I am proud to introduce the new DEATH DEALER album to you - "Hallowed Ground" and it is a work of art for the Metal community. Being a massive fan of Ross the Boss' MANOWAR, I've been an even more massive fan of the even more mightier DEATH DEALER, and since the first album, "War Master", which was an instant classic in its own right, I was super surprised and hyped to learn of "Hallowed Ground" and it's an absolute killer and very unique.

When Kenny Rhino Earl was in the band, I thought it was the most Metal super-group I've ever witnessed because I was a huge fan of MANOWAR and HALFORD way before announcement, hell, I group up on the two bands so, seeing Mike Davis join the super line up was a dream come true for me in a way, but Rhino had to leave the band unfortunately, but Steve Bolognese does a fine job in replacement for him. A true pounding drummer.

The only gripe I can think of with this band that people may not like, (honestly I think they're just fools for that opinion), is that the mighty Sean Peck sounds A LOT like the mighty Rob Halford, but he is very influenced by the Metal God (aren't we all) and he does a great, intimidating voice of returning the Metal God's iconic voice. He is a great Metal vocalist. On his own, though, his own voice does an "on par" job of being his own Metal God.

"Hallowed Ground" ranges from well, True Heavy Metal and has the loudest sound production of the year easily. IRON MAIDEN's "The Book Of Souls" doesn't really come close, nor does SLAYER's "Repentless", who are this years top contenders, as much as I respect the two bands, it's bands like DEATH DEALER who usually deliver true Heavy Metal for me with fine precision and great results. The band performs unique riffs, powerful drumming and extremely high-powered vocals. DEATH DEALER seriously means business and I'm not saying this on a biased perspective, I generally feel this way, from the heart and balls (if you want to go that far). "Gunslinger" is a great opening track and really does have that wild west feel to it with that amazing guitar riff that I honestly have not heard anyone else do of the old dueling gunslinger theme.

"Break The Silence" and "Plan Of Attack" happens to be one of their singular efforts blasting this great album into more screaming, Rock N Roll Metal power! That scream at the end of "Plan Of Attack", astonishes though; bravo "Sean Peck"! From also being a fan of ROSS THE BOSS' solo band, I recognized his riffs easily, let's not forget "Stu Marshall"; the guy is a rip-roaring Metal riffing machine and deserves his place to play next to the mighty Boss, "Ross The Boss"! "Llega El Diablo" reminds me of the intro to WAR MASTER's "Wraiths In The Wind", it's however just that, an acoustic intro but very atmospheric blasting into the pounding... "The Way Of The Gun" and "K.I.L.L." are very noteworthy. I don't wanna sound like I'm saying "Sean Peck" sounds like "Rob Halford" all the time, because he really doesn't, he has his own unique Metal God voice that makes people say that, his voice on his own is unique and it really shows in these two segments. "K.I.L.L." continues to show DEATH DEALER kick more arse than the so-called "Kings Of Metal", MANOWAR, (who I believe aren't but to each their own); this song really puts "Hail, Kill And Die" to shame, it's a fucking explosion of anger and rage and that's what Metal is all about, an enjoyable, thrashing death of a time! And "Hallowed Ground" is a spectacle of might in it's very own right. Possibly album of the year next to SOULFLY's "Archangel" and IRON MAIDEN's "The Book Of Souls" I guess SLAYER's "Repentless" should get an honorable mention too.

I could go on about how great the rest of the album is, however, the "U-666" must get a mention; such a pounding, exciting and powerful track. "Hallowed Ground" is a kick arse effort, and one of the most enjoyable and true headbanging experiences in Metal I have had the pleasure to review this year. Positivity is the keyword for this great album; addicting, epic, and just phenomenal. It's albums and bands like this that make me proud to be a Metal Head. Move aside MANOWAR, I think we have new "Kings Of Metal".

I generally cannot wait to witness the DEATH DEALER Live one day. True Metal at its finest.
In short, as Ross The Boss said, "Hallowed Ground" satisfies from start to finish...It is what Metal should sound like!" I 100% agree. There is a reason why he is called "The Boss".

MASTERPIECE.<