Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Steel Assassin In Hellfire Forged Company: High Roller Records Release: 2009 Genre: Traditional Reviewer: EC

Blue collar traditional metal

Boston's Steel Assassin has been stoking the fires since 1984, a blue collar traditional metal act that has released two albums in twenty-six years. No chance of the band showing their hand, right? I have never actually heard any of the Steel Assassin material until High Roller Records and Pure Steel joined forces to provide "In Hellfire Forged". This is a vinyl only release that circulated late last year and pressed five hundred copies.

Musically the band are right in the middle of the red, white and blue of the 80s, a pounding metal riff that harkens to the days of Jag Panzer, Omen and Manowar. Interesting enough that the band possesses that added East Side ingredient normally found with acts like Hades and Meliah Rage who lurked in the gutters to rage with the best of Overkill and Anthrax. New vocalist John Falzone (Triphammer) is quite a catch for the band, a talented young man with pipes that recall early Harry Conklin (Jag Panzer) crossed with Euro star Michael Seifert (Rebellion, Black Destiny).

"In Hellfire Forged" is a collection of greatest hits from the band, all re-recorded for a 2010 spin. Old classics (new for me!) like "Spartacus" and "Crusader" spill over a Teutonic metal rage brimming with attitude and intensity normally found with those 80s loyalists. "Heavy Metal Soldiers From Hell" is delivered as the title advertises, a great anthem highlighted by Falzone's fantastic voice. Favorites are "Attilla The Hun" and a new track called "Breakout At St. Lo", a pre-cursor to the group's new WWII themed album "Medal Of Honor".