Steel Prophet--Book of the Dead

Steel Prophet--Book of the Dead (2001/Nuclear Blast) Rating--8.7

The band's fifth full-length release, and a solid release at that. Classic power metal is featured here, as there are heavy Iron Maiden influences, with shades of Dio, Angel Dust, Jag Panzer, and maybe even some thick Queensryche in places. Vocally, singer Rick Mythsiasin has often been compared to Bruce Dickinson--though he may be a bit more extreme in his mannerisms, perhaps. High marks all around.
A grooving, power-steady rhythm fuels "Locked Out," while "Anger Seething" is another spine bender. Tracks like "Escaped" reek of Maiden, with both "Tragic Flaws" and "Church of Mind" being solid and similar as well.
Others include disc opener "When Six Was Nine," the lighter "Burning Into Blackness" with its kick-in chorus, and "Ruby Dreams".
Solid metal--this is one of those discs that gets better with every spin, instead of simply presenting all it has to offer on the first listen.
TRACK LIST: When Six Was Nine/Tragic Flaws/Escaped/Soleares/Church of Mind/Burning Into Blackness/The Chamber/Locked Out/Ruby Dreams (Faith and Hope)/ Phobia/Anger Seething/Oleander

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