CAGE — Ancient Evil (review)

CAGE — Ancient Evil album cover Album · 2015 · US Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Ancient Evil" is the 7th full-length studio album by US, California based power/heavy metal act Cage. The album was released through Swedish Music Group in October 2015. It´s the successor to "Supremacy of Steel" from 2011 and features quite a few lineup changes since the predecessor as only lead vocalist Sean Peck and guitarist Dave Garcia remain from the lineup who recorded "Supremacy of Steel (2011)".

Garcia was always the prime riff meister of the band and Peck the distinct sounding lungs, so massive lineup change or not the material on "Ancient Evil" sounds unmistakably like Cage. Highly energetic and pretty aggressive US power/heavy metal influenced by the most adrenaline pumped Judas Priest and other legendary artists of that ilk. As "Ancient Evil" is a concept horror story album, it´s impossible not to think of King Diamond too, and there are indeed also some musical elements on the album, which point in the direction of that band.

Cage have long since proven their worth and have a relatively distinct sound and style, so although they wear their influences on the sleeves, they are not a clone act by any means. They are an incredibly well playing unit and Peck is a powerful and commanding singer, who can sing both raw, melodic, and high pitched. One of the things I personally enjoy a lot when listening to "Ancient Evil" is that the band never seem to lift the foot off the gas pedal. No sleazy ballads or anything like that here. The narration pieces and intros/outros are necessary for the concept story but other than that this is pedal to the metal US power/heavy metal. I´m blown away by the ultra high energy level and the intensity of the music.

"Ancient Evil" features a raw and powerful sound production, which suits the material well. Take one listen to that intense guitar tone and sit back and let your ears bleed. Upon conclusion "Ancient Evil" is yet another high quality release by Cage and I wonder how successful they could have been, if they had appeared in the 80s instead of starting in the US power/heavy metal hostile 90s. The quality is close to being up there with the best in the genre. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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