The long-awaited Rage concert took place on April 18th at Savino Live in Larnaca. This time, the band was on New World Rising Tour 2026 in support of their latest album. We heard beloved and stunning new songs, as well as songs from previous albums, which brought back some nostalgia. Let’s remember how it was and capture this day in our memories.
BLYND
A well-known Cypriot band Blynd were the special guests this evening. This Nicosia-based extreme metal band never hesitate or give the audience time to warm up. From the very first notes, Blynd’s power and fury descend upon the audience, comparable to an explosion.
The fans in Savino LIve knew their music too well not to headbang and sing along the familiar melodies. To begin with, Blynd has been writing and performing since 2003; what is more, they are constantly evolving and releasing new material. For example, consider their latest album Unbeliever (2024), the music video for the song “Primordial Hunter” (2025), and even a refreshed design for their merch and logo. In addition to all that, this time they performed with a new lineup. We remember well how at one of the last Wacken Metal Battle concerts, guitarist George Masouras, with genuine emotion and professionalism, jumped into the crowd, rocking the mosh pit, and making everyone stare. If you don’t believe us, check it out for yourself in the live report from that concert.
Now begins a new chapter for Blynd with guitarist Bob Saganas and it’s wildly exciting to watch them live because it’s intruiging to see what new things Bob can bring to Blynd’s music, given his extensive experience in progressive metal.
And while the evening’s main guests were still to come, Blynd’s drive, intensity, and extreme metal have made fans forget about everything else for a while, completely immersing them in their signature sound. The guitars were screaming, drums pushing past the edge, vocals sounding like they’re tearing themselves apart and the entire venue felt spent but unwilling to stop. The band just detonated and everyone was caught in the blast.
RAGE
And here they are! A trio that will captivate you like an orchestra: tightly orchestrated, playing on every possible string in our souls.
With the first song, “Innovation,” from the latest album, we meet Peavy Wagner with his charisma, radiant smile, and stunning vocals; Lucky Maniatopoulos with an energy and drive so intense that the drumsticks fly out from under the drum kit; and Jean Bormann – so active on stage that he’s practically elusive (and I don’t know what I remember more – his playing, his smile, or those incredible red Snickers!).
On stage, Rage and it seemed that the fans were at first dumbfounded and could not believe their eyes, but then came the familiar melodies of “Under a Black Crown” (2024), “Nevermore” (1993), “Until I Die” (1995), “Days of December” (1998), and many other old hits that, on one hand, make you return in feelings and memories of the past, when you first heard these songs, and on the other, act as anchors in the moment “here and now.” The whole point is that Peavy, Lucky, and Jean are so deeply committed to the process and the stage, the fire in their eyes and sincerity are so clearly visible, that you don’t want to think about anything else, but only truly enjoy this evening and remember it as a key moment.
I was expecting to see a large number of fans, the old guard, so to speak, but I was pleasantly surprised by the number of young people! It’s so cool to witness how music continues to live and delight generation after generation.
Somewhere between songs, I heard fans shouting “…Hiiiiiiiiiigheeeeeeer!!” behind me, and a moment later, we heard Peavy encouraging everyone to join him in singing “…than the sky sky sky!” We sang, we screamed, we cheered, we lost ourselves in thought, we headbanged and danced, we asked for an encore from Rage more than three times! It was clear the concert was coming to an end, and that made it even harder.
Rage’s performance at Savino on April 18 was explosive and uplifting – like a collision between adrenaline and triumph.
We’re already looking forward to Rage’s next concert; the trio looks so good together! And of course, we’d love to finally see Peavy in a Savino T-shirt live, as it’s featured in the Rage promo photos of the New World Rising Tour.
Rage Setlist :
1. Innovation
2. Under a black crown
3. Nevermore
4. Until I die
5. Days of December
6. A new land
7. Solitary man
8. Refuge
9. Fire in your eyes
10. Price of war
11. End of all days
12. Great old ones
13. Sent by the devil
14. Higher
15. Freedom
16. Straight to hell
17. Winter
A big thank you to Savino live.
Photos: Kateryna Anokhina
Link: https://www.instagram.com/kati.lime/
