RipCage – When The World Burns

Let me begin this review with a disclaimer; there’s absolutely no information on this band on the internet. They don’t even have a website, just an Instagram and Facebook pages with very little information on the band. Nevertheless, it should not prevent me from writing a few words on a Dutch band RipCage.

The quintet started in early 2020 by Paul (guitar) and Jon (vocals) from pure passion for heavy metal music. Two years after the foundation of the band, toegther they released their debut full-length entitled When the World Burns. Soon after the release of this nine-tracker debut, three more members joined the band, namely Robbert (drums), Thomas (bass) and Stefan (guitars).

So what can we hear on When the World Burns then? Nine heavy/thrash metal songs with obvious influences from some American thrash metal bands of the 80s. In other words; we’re talking of nine old-school/retro thrash tracks, delivered mostly in mid-tempo with both some fast-paced typical thrash-bangers, and a couple of laid-back radio-friendly semi-ballads. The later perfectly expemplified with a third single called “Restless to Explore”. This particular track shows a more modern side of the band, while “Wasted Life” and “Emptiness Inside” are some of the faster and more old-school tracks.

Song-writing is good enough, but my main problem with When the World Burns is the lack of variation in-between the tracks, where esp. those mid-tempo songs offer a bit more variation and different approach. As the case is now, they’re handling their instruments nicely and convincingly, but something is definitely missing here, as I hardly get any excitement while listening to this album on repeat. Vocals are not exciting either, but it differs a bit quality-wise, as I can hear some patent and strong vocals on tracks like “Hero” or “Emptiness Inside”, while he fails misarably on tracks as “Alone Again” or the closing one “Our Negligence is a Sin”. Again, a lack of coherency is the main problem here.

Production is modern and clean, as all of the instruments sounds balanced and clear. However, it still sounds dull and somehow anonymous. I hope at least the guys have had more fun recording When the World Burns than we are listening to it.

It’s such a shame that the guys didn’t do more on promoting this album and their work so far, as potential for further improvement is definitely there. For more info go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088043986546&sk