Having entered in the productive debate about what style Chicagoans Bible of the Devil play, somewhere around the time of my review of their previous album The Diabolic Procession, I am happy to report that with their new one Freedom Metal I do start hearing what the other pundits were saying – here is the band which plays 70s garage metal throwing in fluid guitars and occasional harmonies.

Not a concept album, unlike The Diabolic Procession, Freedom Metal is less story line subservient, each song allowed to stand on its own, displaying its fair share of character. There is definitely less guitar noodling going on, instead, the songs relying on distinct riffs, sometimes just one per song played over and over (Greek Fire), nimble bass lines, with tasteful inserts and leads placed strategically throughout. For some, the result may seem a little oversimplified, but it is no doubt Freedom Metal is rocking and exudes energy in droves. The first pair of songs, Hijack the Night and Night Oath, the standouts for me, could have come from any of the Priest pre-British Steel albums, their verse, bridge and chorus hooks are melodically infectious.

The album loses me a little in the middle, slipping a tad too much for my personal taste into Thin Lizzy styled rock, especially given that Heat Feeler, Ol’ Girl and Greek Fire come in one big block. By the time the album climaxes at the finish line with epic and rousing movie-like 500 More, I felt that some steam was lost along the way.

You would not think looking at the picture of Mark Hoffman that the man would have much in a way of upper register, but almost surprisingly, he actually sings along, no screaming or gruffing out words, even a little touch of Ozzy in him on Womanize. The production this time around is not necessarily cleaner, but it is more audible and definitely not thin, making the record more raucous, full of attitude, something Bible of the Devil is full of, judging from what I have been told about their live performances. The “stoner garage” feeling must have been revisiting them when the Freedom Metal songs were composed and recorded. The way Bible of the Devil weave really harmonious guitar lines over the top of grumbling riffs (end of Womanize) combines their melodic sensibilities and boisterous stance.

Not completely sold the last time around, I do like this album better, especially its harder more metallic songs.