DEATH KEEPERS – Rock This World

Death Keepers, self described as an “evolution of the Heavy Metal of yesterday”, has validated and vindicated their well-received debut EP with their first full-length release: Rock This World. This eleven song release puts the hammer down hard with Death Keepers’ own blend of Classic Metal and contemporary Power Metal. Most songs land somewhere between a classic Scorpions and Keeper of the Seven Keys-era Helloween style.

Lead vocalist Dey Rus’ voice cuts through the mix like a burning torch of dragonfire in a blackened sky. His vocal delivery suits the various lyrical themes well, with classic topics like the power of metal, how great the band is, and overcoming personal challenges. The twin guitar leads of Eddy Gary and J. Antonio Maties harken back to power couples of Metal lead guitar like Glen Tipton and K.K. Downing, and Adrian Smith and Steve Murray. Overall, the album flows well. There is even a nice, short neoclassical instrumental, “Invention IV”. Most of the tracks blend Power Metal, Glam, and New Wave of British Heavy Metal seamlessly, and although there aren’t exactly any musical breakthroughs being made here, Rock This World is an overwhelmingly enjoyable album.