Force Of Evil

Force of Evil is a five piece heavy metal outfit formed in September of 2002 by two of the legendary twin guitarists from Mercyful Fate: Michael Denner and Hank Sherman. They have also joined forces with bass player Hal Patino (King Diamond), drummer Bjarne T. Holm (Mercyful Fate) and vocalist Martin Steene (Ironfire). The bands style of music is classic metal, which includes raw riffing, blazing guitar solos, climax and emotion all topped with sinister and screaming vocals. Force Of Evil started recording their debut album on March 24th 2003 and it was released on June 13th 2003. That same day the band was to play their first worldwide performance in Cleveland, Ohio. The music has Mercyful Fate written all over it, from the guitars to the drums. That's only natural considering the musicians involved. The singer sounds mostly like Bon Jovi to me. Not that I don't like Bon Jovi, but I feel they could have gotten a vocalist who's a little better suited for this type of music. At times he can hit some high octave screams like Halford and some screechy style vocals like Jason McMaster of Dangerous Toy ("Under The Blade"). I even hear some variations within the songs that sound like riffs re-structured from Mercyful Fate's "In The Shadows". The song "Hell On Earth" reminds me of "Evil" while parts of "Eye Of The Storm" remind me of "The Headless Horseman". I hope that if Mercyful Fate still plan to release another album that they saved their best riffs for it. This album is good, but nothing that blows me away within the first 4 to 5 spins. Still worth a listen.