In the second half of the 80's, an excellent generation of bands arose in the U.S. They were the Second Invasion of USA Metal, the musical wave who revealed names as SANCTUARY, FIFTH ANGEL and many more. One name that many may not know or remember is from the Boston-based quintet MELIAH RAGE. They are still active, and as savage as in the past, and now they are making a new release from their 2011's album, "Dead to the World". This new version is like the old one, except for one fact: the band's musical nails are better sharped.

Many would call them a Thrash/Power Metal band. Explaining what I mean: they play with tender melodies influenced by North American earlier Hard Rock and NWOBHM of course, but they are pretty aggressive as well. It's in a vein that can remind you of what METALLICA had done on "Ride the Lightning" times, the use of sharp aggressiveness with melodic-shaped elements, but there's some groove touches as well, because the band didn't stop on time. No, and "Dead to the World" sounds great on this new version.

Anthony Nichols (the band's guitarist and founder), Dan Dykes, and Ted Ostrander (this last one made the album's mix as well) were the album's producer, and the mastering was done by Peter Rutcho, and they created an amazing sound quality, bearing the right doses of musical weight, aggressiveness and clarity. Yes, it's amazing how the album sounds excellent to our ears. The cover is excellent as well, with an intelligent art on the booklet as well. Musically, MELIAH RAGE can be described in few words: why in the blazes this band didn't earn the success they deserve?

Yes, because they (like many bands of their generation) are truly great! Songs like "Up in Flames" with their excellent rhythmic work (bass guitar and drums are really great in the changes of tempos), "Valley of the Shadowless Souls" with its fine melodies and modern feeling (and how the guitar riffs are lovely), "Where Nothing Ever Grows" with its fine atmospheres' changes, "Never from Me" with its modern Thrash/Heavy Metal feeling (what great solos), "Time Won't Let Me Breathe" with its nasty melodic energy (and very good vocals), and "Awaken Sorrow" (where their former vocalist, Mike Munroe, appears as guest on vocals) are testifying my words. And there are two bonus tracks on this version of the album: "Up in Flames" and "Cold Cruel Fate", both on their 1994 demo versions, and both are from Anthony's anterior band, CACTUS LAND.

"Dead to the World" is really an excellent work that shows USA's Metal School power, and how Metal never gets old. Prepare your soul for MELIAH RAGE's attack!