Yes, I'm afraid that this is going to be another one of those. For as Metal appears to get heavier - and more insane - with a every passing decade, we often find ourselves reminiscing of times when it was somewhat...simpler. I do not suggest that the stuff of legend lacked the weight of contemporary offerings - any SABBATH classic can still blow the doors off most vans parked at a modern festival - but there was simply a different Metal aesthetic that the architects of the genre adhered to which produced that distinct, unalloyed outcast of the Mendelevium table.

And as times go on, it is not just the fans that get that burning urge to go back to the mines in order to rediscover the original elements; the artists too find themselves aching to grab the pick axe and head down the shaft to chip at the coal walls that once provided them with fuel for their musical fire. That is exactly what the Danish imports STATEMENT were looking to do when they formed back in 2013. And now, on their second effort "Heaven Will Burn", they're still picking.

As the band plug into the amps "Playing Around" rolls in like it's chasing Indiana Jones - and the latter is about to taste some Rock 'N' Roll. The drum hits have you on the ropes, the thick bass is wrapping around your chest like a python and the catchy guitar riff hops the line between the late 70' and early 80's. It appears that there is a lot of old-school fun to be had - with the follow-up "Madness" consolidating those suspicions with a rocking solo over a gritty Blues-based shuffle.

The record does maintain a good, sturdy gait with stellar songwriting and musicianship, and throws a couple more solid punches with "Darkest Hour" and "Sleazy Fantasy", but unfortunately, you can't help but notice that overall things are a touch too...stale. Whilst STATEMENT do preserve a good, genuine, muscled-up Classic Rock vibe throughout the entire record, a lot of the tracks sound a touch too pedestrian. That is not to say that they are uninspired, for the band most certainly put their hearts into their craft - particularly on tracks like the Punk-tinged "Part of Me" and the groove-laden yet melodic "New Beginning" - but the band often tend to neglect their seasoned perspective in favour of attempting to remain relevant with a somewhat saccharine flavour on tracks "Created by You" and the first half of "Part of Me" (for the second part of the latter throws some unexpected fuel on the blueing flames). The band are truly at their best when they combine their honest, mature melodicism with their heavy, jagged edginess as seen on "Nightmare".

The production is top-notch - albeit overly compressed; however, the compression does add a fantastic thickness to the sound - particularly on the bass end - that gives each track a heavy set of balls. The performances of the band are superb; after all, it is what is to be expected of seasoned professionals. The vocals are on-point, the drums are right to a beat, the bass has a life of its own and the guitars are probably still smoking.

Overall - "Heaven Will Burn" is a good record, but contrary to the band's moniker, it fails to make a statement.  Whilst it is virtuous in its intentions, they may not be recognised by just any listener, and this album will probably remain just another passion project for band rather than a gem for the masses.