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When Sargon asks me if I've heard a band and says, "I think this is right up your alley," I take note. That's the case with Sealed in Starlight, the debut album from Canada's Starlight Ritual. I love trad metal that hearkens back the heyday of US metal from the early '80s and Sealed in Starlight hits that nail on the head. Pumping riffs and pounding drums that make you want to grab a sword and wade into battle are this album's hallmarks and I must admit, the guitar tone is a beast. What I don't like are the vocals. The singer is fine, he's on key and has a gruff delivery that should suit this style well, but to my ears he sounds like he is straining all the time. It might be he's at the edge of his range or maybe that's just the sound he's going for, but I do not love it. I don't find the songwriting all that catchy either and while it is epic and crunchy, I can't remember much once it ends. I may end up in the minority on this one and that's fine, but Sealed in Starlight is an album I'll listen to if it is on, but it won't be the first thing I reach for the next time I'm looking for something to get me fired up.