What is happening? How is it possible that all these bands from way back when are coming out of the woodwork and providing us with bloody good sounding albums, filled with music that excites almost as much as it did when they began? If you just look at the immense string of English NWOBHM bands that are stronger than ever, you will understand what I mean. And yes, "The Sign Of Evil" by MILLENNIUM is another example of how it should be done.

Okay, this is as old fashioned as Rolls Royce and crumpets, but with an added degree of excitement making me enjoy every single sound coming at me. No, the lovers of Modern Metal will not become fans all of a sudden, the youth of today may look at this and wonder where these dinosaurs have been hiding all this time, but the more mature generation will be jumping for joy at the opportunity of adding another bloody good album to their extensive collection. Yes, we ancient folks still have a physical amount of vinyl and polycarbonate sound carriers. Some, like me, will even have loads of cassette tapes.

MILLENNIUM was formed in 1982 and hail from Billingham, Durham in England. They were inactive from 1988 until 2015, but thankfully are back. "The Sign Of Evil" is their fourth album and for me the conclusion is easy; this is their best to date! The music is enthusiastic, full of power and with an impressive drive. The quality of the songs is, simply spoken, outstanding. The sound on "The Sign Of Evil" is superb. Full and warm, but transparent at the same time. Well done, guys.

I do know MILLENNIUM play live regularly. I have seen them play myself, and I always felt that they were better live than what I was hearing on the studio albums. Well, that ship has sailed. "The Sign Of Evil" sounds as if it was recorded live, and that's how it should be. They have a very solid line-up, although I do know that they have gotten themselves a fresh bassist in a friend of mine called Duncan Emmerson, who amongst others used to be with the superb NWOBHM band WARRIOR. He will fit in with them flawlessly.

I am glad to see and hear so many old bands show the youngsters what they are made of, and prove that being a bit older doesn't diminish the will to play pure Heavy Metal. It is another shred of proof that Heavy Metal is not a phase, but a lifestyle. MILLENNIUM have released an absolute bomb with "The Sign Of Evil", and the only thing I am hoping for is that it will not be last I ever hear from them.