SILENT RAGE – Four Letter Word

Silent Rage is a forgotten band. They did not reach much height when they tried decades ago. Sure, they were signed with Kiss bassist Gene Simmons but that’s pretty much it. Now they have reunited and have released another studio album named Four Letter Word. This is an album blasting out good Old School Rock in the style of Kiss and so on. The production is rough, there are absolutely no signs of an overproduced typical 80s sounding album.

“Who Could Be The One” is the opener of Silent Rage. It’s energetic and flows with great riffs. What really makes the listening pleasure a bit annoying is the lack of a great production. With a more explosive and clear production, this song would have been a total killer, which it already is. It just needs the extras in the production values.

Following songs include the title track “Four Letter Word”. The intro could actually remind you a bit of the Kiss-song “Domino”. The chorus sounds like something Alice Cooper could have come up with during his Trash and Hey Stoopid period.

“Man Or Machine” is a rough forward-going rocker featuring the phenomenal Bruce Kulick, best known to be the guitarist for Kiss from 1984 to 1996. He does a tremendous job as always and adds a great taste to the song. “Close Your Eyes” is one of the ballads on this album. It’s a typical 80s metal acoustic ballad a little similar to, for example, Poison and Bon Jovi. Nothing that special about it, however it is a fine tune.

All in all it’s an interesting album, however it lacks variation and that makes this album a little nowhere-going. Those devoted to Sleaze/Glam Metal should be aware of this album. The music thunders forward carried by dirty Old School Rock N’ Roll. The guitars sound rough, so does the bass as well. The drums however sound a little crappy, especially the snare-drum. Brightening it up a little would work wonders both for the listening pleasure and the music itself.

1. Who Could Be The One
2. Four Letter Word
3. Man Or Machine
4. Feel My Love
5. Close Your Eyes
6. Sinister Man
7. Hard Habit To Break
8. Nobody Knows (Ballade Of Andy & Glory)
9. Bona Fide
10. I’m Not Lonely
11. Trouble

Ej Curse – Vocals and bass
Jesse Damon – Guitar and vocals
Mark Hawkins – Guitar and vocals
Rodney Pino – Drums and vocals

Guest Stars: Bruce Kulick – Guitar solo & fills on “Man Or Machine”
Bobby Blotzer – Drums on “Man Or Machine” and “Bona Fide”