A lot to offer
The opening salvo from The Order is the superbly titled 'Madmen With Loaded Guns' a number that displays what a fusion of hard rock and heavy metal can achieve. Thundering drums and trashed axes provide a backdrop to vocals that have a searing melodic menace and just the right amount of guitar solo dropped in.
A slight surge in beat and you are into the title track ' Sons Of Armageddon'. This is nothing short of genius in its blend of harsher metal vocals and more hard rock guitar. Here is a number that will slap many around the face showing just what real talent can produce.
'On The Radio' does veer more towards rock in its chorus but there is still that underlying metal beat to it, guitar solos make their way through this one and perform some form of maniacal dance. 'Sweet Stranger' is more melodic than the previous tracks but unfortunately does not make the most of the bands talents. We have the apparently obligatory soft number that so many albums contain in 'Loved Died'. As with others this one fails to inspire, maybe for fans of the band this is the 'lighter waving' moment . Despite the beautiful guitar solo it is just not strong enough to compel you to listen.
'Not Satisfied' will trick some into thinking "where did the metal go?". But it is there, creeping up on you to smash you over the head. Crashing and thundering like some dark storm on the horizon and then throwing a shaft of blues rock at you. 'As One Tonight ' arrives there is plenty here to make you wonder if AC/DC just walked on stage to play with these guys. A track that is not a must for pure metal fans but hard rockers would love it.
'Looser' is a love it or hate it number that appears to gel together or fall apart into too many pieces, it's your choice. This song is one that you cant help but feel looses the direction that the rest of the album has.
'One Man' hits you with an iron fist that then pulls on the velvet glove only to hit you again. The oasis's of dark softness are there to accentuate what you know is coming next.
Order are a band that wear their hearts on their sleeves with the music they produce. There have dared to be different by mixing two styles that compliment each other, which in lesser bands would only clash, but not here.