#26 - Top of 2018

Refuge - Solitary Men (Frontiers Records)

Rage have always been a household name in European power/heavy metal circles, powered by the uber-manly vocals of Peter "Peavy" Wagner. Refuge are essentially a reunion of the classic 88-93 lineup of the band, whose magnum opus "The Missing Link" included of the most beloved songs of the band, such as "Firestorm" & "Refuge". This reunited line-up of  Peavy (bass/vocals)with Chris Efthimiadis (Drums) and Manni Schmidt (guitars), revives the craftsmanship of the old days of the band,  that some of the contemporary releases of Rage seem to eschew in favour of a more modern sound. Some real gems of the record include , but are not limited to the power anthem "The Man in the Ivory Tower",  the creeping power of catchy Savantage-esque "Living on the Edge of Time", the straightforward power of "We Owe A Life to Death" and the defiant closer "Hell Freeze Over".  This is one of the best releases of Peavy this side of 2010 and definitely a fitting (parallel?) continuation to the legacy of Rage!





93.5/100

Below is the music video for "The Man In the Ivory Tower"