Review by Maverick on March 17, 2024.

Fun as fuck, and to the point. Modern incarnations of classic heavy metal can be a gamble, especially when so many bands which parade with the name are nothing but pre-metal rock and roll AC/DC clones. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but the horizon of credibility has taken a bit of a dip with modern “heavy metal” bands. The scene is reviving itself though, with bands like Blood Opera breathing a new sense of hope into the scene.

First, let me start by pointing out some similar bands. Chilean heavy metal band Shadows is probably the closest I could come to pinning this band down. Except, it is more “fun.” You know, it’s happier, resembling the kind of unicorn spirit that one gets from Dio, Rainbow or even a rocking power metal manifestation. You got the attitude, the riffs, and the vocals. It’s all here. While this isn’t a Mercyful Fate onslaught of satanic fury, it is kind of the heavy metal band that one could compare to bands like Pagan Altar, and Wytch Hazel.Second, the flare. Most metal bands these days try utilizing images and concepts that haven’t been used before. Like concept albums with bizarre premises. Yeah, don’t get me started. This band sort of goes with the traditional zombie and gore shit that’s typical of the early American death metal scene, with one exception, it is classical metal.Third, the music itself is something that is top notch. Combining psychedelic 80s sound effects, and early classic metal riffs. It reminds me of something between Motorhead’s "Orgasmatron" (instrumentally) with Twister Sister’s "Stay Hungry". It has the same kind of rock-and-roll and almost glam type vocals. Take 'Fight To Survive' for example, it combines that Twister Sister vibe with its own originality. Combining that cocky NWOBH type riffing with semi-glammy proficiency. Songs like 'Killer Klowns From Outer Space' combine the modern metal entrance pieces to classic metal. It’s a combination of pure fun and what not. What’s not to love?. Fourth, I want to look at the drumming. Now, it doesn’t suffer from Motorhead’s punk driven interpolations, rather it has a balanced rock and rock meets classic metal edge. This makes it easy to listen to, without succumbing to punky overplaying. Top notch, fun, and no bullshit.

If you just want to have a good time, with classical heavy metal themes. This band keeps the faith. It isn’t hard to follow. Just a good rocking album that does not take itself too seriously. Really not bad. If you’re into Twister Sister, check this out. If you want something that is fun to listen to, check it out!

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Michael on May 8, 2024.

The expectations are high and From Hell I Rise is probably the most expected album in the metal-scene in 2024 (together with Mercyful Fate maybe but I guess they will release their new one in 22024). When I saw the cover (and even with the new Deicide on the Reigning Phoenix Promotion ad) I really had to laugh and I still find it shitty as the weather in Germany for the last six months. But I digress, now finally I got the promo and was super excited to hear it. And I was very disappointed. Yes, DISAPPOINTED!

But let me explain. 'Where I Reign' is a hyper aggressive song with super pissed-off vocals from Mark Osegueda (Death Angel). The music is very fast thrash with some typical Slayer trademarks in the guitar work but also a lot of themes that you might not expect from Kerry King (for example a solo that goes more into classical music than anything else). Paul Bostaphs' drums are thunderous and very powerful and leave no space for any criticism. Taking out speed, the guys steamroll everybody in their way in ‘Residue’. Although the approach is quite similar to Death Angel's "Relentless Retribution" (which still is a boring album for me), so much more happens here than on the whole album from 2010. This one is mega brutal despite of its slowness and kicks ass like hell. Lyrically it deals with "mental retrograde, the silly things in politics in the last eight years, and all the nonsense going on in America. We are used to be a lot more united than we are now." Another really groovy one is 'Trophies Of The Tyrant' and goes more into the typical groovy Death Angel direction from the frame. But here and there are some remarkable guitar solos again I never thought Kerry King could write. Yes, also some typical Slayer-riffing is to be found but the whole thing is much more traditional metal than thrash if you ask me. And the last 20 seconds are just amazing - this acceleration in the song you first don't really notice is some sick shit! 'Tension' starts quite similar to ‘Desire’ from the love-it-or-hate-it Slayer album "Diabolous In Musica" but turns out into a riff inferno that also stays in the mid-tempo range. And again, Mark's vocals are so aggressive that this song stays interesting, too. Maybe this one isn’t the most spectacular one but still a good one. And of course there are a lot of neck breaking songs to find here, too. 'Everything I Hate About You' is a very fast, punky song with a very cool fuck-off attitude. On this one you can clearly see the punk roots the music Kerry King listens to. 'Toxik' is a typical Slayer song, galloping and brutal and maybe one of the most political songs King has ever written. He said about that specific song that he wrote it while he had COVID and "when Roe vs. Wade got shot down. (He) was really pissed off." And 'Two Fists' sounds like a dirty street fight, right? And so it is. Another punk-rooted track with some slight arrhythmic drum patterns but a great one to freak out:

"This fucking ship is about to sink
I think I need another drink".

If you know "Undisputed Attitude", you know how the song sounds. Even Mark sounds like Tom Araya back then. The production was done by Josh Wilbur (Korn, Lamb Of God, Bad Religion) who did an amazing job with this one. As I said, the whole thing sounds powerful and clear. This is a modern sound without any flaws.

So let me come back to my statement that I was very disappointed. This is true but probably not the way you may think. On From Hell I Rise there’s not a single thing to find to write a bad word about (except the cover, of course) and there is no need to compare it to Slayer or Death Angel. I guess we find a very nice mixture of what makes out both bands but there are clearly a lot of other influences that were important for the songwriting. This is probably one of the best albums of the year and I hope that Kerry King won't rest on his success too long but will deliver another one soon (at least he stated that he has some more songs up his sleeve).

Rating (without the cover): 10/10 more drinks

Review by Maverick on March 17, 2024.

Fun as fuck, and to the point. Modern incarnations of classic heavy metal can be a gamble, especially when so many bands which parade with the name are nothing but pre-metal rock and roll AC/DC clones. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but the horizon of credibility has taken a bit of a dip with modern “heavy metal” bands. The scene is reviving itself though, with bands like Blood Opera breathing a new sense of hope into the scene.

First, let me start by pointing out some similar bands. Chilean heavy metal band Shadows is probably the closest I could come to pinning this band down. Except, it is more “fun.” You know, it’s happier, resembling the kind of unicorn spirit that one gets from Dio, Rainbow or even a rocking power metal manifestation. You got the attitude, the riffs, and the vocals. It’s all here. While this isn’t a Mercyful Fate onslaught of satanic fury, it is kind of the heavy metal band that one could compare to bands like Pagan Altar, and Wytch Hazel.Second, the flare. Most metal bands these days try utilizing images and concepts that haven’t been used before. Like concept albums with bizarre premises. Yeah, don’t get me started. This band sort of goes with the traditional zombie and gore shit that’s typical of the early American death metal scene, with one exception, it is classical metal.Third, the music itself is something that is top notch. Combining psychedelic 80s sound effects, and early classic metal riffs. It reminds me of something between Motorhead’s "Orgasmatron" (instrumentally) with Twister Sister’s "Stay Hungry". It has the same kind of rock-and-roll and almost glam type vocals. Take 'Fight To Survive' for example, it combines that Twister Sister vibe with its own originality. Combining that cocky NWOBH type riffing with semi-glammy proficiency. Songs like 'Killer Klowns From Outer Space' combine the modern metal entrance pieces to classic metal. It’s a combination of pure fun and what not. What’s not to love?. Fourth, I want to look at the drumming. Now, it doesn’t suffer from Motorhead’s punk driven interpolations, rather it has a balanced rock and rock meets classic metal edge. This makes it easy to listen to, without succumbing to punky overplaying. Top notch, fun, and no bullshit.

If you just want to have a good time, with classical heavy metal themes. This band keeps the faith. It isn’t hard to follow. Just a good rocking album that does not take itself too seriously. Really not bad. If you’re into Twister Sister, check this out. If you want something that is fun to listen to, check it out!

Rating: 8 out of 10