Rage of Angels
Rage of Angels
1989 Regency Records
Produced By: Doug Mann
album back
Track Listings
Musicians
Dean Mariano: Lead Vocals
Frank DiCostanzo: Guitar
Greg Kurtzman: Guitar
Dale Gilfort: Bass
John Fowler: Drums
If you've clicked on the songs above and like what you hear, you aren't the only one. This album is legendary dare I say in some music circles, however this would be the one and only album by the band as they had already disbanded before the album launched. Yeah, it's sad because this group of guys had so much promise. I heard a interview not that long ago w/ the lead singer, Dean Mariano and he stated that shortly before they were to hit to road to perform at the iconic Cornerstone festival in 1989, their drummer, John Fowler, was asked to sit in and play for Red Alert, better known as Steelheart now. The two bands shared a studio and were great friends. With Red Alert in a pinch (they were playing a showcase for MCA Records that evening) they agreed to let John play and little known to them that would be the start of the end of Rage of Angels. Dean said after hours in the studio John came out and apologized to the guys, saying he was offered a million dollar recording contract with Red Alert...which he took. Dean knew that finding a replacement would be difficult. I guess finding talented Christian musicians in the 80's was a lot harder than it is today) so the band members went their own way. Frank DiCostanzo would join John in Red Alert who would become Steelheart.
I first learned of the band thanks to the hard to find East Coast Metal compilation where they had their song Reason to Rock. Another song of theirs (Rock for the Rock) was featured on the album Heavy Righteous Metal compilation, however I don't really recall "discovering" the band until I picked up the Classic Metal compilation on cassette at a local Camelot Music store and heard their song Don't Give Up. At the time I didn't listen to secular rock music, but listening to the album today I can understand how it would have stood amongst it's secular peers.
The guys were all in their early 20's at the time the band formed and young in their faith. One of the guys' fathers encouraged the band to grow in their faith, citing they had the ability to take the good news of Jesus to people that would never listen to him for example. He set up a weekly Bible study at his home for the guys and it wasn't long before the guys grew stronger in their faith. I don't know if the songs were written before or after these Bible study sessions, but you can hear their faith come out pretty boldly in many of the songs.
Reason to Rock
So let me tell you for your own good,
it's gonna leave you in shock.
Christ is the reason you live,
And He's the only way to rock.
Hooked on a Good Thing
Somehow you knew I was burning,
You put me under control.
You took away all the fear in my heart,
And love has finally taken it's toll.
Since you came and made your connection,
My life has turned completely around.
You've filled me with your Holy affection.
In you eternal life can be found.
Rock for the Rock
If you only you would just believe,
And realize He died for you.
He'd come inside your heart today,
And show you love you never knew.
What's so great about this album is that every track is a banger. I had this on cassette growing up and it's one of the rare albums that I never found myself fast forwarding through a song to get to another. Each song has it's own sound with the musical abilities of the guys are top notch. Dean has a fantastic range and can hit some very high notes a la Michael Sweet (Stryper). Frank and Greg can shred on the guitar like it's nobody's business and John's drums are second to none. I'd put him up there on the Mount Rushmore of drummers alongside Robert Sweet (Stryper) and Ted Kirkpatrick (Tourniquet).
Some of the highlight tracks for me would include Somebody's Watching You, Hooked on a Good Thing, Rock for the Rock and Don't Give Up. Actually, all of the songs are fantastic so it's hard to pick favorites. Dean has a great melodic voice and when the others join in on some of the choruses it's just magic. Rock for the Rock sounds like it could have been recorded by Stryper...the crunchy guitar and drums remind me of my favorite guys in the black and yellow.
It truly is a shame that this band didn't go one to create more music because this album is that good. Others must agree with me because it's always in demand and hard to find. The supply is far less than the demand on the secondary market. It's never been re-released or got that slick remaster like many albums from the late 80's have received today. If you are able to source a copy of the CD, expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $80 US dollars. With Regency Records being long out of business I don't expect to see any kind of re-release anytime soon so unless you are happy streaming their music, go ahead and open your wallet and pick up this gem of an album.
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