Search - Sacred Oath :: Darkness Visible

Thoroughly enjoyable Power Metal with a sense of fun.

D. Knouse | vancouver, washington United States | 08/23/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"During the couse of this album I am frequently reminded of early Iron Maiden, namely their debut album and "Killers". Even the slower sections to the music such as on the song "Prophecy" are reminiscent of those seminal Metal albums. All this may sound like a rehash of old ideas or simply hero worship but Sacred Oath pull things off so professionally again and again that this album sounds like a long lost classic transported from the past. "Darkness Visible" is great fun for anyone who appreciates the glory days when Power Metal was being born. There are many great riffs to be found here and some excellent solos strewn about. The lead vocalist comes across as a hybrid singer who could just as easily nail early Queensryche tunes as early Iron Maiden songs. But overlaying the entire project is a sense that these guys got together to have some fun as well as belt out some classic-styled Power Metal. The only track here that I don't like at all is "Death is Inevitable" which is catchy to the point of being annoying; while "Unholy Man" begins promising before crashing into a wall of old-school Metal cheese midway through the song. Fortunately, the final two tracks help the album end strong. This is good stuff, overall, and is easy to recommend to fans of the early days of Power Metal; early Iron Maiden, in particular."