Under the Cross

Faced with a dwindling audience and a cynical mainstream, one would think that the power metal genre would not have survived as long as it has. Squealer didn't even start releasing albums until the beginning of the century, which makes them one of the youngest bands to attempt this sort of music. But can a band like this craft a long-lasting, memorable album? They certainly try to, beefing up songs like "My Last Goodbye" with dramatic chanted choruses and melodic vocal lines that come strait from the mid-'80s. Like any group like this, there is a limited cult audience that has probably been chomping at the bit for this album. But besides that one group, few will probably find this the least bit interesting when compared to the ever-shifting metal genre. Bands like Helloween and Running Wild really did all that could be done with this sort of music. At this point, anything else is blatantly repeating ideas that have been around for years and years. Any listener who does not fit into the small group of dedicated power metal fans who still remain in the underground should avoid this album; there is nothing here that can't be found elsewhere better.