Rage Of Angels

Mon
09
May

RAGE OF ANGELS - The Devils New Tricks (Review)

information persons: 
content: 
92%
Produced By: 
Ged Rylands / Mixed and Mastered: Martin Kronlund
Running Time: 
69
Release Date: 
2016
Released: 
Europe
Musical Style: 
Melodic Rock / AOR
Label: 
Escape
Score: 
92
Friday, February 26, 2016
Categories: 
Reviews
 
This is an impressive follow-up to what was an already impressive debut album. The second Rage Of Angels sees a more focused lineup run through 10 quality AOR/melodic rock songs that feature the talents of Neil Fraser (guitars, ex-Ten); Chris Green (guitars, Rubicon Cross, Tyketto), plus the rhythm section of ColdSpell - Perra Johannsen and Chris Goldsmith; along with Martin Kronlund (guitars).
 
But the brains behind Rage Of Angels is Ged Rylands, former Ten keyboardist who adds guitar to his role in his own band. And for the new album he has enlisted the great Rob Moratti to front the band; giving the album just one singer compared to five on the debut.
Having one singer gives the album a far more cohesive feel and it’s just a bonus that Rob delivers one of the best performances of his career here. His voice dominates and it’s so more satisfying to hear him belt out original material rather than Journey covers.
 
Making Rob sound so good are 10 very catchy, high energy, keyboard drenched rockers. Equally paired in the mix is some blazing guitar work, solos in every song and a brilliant mix from Kronlund has the rhythm section pumping underneath these waves of keys and guitars.
 
Musical highlights are many. The opening epic Rage Of Angels is fast, fabulous and heavy for an album of this genre. But still the keys dominate in a way Royal Hunt fans would be impressed with. All Your Own Way is a more typically AOR style with an anthemic chorus that’s perfect for Rob.
 
On Step Closer is British AOR at its best; while Strangers In The Night is filled with 80s keys, but at the same time ear crunching riffs. In And Out Of Love flows nicely into Stop Changing The TV which weaves a more melodic chorus than the title might suggest!
Long Days With You is the moodiest track and closest thing to a ballad on the album and is a fine closer.

 
A really enjoyable album and a step up from the debut as far as I’m concerned. Rob’s high register vocals are perfect for the material before him and keyboard lovers will love the layers of ivory that prove to be the foundation of this record.
One point I would like to make – 70 minutes for 10 songs is pretty ambitious and there are several tracks here that would have benefitted from tighter control in the editing phase. There are a few killer 4 minute songs wrapped up in 6 minute bodies.
Other than that small point – definitely recommended for classic 80s/AOR fans and fans of Rob Moratti/Final Frontier and Ten.

 

 
Fri
18
Dec

RAGE OF ANGELS New Album to Feature ROB MORATTI

Friday, February 26, 2016
Categories: 
News Feed
 
Rage Of Angels - The Devils New Tricks Coming February 2016 on Escape Music
 
Ged Rylands Keyboards and Guitars
Rob Moratti Lead vocals
Neil Fraser Lead Guitars
Chris Green Lead Guitars
Martin Kronlund Lead Guitars
Perra Johannsen Drums
Chris Goldsmith Bass
 
Produced by: Ged Rylands
Executive Producer: Khalil Turk 
Mixed and Mastered: Martin Kronlund
Artwork by: https://www.facebook.com/vitaly.alexius
 
1. R.O.A 07:28 / 2- All You Own Way 05:59 / 3- The Devil's New Tricks 05:44 / 4- One Step Closer 05:34 / 5- Strangers In The Night 06:26 / 6- Love Will Never Die 07:24 / 7- In And Out Of Love 05:51 / 8- I Feel It In My Heart  05:06 / 9- Stop Changing The TV 05:00 / 10- Long Days Without You 06:01
 
Rage of Angels is the brainchild of original Ten keyboard player Ged Rylands,who played on their first three studio albums and the double live CD 'Never Say Goodbye'. During his time in Ten, Ged took part in several very successful tours in Japan as well as playing on the highly praised 1996 debut album from Valentine singer Hugo, which was co-produced by Ten vocalist Gary Hughes.
 
After leaving Ten, Ged went on to play with Contagious and guitar wizard Danny Danzi, and then after a ten year break raising his daughter alone, he returned to the music scene by guesting on several albums including Lover Under Cover, before joining Tyketto in 2012 as a touring member of the band (now full-time member). However, during that ten year break Ged continued writing, the results of which blasted onto the scene with the highly praised Rage of Angels debut ‘Dreamworld’ (Voted #2 album of 2013 by listeners of Firebrand Rock Radio, and #3 album of 2013 by Fireworks Magazine!).

On that album Ged teamed up with a fantastic team of vocalists including Danny Vaughn (Tyketto), Harry Hess (Harem Scarem), Ralph Scheepers (Primal Fear), Matti Alfonzetti and Robert Hart. For this amazing follow-up, the decision was made to use just one singer, the incredible Rob Moratti (ex Saga) whose vocal range massively impressed Ged and Escape. As Ged explained to Fireworks Magazine, “I didn’t think anyone would have the kind of range to be able to do all the tracks on this album because it goes from a Low C up to almost a High C in some parts. The range needed to cover that is incredible, and unbelievably Rob had it. And the more tracks we kept hearing, the more we thought we didn’t need anybody else  ̶  this guy was killing every single track!”

Although Ged plays all the rhythm guitars, the leads are supplied again by Neil Fraser (ex Ten) with Tyketto/Furyon guitarist Chris Green also chipping in with 6 solos. This was originally meant to be only one guest solo for Chris, but he was enjoying himself so much he just kept asking for more. As he happily admitted to Ged, “These are the solos and this is the work that I’m most proud of out of anything I’ve ever done. This is probably my best work I’ve ever done on record.” One listen to ‘The Devil’s New Tricks’ will prove that is no idle sentiment - the guitaring is phenomenal throughout!

The band’s signature song, ‘Rage of Angels’, finally gets recorded and finds its rightful place at the start of this new album - a wonderful slice of classic hard rock, at times evoking Rainbow during their Dio period, setting the tone for things to come. 
‘The Devil’s New Tricks’ is a more commercial album than the debut, but is by no means any less rewarding, supplying track after track of the most consummate melodic rock. Rylands & Moratti are a team made in heaven! In fact, you could say they were angels.

The Rage returns in 2016! Don’t miss them!
www.Escape-Music.com
 
 
 
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