For those not familiar with this band, I would recommend a trip to their website ... but suffice to say that the driving force of this band is vocalist/bassist Peter "Peavy" Wagner, who has guided Rage from their basic early 80's sound through various stages of development. Complementing him are superb neoclassical guitarist Victor Smolski and drummer Mike Terrana, both of whom have impressive musical resumes. The sound of this album is closest to their excellent 1996 release, End Of All Days, but there are still smacks of their late-90's orchestral sound espically on mid-tempo rocker "Dies Israe." Unity sounds tight, precise, and punishing, but still leaves occational breathing room. Wagner's vocals sound among the best of his career, as his deep register recalls the likes of Blaze Bayley (ex Iron Maiden), Zak Stevens(ex Savatage), or Chuck Billy (Testament) circa Practice What You Preach. Despite this description, he is quite a unique voice, and does not sound like anyone I've heard very closely.

The undeniable highlight of Unity is the 7+ minute instrumental title track. Save the cheesy engine-revving fx, this is an incredible song that showcases each of the musicians without going overboard, and is among my favorite metal instrumentals. Other highlights include the pummeling Seven Deadly Sins and All I Want, the aformentioned change-of-pace Dies Israe, and the chorus-driven Set This World On Fire. The rough sound that Rage has carried throughout their career persists, as there is no mistaking Unity to be just another Helloween clone. There are no weak songs to be found here either, nor anything that one could imaginably consider a "ballad," it's just pure metal from back to front, kiddies.

Anyone interested in power metal, or just heavy, exciting music in general should put this on the top of their wish list. Wagner's unique vocal and lyrical approach sets this group apart from the power-metal pack, and the bands' precise musicmanship makes Unity worth your while. If you have not heard this group before, you owe it to yourself to give them a shot, as Rage has not persisted almost 20 years without making high-quality metal, which is just what they do here with Unity.

[Updated to reflect the conclusion of my earlier premonition that this would be the best of 2002]


A new manifesto for Rage!   October 19, 2007
Mattowarrior (Madison, WI United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Of all the classic German "Power metal" and "Speed Metal" bands, I believe noone is as underrated as the band Rage. Peavey Wagner and company have recorded over 18 albums in almost as many years (not counting the two "pre-Rage" Avenger albums) and he almost is becoming a Power Metal "Zappa" he's so prolific with releasing album after album (just compare to other bands who take three or four years between releases). Out of all the periods of the band, I prefer the Perfect Man-Reflections of a Shadow period the best, I just think that's when they were firing on all cylinders. However, this album comes closer to that golden age of Rage (haha) moreso than any other album by them recently (in my opinion). The songwriting and playing is sharp, and other band members Victor Smolski and Mike Terrana (sadly departed from the band for the pastures of Savage Circus) are as tight as a chicken's sphincter. But of course the songwriting of bassist/singer Peavey Wagner are what brings this band to a higher level above most power metal bands. "Down" is the catchiest tune to start out with, its bone crunching riffs and anthemic angry chorus make many metalheads raise their fists. "Dies Irae" is a little like their orchestral period (not my preferred though it was somewhat interesting) but makes a genuinely catchy song. The production is spot on, guitars sound heavier than most modern albums for some reason. I also give credit to Victor Smolski, who's Mathias Ecklund meets Yngwie lead playing puts this a notch above some of their 90's albums. Also, Mike Terrana is a drum God, throwing some progressive rhythms in the speed/power metal stew. The song "Unity" (instrumental) even recalls Dream Theater at points, and I believe its this variety but still steadfastness that makes Rage such a domineering band.

As a side note, I believe the band to be underappreciated for no good reason, as they obliterate most power metal bands. I recall reading about a recent ProgPower USA Festival where their set was put simultaneously in sync with an Evergrey "signing" (word has it that the audience was sparse with alot gone for the signing). The irony is that the members of Evergrey are at Prog Power just as often as show attendees, and why these fanboys missed out on such a good set by a classic band is beyond me..especially for a band that..well I'll leave my opinions about Evergrey private (I think they're overrated by the prog geeks though i like a few of their albums) and its criminal that this band isn't put in the higher echelon of power metal bands in esteem like Blind Guardian or Helloween. Grave Digger and Running Wild both have some classic albums, but Peavey and company have continued to challenge themselves, innovate, but also play some kick a%# metal throughout the years in the process. So I believe them to be in the first "tier" of German Power metal, not the second or third that they sometimes get associated with. (And why only two reviews on Amazon, I prefer this RAGE to the one against the machine!!)

Take note of this release and purchase it immediately!


Good beyond my expectations   January 20, 2005
Ilya Malafeyev (Russia)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

For some reason, most long living heavy metal bands go hopelessly stale in the 2nd half of their career. Not the case with Rage! 16 years since their debut, Peavy and co. deliver an album so strong, it clearly belongs to Rage's finest moments. Of course, the "and co." part is entirely different, but this incarnation of the band, with Russian guitarist Victor Smolski and American drummer Mike Terrana, is arguably the strongest line up yet.

Rage always had a style of their own, something crossing thrash metal, and power metal, often with a touch of sympho, and most always ultra-fast. Luckily, the band stays far away the beaten power-metal path with its cliches and cheesiness. Surprisingly for Rage, "Unity" has no fast songs at all, but that doesn't hurt the music (like it did in the 80s). The songwriting here is consistently very high level, with no filler tracks at all. Peavy's developed low pitched voice is complemented well by catchy and varying guitar riffs. Instrumentally, Rage's output is nothing short of excellent, and it's amazing what these guys can do as a trio! I'd say once again, that the songs here are almost equally strong, but if I was to choose a highlight, it would definitely be the instrumental title track, which I'd place among the 10 best heavy metal instrumentals.

"Unity" doesn't break new grounds in metal music. And it's not very impressive on the first few listens. But it's a grower like no other, and you'll find yourself putting it in your CD player regularly, and for a long time, just like I did. I'm glad Rage once again showed the younger generation of metalheads, what makes a good album. It's a breath of fresh air on the scene, so overcrowded with Helloween clones.


Masterpiece!   July 13, 2003
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I was introduced to Rage through a friend, who was introduced to them because they happened to be playing at a concert he was going to be attending in the near future. He thought he should get to know who was playing beforehand. Thank goodness he decided to share! This album is AMAZING. I'd have to say "All I Want", "Set This World on Fire", and "You Want It, You'll Get It" are the strongest of the tracks on the album, but ALL the songs are incredibly well done. There are no Cheesy Power Metal lyrics (as we so often find with some otherwise fabulous power metal bands; Sonata Arctica for example), and the entire album is just chock-full of energy from start to finish. Wagner's voice is interesting enough, sounding vaguely reminiscent of some Crash Test Dummies stuff, and added to the talent that screams through from the other musicians, combines to make Unity one of the most powerful metal albums of my collection.


RAGE DEFINITELY RULES!!!   July 6, 2006
Andrea Moretti (Italy)
Well, it's been years since I've heard speaking so well about Rage...through the last couple of years I had been downloading tons of samples of the 90's discography and more! Black In Mind, End Of All Days and Lingua Mortis were/are simply superb albums! Finally I decided to collect their cd's...and as in Italy is quite a hard task to find Rage stuff I surfed through your reviews trying to get the right idea before ordering. I came across Unity's review...and by chance I found it as a "nice price" in my usual metal store here in Milano. This album is really amazing! It's heavy, of course it is, and it surprised me 'coz is more technical than any Rage song I've listened to 'till today! Terrana is one of the best drummer in the scene...and same goes for Victor Smolski at guitars. "Peavy" (bass/vocals) does not need any comment 'coz he's the heart and soul of the band! Songs are crushing and melodic at the same time, lyrics and guitar solos are killer. "Down" is one of the best songs on earth...and "Unity" an instrumental song of monstrous-beauty including everything you wanted to listen from an instrumental piece. "All I Want" got a killer chorus, quite a "sing along track" but definitely not a poor structure! The ability of the band is to make "easy listening" their music even if, technically speaking, above the average! They rule, I'm gonna collect their other albums immediately. Give them a chance (more than a chance, the hell!)...starting right from UNITY (why not?!) or travelling back in time with TRAPPED! or THE MISSING LINK. Metal rules once again! Rage is classic Metal art!