THE RODS (Heavy Metal Legends! – USA) – “Rattle The Cage” Album review – Released via Massacre Records #TheRods #AlbumReview #HeavyMetal

Album Review by – John Erigo

“Rattle The Cage” track listing:
1. Now And Forever
2. Wolves At The Door
3. Cry Out Loud
4. Rattle The Cage
5. Can’t Slow Down
6. Metal Highways
7. Hell Or High Water
8. Play It Loud
9. Shockwave
10. Hearts Of Steel

Cover Artwork: Mark Rizzo
Album produced by The Rods
Drum tracks recorded by Carl Canedy at Nire Studios, Carbondale, PA
Bass tracks recorded by Freddy Villano at Flying V Studios, Ithaca, NY
Keyboards recorded by Lonnie Park at Barncastle Studio, Freeville, NY
Mixed and mastered by Chris Collier at CMC21 Productions, Las Vegas, NV

THE RODS have been a Heavy Metal institute since the very early 1980’s. It’s great to see them continue their already stellar legacy with new music. Their new album RATTLE THE CAGE, which comes out on January 19, 2024 via Massacre Records (Thanks to PR guru DUSTIN HARDMAN for the advance) is yet another solid chapter in the NY band’s career. We as metal fans should treasure bands like The Rods, who have been around for decades flying the flag for metal, laying down the groundwork many years ago for bands to follow.

 

There quite a few flavors on this album. Plenty of typical The Rods thumpers and bangers like NOW AND FOREVER, WOLVES AT THE DOOR, HELL OR HIGHWATER. There is a bluesy riff laiden tune called CAN’T SLOW DOWN that has a Zepplin feel to it. The one thing, like their last album, that throws me off slightly is the use of keyboards. I am not used to that in music from The Rods. It’s mostly there for color and I am sure when these tunes are played loud, and trust me The Rods play LOUD, that color is filled in by sheer volume! I have to admit too that I miss the band having all 3 members sing lead. David “Rock” Feinstein, lead guitarist is now also the full time lead vocalist. It should also be noted this is the first studio effort with new bass player Freddy Villano, who does a great job on this album. We also can’t forget one metal’s best drummers ever, the amazing Carl Canedy!!! Carl shines on tunes like SHOCKWAVE, METAL HIGHWAYS and HEARTS OF STEEL.

 

For an OG Headbanger like me, it brings a smile to my face to see new music from The Rods in my inbox. We all tend to forget these guys are human, and Father Time is undefeated. It’s great that The Rods are still playing it loud, rolling down the metal highways and rattling the cage. So, play it loud friends – this is a great kick ass album!!!

You can oreder the album here —> Order: https://therods.bfan.link/rattlethecage

THE RODS are:
David “Rock” Feinstein – Vocals, Guitars
Freddy Villano – Bass
Carl Canedy – Drums

DISCOGRAPHY
1980 – Rock Hard
1981 – The Rods
1982 – Wild Dogs
1983 – In The Raw
1983 – Live
1984 – Let Them Eat Metal
1986 – Hollywoord (released as Canedy, Feinstein, Bordonaro & Caudle)
1986 – Heavier Than Thou
2011 – Vengeance
2019 – Brotherhood Of Metal
2022 – Live At Rose Hall
2024 – Rattle The Cage

For More Info Visit:
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