What do you want me to write about a band heavily steeped in the ethos of Traditional 1980’s Heavy Metal? It has all been writing before and even though RAVAGE play a trustworthy rambunctious but perfunctory style of classic Power/ Speed Metal this is, ostensibly, going to appeal those true Metal heads who believe that the earth is still flat.

That’s not saying that’s RAVAGE’S second offering doesn’t have its moments; it does and there’s plenty of technical savvy riffing in the MEGADETH/SLAYER style and even when the sound is remarkably JUDAS PREIST crossed with IRON MAIDEN (would it be any other?) RAVAGE does little to offend but then again little to make them say as important to USA Power Metal as the mighty JAG PANZER, PHAROAH or CAGE.

Strangely the bands cover of the mid-range PRIEST classic ‘’Nightcrawler’’ sounds like GAMMA RAY. And that’s where the problem arises. RAVAGE has plenty of chops and standard Metal songs that you’d be more than happy to listen to but not enough to warrant close attention. As I’ve said this has all been done previously and whereas new bands like DEVILDRIVER and EVILE are taking the rudiments of Power and Thrash and coming up with an un-holy racket they are leaving the likes of RAVAGE contending in a division below.

My heart still yearns for the old school Metal and RAVAGE is worth  a listen to but don’t expect anything other than ordinary.

(Online September 6, 2009)