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Here we have the latest Pokolgep offering - the second studio album since they reformed in 1999. It's really quite good, and sounds modern without being... shudder... modern. As in, they don't do half-thrash or any shit in the way of core, but they don't sound like Defenders of the Faith either.

There is definitely a dark edge to this album, similar to that of Helloween "The Dark Ride". Overall, the album is most reminiscent of Grave Digger, especially their last few albums. Some parts are more reminiscent of the latest Metal Church album, or some of Bruce Dickinson's work - in other words, it's power metal that is heavy, and not at all flowery.

Highlights include the title track, and also the highly catchy "Outstanding Complaint" (with that Toxik three-note melodic riff) or the speed-metal track "Stop Everything". Some of the riffs on "Life is Beautiful" are even reminiscent of Exodus's "Brain Dead" in that really catchy simple riff sense.

So yes, they've moved on beyond being a Priest/Accept derivate - not really for the better, since there really is no higher expression of metal than being a Priest/Accept derivate, other than some Maiden influence of course, but still, they keep things interesting and the songwriting is quite good, so overall a very nice album.