Sorry, couldn't help it. Seemed like a good place to start. As many of you know, FORCE OF EVIL was formed a couple of years ago featuring ex-MERCYFUL FATE axemen Shermann and Denner. Release of the band's self-titled album from 2003 was preceded by a ton of hoopla, and in the end, I found the disc incredibly underwhelming. After hearing Hank Shermann's top-notch heavy psych-oriented GUTRIX project years before, it was kind of difficult for me to digest this band's debut. The songs just buzzed around my head, never really sinking in after multiple listens, confusing the bejesus out of me. Flashes of brilliance here and there, a riff or lead would really hit home, then we were back jumping from flower to flower again.

Now that the newness of this band has worn off, it appears that the boys have decided to dig their heels in and make a real fistbangin' record. We're not curing cancer by any stretch, but this is good old-fashioned plain vanilla heavy metal with some great twenty-dollar riffs. I was helpless to resist the power of "Back To Hell" and you will be too. Vocalist Martin Steene seems much more confident and relaxed on this album. He stretches out a little in places without overdoing it. I was exceptionally pleased with "Days of Damien", a track highly reminiscent of Warrel Dane in SANCTUARY (not NEVERMORE, pay attention now), one of my favorite metal bands of all time. The track runs over 7 minutes and snakes in and out of skull-bruising riffs and eerie clean guitar melodies. Obviously, FORCE OF EVIL is looking to distance themselves at least slightly from the KING DIAMOND / MERCYFUL FATE tag that could be placed on them due to their lineup. The first record did that, but it also put me to sleep time after time. This record knocks everything down a few pegs. The focus is simply to make a great hummable straight-ahead metal record with seasoned guitar interplay. To this end, "Black Empire" is highly successful. Fans of early METAL CHURCH, SAXON, or other down-the-middle headbangin' stuff should enjoy this immensely.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.forceofevil.net

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