To say The Rods’ role in the evolution of heavy metal is important would be an understatement. Alongside Riot and Y&T, they were one of the few American metal bands to come out swinging in the early ’80s, offering up a musical counterattack to the burgeoning NWOBHM that was happening across the Atlantic. Although they never reached the critical or commercial acclaim of some of their peers, their ’80s albums are stone cold classics to anyone in the know, regularly enjoyed by the likes of Mustaine, Ulrich, and other thrash metal architects.
Time has since marched on from those denim and leather clad glory days. The Rods haven’t. In fact, in the face of mumble rap, bro country, and whatever the hell Taylor Swift is, they’ve doubled down on their heavy metal gospel, spreading the good news loud and clear with their long awaited 9th studio album, Rattle the Cage. Joining core members David “Rock” Feinstein (vocals, guitars) and Carl Canedy (drums) on this affair is new bassist Freddy Villano. Having played with the likes of Quiet Riot and Dee Snider, Villano fits the bill just right, locking in with his Rods bandmates for an outing that fires on all cylinders from beginning to end.
Despite the production’s modern sheen, it doesn’t take away from The Rods’ core ethos of driving riffage, anthemic choruses, and an unrelenting true metal spirit. Cuts like the opening “Now and Forever”, “Play It Loud”, and the title track wouldn’t sound out of place on The Rods (1981) or Wild Dogs (1982), espousing the glory of metal with unabashed power. Speaking of power, Canedy unleashes a full throttle double bass onslaught on the unrelenting proto-thrashers “Metal Highways”, “Shockwave”, and “Hearts of Steel”. He must’ve had a blast laying these tracks down, and so must’ve the rest of the band for that matter, pouring their heart and soul into every little nuance.
There are a few musical surprises scattered about Rattle the Cage, but none so drastic as to derail the pacing and attitude of the album. I’m specifically referring to “Wolves at the Door” and “Cry Out Loud”: A one two-punch of dark, brooding epic doom monoliths that sound less like The Rods and more like Feinstein’s deity of a cousin, Dio. Against all odds, the formula works, especially on the latter with its crushing riffs and intimidating demeanor. “Can’t Slow Down” is another surprising, yet welcome curveball, coming off as a metallized spin on the heavy blues rock of Zeppelin and Free.
With the inevitable passage of time, tomorrow is never promised. Just today, we lost founding Magnum guitarist Tony Clarkin and Kingdom Come/Scorpions drummer James Kottak. Feinstein is 76 and Canedy is 70. Talks of retirement have been thrown about in The Rods camp for quite a few years now. If Rattle the Cage happens to be their swansong, these legends of the underground are ending on a high note, victorious as ever in their heavy metal ways. Let’s hope for the sake of headbangers young and old though that this isn’t it! These Wild Dogs still know how to bite!
8 out of 10
Label: Massacre Records
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Anvil, Raven, Dio