SACRED LEATHER hail from Indianapolis, which lies in the USA state of Indiana. According to the Metal Archives they play Heavy/Thrash Metal, but I would rather refer to their music genre as being a mix of NWOBHM, Old School Heavy Metal and Eighties Speed Metal. If you mix those three you will get the sound as is being portrayed on the sophomore studio album "Keep The Fire Burning". As I can't find any starting date for SACRED LEATHER, only a first release of a single in 2014, I would have to say that the band hasn't been too prolific in their song writing throughout the years. The debut studio album "Ultimate Force" was heaped upon us as unsuspecting victims way back in 2018. What preceded that was a 2015 live album with the title "Live Leather".

It would have been nice to get some information with the music that SACRED LEATHER plays, but what I can hear is that you will get a combination of a lot of bands. I will name them here. First off you get early ACCEPT, which is the way the music is constructed and played. It has a definite Teutonic undertone to it all. Next you will hear original DOKKEN coming by. That is mainly due to the guitar sounds and solos of Lynn St. Michaels, who apparently likes the George Lynch sound. Last nut no least I have to mention Q5. Not only because singer Dee Wrathchild has a lot of Jonathan Scott K. in him, but also when SACRED LEATHER plays fast, the songs have that vibe that Q5 was able to portray.

The combination of those three bands I mentioned, plus a bit of early AGENT STEEL speed, make my ears extra alert, and my expectations rather high. Because the production as well as the sound on "Keep The Fire Burning" is impeccable. The reason that the rating hasn't come higher than just good is because I feel that these Americans have not gotten the best out of everything they do. The vocals sometimes are a bit dodgy, just don't sound too good. Plus the songs themselves, although all of a very nice standard are just missing that last bit that will make you really feel you're listening to something remarkable. They lack the wow factor. But I will say, that if you like the influences I mentioned, you will certainly be able to enjoy what SACRED LEATHER is bringing on "Keep The Fire Burning".