Lucifer, the lord of the underworld, would have probably liked the direction of this music, however, it is rather hard to distinguish if what this group is proclaiming to be is actually real of false. The satanic burning covens serve only the true and it probably won't change. But hey, I don't believe that it matters anyway because what truly matters is the music as we are all Metalheads reading this written review and will probably be enticed by the signature sounds of the older days serviced by this fine release named "Galloping Blasphemy", released via the power label, Metal Blade Records. Calling in the name of Satan, there is the Greek pair named SATAN'S WRATH, reminding everyone that there is also a lord in the underground rather than a master in the sky. For religious fanatics it would sound like utter and filthy blasphemy, for real music lovers, especially old school Metalheads, it would appear to be as a sort of a divine intervention, as prayers for something old, slightly raw, melodic and dark were finally answered. "Galloping Blasphemy" didn't end up as a major old school blaster, but it sure has features that will blow every devoted Heavy Metal addict's mind.

When I first checked the band's name I thought that I would actually get a Norwegian oriented Black Metal album filled with intense flavours of speed, evil and devouring riffing. On the other hand, I was glad to be surprised because with all my respects to Norwegian Black Metal, I have been always mystified more from bands of the first wave of Black Metal, meaning in the kind of MERCYFUL FATE, VENOM, BATHORY and CELTIC FROST. The blissful combination of darkened NWOBHM, even several examples of early 80s albums of IRON MAIDEN, alongside the rawness of old Speed / Thrash Metal will enrich me every day in any given time. SATAN'S WRATH took me into a journey back in time to constructive nature of IRON MAIDEN but with a much darker visage and an angrier manner. I was attracted to a large sum of the riffing throughout the tracklist also thanks to the old school oriented sound production that led me back to MERCYFUL FATE 1982's classic "Don't Break The Oath" and IRON MAIDEN's 1981's "Killers" and 1983's "Piece Of Mind", but furthermore, I was amazed of how these two chaps from Greece pull this one off, playing old school music filled with incisive soloing and composite riffing and rhythms of speed and mid tempo powers. These find ingredients created songs that can considered as great classics of the first wave of Black Metal like "Death Possessed", "Between Belial and Satan", "One Thousand Goats in Sodom", "Satan's Wrath" and "Galloping Blasphemy". Sounds like a dream right? Well, I slightly beg to differ.

"Galloping Blasphemy" is a wonderful experience for any Metalhead, in particular new Metalheads that would like to accommodate themselves with something both classic and raw under the same platter. However, the shortcoming of this entire release is the vocals. Not that I have any troubles with blackish shrieks and growls, yet here I felt as if a melodic composure of the vocals could have served this release even better. The main element leading the music from top to bottom is classic Metal so why not giving it a twist in the vocal department. Though there were several moments where the vocals played out their role as the evil narrator, but that is exactly what it was, more of an empty narration and storytelling than an actual growl singing. In addition, I couldn't help but notice that a few of SATAN'S WRATH's material sounded like emulated IRON MAIDEN riffing and passages so similar to their early creations, I believe I heard stuff out of "Where Eagles Dare", "Powerslave" and "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner". I know that it is hard to create something new but being that close isn't that great either. Nonetheless, this band set their tone with finesse, their music is excellent and enchanting, sound divine and fanatic, while serving the dark arts of some of the roots of Heavy Metal.