If ever there was a band that was representative of all that heavy metal was, is and ever shall be, Aska stands proudly at the front of the line.

They are the front-line assembly. the protectorate of all that we've held holy all these years and now with the release of "Avenger," their crowning achievement, the tale can rightly be told!

Much has been made of the NWOBHM movement and the influence it bestowed on the many that followed and none have effectively carried that tradition to further heights than this talented Texas quartet.

'98's "Nine Tongues" set its own precedent for melodic heavy rock supremacy and while this one is its equal on all levels, it slightly wins out for its creative evolution and well-focused theme. Combining the melodic proficiency and twin guitar harmonies of Maiden (look for them to appear on an upcoming tribute!), leather and studs passion of Priest, and power and might of Manowar, they've now risen to the challenge for the fourth consecutive time and somehow manage to keep getting better and better, all on their own terms!

The unit, still as tight as a clenched fist in spite of the departure of long time skinsman Damon Call, simply follows their own calling and answers any complaints for compliance with a forced riff and loud shriek!

"Avenger" manages to expand upon their already patented sound yet shows a band can continually write new passages within their own context without meeting the demands of outside influence... creative genius in this day and age!

"Crown of Thorns" could very well be the strongest song they've ever written as it begins the album over a spoken narrative before busting out the heavy artillery in typical fist-pumping fashion-a catchier more inspiring song there never was!

George Call is a man driven behind the Mic where every note delivered is another ounce of blood poured from the veins.

The highlights to consider here are many but if you're really ready to get your groove on, slap on the "Leather." and doesn't it feel good!

"Against the Gods" tears a page right out of Manowar's "Into Glory Ride" in epic style and will have you grasping for the sword and shield you thought was permanently laid to rest fifteen years ago!

Prepare for another flooding of six-string saturation compliments of Darren Knapp who's mastery of the fretboard continues to inspire, on the riff-ready fight song "Angel's of War," the desperate intensity of "Eternal Night" and Norse-ridden, "Blood! Fire! And the dead will ride the wings." verse and harmonies of the "Valkyries!"

Now with an impressive four-disc catalog to their credit, Aska has long since heeded the call to arms and with "Avenger" they're prepared to take even more extreme measures against those dangerous outerworld toxins that continue to destroy the culture that our NWOBHM forefathers fought so hard to preserve!

Released by EMA Records

Aska Website: http://www.askaband.com/

Review By Vinnie Apicella