DENNER/SHERMANN-Satan’s Tomb

Metal Blade Records

Legendary guitar duo Michael Denner and Hank Shermann of Mercyful Fate relive the early eighties with new project Denner/Shermann. Their four-track EP debut `Satan’s Tomb’ brings back a lot of good old musical memories. First of all because of the dazzling melodic sounding (twin) solos of the Danish duo. Plus there are these typical great haunting moving tempo’s involved, driven by drummer Snowy Shaw (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Therion, Dream Evil, Notre Dame), who gets a solid back up from bass player Marc Grabowski. And then there is American high pitched singer Sean Peck, frontman of Cage and Death Dealer, who seems to fit the vocal job very well and stylistically and soundwise obvious refers to classic metal singers of the early eighties. With all these facts it is difficult not also to think of Mercyful Fate as well, although that creepy dark occult atmosphere is less present. Something the charismatic King Diamond himself must have created at the time. Further the songs are overloaded with good riffing and guitar solos and from time to time they also take interesting little progressive twists as well. It is Satan, seven skulls, a war witch and some new gods who are telling the lyrical story here. Last but not least it is legendary Thomas Holm, who painted the beautiful cover artwork as he did back in the days for Mercyful Fate’s `Melissa’ and `Don’t Break The Oath’. `Satan’s Tomb’ is a great starting point for more albums to come.