RAGE — Black in Mind (review)

Album · 1995 · Power Metal

5/5 · 2010-08-18
1967/ 1976

A good album, although a little flat this "Black In Mind" because present a sound that is good but too aggressive, in the way of Thrash but too melodic because this is Thrash. The song are good and powerful, in the way of true Power Metal without compromises! Interesting is the presence of Strings in "All This Time" and violin and contrabass in "In A Nameless Time". This is interesting because the music performed by Rage doesn't seem to present opportunities for these instruments because is so hard and not present real melodic moments. In general these songs are apparent ease, to listen as to be played. As in all (or so often happens) Power Metal isn't what it seems. if the various soli all look the same (between a band and another and between different songs) here is an evident Blues matrix in contamination with what we generally call Classic Music. The Thrash Metal, in Speed version, is the matrix of "Sent By The Devil" but if you think that Rage is that kind of band that mix Classic Metal, Classic Music, Thrash and other genres you are outside of the road. In fact this is clear but the starting music is a sort of Blues Rock, bad and rotten, become Punk. In a certain sense (only certain?...) Rage is a Power Metal version of Mothorhead!!! In my view Rage's music is also melodic. Not so much his own way. Listening to "Shadow Out of Time" feel more in tune that bands like Manowar or (because it sounds better) of many AOR bands!!! In all this there is a downside, perhaps? Yes. Rage seems to be an extreme band, almost Thrash Metal, for those not expert in Power Metal. Or if he listens to other types of music a person could say that Rage played Thrash Metal. it happened to me! Probaly "A Spider's Web" present Thrash Metal style. But this is incorrect because this song present Classic Music derivations in Punk style. And for me if a band wants to innovate Punk should start from here and not from POP Punk that makes happy and the fans of MTV and of boy bands. Peavey e other Rage members(Chris, Spiros and Sven) express extreme music in a Power Metal field. But such aren't extreme for musical views. And in fact this music present too many colors, like a rainbow. Which gives me chills whenever I hear "Black In Mind"! Certainly in some moments this music not appear to have any inspiration. But what is desired. And it is winning situation. Interpenetrate my mind with what this album sends, I find positivity and joy, although I shouldn't perceive this. But in the end, there are also colors in the night, enough to be able to see the colors of the night. Just as the warmth in winter snow. I could also hear a woman crying and screaming whip. Because this gives me the sound and rhythm of "The Icecold Hand Of Destiny". But I always see in a corner of my vision (or foreground), a flower that's blooming. Even if the place of vision is a dump. Just as dolphins and whales are the masters of the seas and oceans. "Forever" present all these perceptions in one song, but the colours explodes as the atomic bomb in refrain and rhythmic soli (because in neoclassical style).

So, for me "Black In Mind" is a great album, probably a masterpiece of extreme Power Metal. And, in definitive, I think that "Black In Mind" is also an album without genre. In substance "Black In Mind" is an album for musical lovers.