There is a comfort in knowing that sometimes change isn’t always good. Sometimes the status quo can allow one to be comfortable with what they know and one does not have to challenge themselves with trying to keep up with what is new. It is a comfort, like when you go to your closet and pull out your favorite, worn-in, barley hanging on by a thread band t-shirt. You just know that it is perfect and there is no good reason to change it. Recently there has been a surplus of bands reuniting to either celebrate an anniversary of an album that they had released decades ago or to create new music as is the case with the new incarnation of Black Sabbath. Although in the case of Black Sabbath it is not really a true reunion is it? But I digress, Sacred Oath, the American power metal / speed metal band from Connecticut has assembled it’s original line up and recorded and are ready to release their sixth full length studio album Fallen on May 28th.
As I stated above change isn’t always good and Sacred Oath have not really change anything in their delivery of music since their inception and that is no different with the new album Fallen and I for one am grateful for that! Sacred Oath stay true to their American power metal meets speed metal roots and have created an album worthy of the Sacred Oath catalogue. Fallen is a Master's course in how to take a chance, reuniting the original lineup, (whose break-up was anything but amicable ) and still stay true to the sound and strengths that have identified the band for the past 25 years. From the opening song 'King of Your World' through the final beats of the title track, Sacred Oath take you for a powerful yet scary ride of the challenges and nightmares of the human psyche. This is a dark album that is orchestrated solidly and aggressively. With the power of the music behind it and the incredible vocals of Rob Thorne the listener becomes so immerged in the songs that you almost start to identify with the monsters within and those in the world around us, there is a feeling of pure evil that emanates from this album that is palpable and that is a credit to Sacred Oath’s songwriting and musicianship. Songs like 'Misery Loves Company', 'Death Knell' and 'Lurking Fear' take the listener on a dark, dark ride through the darkest side of humanity and Sacred Oath perform this with an appreciation for what they are playing that one can’t help but listen over and over again.
Change is good, a band should grow but if you do what Sacred Oath does so well, and especially on Fallen then change may not be for the better. I have been a fan of this band for a long time and I was worried that they would not be able to beat their self-titled album or the equally fantastic Darkness Visible but they have certainly done so on this album. This isn’t an album for the faint of heart or those who are looking for a sunny power metal album; this is a dark journey. A haunted house ride of the mind delivered through music, a vision of evil with a soundtrack that challenges you to willingly come back for more.
Until Later, Peace!
