What happens when a Metal band has a long career? This question can bring an infinite set of ideas, but one of them is simple: it can evolve and take distance from what it did in the past. And some bands really live and accept to evolve as they keep their musical works on the trails. One fine example of it is the Italian quintet DEATH SS. They're active since 1997, so as a 45 years old band, they came evolving from a form of Doom/Heavy Metal to a more accessible form of Industrial Metal Rock. And "X", their latest album (their tenth album, to be exact) shows it.

This new release of the quintet is really a commercially accessible form of Metal blended with experimental elements of Industrial Rock, with very good catchy melodies and a strong work on the instrumental parts. The band creates very good and charming melodies, along with those choruses that once heard, will never be forgotten by the listeners. Yes, it's a very good release, and as an experienced band, they did it the right way. Steve Sylvester (the band's vocalist and the only original member that is on the band today) is the producer (and worked with the layout as well) along with Freddy Delirio (the band's keyboardist, who did the mixing, mastering, and the recording). The idea was to create a modern and defined sonority that could make their songs fit in a commercial form, and they hit the target: it's clean, defined and can be understood by anyone.

All their ten songs are really a very good experience for those who just want to enjoy a very good release without caring for labels or ideas. But one bite on songs as "The Black Plague" (excellent melodies and charming choruses, all supported by a very good work on the keyboards and guitars), "Zora" (another song with a commercial and melodic appeal, with elements from Glam Rock and hard Rock being used, but with a strong and heavy work from bass guitar and drums), "Rebel God" (this one shows a Gothic Rock/Industrial Rock tendency due the huge use of keyboards, and the vocals shows a fine singing on this one), "Temple of the Rain" (this one is tempered with massive Industrial Rock influences that make this one a candidate for hit song), "Ride the Dragon" (even with the temper given by the Industrial Rock influences, the melodies and instrumental are nearer of a Heavy Metal form), "Heretics" (a powerful ballad in an ALICE COOPER way, but with a good work of the clean chords and keyboards), and "Lucifer", and you'll be hooked.

And after all these years, DEATH SS keeps its odyssey in Rock. So you must listen to "X" and enjoy it as much as you want.