Satans Host — Celebration For The Love Of Satan
The band originally formed back in 1986 in Denver Colorado with the soul purpose of creating the ultimate metal from Hell, but sadly over the years their efforts & releases have been marred by line-up changers & various other problems. This new collection brings back original vocalist Leviathan Thisiren(aka one Harry Conklin who was also in Jag Panzer & Titan Force), who hasn’t sang with the band since their 86 debut album “Metal From Hell”. Vocally Mr Conklin falls somewhere between Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie James Dio, Messiah Marcolin & King Diamond- his voice seems to effortless soar, dip and theatrical swoon with each tracks complex & often speedy metal craft.
“Celebration For The Love Of Satan” brings together 10 classic tracks from through-out the bands 7 albums and 25 years existence, along with two exclusive new tracks. And there’s a fair selection of pace & variation through-out the album we go from the fist pumping metal anthem of “Metal From Hell” which feels like a devilish cross breed of Venom, Manowar and soaring/piercing metal singing. To the Maiden like galloping meets multi-layered Gilbert and Sullivan gone metal vocalising of “Witches Return”. Onto the “Ecliptic Equinox” which starts out chugging ‘n’ frantic mixture of power metal & satanic NWOBM, before dropping into anthemic metallic balladry with nice twin guitar stomps & flashy soloing. Or the speed metal & power metal cross breed of new track “Convictions” which finds the band doing great Halford like backing vocal soars, before the track twists into speedy Maiden territory. So theres a nice selection of pace from track to track, and even with-in tracks.
I’ll have to admit this is my first taster of Satan’s Hosts work, but I must to say I’m very impressed & taken by many of the tracks here. So if you’re a fan of Satan loving metal with a vaired, showy, speedy & slightly chessey edge “Celebration: for the Love of Satan” is well worth tracking down.