Death Dealer are back with their fourth studio album, the second with the line-up of singer Sean Peck (Cage, The Three Tremors, Denner Shermann), guitarists Ross “The Boss” Friedman (Manowar, The Dictators, Shakin’ Street, Ross The Boss Band) and Stu Marshall (Dungeon, Empires of Eden, Night Legion), with bassist Mike LePond (Symphony X) and drummer Steve Bolognese (Into Eternity, Ross The Boss Band). Just seeing the name Ross The Boss pretty much tells you all you need to know about this album as it is melodic power metal which at times moves into thrash territory.
I remember being impressed by The Dictators back in the 70’s, and I confess I bought ‘Battle Hymns’ as soon as I came across Manowar and although it is very much an album of its time and totally derivative, there is still a sense of fun about it. These guys want us to take them somewhat more seriously and is hugely dated, set firmly in the Eighties American metal scene, which again is not really a surprise. All those involved are fine musicians, but the material just does not stand up to close scrutiny, while Peck has an annoying tendency to go offkey in certain places (and then screaming like a demon at others which makes me wonder if I was right or not). When they chuck in “Bloodbath” it makes me think there has been a change in the CD as this is solid Anthrax and very different to the rest around it.
Sadly, it has been announced that Ross Friedman (72) has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, which means he can no longer play guitar. No decisions have yet been made on what it means for the band he co-founded in 2012, and it is probable this will be his last ever stint in the studio, but while this is a solid release it is certainly not essential.
Rating: 6/10
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/deathdealerband/
https://massacre-records.com/