Once again the illustration of mankind's future never seemed grimmer. I argue not shun this theme due to its never ending emergence, as who knows; maybe one of the awful versions of our upcoming demise might be in the image of this storytelling. But let's keep it optimistic and maintain it as a message of how to improve ourselves other than succumbing to the horror of it all. Back to the music. Out of the shelves of Witches Brew Records, one of the safe keepers of old school Metal, comes the debut album of the newcomer Greek Heavy Metal protectors, SABOTER, "Mankind Is Damned". They pretty much made it clear with that title, especially with the artwork, which other than letting the old 80s captivating feel flow, it looks good.

Basically, the Greeks created a concept album presenting their version of events following mankind's technological advancements and where does it go from a point of no return. To be honest, like most concept albums that don't involve narrations or intros before each of the songs, it wasn't easy to understand that I was listening to such a release. On the other hand, it didn't matter that much as the music did that talking. With their impressive level of their instrumental abilities, SABOTER made their point clear, leaving the expectancy rate in fairly high level.

Creating a kind of Metal mix that isn't uncanny, but always a pleasure to listen, if done right, "Mankind Is Damned" has British versus US Metal, collision of Heavy, Power and proto Thrash Metal. Establishing well-made guitar melodies that didn't tarnish the 80s fire, simply hooking. Furthermore, there are several crushing riffs that remained high and mighty and a commanding rhythm section with a solid base. Not leaving a spot for progression, this is straight up stuff. Probably the only element in the band's music that dragged it down was the front. The band's vocalist, Antonis Vailas, has his way with the high pitching, scaling towards being another bastard son of Rob Halford, yet also letting the shrieks go for some mid vocals to keep the songs interesting. However, he didn't channel flare, excitement and the drama to make on comprehend that an actual story is taking place. Sure that he can do the talk, sometimes less but still in decent rate, but not always walk the walk. In comparison to the band's music level, Vailas needs to step it up a notch in the next release for the band to become even greater in effect.

SABOTER established themselves, from my end, two hits in the image of "Prevailing Dictators" and "Sands Of Time", the last being a hymn of Metal to be a clincher at their shows. The fine line crossing between IRON MAIDEN and LIEGE LORD sounded so exhilarating, which left a mark that old school Metal lives on and kicking. Melodic Heavy Metal that can be tough and biting. The solid "Assassins" and "Ghost In The Machine" focus on the band's toughness and more in their instrumental vision other than being the ones to be memorized.

Greece has a swarm of old school stones, which have yet to be turned by the world of Metal, I suggest to better start now. For more than a decade there is something good going on there, and I believe that SABOTER are enough to show you the way.