Long running German traditional, old-school metallers have found a new home on Massacre, for their fourth studio album, which opens the stylistic doors, slightly. The sound of these ten tracks is mostly gritty hard rock/proto-metal, circa 1980. Imagine a European Riot. The blistering, guitar solo filled, early Bay Area inspired thrash of ‘Self Denial’ is a notable exception. The vocals, while in the higher register (and a little off kilter, in a Chris Boltendahl, of Grave Digger, way) are not stratospheric. A progressive tinged ‘Servant Of State’, which recalls Queensryche, opens with the uncomfortable line: “My father killed my only friend. Had him shot while I had to watch.” Ouch!

The lone ballad, a 7:33 ‘Second Peace Of Thorn’, is reserved until the end, closing things out. Unintentionally hilarious English as a second language mistake in the title ‘Black Dessert Demon’, although it could be about sweet-inducing tooth decay! Their best material remains the upbeat, piston driven numbers like the opening ‘Confession Saves Blood’, ‘Call The Banners’ and NWOBHM flavored ‘Death On Demand’.