Chased from the ranks of Metal Blade, in part due to the over-the-top vocals of Gerrit P. Mutz, as well as the unabashed Germanic power metal stylings, Sacred Steel have survived. In fact, few powerheads would object to the music, just the ‘acquired taste’ of Mutz’ high pitched yelping.

That said, album number seven sees the Sacred ones adopt a harder approach (bordering on thrash), as well as a more pronounced Iron Maiden fixation (the lyrically surprising, anti-Christian stance of ‘Broken Rites’, filled with F-bombs directed at Catholic church and perverted priests). A more pedestrian ‘Denial Of Judas (Heaven Betrayed)’ takes a similarly new spin at religion. Living up to its name, ‘Charging Into Overkill’ kicks off the album as it storms out of the gate (dog whistles at the ready). The title cut, two songs later, is more of the same. As a serious underground metalhead, should know not to entitle anything ‘Don’t Break The Oath’. The acoustic begun ‘Ceremonial Magician Of The Left Hand Path’ is a nice respite, before the staccato riffing goes for a doomy plod. ‘Metal Underground’ is a straight ahead paean to the life choosen (and indirectly, their fanbase), while the closing ‘By Vengeance And Hatred We Ride’ is predominately delivered in a husky, near death voice.

For those that haven’t been keeping up with Sacred Steel, this might open some eyes (ears?).