Ross left Manowar in 1988 after “Kings of Metal” and I’m pretty sure has done nothing in music since, right? Now he returns with his first solo album calling it “New Metal Leader”? Ballsy I gotta say and especially when this album for the most part is basically a sister to Manowar. It offers nothing “new” for heavy metal.

Look, if you like Manowar’s epic Conan the Barbarian heavy metal (which I do) then this is your album, but to call this “New Metal Leader” is just misleading and uncalled for. I mean this is so Manowar right down to the over the top vocals and especially the accenting lead guitars on “Blood of Knives”. In its galloping rhythm “Death and Glory” is a clash between Running Wild, Iron Maiden and Manowar’s marching to war spirit. “May The Gods Be With You” clearly embraces the sound and stylings of the 80s with its simple arrangement, catchy riff and chorus and easily could have been a video on MTV back in the day. The Europeans are gonna love this one and I can see it sung at one of those big outdoor heavy metal festivals over seas. Steel meets steel and German piraters Running Wild in the chuncky riffs for “Matador” and “Plague of Lies”. “God of Dying” (just by the title you should already know its epic), opens with clean guitars, accenting keys and noble vocals for a sweeping arrangement. Good stuff.

The album sounds great with a bright and clean production delivered by Tarek Maghary (Majesty) and mixed and mastered by Achim Kohler (Primal Fear).

If you don’t read too much into the title this is really a solid album of classic heavy metal with all the elements Manowar embody. Enjoy.