Satan’s Empire – Rising

Satan’s Empire – Rising
3M’s Music
Release Date: 25/05/2018
Running Time: 52:07
Review by Dawn “The Metal Priestess” King
9/10

So, here I am again, with yet another NWOBHM album to review. Not bad for someone who is not really a fan of the genre, eh? But, that’s the beauty of reviewing. There is always something to review that is out of your comfort zone.

So, Satan’s Empire? Hmmmm, a band originally founded in Dundee, Scotland during the NWOBHM years of the late 70’s / early 80’s, there is surprisingly little information about them on the internet. They were most known for their song “Soldiers of War” which featured on the “Leadweight” compilation album for Neat Records and this gained them an almost mythical status.

After a thirty-year hiatus, they reformed in 2015 with the original London line up, consisting of Paul Lewis on guitar, Wayne Hudson on bass, Derek Lyon on vocals, Sandy McRitchie also on guitar and Magpie (Gary Bowler) on drums, releasing their first EP in 2017, and this, their first full-length album, released on 15th June 2018.

Over thirty years is a long time to wait for a band’s debut album so was it worth the wait?

I would say a resounding YES!

This is not just a NWOBHM album, it is a stonking modern day heavy metal album. Each track stands out by itself and there really are no fillers. Some could consider it a bit cliched with track names like “Slaves of Satan”, “Shout it Out (Hail!)” and “Dragon Slayer” but this in no way takes away from the musicianship and talent that has gone into producing this album.

The biggest compliment I think I can give this album is that it reminded me very much of a Saxon album, and a good Saxon album at that. I don’t know whether they have drawn influence from the Barnsley band or whether this was a total coincidence, but, in my opinion, it worked very well.

Satan’s Empire are a band that perform regularly at venues near me (always on a bloody Sunday when I can never make it I might add though!) but I was lucky enough to see them at The Roundhouse in Dagenham when they supported Alan Davey’s Ace of Spades and that was when I realised they are actually a really good band. They were excellent in a live setting and the energy and enthusiasm they had on that stage has transferred effortlessly to the cd.

I, for one, hope to see them many more times live, and I also hope they continue to make the music they are doing now and make many more great albums.

You never know I might actually become a NWOBHM fan because of it 😊

TRACKLISTING:
01. Slaves of Satan
02. Shout it Out (Hail)
03. Satan’s Empire
04. Soldiers of War
05. Dragon Slayer
06. Come Back
07. On the Road to Hell
08. Lucifer
09. Politician
10. Suicide Man

LINKS:

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• Spotify

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Dawn “The Metal Priestess” King and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to do adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.