I have had an on-off relationship with Rage. A member of the big four of Speed Metal rising from Germany in the early 1980s (alongside Helloween, Grave Digger and Running Wild), the band has been led with grit and fiery determination by founder Peter ‘Peavy’ Wagner for four decades. I have dipped in and out of their discography, with some albums impressing, others receiving a more lukewarm reception.
Rage – A New World Rising
Release Date: 26 September 2025
Words: Paul Hutchings
Regardless, the band have sold over five million albums during their career, and with A New World Rising, album 27, they have pulled out all the stops to deliver one of the Metal albums of 2025.
In a world ready to burn, it is refreshing to see Peavy and bandmates Jean Bormann (guitar) and Vassilios ‘Lucky’ Maniatopoulos (drums) bring a fresh and positive approach. But this is not any old lightweight album, oh no.
For Rage have blended their optimism and creativity with a thrashing beast of a record that ensures those who are wedded to their heavier sound will be sated. 
Over the course of 11 tracks (plus intro and bonus song), the German trio blast their way in a style that reminds you that sometimes, solid, Heavy Metal is the way. Recent single Innovation hits you like a hammer, fast and explosive with real power. Against The Machine blends huge riffs with an Eastern-tinged melody, whilst the first single, Freedom, completes a blistering opening chapter.
Peavy’s vocals are on point, as the bassist and vocalist shows that age is no barrier with a fine performance that surely ranks amongst the best he has ever given.
The songs are relentless, with little chance to catch breath. Powered by Lucky’s thunderous drumming and the razor-sharp riffage of Jean’s guitars, you will find fewer more uplifting anthems than Freedom.
Why did Peavy focus on positivity?
So, in such dark times, why did Peavy focus on positivity instead of the darkness that envelopes the globe? “We need to get out of the destructive mindset that is currently omnipresent,” he says.” A lot of people think the world is about to come to an end, everything is interpreted in a negative way, and some of it is even deliberately controlled because it’s easier to manipulate people with fear.
“That’s why our message is: Think independently! And don’t believe everything you’re told!”
Although the line-up of this band has varied throughout its tenure, this is an outfit who are in tune and tighter than a ball of elastic bands. “Rage’s line-up has developed excellently in recent years,” says Peavy. “We currently find ourselves in a real creative vortex. It’s been a long time since we’ve had so much fun with the band.”
He is not wrong, for tracks like We’ll Find A Way provoke a warmth within, demanding you stop what you are doing and windmill along. Direct, unrelenting and catchy, you can mosh to these or hum along. The result is the same.
This is an album that catches the ear, even if there is none of the orchestration that has been present on some of their recent releases.
No fads, just bringing the goods
As the album snakes its way into the subconscious, you will be aware of why this band are so well regarded. They do not follow fads here, just bringing the goods with amplification and a crisp production that provides you with the opportunity to really invest in all the instruments as they combine into a Metal crescendo.
Ode to the fans, Fire In Your Eyes is what Peavy calls a “declaration of love to all Metal fans”, and although it is one of the lighter tracks here, the emotion and heartfelt sincerity are incredibly honest, allowing the band to stretch out their playing a little further.
Cross The Line sees the band diversify with a more contemporary Metal sound, Peavy adding some deeper growls that work neatly with the high tempo. Underneath it all, there is a playful element that is infectious. Next Generation is another powerful, bombastic song that sees more contrasting melodies flood through, whilst not an inch of heaviness is lost.
By the time you reach the finale of Beyond The Shield Of Misery and bonus song Straight To Hell 25, it is odds on that you will be contemplating another play.
Addictive in the extreme, A New World Rising is evidence that the new pups may have to wait a bit longer for world domination, for Rage still has the fire that first burned as Avenger back in 1984.
Rage – A New World Rising is out on 26 September 2026 via SPV / Steamhammer. For pre-orders, visit ragespv.lnk.to/ANewWorldRising.
Exclusive CD/LP Bundles with a shirt and exclusive vinyl are only at the Steamhammer shop – https://store.spv.de/collections/rage.
LP Gatefold exclusive coloured edition is only available at the Napalm shop – https://napalmrecords.com/english/rage.
