What happens when you blend Swedish power metal with Saxon and Judas Priest? You get Mindless Sinner. The Swedish headbangers have been going strong since 1982 with a discography full of masterpieces, and their new album "Metal Merchants" does not disappoint. "Metal Merchants" grabs listeners by the throat right from the start and refuses to let go. "Metal Merchants" delivers pure power and energy from start to finish. The album begins with the appropriately named track "Speed Demon," putting fans in the driver's seat of a heavy metal experience they won't forget, reminding fans that Sweden is truly a heavy metal powerhouse. "Speed Demon" reminds me a lot of Hammerfall's Renegade in terms of energy and composition. Speaking of having the energy of Hammerfall, the title track, "Metal Merchants," really reminds me of Hammerfall; there's little doubt that Mindless Sinner must have inspired Hammerfall.

"Third Time's a Charm" pours on the magic with some of the best guitar passages I've heard this year. Guitarists Jerker Edman and Magnus Danneblad deliver us to the promised land with godly riffs and solos that keep listeners locked in. The enchanted guitar work is a staple of "Metal Merchants" and is front and centre once again on the tracks "Hedonia" and "Mountain of Om." "Mountain of Om" has to be one of my favourite songs showcasing Christer Goransson's vocals, beginning with an almost ballad feel and building up to a face-melting crescendo of metal madness with a hint of Iron Maiden. "Believe in Me" hits home and hits home hard, almost peering into the life some of us have lived while speaking to our souls, repeating the question, "Why can't you believe in me?"

"Monsters" really brings out the similarities between Mindless Sinner and Judas Priest. "Monsters" pounds hard on the heavy metal anvil with unrivalled purpose and strength, and in the end, it leads into a "Storm of Steel." "Storm of Steel" is a war cry of a track calling to the warrior in us all. "Storm of Steel" puts all of the talent that makes up Mindless Sinner in the limelight, giving everyone the attention they deserve. Linus' percussion work keeps the band marching to glory while Magnus and Jerker carve a clear path with their axes, and Christer Carlson's bass hits like artillery. At the same time, Christer Goransson utilizes the way of the voice, leaving nothing standing in their path.

"Metal Merchants" is a masterpiece that keeps delivering the goods and might be the reason why my repeat button sees more action than Arnold Schwarzenegger in the eighties. It doesn't matter if you prefer traditional heavy metal or power metal, you'll find something to love on "Metal Merchants."