With a dense sound of a typical Running Wild release, Rage and Fire are similar in style to the likes of Manowar, the aforementioned (mid-Period), Ironsword and an easy lazy one, Manilla Road. So you have a flavour straight away. Formed with two former members of Ravensire, the theme of epic music is similar, but taken to a more straight forward metal sub-genre.

There are tunes that immediately take control of your receptors, others go on for a little bit, but overall there is a strong vision coming through the music. The title track has a lot of balance, I’m even drawn to the ethics and structure of Bathory’s Viking metal period so a sense of ambience, albeit, a different musical presentation. The lyrics of “The Last Wolf” are directly adapted from the poem “Un lobo” by Jorge Luis Borges if you care to search that one out. ‘Ebb And Flow (Wax and Wane)’ sounds like an augmented version of WASP and Stereo Nasty mixed with some guitar melodies that wouldn’t be found as out of character on an early Helloween release. It more direct, faster, with a touch more bite. ‘The Summoning’ has a galloping feel to the guitar rhythm, to quite the PR material, it has a “barbaric spirit”. There is a video in existence for ‘20th Century Man’. This has that gallop I’m talking about, a little bit heavier possessing the gruff vocal that exists throughout. The production is a little raw around the edges, but you get the vision. The solo on this reminds me of some Andy LaRocque works (King Diamond), I still think this has a modern Running Wild sound though!

‘Black Wind’ is an awesome Manowar styled metal marathon with some double time bits to modern it up a bit. The vocals aren’t quite smooth enough, but they have a part to play whilst air drumming. The drums are very cool and vibrant in the mix, a nice plus point. Eternal Champion fans will enjoy ‘Tell The Tales (of Medusa)’, it has that infectious nodding in appreciation when you are listening to it.

Overall, there is nothing new or different on offer here, the album plays like many others, I suppose the harshness of the vocal with reducing “epic” screams is a detrimental factor for me alone in regards their peers. The album is however enjoyable and some of the solos have their place in metal folklore.

(7.5/10 Paul Maddison)

https://www.facebook.com/rageandfire.official

https://rageandfire.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-wolf