Reviewed by Graeme Crawford

30 years on and the metal juggernaut that is Saint shows no signs of stopping. This release, though, does represent somewhat of a road bump for the Salem, Oregon-based veterans. Despite the blistering riffs at the start of the album, with its 21st-century-yet-'80s-metal vibe, the record lacks coherence. There are too many leaden and uninspired tracks towards the end of the album. When they try something different, it doesn't work. The samples of President Obama on "Inside Out" are okay, but the cheering crowd over the song quickly becomes irritating, while the offbeat "Zombie Shuffle" is a poor idea married to a set of lyrics that read like the script of an amateur horror movie. I would also have preferred more snap to the snare sound, which is often more of a dull thud. Part of the problem is the fact that long time vocalist Josh Kramer has moved out of state and has therefore left the band. His legacy remains mostly untarnished, "Zombie Shuffle" aside, as he provides vocals for eight of the tracks here and displays his usual power and enthusiasm. "Crucified" is the definite high point and showcases the best of the band. Bassist Richard Lynch leads on two tracks and provides a more coarse and harsh voice that works well on "The Key" in particular. The title track is quite reminiscent of Dio's "Holy Diver" in its tempo and feel. It is also the introduction of replacement lead singer Brian Phyll Miller. He has a similar voice to Kramer, but shows evidence that his range might be greater, opening up the future possibilities for the band. Despite this not being as good as their classic albums, fans shouldn't be disappointed and there may be a reinvigoration after they stabilise the line-up.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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