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Hallowed Ground (2015) is the second full-length album by multi-national power metal act Death Dealer. A super-group featuring members and ex-members of acts such as Manowar, Cage, Lizzy Borden, Halford and Empires of Eden, the album sees the introduction of a new drummer in Steve Bolognese, formerly with Into Eternity and also currently of Baptized in Blood, in place of ex-Manowar man Rhino.
Hallowed Ground continues the style of power metal that was heard on the group's debut album War Master (2013). A style that blends elements of both European and American power metal elements, but overall mostly sits on the latter's side. Fast paced riff offerings from Ross the Boss and Stu Marshall and powerful high register vocals from Sean Peck are once again the order of the day, creating a direct and intense power metal sound. It sometimes allows for the use of theatrics such as in tracks like Plan of Attack and Seance and a bit of experimentation with other forms of music, such as the interlude piece Llega El Diablo. The pace gets scaled back for some tracks, but mostly Hallowed Ground is just as I expected it would sound after the debut. I wouldn't say it breaks any new ground exactly, but they deliver plenty of satisfying and arse-kicking tracks on this album. This is the sort of music that just screams 'this is metal!' without being too cheesy about it. There are times when the lyrics do feel slightly repetitive but the other aspects of the album more than make up for that.
With all this said, I have found Hallowed Ground to be more of a grower than War Master was. And there are times that I do feel that I still prefer the debut over this one, but the sheer about of absolute belters on Hallowed Ground, including but certainly not limited to Gunslinger, K.I.L.L., and Corruption of Blood, gives me pause for thought regarding whether or not Death Dealer better themselves or took a step backwards. I think it's fairest to say that the two albums are more or less on par with each other, though I'd recommend newcomers to start with War Master purely because I think it's the more immediately grabbing album of the two, but a bit of patience makes Hallowed Ground an equally satisfying listen. Death Dealer continue to prove that they're a force to be reckoned with in the field of USPM.