This may not be a name known to many, but I am sure that it won’t take too long before that changes, as here we have a power metal supergroup that is going to make metal fans sit up and take notice. Imagine Manowar at full speed with Ripper on vocals and you make get close to what this is all about. Now, I remember when ‘Battle Hymns’ came out, and still have the copy that I bought on the day of release. I was blown away by the great musicianship and the over the top tongue in cheek approach to metal, and now here it is happening all over again. Why do I keep referencing Manowar? In many ways that is because this is a logical continuation of that band with both Ross The Boss (guitars) and Rhino (drums) involved here, with the rest of the line-up being Stu Marshall (Dungeon - guitars), Mike Davis (Halford - bass) and Sean Peck (Cage – vocals).
The song titles such as “Never To Kneel” and “War Master” brings back the days of when the guys were screaming “Death to False Metal”. There is nothing at all false about this: it is in your face and dares you to keep turning that volume dial up just a little louder. Just playing this brings a smile to my face, it is so refreshing after listening to all those bands who take themselves too seriously. It is escapist, and great fun. True, Sean has a great voice yet does have a tendency to overdo the screams, and he could do with being a little more melodic at times but really these are just minor niggles.
I find it hard to believe that Ross The Boss is the same guy who used to be in The Dictators in the 70’s, as here he sounds like a young gun with plenty to prove. This is a great album, let the guys take you away into a fantasy land and have a blast.
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