| Musical Style: Melodic Metal | Produced By: Doug Mann |
| Record Label: Regency | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1989 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 37:01 |
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)
A true melodic metal classic, the Rage Of Angels 1989 Regency Records self-titled debut is a favorite among eighties hard music enthusiasts with its bountiful energy, ingenious songwriting and accomplished musicianship. The Fairfield County, Connecticut based group traces to the mid eighties and vocalist and founding member Dan Mariano, whom along with guitarist Greg Kurtzman composed Rage Of Angels initial demo material to include classic tracks “Leave You Or Forsake You”, “Reason To Rock” and “It’s Not Late For Love”. The group later recruited guitarist Frank DiCostanzo, initially part of a Tri-State cover band with Mariano called Havak, and drummer John Fowler, working alongside Mariano in another local cover band Sweet Cheater (named after the Ratt song). Originally forming under the Ransom moniker and rounding out its lineup with bassist Dale Gilfort, Rage Of Angels in 1988 placed the songs “Rock For The Rock” and “Reason To Rock” on the Heavy Righteous Metal and East Coast Metal compilations, respectively, ahead of signing with R.E.X. Records. The group proceeded to spend two months in the studio working on Rage Of Angels, which R.E.X. later licensed to Regency Records.
Placing a label of ‘glam’, ‘hair’ or ‘pop’ metal on Rage Of Angels might be accurate and in line with the musical sign of the times, but also does not do the group justice in light of how it brings a distinct sound I like to describe as ‘eighties influenced melodic heavy metal’. Said focus on the melodic, noting the Rage Of Angels emphasis on commercial melody but without detracting from its inherent ardor, and heavy, found in the jaunty twin guitar attack allowing it to deliver a bit more guts than many contemporaries do, lends to that distinction in question. Nonetheless, if into ‘white metal’ acts Stryper, Whitecross and Angelica not to mention mainstream counterparts Skid Row and Mötley Crüe, I see Rage Of Angels of stylistic interest.
Opener “Leave You Or Forsake You” succeeds at embodying the Rage Of Angels teeming energy. It sizzles from the get go with a succinct intro ahead of a screamed falsetto, launching in full force to a torrid of dashing riffs and hardy timekeeping as exuberant hooks rise above the athletic scene. Mariano’s at times high end but edgy and others grainy vocal abilities serve to tie everything together. Lyric snippet:
The fear I feel inside for you,
Sometimes is hard to bear.
But then Your love flows through me,
Letting me know how much you care.
"I'll never leave you or forsake you,
On these words you can depend.
I'll never leave you or forsake you,
I'll be with you until the end."
“Reason To Rock” is my favorite of the two compilation tracks. It backs from the high-spirited form - even if slightly - for a brash mid-tempo bent, heavier with its truncheon like guitars but maintaining the inviting acumen as foremost hooks again elevate. Refrain in particular cracks with authority from repeating songs title in confident fashion. Despite the clichéd title, “Reason To Rock” delivers a meaningful message: Christ is the reason you live. And He's the one way to rock.
“It’s Not Late for Love” is another elect number. With drum solo to start, it gives prominence to a melodic faculty with its concentrated vocal melodies and massed harmonies echoing of the enriched but without forsaking the Rage Of Angels decisive assertiveness. Just past the halfway point, tempo slows as Mariano lowers his register and lends some burly venom to his delivery. Lyric snippet:
Reach out, grab a hold,
Time to make your move.
Open your eyes look up to the skies
He's waiting there for you.
"It's not late for love,
When it comes from above.
Rage Of Angels reasserts its animated form on “Somebody’s Watching You”. The acapella vocals to start give way to a high-spirited founding, near speed-based aptitude achieved as the group stretches and impresses of the rapid fire, but also the bluesy, noting the grainy guitars that underline a brash spoken word passage. The accomplished drumming of the late John Fowler places him among my choice timekeepers of the era.
“Hooked On A Good Thing” ranks with my favorites. I take to the effervescent opening in which a drum solo gives way to bluesy guitars and a bombastic falsetto- at that point we are off as the group carries over the enthusiastic form to “Somebody’s Watching You” in generating a four and half minute accelerated energy explosion. Vocals lash with abandon, hooks sway masterfully and guitar leads speak of the beguiling. Lyric snippet:
Somehow You knew I was burning,
You put me under control.
You took away all the fear in my heart,
And love has finally taken it's toll.
Since you came and made Your connection,
My life has turned completely around.
You've filled me with Your holy affection,
In you eternal life can be found...
“Do You Still Believe In Love” delivers a melodic based sound. Song proves a guitar harmony driven monster as tightly woven riffs point to the commercial, the groups unblemished vocal melodies play every bit the decisive role, but also decisively sophisticated, the provocative duel guitar leads help to rank Kurtzman and DiCostanzo among the finer guitar tandems I have heard. This one captures the accessible brilliance to early Stryper.
Despite the clichéd title and being somewhat formula in terms of structuring, “Rock For The Rock” stays true to the Rage Of Angels melodic heavy metal bent, as equal parts punch and muscle join with stamina driven hooks to make an incisive statement. Of note is manner in which Gilfort’s scintillating bass further reinforces the instigated melody. Yes, overall solid, but “Rock For the Rock” also lacks some of the technical detail inherent to many tracks here. Lyric snippet:
It's been a hard road to travel,
You know it takes some time.
To speak what you believe in,
And make the words to rhyme.
So listen close to what we say,
We feel that God's the living truth.
So let's shout it with conviction,
And scream it to our youth.
Not so “Are You Ready For Thunder”, which is not so much my albums choice track as it ranks with my favorites from the era. It jumps out of the gate at once in freewheeling fashion, snarling as biting rhythm guitar and brazen double bass mirror an outside the box power metal bent but also technical found in the unrestrained drum and lead guitar trade off instrumentally. Mariano lowers his register and in the process lends to the inspired sentiments.
Album closes strongly with anti-suicide song “Don’t Give Up”. It aligns with an accessible metal foundation akin to “Do You Still Believe In Love”, revealed in quiescent moments when feedback laced guitar hints of the bluesy and others in which concentrated vocal melodies and wealthy harmonies take the lead. Overall feel is positive, uplifting and inspired. Of note is another electrifying duel lead guitar run from Kurtzman and DiCostanzo. Lyric snippet:
No chance to see the lights of the city,
No time just to walk in the sun.
Don't cry there's a reason for living.
Take a look in the mirror baby dying's no fun.
Break out of your state of depression,
Look at the bright side of life.
Well, you may not be what they call a socialite,
But what will you be at the end of a knife.
Following the albums release, Rage Of Angels played several local shows - including opening for Barren Cross - and was scheduled to perform at Cornerstone 1989. The group had the truck loaded (with Queensrÿche’s light stage) when local band Red Alert (later to change its name to Steelheart) requested to utilize John Fowler for a studio showcase with MCA Records after firing its drummer. MCA signed the group on the spot, which led to Fowler and later DiCostanzo to join Red Alert/Steelheart and the rest as they say is history.
It would be an understatement to suggest Rage Of Angels is a classic example of eighties infused melodic heavy metal. Each basis ends up covered in the form of energetic band performance, top-notch musicianship and memorable songwriting. It is disappointing the group was unable to maintain its inaugural lineup and record a follow up album- its ceiling of potential was near unlimited. At this point, the best we can hope is to see the album re-mastered and re-issued to include any unreleased demo material as bonus tracks.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Leave You Or Forsake You" (2:54), "Reason To Rock" (3:55), "It’s Not Late For Love" (4:33), "Somebody’s Watching You" (3:55), "Hooked On A Good Thing" (4:19), "Do You Still Believe In Love?" (4:18), "Rock For The Rock" (4:42), "Are You Ready For Thunder?" (4:12), "Don’t Give Up" (4:09)
Musicians
Dan Mariano - Lead Vocals
Frank DiCostanzo - Guitars
Greg Kurtsman - Guitars
Dale Gilfort - Bass
John Fowler - Drums
Reference List
Van Pelt, Doug. "Angels Gone Bad? A Talk With Raging Angel Dan Mariano." Heaven's Metal 21 (1989): 3-7.
"Metal Tracks." Heaven's Metal 31 (1991): 22.
"White Metal News." White Throne 3 (1987): 20.
