Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus have been one of Malta's most fascinating and exciting bands since their debut back in 2014, spinning out album after album of their oddball Heavy Metal that's dedicated to the '70s and '80s while also incorporating more modern elements and a bit of Black Metal and Doom Metal to tie it all together. In that regard, their latest, Sword of Fierbois, doesn't feel surprising at all, as it shows the band once again making stripped down and catchy music that also contains an air of brilliant mysticism that feels retro and novel all at once. As is also expected, this is another concept album based on Christian warfare, this time discussing how the titular sword helped secure victory for seminal historical figures like Charlemagne, Charles "The Hammer" Martel, and Joan of Arc, and it appears to be pretty well researched and perfectly fitting for the band's style. That wouldn't mean much if the music was lacking but, as expected, Albert still proves to be a skilled and varied songwriter, whether it be the magnetic rhythms of "Rise of the Scimitar," the Anvil-esque rocker "War, Metal and Leather," and even more esoteric tunes like the textured "Blood at Orleans," which also features strong clean vocals from guest singer Leo Stivala, and the borderline Gothic Metal rocking of "Imperator." In the end, every expectation I have of this project is met on this album, and the most surprising thing about it all is how their albums keep on staying so high quality and capable of exploring new aspects of their sound that keep them fresh and entertaining. Recommended, but then you were expecting that.