Track Review: “Rage In The Rain” by Hellforged

Back in January 2023 Essex Heavy Metal act Hellforged were a rising force who had blagged themselves qualification to Metal to the Masses off the back of a self titled EP recorded live in the studio. However, fate would intervein like a giant Eagle, swooping down from above and snatching their drummer Matthew Coleman and bassist Michael Watson away from them, never to be heard from or seen again. Lost in the woodland trails they eventually found their way out, bitter, bloodstained and hungry with limited options in their search for a replacement rhythm section. Eventually, guitarist Ben Greenblatt and vocalist Luke Grunge stumbled upon bassist Matt Starns and seeing the dim lights of Black Cactus studios on the horizon decided to take a chance. Working with producer Liam Hooker, who doubled up on drums meant they had a chance at redemption and so it came to pass with “Rage In The Rain” the product of their hard labour.

Urgent and hungry, Hellforged sound not only rejuvenated but also wrathful as they unleash easily their heaviest tune to date in “Rage In The Rain“. Against all the odds, they do so without letting go of any of the elements that made their aforementioned debut EP so good with their previously cited influences in Judas Priest, Anthrax and Slipknot bleeding through the bandages. How long the alliance with Liam Hooker remains in place remains to be seen but here he demonstrates a real understanding for what original members Ben Greenblatt and Luke Grunge are trying to achieve with Hellforged. Nailing not only the mix but also the drum parts, he help them capture the energy of their live sound, the whole reason that their debut EP was recorded live in the first place. As it goes, the drums sound live and slightly volatile, as if recorded without a click track, something that gives them a real edge. Grunge previously gave us the chills of the early 90’s and Soundgarden with a voice that had took elements from both Heavy Metal and Grunge, however here at times he sounds unhinged, like a man consumed by madness having lost it all and with lines like “you took it all, you took it all from me!” in the lyrics its easy to see why. His performance has great balance, not allowing the emotive aspect to take over completely but giving us enough of it so we know its there. As for Greenblatt, we know he has the ability to pull out a mighty fine old school riff or two and after the acoustic introduction with its cinematic orchestration and of course rain, he does exactly that. Its one of those with a hummable quality that gets inside your head and never leaves because its fearfully addictive. Hells teeth there is even a breakdown and demonic roar in the middle of this one and its a Chef’s kiss moment! [8.5/10]