Reviewed by Ian Webber

As a tribute to the founder of Metal Pulse Radio and long-time supporter of Christian metal music, Dale Huffman, who died earlier this year, Roxx Records and Rottweiler Records have joined forces to release this album. This CD version is stripped back to 16 tracks from the original downloadable release of 63 cuts but still represents great value at nearly 80 minutes of music. Contributors include the well-known alongside some newer acts that all sit within a traditional metal sound. Opening with the classic thrash of Ultimatum, aggressive vocals and pummelling drums kick proceedings off at a pace. Other similarly aggressive and pleasing offerings include "Walking In Darkness" by Join The Dead and "Tears Of God" by Biogenesis. There are moments of real quality within these tracks even if they do sound a little dated as you might expect from a tribute to someone who was involved in the area of Christian metal for so long. The compilers have even drawn on the classic sounds of Saint by including the iconic "In The Night". I will be looking up The World Will Burn who contributed a track that reminded me of early Bride with its progressive sound and haunted vocals. I must admit, however, to finding the recording as a whole a little unsatisfactory as it included too many weaker offerings. Whilst musically Dynasty's "Metal Pulse Radio" was sound, the contrived lyrics were quite naïve and I found Rainforce's "Shine A Light" a little too thin, exposing some weaker vocals. In addition there were a couple of other tracks that were showing their age. As a whole this compilation does hold together and the cuts sound like they belong together making a solid tribute to Dale, but it is more a collection to selectively dip into rather than listen to as a whole.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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