• Heavy Metal

RAGE was formed from the rampant Heavy Metal band AVENGER, with a line-up of Peter Wagner (a.k.a. 'Peavey'), guitarists Jochen Schröder and Thomas Grüning and drummer Jörg Michael. AVENGER, based in Herne, released the 'Prayer Of Steel' album and 'Depraved To Black' EP on Wishbone Records before adopting the title of RAGE in 1986, due to confusion with the English AVENGER.

Signing to Noise Records to release the Ralf Hubert produced 'Reign Of Fear', crafted at Horus Sound Studios in Hannover, RAGE toured Germany on a bill with KREATOR and DESTRUCTION in 1986. Shortly after the tour, Grüning left and his position was filled by the high profile figure of ex-WARLOCK guitarist Rudy Graf for 1987's self-produced 'Execution Guaranteed'. Michael also operated in the 'anonymous' avant garde side project MEKONG DELTA during 1987.

That same year both Graf and Michael were out, superceded by guitarist Manni Schmidt and drummer Chris Efthimiadis. Michael would become the permanent drummer for German guitar hero AXEL RUDI PELL and rack up impressive credits with fellow Teutonic Metal bands HEADHUNTER, GRAVE DIGGER, GLENMORE and RUNNING WILD. 1988's 'Perfect Man' album enjoyed considerable critical success with the media and went on to sell over 30,000 copies in Europe alone. The 'Perfect Man' album would be the first to sport the razor toothed robot mascot that would become synonymous with successive Rage releases. RAGE utilised producer Armin Sabol and the Skytrak Studios in Berlin to cut the 'Secrets In A Weird World' album in the Spring of 1989. In 1990 RAGE toured Germany as support to RUNNING WILD. ...