In 1996, Rage became one of the first metal bands to write and record an album featuring a full symphonic orchestra: Lingua Mortis.

Rage began in 1984 in Herne, when Peavy Wagner (bass and vocals), along with drummer Jörg Michael and guitarist Jochen Schroeder, first came together under the name "Avenger.

That same year, they debuted their first official music video, "Down by Law," which introduced the new lineup featuring Manni Schmidt and Chris Efthimiadis.

In 1989, Rage released the album Secrets in a Weird World, which made an impact on the charts with the single "Invisible Horizons," marking another highlight in the band’s career.

In early 1994, guitarist Manni Schmidt left the band, prompting Peavy Wagner to form a new lineup with Sven Fischer and Chris Efthimiadis's brother, Spiros.

That same year, Rage signed with Gun Records and released the breakthrough album Black in Mind, which was followed by a world tour and several chart entries worldwide.

In March 1998, Rage released their thirteenth album, XIII, which featured the Lingua Mortis Orchestra and achieved considerable success on the charts.

The band's 20th anniversary in 2004 was celebrated with the From the Cradle to the Stage tour, during which the show in Bochum was recorded and released under the same name on CD and DVD in 2005.

He had already contributed to the 20th anniversary album Into the Light, which was composed, produced, and primarily played by Victor, with lyrics written by Peavy.

In 2007, the band toured Europe with the orchestra, and their performance at Wacken Open Air in August, in front of 80,000 fans, was recorded for a DVD to be included as a bonus with their next album.

In 2009, Rage performed at the Bundesvision Song Contest on 13 February, hosted by Stefan Raab (TV total),[6] where they secured third place.

The year also marked a 25th anniversary tour, and their performance at Wacken, featuring guest musicians like Hansi Kürsch, was released as a bonus DVD with the 2011 album Strings to a Web.

[10] On 6 May 2020, Marcos Rodriguez left the band due to personal reasons and was replaced by Stefan Weber (ex-Axxis) and Jean Bormann (Angelinc).

In 2011, the project was formalized by Rage musicians Peavy Wagner (vocals and bass), Victor Smolski (guitar and keyboard), and André Hilgers (drums) as a continuation of the 1996 album Lingua Mortis, which was a pioneering work in its own right.

The album features additional vocals by former Metalium frontman Henning Basse, Jeannette Marchewka, and Dana Harnge.

At this point, the designation of Lingua Mortis Orchestra as a "side project" was dismissed by Peavy, and it became integrated into the band, mirroring its original formation in 1996.

"[13]In 2014, Peavy Wagner reunited with Manni Schmidt and Chris Efthimiadis, leading to the decision to perform a secret show in their hometown of Herne under the name "Tres Hombres."