The Rods - Vengeance

Genre - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal
Label - Niji Entertainment

Track listing -

01. Raise Some Hell
02. I Just Wanna Rock
03. Rebels Highway
04. Ride Free Or Die
05. The Code (feat Ronnie James Dio)
06. Livin' Outside The Law
07. Let It Rip
08. Fight Fire With Fire
09. Madman
10. Running Wild
11. Vengeance

Legendary Cult rockers The Rods reunite for one last stab at the cherry, with the Immortal voice of Ronnie James Dio lending a helping hand. First off, let’s get one thing straight, Vengeance is a true retro album -- it is pure uncompromising, aggressive and melodic hard rock / heavy metal.
The Rods, although American, had a very NWoBHM sound about them, back in their day they cut some classic tracks, Crank It Up probably being the most famous. With Vengeance, they continue pretty much where they left off, 25 years ago. The songs are pretty solid, the production is crystal clear, and we’re in for a good time I think!
First I should be honest, I am only really aware of this albums existence because it includes one of the very last songs that Ronnie James Dio sang upon before he sadly passed away 12 months ago, The Code. So let’s deal with this track first, even though its track 5. The Code is a heavy song, with a powerful performance put in by Dio, unbelievable considering he passed away a few weeks later. It’s got some great lyrics, and a brilliant theme, yet it’s not the best song to feature Ronnie, and if I’m totally honest, as much as like the song, I doubt that it would have made the final cut of the Heaven & Hell album, The Devil You Know.
Now that tracks out of the way, what of the rest of the album? Well as I said earlier, it’s a straight up rock / metal album, very much in the vein of Saxon and Judas Priest in places. There’s a high energy attitude about the songs on this album, and if you like your rock in the classic NWoBHM vein, then Vengeance could be right up your alley!

Well worth checking out!

Website - The Rods
Rating - 8/10