Ever since the 1980s Heavy Metal Music has been categorized with labels to describe the sound; trash, death, gore, prog-mental and electro-metal, then again something appears that does not fall under any of those categories, not a bad thing as it may be original sounding but that does make it harder to explain. CONVENT GUILT falls under that banner of hard to explain, regardless however this is an interesting if not very brave release in 'Diamond Cut Diamond', you can classify it at some midpoint between NWOBHM and Glam-Metal with a dash of Punk in places, interesting stuff may just be an understatement.

The strong opening "Howling Vengeance" is strictly in the 1970s production field, with guitar pull-offs to herald their arrival they have really kicked the flux-capacitor into gear to bring this sound alive. This Australian-quartet deliver seven-tracks of stylish metal-nostalgia which is recorded and performed with conviction. As "Born To Trouble" detonates there is a clear punk sound coming through against the metal, whereas "Powder Dry" relies on the Glam-Rock influences as to with "Scream Out Your Heart", at times you get a 80's KISS, MOTLEY CRUE vibe that ends with a Mick Ronson inspired, "John I'm Only Dancing" guitar-switch flicker.

Crossing so many styles within a record can derail it very quickly, but they have enough talent and fearless nature to make it work, the result for the listener is an unpredictable journey.  In this case though it is proven worthwhile, there is an authenticity here, even though the tracks are varied styles it is still very compelling. A standout is the Johnny Thunders sounding "Bonnie And Clyde", it is a magnificent piece of music. Opening in the style of a love-song, slow melodic guitar patterns with a crying electric guitar-solo, just when it reaches the point of lyrics the song changes tempo and style and as if grenade goes off you are in the middle of New York in the late-seventies, listening to a punk-band in some decrepit dive-bar.

"Foxes Run" closes the album and throws the listener back into the old-school Metal with some grade-A riffing after a sampled dialogue regarding sexual assault. A furiously paced eight-minute journey into the bowels of society, with ear-splitting solos, drenched with versatility and a steady rhythm-section this is the perfect closer and perhaps a showcase of where they are heading. The first full release by CONVENT GUILT is not bad, the band are may only be finding their feet still and perhaps getting comfortable with a sound they are happy with and this can add to the albums variety of styles, with the curious some-guy-gets-flogged artwork to one side, "Diamond Cut Diamond" is well worth checking out.