Sacred Oath - Sacred Oath
Angel Thorne Music
Classic Heavy Metal
10 songs (50'13)
Release year: 2009
Sacred Oath
Reviewed by Marty
This new self-titled album from this re-activated legendary U.S. power metal band marks just the band's 4th studio album in almost 25 years. The band dissolved in the late 80's to early 90's but resurfaced with their third album, Darkness Visible being released in 2007. Their 1988 Crystal Vision album is long regarded as a classic in the U.S. power metal genre and the band was even coaxed into re-recording the album in 2005; a major catalyst in the decision to carry on their metal legacy.

Sacred Oath is the brainchild of guitarist/vocalist Rob Thorne who not only writes most of their songs, but also produces and manages the band as well. Throwing the horns to such classic metal acts as Mercyful Fate, early Queensryche as well as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, Sacred Oath is pure, uncompromising 80's style heavy metal. Mixing aggression, melody and the higher pitched Rik Emmett (Triumph) styled vocals of Rob Thorne, Sacred Oath encompasses a variety of styles of metal from mid tempo Saxon styled simple riff driven metal like Voodoo Dolls to the more faster and galloping U.S. power metal sound of tracks like Paradise Lost and Caught In The Arc. Blood Storm comes off with a more "street wise" metal sound whereas tracks like Counting Zeros, What The Dark Will Undo and Hunt For The Fallen Angel show the band's progressive edge with an older Queensryche / Fates Warning influenced mix of tempos, dynamics and thematic riff driven interludes. What The Dark Will Undo also borrows a page from Dio with its Don't Talk To Strangers like arrangement. Buried Alive as well as Paradise Lost also show influences from the classic Bay Area Thrash metal from the 80's. The title track, Sacred Oath is pure Iron Maiden with a speedy and driving tempo and harmony lead work over the main riffs, all driven by Nicko McBrain style drumming. The melodic guitar hooks mixed with straight ahead hard rock found in the track High And Mighty also throws a nod to classic Thin Lizzy.

Throughout this album, there is also a healthy dose of older mid to late 70's Judas Priest and some doomy and sludgy Black Sabbath influenced riffing. There's absolutely nothing modern about this band's sound and their recent albums sound like a continuation of where they left off in the 80's not only in the band's sound but production-wise as well. Even with some of the weaker tracks on this album, there are lots of great riffs to more than keep you from hitting the "skip" button. Fans of the classic NWOBHM sound as well as power metal fans will find a virtual melting pot of classic metal styles and riffs with this new album by Sacred Oath. I think that overall, the songs are a bit stronger on their last album Darkness Visible yet this new one is yet another solid release by Rob Thorne and company.

Killing Songs :
Blood Storm, Counting Zeros, Sacred Oath, Caught In The Arc and What The Dark Will Undo
Marty quoted 80 / 100
Other albums by Sacred Oath that we have reviewed:
Sacred Oath - Till Death Do Us Part (Live) reviewed by Marty and quoted no quote
Sacred Oath - Darkness Visible reviewed by Marty and quoted 85 / 100
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