Veteran German powerhouse trio RAGE have played one of the most respectable roles in the worldwide Metal scene since their mid-80's beginnings: namely, that of the reliable workhorse band that continues to crank out inspired Metal tunes with a broad appeal - even when your lesser heroes let you down. As such, they are not to be taken for granted, and their latest air raid siren, "Strings To A Web", has arrived to remind you where your priorities ought to lie.

Anyone familiar with the band will know exactly what to expect on this album; RAGE possess a distinct sound, and they're sticking to it. Thunderous, aggressive, melodic, catchy, and blah blah blah - every journalist's favorite cliché is present. What's important is how the band utilize their absolute mastery of their craft to seamlessly combine such elements into an organic whole that's thoroughly imbued with a wild Rock 'n' Roll spirit. Like so much of RAGE's work, "Strings To A Web" possesses a crossover appeal that reaches out to fans of Power Metal and Thrash, of Prog and Traditional, old schoolers and young delinquents alike. It's simply…Rock.

Album opener "The Edge Of Darkness" bursts in with a speedy gallop that could play as the soundtrack to a ground strafing by a squadron of Messerschmitts. With the rock-solid pacing firmly anchored at upper-mid-tempo, RAGE proceeds to tear it up, and they do not disappoint. Guitarist Victor Smolski retains his spot in the upper echelons of shredders, but by no means breaks a sweat in doing so. Rather than showing off, his performance serves the greater good of the individual songs by intertwining thick, chunky riffage ("Empty Hollow") with technical "spider-fingers" work (particularly the instrumental title track). These days, Smolski is of a regrettably rare breed: the restrained virtuoso with a magic touch. As for double-duty frontman Peter "Peavy" Wagner, his bass provides RAGE's Panzer tank rumble, but his unmistakable vocals, a raspy blend of heartfelt melody ("Into The Light") and lethal aggression ("Saviour Of The Dead"), are the icing on the cake. From start to finish, Wagner gives voice to an assured confidence and gravitas that never lets up until there's nothing left to hear.

As can be said of RAGE's back catalogue, "Strings To A Web" is an album that can be cranked to maximum volume and still spare every eardrum. Far from a suggestion of weakness, this is to say that their special brand of pure, unadulterated Metal ought to be a joy for any Rock fan - suitable for mosh pits, arenas, sports events, and backyard barbeques alike. And maybe -just maybe - MTV. If that's still around.