Missing Link [Original recording remastered]

Rage | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Noise
• ASIN: B000089IYS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #514,873 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2002 remastered reissue of the German melodic speed metal pioneer's 1993 album. One of the top masterpieces of German metal. Comes with 5 bonus tracks.

YEAR: 2002

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marrying Catchy Melody to Brutal Metal, June 9, 2007

By 

J. Gordon (The World) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Missing Link (Audio CD)

While Rage, the heavy metal band masterminded by Peter "Peavy" Wagner, has recorded many fine albums, "The Missing Link" may well be the band's defining moment. This was to be the final studio album with the band's first power trio lineup of Peavy, Manni and Chris....but what a way to go out! Rage had been steadily progressing in their sound, starting with their initial crude onslaught as "an upscale Slayer", continuing with their evolution into a more melodic and musically competent power trio, which began experimenting with more sophisticated and layered sounds and songs, and culminating with a "cutting of the fat" in "Trapped!", where the songs were kept efficient, heavy, and yet incredibly catchy. With "The Missing Link", Rage unleashed a grinding and tight salvo of heavy metal songs that could be classified vaguely as "power metal", but sounded far different than the Helloween-influenced bands that typify that scene.

For the most part, the songs are very focused on catchy melodies, but are executed without any "sweetening", and with a crushing guitar sound. Songs such as "Refuge" and "Raw Caress" benefit from what could almost be termed an application of pop songwriting techniques to brutally delivered metal. The entire album benefits from a no-nonsense approach to music, as Rage somehow makes the off-kilter melodic lines of the title track irresistably infectious. In stark contrast to the overall aesthetic of the album is the lengthy epic "Lost in the Ice", which further develops Peavy Wagner's own Lovecraftian "soundchaser" metaverse. With "Lost in the Ice", we see Rage's first true attempt to integrate orchestral instruments into their music, but with a much darker sensibility than other power metal bands (think Prokofiev rather than romantic influences, with a circa-1973 King Crimson twist).

The bonus tracks here include an incredibly amusing take on the Troggs' "I Can't Help Myself", and covers of the Police, goth-rockers the Mission, and Black Sabbath. If there was justice in the universe, Rage would be the ones with multiple platinum albums, as opposed to Korn, Linkin Park, or other nu-metal bands which claim to be covering the same "aggressive-melodic" ground as Rage, but are in fact far inferior and much less tuneful. Do yourself a favor, and get this CD if you haven't already.

4.0 out of 5 stars Full of energy, February 3, 2004

By 

Metal Lover "anciententity" (Davis, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Missing Link (Audio CD)

This a very good RAGE album, though not their best in my opinion. It has a couple weak spots, but plenty of good tracks.

The pace is a steady gallop, rarely slowing down. However, these songs never quite approach the "rage" that other albums have (like "Black in Mind") nor the epic quality or finesse of others (like "End of All Days", my favorite album).

By no means is this album a low point, however. It has some classic Rage songs, and quite possibly showcases Peavy's voice better than anything. In fact, I would say his vocals carry this album to the heights that it does reach. He gives meaning to the voice as an instrument, if anyone does.

Great album for Rage fans, but by no means a place to judge a 20+ year-old band for new listeners.

Other albums to check out: Reign of Fear, the two E.P.s, Secrets in a Weird World, Reflections of a Shadow, Black in Mind, and End of All Days. Additionally, if you like more symphonic metal, check out Thirteen and Ghosts.