow of the songs that take you inside them without having peak outbursts or massive metallic rage.
RAGE have gained an established level of quality that they can’t fail to lose, but I think they didn’t go any further with this release. I wouldn’t expect less than professional playing and nice songs, but this is exactly how far this release goes. I’ ve heard a lot better songs and albums from the band and so “Carved In Stone” will not exactly be carved in my cd player. Maybe die-hard fans of the band have a different opinion.
