Raise Hell - Wicked Is My Game (2002/Nuclear Blast)
Rating - 9.0

The Haunted House--RealAudio
Wicked Is My Game--RealAudio

The third release from this thrash/pseudo-death group, and the one that should definitely put them firmly on the metal map. This disc is absolutely driven by breakneck, rolling riffs. The aggressiveness is the key, and lies somewhere amongst (and between) Testament's 'The Gathering' and melodic Death Metal acts like Arch Enemy and Beyond the Embrace, perhaps. The vocals are a shouty/Black mix, and may turn off some, but fans of adrenalized aggression will eat this up. A release that truly gets under your skin!
The mainframe of opening track "Hellborn" is ushered in after a minute or so, and makes you sit up straight and listen, as you realize this ain't your everyday metal. A flowing and heavy chorus marks "Nightwatcher," while both "The Haunted House" and the title song are full-tilt and chopping.
Each track stands out, as "Destiny Deceiver" contains more nastiness, "Another Side" shows an occasional slower pace mixed with ultra-heaviness, and "In My Cell," "Death Race," and "Devil May Care" all gargle will the punishing sound you've now come to expect...

TRACK LIST: Hellborn/Nightwatcher/The Haunted House/Wicked Is My Game/In My Cell/Another Side/Death Race/Devil May Care/Destiny Deceiver

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