Raging Rob - Always The True Assassin

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RAGING ROB is amplified insanity, and every bit as angry as their name suggests. Originally going by the name RAGING MOB back when they were founded in China, the band enjoyed quite a bit of notoriety. In 2009, vocalist Rob Gonnella won the title of ‘Best Metal Vocalist’ in Wacken Metal Battle China. And again, the following year the entire band took home ‘Best Metal Band 2010’. As the founder of German Thrash Metal outfit ASSASSIN, Gonella knows what’s up. RAGING ROB adheres to the old school ways of 80's Thrash, specifically the Bay Area version that always loves to party with their older cousin Punk. The album title Always The True Assassin are a clear nod to his roots in Dusseldorf.

“Never Ending Darkness” and “Innocent Deceiver” showcase Dirk Preylowski on lead guitar and Rudi Gorg on bass, both of them from late German Thrash group HUMAN BASTARD. The energy of Robert Gonella’s vocals are aggressive and driven; not quite SODOM, but not EXODUS either; think along the lines of Mille Petrosa of KREATOR. Drummer Frank Nellen sets the stage every song with a remarkably steady drumbeat for each song. Nothing outright crazy, but no less integral to fine-tuning the pace of the strings. “Cancer” is easily recognizable as classic, circle pit-worthy Thrash. Preyloski goes for insanely high notes during this one. “Soul City” and “Freakshow” are the true beasts of the album, having some of best catchy choruses on the album and the most intense energy.

With a white-hot aggression that could rival any mob (no pun intended), RAGING ROB is volatile, explosive and all the things that encapsulate everything that is loved about the Thrash genre. With an unwavering devotion to the hard rocking gods of old school, RAGING ROB is ready to take down the competition!

Songwriting: 10
Originality: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 8