Is it possible to be a real "True Metal" band, honoring the old Metal virtues and develop an own style at the same time? Yes, indeed! And on their new opus
Iron Blessings,
Sacred Steel even adds new elements to an already well-developed sound!
On the last record (Slaughter Prophecy) singer
Gerrit P. Mutz experimented a bit with growling vocals on the titletrack, but on this record he takes this vision further, adding growls to all tracks, on top of his normal highpitch screams. This may come as a shock to some True Metal fans, and whether old
Sacred Steel fans will like this record or not depends on, if you can stomach Death Metal vocals.
I, who like both old
Sacred Steel and Death Metal, enjoy it! It gives the overall impression a pretty hard edge and a good deal of variation, and though the guys have incorporated a few more Thrash and Death elements, there are still doomy parts and a good deal of melody to be found!
Sacred Steel is an uncompromising band, delivering all cliché aspects of the Heavy Metal world. And why complain? Music doesn't have to be super complex, have historically correct lyrics or otherwise appear as some sort of science to be enjoyed. This is straight ahead Heavy Metal with balls, and I enjoy that!
The music of
Sacred Steel is influenced by older acts, especially the US school like
Agent Steel seems to be an inspiration. They are that sort of band that reminds me about why I became a Metalhead to begin with and a lot of the elements I love about the style are to be found in their powerful music.
Sacred Steel has created a great addition to their catalogue, and though 2001's
Bloodlust remains my favorite, there are lots of great hooks, crushing riffs and hardpounding Metal to be found here! The brutal opener
Open Wide The Gates is a great start to an exciting album, and with its ripping double bass, screaming guitars and hardpounding drums, it shows the uncompromising and brutal style of the album right away
.
At The Sabbat Of The Possessed (The Witches Ride Again) is probably my favorite on the album! With its captivating but simple melody, and with a somehow mysterious feel to the chorus combined with the raw nature of the verse, this song is a winner!
Songs like
Beneath The Iron Hand,
Victory Of Black Steel and
We Die Fighting are typical
Sacred Steel tunes, which all older fans of the band would like. The longer, more epic
Chains Of The Nazarene is lesser successful, in my eyes
Sacred Steel are best at making straightforward, fast Metal songs, and the more epic stuff tends to get boring and seem too long.
All in all this is good ol' Metal, and will appeal to most True Metal fans, if they can take the growls.
Sacred Steel have managed to evolve, but still keep the core of their sound. I find it refreshing with a band that, though they have "True Metal" written all over them, still tries to find new ways to express themselves!
Written by
Nina Friday, August 13, 2004
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