Second album is often said to be worse than debut. I think its a little better overall though. Soundquality is alot better still not being good compared to nowadays standards though, not even close. Heres no maybe so many standout tracks than last album, nor here is so many so boring ones either. What this lacks at some interesting melodies it wins on power. This's far more powerfull than first album and guitarwork & solos are even great at parts.
The opener, Down By Law, is classic stuff. Maybe best of this album. Its fast tempo song, powerfull, energic and rough metal to your face. Played on concerts long after also and it rocks. Execution Guaranteed has some brutal "mafia" feel on it which lyrically is meaning too, i think. Being good its not so good than opener. Rolling from the beginning to the end of the song with same pounding rhythm. Before The Storm is raw and melodic mid-fast song with pounding rhythm also, containing great guitarsolo that i like alot! Its very catchy and simple. Streetwolf is letdown though, seems like Peavy & co didnt get song areas together. Its slow tempo, plodding and pretty boring song. Deadly Error and Hatred are typical pretty powerfull and rough uptempo songs, both entertaining but nothing awesome. Grapes of Wrath is intrumental song, also nothing spectacular. Mental Decay has pretty funny and cheesy lyrics. Its about computer games where war is on and anything can happen. I dont quite get this kind of lyrics in heavymetal. Its comedic indeed. When Your Dead is energic album ender, powerfull riff-based uptempo song. Not a classic but enjoyable...
As many times mentioned heres no much very memorable songs, but overall the album is very entertaining. I think 9 songs is a little too bit as 2 of them are pretty skip-over stuff, leaves me 7 songs which 4 of them are very good. Rougher edge power/trashmetal than bands most albums are, maybe the rough feeling comes from sound production... Anyway. The debut is maybe more classic, but heres some cool tunes also and more power & brutality. I'd say, for fans or collectors this's a must. Other check if you got some extra money to spend, cause there are better Rage albums out also...
