Album Review: Sacred Leather – Keep The Fire Burning (King Volume Records / Wise Blood Records)

Following their 2017 full-length debut ‘Ultimate Force’, which established them as torchbearers of traditional heavy metal’s resurgence, Sacred Leather return with their long-awaited sophomore album ‘Keep the Fire Burning’, due December 12th, 2025, through King Volume Records and Wise Blood Records.

Meeeeeeeeeeetaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!

With passion, power, and poise, Sacred Leather are turning back the clock… again, and giving listeners something that sounds ripped straight from the heyday of hair-raising, head-banging, and horn-throwing heavy metal. A ten-track slab of old school joy, with modern production, and a few twists on the formula they introduced with their debut album. Twists that involve more melody, giving the album both a richer, and more epic, sound.

Though, following a short intro called Resurrection, it’s all about speedy riffs and hooks, screaming vocals, and pounding drums with the vigorous head banger that is Spitfire at Night and the groovy body shaker that is Phantom Highway (Hell is Comin’ Down). So far, so good, and so very Sacred Leather. Which, for most, will be more than pleasing as there’s no denying that they know how to deliver the heavy metal goods.

The first of the more melodically charged efforts arrives next with Wake Me Up, not only allowing the instrumental section to show off a bit more flair, but allowing the vocals to showcase more depth and range. It’s good, but not the best of the bunch. That comes later with the epic Tear Out My Heart, especially as the guitar melody intermission of Flatline leads nicely into it.

Before and after that though we have plenty more solid reasons to bang the head and feel the appetite that Sacred Leather have for heavy metal. First, with the punchy Fallen Angel, and then with hefty heaviness of Malevolent Eyes, and explosive hyperactivity of the title track. Proving to be more than just a pithy title, but a statement of intent. Especially as the album ends in expressive style, with a track that combines the best of their metal focused ways and the modern infusion of deeper and more robust melodies.

It’s a satisfying listen, even if there’s little game changing here. It’s small steps forward as far as sound development goes, but there’s no denying Sacred Leather are refining what they do.

Sacred Leather – Keep the Fire Burning Track Listing:

1. Resurrection
2. Spitfire at Night
3. Phantom Highway (Hell is Comin’ Down)
4. Wake Me Up
5. Fallen Angel
6. Flatline
7. Tear Out My Heart
8. Malevolent Eyes
9. Keep the Fire Burning
10. Mistress of the Sun

Links

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