Old fashioned warriors had this strange craving to die in battle, to receive the gift of death while dying in valour and honour for protecting their land, nation, and if it is a really old seasoned warmonger, his king. By the list of songs in front of you the formed the second album, "The Gift Of Death", of the Brazilian Heavy Metal band CLENCHED FIST, I presume that it is back to medieval times where death in the battlefield was considered sacred. Also I can same the same thing about 80s oriented Heavy Metal, at least for me and I am positive for numerous of Metalheads is sanctified as well. With intentions of being epic, especially with such themes connected to ancient history, CLENCHED FIST's musical choices fell not only on mere NWOBHM but also on classic Doom Metal elements thus keeping them in fair closeness to older acts such as early MANOWAR, MANILLA ROAD, HOLOCAUST and WITCHFINDER GENERAL. Yet, with first wave of Speed Metal planted within their British Metal inclinations, which include several harmonic passages and swift pace, they keyed up their material from being placid or gloomy.

While spinning the album for the first time, I had a few issue with the singing and diction of the band's lead vocalist, Vagner "Fist" Fildelis. Along with the album's overall mixing that didn't do him justice, it was rather difficult for me to distinguish the lyrics he is singing, at least a major part. I know that English isn't probably his first spoken language but he sounded as if he is swallowing words. Well, to my gladness, the second session I had with the album made me to change my mind a bit. Probably I got used to his vocals while also trying to concentrate specifically on his voice. It is a bit of shortcoming as the whole recorded channels should be attended as a whole without focussing on singular one. Other than that, "The Gift Of Death" is a wonderful reprisal of the old school Metal regime of the early to mid 80s. The music isn't groundbreaking to the level of renewing anything but the band's performance is great while keeping the old standards of the genre just as those should be, the music is swift, vigorous and provides the feeling of an aged genre resurrected from the spider web infested corridors.

"Codex Gigas" and "Old School Avenger" are great old school anthems, not close to the ACCEPT kind but are pretty catchy and I assume that those kick ass live. There is a fair share of simple but great to listen riffing and an astounding aura. "Asgard" and "Spirit of the Death" are some cruel heavy smackers, straightforward like a band of warrior marching towards their rapid quest for glory. It has several stale moments where it repeats itself but those still meant something. "The Gift of Death" is certainly not a special Metal souvenir but it is a keepsake from the far reaching clutches of 80s Metal. This time the guys of CLENCHED FIST were able to impress with catchy riffing, great riffing and tremendous atmosphere of early Doom mixed with the wonderful sounds of NWOBHM. Check this one out only on the old school premises of Inferno Records.