METHUSALEM is one of those bands that came to remind us of the pure heart and soul of making solid Heavy Metal. Influenced by various of 80's figures, including the NWOBHM movement, IRON MAIDEN and their own local Dutch gods as PICTURE and MARTYR, there is something to hope for when the band's new album, "Unite And Conquer", will take its trip to your CD player.

Even since their local scene has taken Metal into its lap, Dutch Heavy Metal bands always brought out the best of the genre. They combined the amazing British melodies, toughened up the riffages and created a fine piece of hard, crunching and harmonious Metal. Today, even if most of the scenes, including the Dutch, succumbed to the morals of modernity, some of the old masters survived or re-hatched, and some younger bands wanted to preserve what in the 80's was considered the finest.

"Unite And Conquer" is not METHUSALEM's debut release, it is actually its second. Even though their first release, "Sentenced To Rock", was more of a MCD than a true full-length CD, it still can be considered as a full offering. By judging the high quality of their release, both production and written material, it is hard for me to understand why this band has not been approached for a signing yet. I must admit that this notion puzzled me. Their efforts on establishing a base for true 80's Heavy Metal with elements of Hard Rock, created a special impression from my end.

Although several of writings of their substances are maybe a bit tired or less inspiring than others and the involvement of a modern sound, there is a true core of history in their music. The twin guitar harmonies, melodic and catchy types of choruses, feel of age in the music, diverse beats and the crude battle between calmness and toughness, made METHUSALEM for me as something new to admire. Not every band can throw catchy phrases without playing something that it is or rather banal or just plain copy with a hopeless sense of originality. Exampled inspiring tracks as "Hardrock Showdown", "Lock & Load", "Unite And Conquer" and "Running In Circles" may look simple and plain. However, those tracks, as others on the album, created a fine atmosphere that not every Metal album will provide. The barrier between what is Rocky and what is Metal had been broken, in this band's case.

As I said earlier, METHUSALEM may not be the perfect representation in the market, however, their new album touched me in a way that made me even more appreciate classic 80's Heavy Metal. Since "Unite And Conquer" might sound modern in a way (and they do), yet, when it comes down to the material, its back to the late 80's. So please that some label will sign these guys already!?