I've said this before but I simply adore albums whose title and cover art tell you exactly what they're about. Sacred Leather's Keep the Fire Burning does that and more; if the font used on the band name wasn't enough, then the burning, metallic, piston-adorned heart should be but if that isn't clear enough then the title should clue you in to what the band is about. To wit, this is heavy fucking metal, drawing deep from the well of Judas Priest, early Metallica, and mid-era Iron Maiden. But this is not a trite homage album, content with merely revisiting the greats but, instead, a passionate invective throw in defiance of the night and with the spirit of heavy metal blazing brightly at its core. It does everything that heavy metal is great for and then some, injecting everything with authentic, moving passion. Hard sell? Head on down below yourself to stream the album in full ahead of its release on December 12th.
The whole album is incredibly powerful but I urge you to skip to my favorite track, "Tear Out My Heart". What can I say, I am an absolute sucker for a good power ballad and this track, with its ponderous and groovy main riff and tasty, elaborate licks, is a glorious exercise in that exquisite art. In addition, it really nails home one of my favorite things about Keep the Fire Burning: the vocals. Good vocals are the mainstay of great heavy metal and Dee Wrathchild (they're credited as WRAITHCHILD for crying out loud, how much more badass can you get) has the chops needed and more. I love, love their blend of the deeper, Paul Di'Anno timbre and the higher, powerful Halford vibes. They work so incredibly well with the flamboyant licks and powerful bass/drum combo on this track and, indeed, everywhere on the album, evoking all of those good Iron Maiden comparisons.
Don't let my proclivity for power ballads fool you though - this album can go fast, easily adding thrash to its list of foundational metal genres. It makes the whole thing an absolute hoot, a scorcher through and through, that can also drives its nails deep into your heart. Do yourself a favor, listen to a few tracks, and then head on down below to pre-order this beast - it is one of December's highlights.