RUST N RAGE is a rock band formed in 2010, hailing from Pori, the west-coast of Finland. Their debut album "Showdown" was released in 2012 and was reviewed here at Metal Temple. May of 2018 the band released their second album, "Tales from the Wasteland" via Melodic Rock. From the album, two singles have been released, "Riding on the Storm", as a lyric video and "Take it Off", as a music video. The third video, "Dreamcatcher", will be released in the spring of 2018.

Yet again, another Vince Neil wannabe vocalist. Anyone see the rip offs here in the song titles? "Dancing on the Edge" like BANG TANGO's "Dancing on Coals." "Riding on the Storm" like SHOTGUN MESSIAH's "Ride the Storm." "Take it off", like KISS's "Take it off." The vocals aren't just straight Vince Neil. Every now and then he has the high held notes like STEELHEART or C.J. Snare of FIREHOUSE. The guitar work is good. Most of the leads are red hot and not only capture a good time for music but add a modern day feel. The main riffs themselves are more hit than miss. Pretty clean and clear with the double palm mute power chord equation that was proven successful, 20 years ago.

"Hungry for the World" is RUST N RAGE's stadium full of lighters in the air anthem. Something strikes me as POISONs "Fallen Angel." Maybe this wouldn't be so bad if the singer could be more in key and not so much like a whiny kid craving mama's titt. The music is pretty dead on to the 80's glam scene. However, all of this has been done. Before I get handed any more music like this let me make this plea with bands of this genre. I share your love of this kind of music. I spent my teenage years drooling over Bret Michaels and trying to play like C.C. Please stop trying to recreate. You are not doing the tribute any justice. And if people hear you and think all 80's music sounded like this, well then ya just screwed a slew of really good bands. Be glam, rock out with your cock out, but be original. Don't look like them, don't move exactly like them, and don't change a few notes and a couple of lyrics and throw it out there as new.

Remember VANILLA ICE and QUEEN? It's borderline plagiarism. Be unique and original. The guitarist kinda gets it when "Lethal Injection of Love" kicks in. I mean he has the style and it isn't a rip off of something else. While MOTLEY CRUE was awesome, Vince has a distinct voice, he can pull it off. The imitations sound like prepubescent boys whining and their voices cracking. Not to mention the backing vocals by the entire band. Man, if your drummer or whoever says, "I'm no singer" listen to them. Don't force them to surround a mic with you. Better yet multitrack your own voice, or hire some people off the street to yell in a unison key.

I'm really sorry to say this but if you want an honest idea of what RUST N RAGE sounds like? When you take styrofoam out of a box. When your neighbors' cat is in heat and howling. In the background, a steady punchy 4/4 beat. Another neighbors party and drunk people doing "Youth Gone Wild" karaoke style. "Blood on the Cross" at least started off ok. Similar to JON BON JOVI's "Blaze of Glory." Nice bluesy acoustic and a low deep-toned soft vocal. It only takes the hit by a car yelping that comes in to wreck it all. That guitarist is so spot on though and it's terrible to think he is going to be held at bay behind a wannabe vocalist. Ya know I think Stephen Shareaux, ex- KIK TRACEE, was looking to start another project. Take your actual style and let it loose. The tender emotion of heartfelt melodic leads are oozing with talent. And let that be known that the guitar riffs and leads are the only saving grace for RUST N RAGE.