Review Summary: Before changing their name and finally being called Rage, Avenger gave us this little EP!
Which is undoubtedly interesting since it advances a large part of the style that would predominate in "Reign of Fear", the first album under the name of Rage. Therefore, in Down to the Bone and Depraved to Black we find two really fast and furious songs, without a doubt attached to the so-called speed metal, a genre that had its seed in songs like Deep Purple's Speed King and Fireball, and that later was developed by bands like Judas Priest, Venom and Accept.
Perhaps this evolution was influenced by the departure of guitarist Alf Meyerratken (who composed many of the songs on the debut "Prayers of Steel") and the entry of Thomas Grünning in his place, who would also record the so-called "Reign of Fear" with Rage. .
As for production, Ferdinand Köther from Wishbone Records oversaw it again, with whom they broke the contract once this EP was released to become part of Noise International. The sound is good, undoubtedly highlighting the powerful drumming of the later famous Jörg Michael, undoubtedly a double pedal beast.
Nevertheless, the songs included are of rather average quality, not at all memorable or worthy of being part of the group's annals, like the live versions of previous songs that don't stand out too much either.
But I cannot deny the importance that this small EP had in the development of the group, and therefore it is a must listen for all the fans of Rage and speed-metal devourers.
Best Tracks: of course, Down to the Bone and Depraved to Black.
