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Evil One: Militia of Death
Evil One Militia of Death album new music review

Evil One: Militia of Death

Heavy/Thrash Metal
4.0/5.0

Leading the modern revival of old school heavy thrash metal in France is Evil One, returning with their sophomore release Militia of Death. As with their previous work, Evil One gets some help from some metal heavy hitters including, once again, Jeff Waters (Annihilator) on the title track, but also local comrade Betov of ADX, Gerre from Tankard, and Herman Frank of Accept. Frank mixed and mastered the album, and the cover art was supplied by Andreas Marshall (Running Wild, Blind Guardian, et al) who turned the band into zombies.

Militia of Death, overall, seems a bit conflicted. It's hard to determine whether Evil One wants to be a early 80's traditional heavy metal band or thrash band. The bookends of Militia of Death and Militia of Beer (there's a lethal combination) seem to suggest the latter. So also does their cover of Accept's Fast As a Shark, which is interesting, but not overly compelling. Then Baptized by Fire and In the Dead of Night offer a more classic heavy metal sound. Toss in the pure melodic metal, rather sober, and possibly out of place ballad Memories, and you have a strange brew of heavy metal across this disc. If anything, Evil One proves their versatility and ability to be unpredictable. While not the well-rounded platter I expected, Militia of Death is certainly entertaining and another fine example of the old school being the new school in current heavy metal. Recommended.




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In Short

While not the well-rounded platter I expected, Evil One's Militia of Death is certainly entertaining, and another fine example of the old school being the new school in current heavy metal.

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