The Rods released RATTLE THE CAGE on Friday, January 19, 2024.
The Rods have long been among the heavy metal world’s most underrated. Formed by Carl Canedy and David “Rock” Feinstein, a cousin of the late Ronnie James Dio (the two previously played together in Elf, Dio’s first pro band), the group has continued to dish out metal to enthusiastic headbangers around the world. Like many American metal groups of their day, the group has typically maintained a larger fanbase outside of the United States, particularly in Europe. For this effort, the band’s latest, they’re joined by a new bassist as well – Freddy Villano. Over the years, The Rods have shared the stage with many a hard rock and heavy metal band. In the early 80s, in fact, one of their support acts was a then-unknown group called Metallica.
While Ronnie James Dio always like to explore more mythical and fantasy themes in his music, his cousin Feinstein has always seemed more interested in keeping things hard, heavy, and gritty. The members of The Rods apparently never got the memo that the 1980s are over… and I’m damn grateful they didn’t, because this album rips and rocks in a way that heavy metal hasn’t in years. 2024 has barely started, and with the release of RATTLE THE CAGE, we already have a contender for the best metal record of the year.
From songs that go all-out in their heaviness to anthems showing that Feinstein and company will never stop standing up for everyone’s right to rock out and embrace heavy metal, RATTLE THE CAGE is truly a relentless effort. Carl Canedy also continues to display throughout what makes him one of the most underrated drummers in the business. From the first beat to the last, Canedy brings the thunder, and the rhythm section of him and new arrival Villano on bass works tremendously well.
For The Rods, it’s basically still 1984. But is that a bad thing? Mr. Feinstein shreds and belts out vocals that show he’s not going away anytime soon. And the rhythm section is more than competent; Canedy’s drum work on this album is some of the heaviest and hardest I’ve heard on a metal release in years. RATTLE THE CAGE rattles the cage from start to finish. 2024’s barely begun, but I have a feeling when I rank my top releases of the year, this effort from The Rods will be near the top of the heap.
ABSOLUTE HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
The Rods Rattle the Cage With Their Latest Effort!
ByTaylor T Carlson
Jan 19, 2024
By Taylor T Carlson
Taylor T Carlson Assistant Editor/Senior Staff Writer Taylor T. Carlson was born August 17, 1984, and has called the Vegas Valley home his entire life. A die-hard fan of classic rock and metal music, Taylor has been writing album and concert reviews since he was 16 years old, and continues to do so, having done well over 1,000 reviews. He is also a fan of video gaming and cinema, and has reviewed a number of games and films as well, old and new alike. His thorough and honest (some would say brutally honest) reviewing style has won him the respect of hundreds of music fans and musicians alike, both local and abroad, and the ire of just as many others. Despite being one of the youngest attendees at classic hard rock/metal shows around Vegas, he is also one of the most knowledgeable, having gained the unofficial nickname of “The Eddie Trunk of Las Vegas.” In addition to reviews, Taylor has written and self-published three books on classic hard rock bands, and is a regular participant in rock and roll trivia contests. Taylor also holds a masters degree in special education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), and has appeared on the hit History Channel television series Pawn Stars. His dream is to be able to one day make a living from writing music books and reviews.