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Numero dos for Skullview – one of the metallest bands in the USA. These guys are so unabashedly old-school that they make no nods at all to anything recorded after about 1985. Skullview are different in that they almost entirely eschew live performance, concentrating on recording. Of the two Skullview albums I have, this my favorite, and the most consistent.

What to say about this band? They rule. Here you get good old Metal that makes no compromises and takes no prisoners. This music is utterly predictable, but in a good way. You will listen to a slower part and think 'OK, now the singer will come in really high and go "Ahhhhhhhhhh!" and it will be really cool.' And he does, and it is. These boys cram a lot of parts into their songs, and a lot of them are really long: witness the epic monster stomp of "In League With The Dragon" yeeeehaaa! Skullview segue between Sabbathy pounding and a definite Iron Maiden air-raid style that never gets boring, and only rarely disappoints even a little.

So here we have an old-style metal album in the vein of Iron Maiden, Omen, or Leige Lord with powerful, wailing vocals and killer riffs. Skullview will never be called 'progressive', that's for sure, but they kick serious ass anyway. I'm getting my hands on "Deeds Of Valor" in a few days here, so I'll let you know about that one, but barring that, this is the Skullview album for me. Killer.

1. Kings of the Universe
2. Hand of Zeus
3. In League With The Dragon
4. Cobwebs and Shadowed Images
5. Mourning Light
6. War Within The Sky
7. Blast Furnace
8. The Power Of The Gleam of the Skull (Part 2)