GOBLIN'S BLADE brings listeners American-style power metal on debut album, "Of Angels And Snakes." The sound holds up with a few hiccups here and there. As a while, it's a solid traditional-style power metal album with some great rhythm and darker undertones.

The album is a traditional power metal work with a vintage sound. That said, it's not muddy nor do the engineers deliberately mix it to sound unclear. The production is a little gritty, but each musical instrument and note comes through clearly. Thematically, it opens more like a symphonic metal band. "Snakes From Above" features an orchestral opening with a violin riff. Then, it explodes into a low, thrashing riff, carrying the melody more into traditional 80s power metal. "Pay For Your Sins" starts with a bang and goes into a galloping riff that's energizing as soon as you hear it. I enjoy the echo in the chorus. My one complaint comes out in "Blink Of An Eye". It's another song that starts out strong, but I began noticing that the vocals aren't being projected or they're a hair too far back on the track. Despite that, they're clear and operatic though I wish they were a little more pronounced. Also, the song variety is good, which is crucial in an album with a similar tone and feel throughout.

The next song "Final Fall" is distinct enough where I don't feel like I'm listening to the same song in a row. I love the uplifting vocal melody in "Utopia" though at this point in the album, the songs are blending together. The operatic quality of the vocals really shine through on this album. "When The Night Follows The Day" is the long song; usually, it's an opportunity for the band to show different techniques they have. Here, it's a long song, beginning like a dirge. I'm not impressed with the vocals here. They sound too nasally and have that common-cold quality that drives me nuts. I also don't hear a lot of movement in the song - it's similar from start to finish, leaving me wondering why it needs to be so long in the first place. "The Bell Is Broken" has a promising beginning with the bell sound effect. "Fall Into Darkness" has some of the best vocals on the album; the singer's upper register is where he shines. The closing song "Call For Unity", has a galloping melody to finish as well as a refrain that fades out. The finish is about the same as the rest of the album, not more intense or complex.

Overall, there's not a lot to say about this one. It's good; the production and musicianship hold up. However, it's not terribly memorable. If you like American-style power metal, especially the kind that veers toward sword and sorcery without the symphonics, this would be a good album to check out.