Italian Traditional Metallers RULER's second full-length album "Rise To Power" features plenty of old-school guitar riffs and powerful lead vocals that are very reminiscent of the 80's, which is only serving to strengthen the rising "New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal" that is sweeping Europe and to some extent the rest of the world.

Opening up affairs with the instrumental track "The Ships Of Trafalgar", the band sets things into motion with great heavy guitars and melodic lead lines before going into the next track, "Back To The Glory Days". This song clearly sets the band's goals right before the listener with its lyrics and musical style, combined with great playing and instrumentation.

"Another Fight" carries on this sense of old school riffs, with great solo and high-pitched vocals, served well by a great tight rhythm section. "The Temple Of Doom" starts off with some sound clips from the classic film of the same name, before the band comes in with a great build-up before introducing the main riff of the song. This is a great song with a really epic feel and a powerful flair for songwriting, with intricate riffs and a demanding vocal performance, and as one of the longer songs on the album, this has been done really well!

"Moonlight Wanderer" Has a really great groove to it to start off with; lots of twisting riffs that will really make listeners want to bang their head to the classic sounds. The song picks up in pace the pace later on, bringing more of the riffs the band is most likely known for.

Title track "Rise To Power" really brings together the core sound of the band and this album in particular, with an almost power metal sound, with a great emotive chorus and some really great playing. "Mirror Of Lies" follows this up by starting off with a great building riff underlined by the rhythm section yet again performing fantastically. Stabbing riffs and great vocals carry this song to make it a highlight of the album, with lots of great arpeggiated riffs and a great chorus to top it all off!

To finish things off, the epic 14 minute track "...In Conspiracy" provides a great, memorable way to conclude the album, opening up with synth sounds and stabbing riffs, before giving way to atmospheric sounds layered with a melodic bass lead that then leads us into a heavier version of this, with guitars and drums crashing in before the lead vocal enters the fray. The song continues to build and move forward, with lots of different sections that keep the listener interested throughout.

The production of the album is great, with a nice old school guitar sound, complimented by powerful modern drums and a great bass sound (that is also audible which is a good thing!) The vocals are well recorded and performed too.

Overall, this is a great second release, and should put the band in good stead to push forwards, hopefully near the forefront of the upcoming Traditional Metal wave.