Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Devil Lee Rot - At Hell's Deep - 2005 - Iron Fist Productions

Track Listing 1. The Battle/At Hell's Deep 2. Man Made Of Steel 3. Prepare For War 4. Danger In The Dark 5. Heaven Will Pay 6. Blade In The Night 7. Future Invaders 8. Devil Lust 9. Metal Avengers 10. Fistful Of Fury

Break out your backpatches and shake off that old denim, Devil Lee Rot gallops into town carrying that old traditional spirit, a rip roar venture back to the 80s with "At Hell's Deep" (obviously a take on Attacker's "Battle At Helm's Deep"). This nostalgic trip is made from the classic metal sounds, a thrash attack calling on glorious bands like Kreater, Sodom, Bathory, Venom, and Exciter in an attempt to capture the magic twenty years later. Does it work? Aahh, that is indeed the question Mr. Denimandleather.

"At Hell's Deep" marks the group's third record to date, the others being "A Little Devil Ain't Enough" and "Hellscraper". Many call this band the The New Wave Of Swedish Blackend Heavy Metal. I can see that as the perfect description really, with most of "At Hell's Deep" picking up that new wave vibe put down by the likes of Priest, Maiden, and Saxon. With songs like "Blade In The Night" and "Danger In The Dark" you can easily view that early 80s aspect of the group. In fact this whole record would fit perfectly between those Mercyful Fate albums and "Stained Class". One problem though. The damn vocals!

Devil Lee Rot is actually the singer, and singing he certainly ain't. His voice is like a mixture of Bathory's Quorthon mixed with the rawest of black metal urges. It certainly isn't on the same immature league as Darkthrone and Dark Funeral but at the same time this certainly isn't Bob Mitchell (Attacker) on vocals. If this band had a quality singer then the sky is the limit. Unfortunately this voice just gets too old too fast.

Bottom Line - For fans of Wolf, Widow, and Wizzard.

---EC 08.26.05