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This is a re-release of When Heroes Fall, the second album by Florida's Attika. I wasn't conscious of that fact when I was listening, but it goes a long way toward explaining why this music sounded so old school. Even though it was originally put out in 1991, it has a definite '80s vibe and it is clear Attika were clinging to the roots of US metal even after the decade ended. The singer has a John Bush quality to his voice, if not his actual signing which is sometimes a bit flat, but he has some power and pushes the songs effectively. The riffing is solidly traditional heavy metal with tight, screaming solos. The songwriting is generic (in 1991 it must have sounded downright cliché) but has aged well and the time is again ripe for this kind of music, so cheers to Pure Steel for making When Heroes Fall available again. They probably could have found a better sounding live track to include as a bonus, though (or just scrapped the idea). If you like Armored Saint, Savatage, Obsession, etc., there's a copy of When Heroes Fall with your name on it out there.