German metal pioneers Rage are set to release their 28th album entitled New World Rising on September 26th. Rage’s bassist/vocalist Peavy Wagner spoke with Metal Express Radio about their upcoming album, their new biography entitled Soundchaser, being a band for over 40 years, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: Rage are set to release their 28th studio album entitled A New World Rising on September 26th, what can you tell fans about the upcoming release?
Peavy Wagner: The new album is pretty pure and rough, no orchestrations. It sounds very fresh from the heart, with a real positive vibe in music and words.
MER: What was the writing and recording process like, being your 28th album?
Wagner: We have a great band situation, feel really connected and it’s a great pleasure to compose and perform with the guys. Especially Jean and I, we grew to a perfect songwriter team. That’s why we had so much strong material after only a short time. Plus we have the luxury of having our own recording studio, which is operated by Jean as an Engineer. That allows us to record 24/7. No need for doing Demos or Pre-productions, this makes it all very quick and effective, we can capture the inspired moment right away.
MER: How would you compare A New World Rising to some of Rage’s previous work?
Wagner: Last year the band celebrated its 40th Anniversary. Also, I wrote and released the band biography entitled Soundchaser, which included a long and mentally moving memory process for me. After all, it felt like I could let the past go, and look freely into the future, without any ballast of the past. I can imagine, the new songs have this free, inspired feeling.
MER: You recently released a song entitled “Freedom”, do you feel “Freedom” represents the album well?
Wagner: That’s hard to say, but it has lots of typical Rage trademarks. It’s short and crispy to the point, so we thought we’d come out with this.
MER: What are your plans to support the album?
Wagner: There are more singles in the pipeline, supported by video clips. Recently we released a newly recorded version of “Straight To Hell” [originally on Welcome To The Other Side from 2001], this song is included in a newly released and meanwhile very popular German Movie. In the near future will come “Innovation” and to the album’s release day “Fire In Your Eyes.” The release is supported by our first tour leg, mainly here in Europe, but of course we plan further tour parts for the whole next year.
MER: You’ve played numerous large open air festivals such as Wacken and have also toured clubs, is there a certain preference you have when it comes to playing clubs or festivals?
Wagner: No preference, I’d say. Of course there is a difference if you play before 500, 1,300 or a 10,000 people, but in general I love this energy exchange between band and audience.
MER: Is there anyone you’ve never toured with that you’ve wanted to?
Wagner: Sure, for example Machine Head would be a dream.
MER: Rage is considered to be part of a Big 4 of the German Power Metal Wave along with Helloween, Grave Digger, and Running Wild. How is it to not only come from a great era, but to also see these bands still active for over 40 years?
Wagner: They’re all my comrades and buddies since decades, I’m happy to still meet them around and see the all well and active.
MER: Out of Rage’s 28 albums, what is one you would suggest to a new fan and why?
Wagner: There’s some band classics that represent the different eras, like Perfect Man, Trapped, Black In Mind, XIII, Unity, Wings Of Rage. They’re good examples, I think.
MER: Rage has been a band for over 40 years, both to release their 28th album, and have gone through numerous lineup changes, what do you see has been the key to the band’s longevity?
Wagner: That is probably me, as I steered the band through all waters, branded it and built it up again after shipwreck.
MER: What are some of your favorite memories from your time with Rage?
Wagner: I can refer to the band’s biography Soundchaser, there’s all kinds of stories and memories, too much to bring them in one little interview answer. The book is just being translated into English language, will be released soon, watch out for our announcements.
MER: Is there anything else you would like to mention that we haven’t covered?
Wagner: I want to thank all of the metal community and fans for making it possible, this opportunity to live my life as a metal musician is a real gift !
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