It may be true that the vast majority of the fans of the cult quintet Death SS are totally obsessed with classic horror movies and books of similar subject and nature, but it is not obligatory to know Dario Argento's back catalogue by heart in order to recognise the name of Steve Sylvester's unique outfit.

Throughout their twenty nine-year-old career, the Italian Horror Metalers have always surprised the metal community with their musical skills and their interesting and quite colourful stage outfits. From the days when classic heavy metal albums such as "Black Mass" (1989) and "Heavy Demons" (1991) hit the shelves of record stores around the globe, till their latest more Gothic-sounding efforts such as "Panic"(1999) and "Humanomalies" (2002), this band has been through many different phases, yet always retaining all the characteristics which make their songs recognisable from the very first few notes.

Many years and quite a few releases after their conception, Death SS have managed to acquire the support of as big a label as Regain Records, with whom they are about to release their latest album entitled "The 7th Seal". This thirteen-track release finds the band going through a full creative circle, with strong and solid compositions that seem to incorporate elements from all the different stages of their career - something that will satisfy both the older and their most recent fans.

The album's opening track "Give 'Em Hell" is quite an ideal introduction for the album, seeing as it's rhythmical riffs and catchy refrain will remind the band's old-school fans of "Let The Sabbath Begin"(Panic). Moving on to "Venus Gliph", and the band seems to invest more in the Goth side of their music, but making sure that the songs sound quite heavy by presenting some cut-edged-tuned riffs. Inspired by Paul Wegener's classic, "Der Golem" is a dark/ theatrical composition, which easily stands out as one of the most inspiring compositions of the album. Both "Shock Treatment" and "Absinthe" move in a similar direction, before the beautiful piano tunes and general orchestration of "Another Life" make a quite welcome break.

The second part of the album finds the band in a darker and slightly more experimental mood. Songs like "Psychosect" and "Heck of a Day" have little (if none) Goth references, and move at a slower and more commanding pace. Freddy Delirio's keyboards sound more 70's orientated, and that helps to create the unique and quite commanding atmosphere that derives from songs like "S.I.A.G.F.O.M" (Satan Is A Good Friend Of Mine) and "The Healer". It seems, though, that Steve has left the best for the very end. The same-titled composition "The 7th Seal" is a colossal epic-sounding composition, where Savatage-sounding orchestral arrangements blend perfectly with Division Bell era (Pink Floyd) solos and Jethro Tull-influenced flute themes. Throughout it's seven and a half-minute duration, this song will hopefully present you with enough motivation to invest in this release, and convince you of the band's abilities.

It looks like the music industry is finally ready to accept and support bands with real artistic vision, and believe me - Death SS is definitely one of them. After all those years, Steve Sylvester and Co are still capable of competing on a top level - the least that we can do is support him in his quest.

****½

Review by John Stefanis