Sacred Oath - Darkness Visible
Sentinel Steel Records
Traditional Heavy Metal
10 songs (53'28)
Release year: 2007
Sacred Oath, Sentinel Steel Records
Reviewed by Marty
Archive review
Sacred Oath was originally formed in the mid 80's with a couple of demo releases, Sacred Oath (1985) and Shadow Out Of Time (1986) to their name before their first full length album A Crystal Vision in 1987. That particular album was a huge success but unfortunately, the band fell apart in 1988. A Crystal Vision went on to become one of the most sought after U.S. power metal releases with the band achieving a cult-like status. Fast forward to 1998 and with the help and persuasion of Sentinel Steel Records, the band re-recorded their classic first album and released it as A Crystal Revision, a package that included the original recording as well. In the summer of 2005, all four original members Rob Thorne (guitar/vocals), Kenny Evans (drums), Pete Altieri (bass) and Glen Cruciani (guitar) entered the studio to record Darkness Visible, only the band's second album in almost 20 years.

Sacred Oath plays the sort of traditional metal that feeds off of the classic metal sounds of Iron Maiden, Saxon, Mercyful Fate, early Metallica and Megadeth as well as some of the earlier Queensryche albums. This band is pure U.S. power metal and is proud of it. Chugging and galloping riffs grace many songs with lots of Maiden-like guitar harmonies and leads. The sound and production of this album gives it a "long lost 80's classic" vibe and literally puts the band right back to where they left off with A Crystal Vision in 1987. Every track has lots of solid riffs, instrumental breaks and tempo changes galore that add a sense of excitement and unpredictability to their songs. Battle Cry and The Golden Dawn feature speedy and galloping early Maiden style riffs with Prophecy having an arrangement similar to Maiden's Remember Tomorrow. The abundance of tempo changes, instrumental breaks and lead solo breaks show the more "progressive metal" edge of Maiden as well as some older Queensryche influences with the overall tone of the songs. Queen Of The Night sees everything from Saxon styled riffs to more speedy and galloping riffs for the solos and the title track, Darkness Visible as well as Death Is Inevitable pay homage to the great U.S. thrash metal of the mid 80's with more of an Anthrax/Metallica vibe yet with riffing styles reminiscent of classic 80's Mercyful Fate. Thundering heavy Sabbath tones eminate from Beyond The Edge Of The Flame and mixed with quieter interludes, Maiden's Children Of The Damned comes to mind. Lead vocalist Rob Thorne has a great voice for this type of metal. Combining the styles of Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray) with a bit of Joey Belladonna (ex-Anthrax) and the falsetto screams of King Diamond and Rob Halford, he's in much stronger form here than on the A Crystal Vision album.

Like listening to a long-lost underground classic from the 80's, Darkness Visible is a real gem if your a fan of traditional heavy metal and especially the origins and roots of U.S. power metal. Solid new releases by bands like Testament and Metal Church have helped fuel the resurgence in popularity of more traditional heavy metal. Newer bands like Wolf and to some extent Stormwarrior are doing a fine job of trying to keep the flame alive for more traditional metal as well but Sacred Oath is the real deal. They were there when it all started and were a big part of the evolution of that classic metal sound. Not a filler track to be found on this album, it's a virtual riff-fest and a real delight to the ears of someone like myself who will always have a soft spot for very well written and well played heavy metal. Fans of their classic A Crystal Vision album should waste no time in picking this one up!

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Killing Songs :
Battle Cry, Queen Of The Night, Darkness Visible and Prophecy
Marty quoted 85 / 100
Other albums by Sacred Oath that we have reviewed:
Sacred Oath - Sacred Oath reviewed by Marty and quoted 80 / 100
Sacred Oath - Till Death Do Us Part (Live) reviewed by Marty and quoted no quote
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