2015 Sweden Music Group (SMG)
Don't call Death
Dealer an “international supergroup” - they are a real, solid band on their
own - not a vanity project like so many
“super-groups” tend to be. Made up of
musicians from Cage, Halford, Into Eternity, Lizzy Borden, U.D.O and Manowar –
Death Dealer is a force to be reckoned with.
Hallowed Ground is the second album from the band,
hot on the heels of the 2013 release, War Master. While War Master was a good debut, I
think on Hallowed Ground the band have found their own sound and
identity. While vocalist Sean Peck vacillates between high pitched Halford/
Hansen screams and clean vocals usually within the space of one song – he has a
unique voice and style unmatched by any current metal singer.
The band wear their influences on their sleeve. There are
more than just traces of Painkiller era Judas Priest, 80's Accept, Euro Power
Metal bands like Gamma Ray (Peck sounds similar to Kai Hansen when he hits the
higher notes), a faint hint of later King Diamond on the song “Seance) and of
course the anthemic fist pumping blood-boiling “true metal” of the first six
Manowar albums featuring the illustrious Mr. The Boss.
The guys are all talented musicians who know what they're
doing and obviously know how to write songs that will get an arena of sweaty
metal heads riled up and punching their fists.
Hell, there's even a track called
“the Anthem” - and it delivers.
But it's not all speed and power for the sake of speed and
power. Just when you feel like your
headphones are going to overheat, there's Ross with a flamenco (?) Spanish
guitar solo, “Llega el Diablo” which segues into the Western movie
themed “The Way of the Gun”. As an aside, Ross is a card-carrying member
of the NRA, so the title may take on a
whole new meaning!!
The final track, “U-666” and in my opinion – is lyrically the strongest
track on the album. I won't give it away
(as if the title didn't already) but it closes the album in style.
“Hallowed Ground” is a solid 58 minutes of good quality pure heavy metal that will leave you
with a smile on your face and an assurance that there are still bands out there
keeping Heavy Metal alive and well!
Huge thanks to Chip Ruggieri at Chipster PR, and Ross the Boss for all your help
deathdealer.co
facebook.com/deathdealerband
swedenmusicgroup.com
facebook.com/swedenmusicgroup
- Rys
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