'Hell Blade' is the 8th studio album to come from resurrected Eighties religi-rockers Saint. Having regrouped in 1999, Saint have been slowly sowing the seeds of their righteous return to the frontline of the Christian metal crusade. At War With Satan once more, Oregon's avenging angels signed with Retroactive Records last year and now unleash the devastating power of their 'Hell Blade' upon you! The congregation of rock!

 
Saint lynchpin and bassist, Richard Lynch (no pun intended), is at the helm, guiding the production into a blistering storm of lightning bolt riffs and thunderous drums to compliment Josh Kramer's searing Halford style vocals. Lyrically, 'Hell Blade' obviously leans towards a Christian bent yet remains far removed from overtly in your face, sometimes comical, preaching approach that sometimes turns up with Stryper for instance. 

 
With a bludgeoning assault of metal ripped directly from the same book of rules that gave us Halford's 'Crucible' album, 'The Blade' opens proceedings in a blaze of hot rockin' glory. Sticking firmly to the traditional metal path 'To The Cross', 'You And Me' and the title track all offer further titanic tuneage. But it's 'New World Order' that is by far the greatest thing since sliced loaves. It's here that guitarist Jerry Johnson really gets to shine. Powerful, grinding riffage the size of a fucking battleship, all guns blazing and blowing holes in the theory that only the Devil has all the best tunes. Heaven sent quality not to be missed!



Having a questionable re-release to coincide with the delivery of the mighty 'Hell Blade' is Saint's 2008 self financed album 'Crime Scene Earth'. Now re-titled 'Crime Scene Earth 2.0', it's been remastered, remixed and in large parts totally re-recorded, which begs the question "What the hell did it sound like before?" Compared to the heavy duty impact of 'Hell Blade' CSE 2.0 sounds about as weak as a sack of drowning kittens. It's let down terribly by a tin pan production leaving it laborious to listen to and ultimately, greatly irritating. Tracks 'Everlasting God', 'Bended Knee' and 'Too Many' are all well crafted tunes that would do well from a third time lucky makeover but as they stand, you're left just praying for them to end.

 
Two fine redeeming features 'Crime Scene Earth 2.0' does have however are found lurking at the tail end of the album. A welcome cover of Judas Priest's 'Invader' from 78's 'Stained Class' cuts the metal mustard with a steely edge, though again, the paper thin drums are left sounding more Ringo Star than Les Binks. Final track 'Lost' is a fun filled homage to the early Eighties metal scene "When Schenker rocked the world". A headbanging throwback to the glory days of Saint's first trip around the metal block, littered here and there with some easily identifiable Priest riffs thrown in for an added fitting tribute to the past. Which is a place where 'Crime Scene Earth' should have stayed.

 
Both albums are available now, out on Retroactive Records. My advice: Put the murderous 'Hell Blade' on your Easter wish list but leave the atrocious Crime Scene for someone else to clear up.

Salem (Peace) \m/



www.myspace.com/saintmetal