Very sad news from the Rage camp, as the members have all decided to go their separate ways.
The news was announced this morning via Rage’s Facebook page that the band members have decided to part ways with each other due to the standard ‘musical differences’. There appears to be no bad blood, but iconic guitarist Victor Smolski has been an integral part of Rage’s music machine for the last 15 years writing most of the band’s music. Very little was said about why drummer Andre Hilgers left the band as well, but it is likely in part to band mainman Peavy Wagner wiping the slate clean for a new Rage.
See the Facebook announcement below:
‘Hi Rageheads,
After thinking it over carefully, Peavy and Victor decided to stop working together in the future. This is due to musical and personal changes. ” We have developed in different directions in the last years that much, that we cannot identify with the current band situation anymore. In this situation we will also part from drummer André Hilgers.
The last 15 years were blessed with many Highlights and great releases but this era is over now. Every extension would be untrue to ourselves and to our fans.
We wish each other all the best!
Thanx to all the fans for your trust and support! ”
Peavy & Victor, Feb 2015’
With these two members departing it seems like there will not be any new Rage material for a while as they have left some very big boots to fill. You will be seriously missed Victor & Andre!