Time Signature In the eye of the metal storm...

Genre: Old school heavy metal

Among the pioneers of the Danish metal scene, Witch Cross sadly never rose to the same level of fame as their contemporaries Mercyful Fate, and the band's history has been an on-off one. Regardless, they are a pretty damn good band, and their most recent offering "Angel of Death" (released today!) is the living proof of that.

Combining melodicism with 80s metal tropes and an overall rock-n-rollness (and even a slight pinch of power metal), the album is an enjoyable listen from beginning to end. From the dark and ominous, yet hauntingly beautiful, instrumental 'Tempus Mori Est' to the closing Saxonesque 'Warrior', the listener is treated to a cornucopia of straight up heavy metal. Among my favorite tracks are 'Phoenix Fire' with its twin guitars and epic chorus, the heavy 'Marauders', the doomy 'Siren's Song' and the epic 'Eye of the Storm'. Hell, I even like the ballad 'The Chosen One'.

The songwriting is impeccable as these guys understand how to write old school 80s metal and utilize the tropes of the genre in an authentic way, from Maidenesque twin guitars over Priest-like motorcycle riffage to bursts of AC/DC-inspired sections here and there. The musicianship is also top notch (and one of the guys even knows how to play the glockenspiel - so why not use it in a song, right?) with solid wankery-less instrumental work across the board. I also quite like Kev Moore's voice which falls somewhere in between Ozzy and "Down Fall the Good Guys"-era Blaze Bayley (and that's a compliment, because I really like Blaze Bayley's work on that album).

Fans of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Saxon, Accept, Running Wild and other classic 80s metal bands should find the latest full-length effort by Witch Cross a very enjoyable listen for sure. Also, yeah, makes me feel a bit of national pride. Not gonna lie about that.