THE RODS RETURN WITH A 'VENGEANCE'
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 10:00AM 
The Rods: Carl Canedy, David "Rock" Feinstein and Garry Bordonaro
By Michael Lello
In the 1980s, heavy metal bands etched their names into history, some eventually earning legendary status. Their names are still prominent: Judas Priest. Iron Maiden. Metallica. Right there with all of them was The Rods, a New York state band that was at the forefront of the metal scene, but for whatever reason has been relegated to a less lofty status when compared to, say, the aforementioned Priest and Maiden -- both of whom The Rods toured with, by the way, and you can add a “Blizzard Of Ozz”-era Ozzy Osbourne to the list as well.
Twenty-five years since their last album, “Heavier Than Thou,” The Rods – David “Rock” Feinstein (guitar, lead vocals), Garry Bordonaro (bass, vocals) and Carl Canedy (drums, vocals) – have launched a comeback, and today they release a brand new studio album, aptly titled “Vengeance.”
The album’s historical significance includes a bittersweet component as well, as it features one of the final recorded vocal performances by the late Ronnie James Dio, who sang on the track “The Code.” Dio was a cousin of Feinstein -- and they were bandmates in Dio’s pre-Rainbow band Elf. There are other important connections between Dio and The Rods: “Vengeance” has been released by the Niji Entertainment Group, a new record label formed by Dio and his wife Wendy Dio in his final days, and what’s more, The Rods will tour Europe this summer with Dio Disciples, a group formed by veterans of the Dio band to pay tribute to the late metal master.