There’s something about Messiah’s Kiss from Germany that just makes you want to bang your head and scream along with the corny heavy metal lyrics. And although Metal is only their second album, this outfit sounds like such a well oiled machine, you’d think they have been playing metal for years and years. Well, what can you expect when Mike Tirelli (also Holy Mother) opens his impressive throat; it’s metal incarnate.

Just like on A Prayer For The Dying you are not going to hear anything new or innovative on this album. However, what you are going to get is a 100% pure heavy metal onslaught that sounds truly authentic. Songs like “Metal ‘Til We Die”, “Run And Hide” and “Fight Or Fall” show that old school heavy metal can still sound great, as long as it’s played with true conviction. It is in these songs that Mike truly achieves greatness. This man has a throat made for heavy metal, and although I think the latest Holy Mother release is slightly disappointing, he has redeemed himself completely on this album.

Metal is slightly more dynamic compared to its predecessor, and you can definitely hear that the band has made progression the last couple of years.

The fantastic “Angels” is an excellent example of this; true heavy metal with dynamic vocals and great riffs. Another good example is the melancholic “The Edge Of Eternity”, again Messiah’s Kiss ends with the most dynamic track, and leaves the listener hungry for more. The slow and pounding “Blackhawk” deserves a special mention too, a nice break from the mostly up tempo heavy metal.

Well what can I say more? Messiah’s Kiss did it again. Sure, it’s corny, sure it’s cheesy, sure it’s been done before and we all know it will be done another million times but the fact remains these guys have managed to capture the true heavy metal spirit, unlike so many of their compatriots. This is metal that comes straight from the heart. Messiah’s Kiss doesn’t need to prove anything, nor need they join the masses of modern wannabe heavy metal bands; they just are what they are: metal. Metal without pretensions, simple, straightforward but deadly effective. By all means a safe buy if you are into heavy metal, and if you already liked A Prayer For The Dying, you are going to love this one too.