PR folk, you know me well enough by now. Send me a Scandinavian melodic rock act signed to Frontiers (Because who else would tackle such fare in 2025?) that sounds like a clone of a Crashdïet clone, and chances are there’ll be an album review up within 72 hours. Now I’m not saying Rust n’ Rage completely fits this bill, but just look at these guys. Blonde dude on the far left is rocking those pinstriped pants like he’s the second coming of Nikki Sixx (I’m not even sure if he’s the bassist) and he’s about to make it everyone’s problem on a Warped Tour parking lot stage circa 2012…and I mean that in the most complimentary way imaginable.
Physical appearance aside, apparently I’m a total poser because Rust n’ Rage have been rock n’ rolling since 2009 and this is my first time actually listening to them. Yes, I’ve heard their name in passing, mostly echoed by those within the infamous Melodic Mafia Facebook group. However, their latest album, Songs of Yesterday (An ironic title for a new album, but I digress) is in fact the first time I’ve actually sat down to see what this band is all about. My only regret is I hadn’t done so sooner, because with the exception of a couple modern rock missteps and the occasional sleeper ballad, this thing smokes.
After opening with one of those aforementioned missteps in “One for All (All for One)”, it’s during the anthemic title track that the party really begins. The overall sonic approach is definitely modern melodic rock à la Eclipse, but the hooks and melodies scream classic Leppard and Bon Jovi at their catchiest. The euro metal fury of “Just Like Brothers” showcases the band’s denim and leather side (These dudes could make a hell of a Priest worship band if they wanted to), while “Hey Jane” has “hit single” written all over it. This earworm is a brilliantly constructed pop metal singalong, again tapping that Leppard/Bon Jovi vein circa ’87.
The funky swagger of “Rollin’ till the Morning” keeps the good times rolling, as do fist pumping anthems like “I Am the One” and “Gave It All I Got”. Rounding it all out is one more slab of unadulterated Priest metal in “Fire It Up”, and then, just as quickly as it began, Songs of Yesterday ends. My only true qualm with this release, besides the 3 tunes that just don’t do it for me, is its production. For such lively tunes, the stiff, robotic production sure weighs them down, with the instruments at many times sounding nearly pasted on top of each other, if that makes any sense. Thankfully, the strength of the songs themselves save this album from pure mediocracy.
With a thorough remix and remaster, Songs of Yesterday could be in the same conversation as H.E.A.T’s Welcome to the Future and Crazy Lixx’s Thrill of the Bite as far as top shelf melodic rock releases of 2025 go. Instead, it’s a damn compelling contender that’s held back by occasional shortcomings, but still worth a listen for those with a headful of Aqua Net damaged hair (or even those who wish they had a headful of such) and a full wardrobe of spandex. In Rust we trust!
7 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Eclipse, Crazy Lixx, Def Leppard