Rage

Founded in Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rage has since 1984 been part of the history of German heavy metal around the bassist and singer Peavy Wagner, the only member to have been present without interruption since the group's beginnings, initially under the name Avenger. Their trajectory starts with a direct heavy and speed metal on Prayers of Steel in 1985, then gradually broadens towards a melodic power metal, sometimes tinged with progressive elements, with albums such as Perfect Man in 1988, Trapped! in 1992, Black in Mind in 1995 or Soundchaser in 2003. Rage also developed a rare symphonic side for the era with Lingua Mortis in 1996, later extended on XIII in 1998, Speak of the Dead in 2006 and, more recently, Afterlifelines in 2024. Over the decades the band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with periods marked by Manni Schmidt and Chris Efthimiadis, then by Victor Smolski and Mike Terrana, while maintaining an identity centered on fast rhythms, catchy refrains and a clear taste for more ambitious arrangements. Still active, Rage now operates as a trio with Peavy Wagner, Vassilios Maniatopoulos and Jean Bormann, and released A New World Rising in 2025.