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Whoa, did anyone get the license plate of the truck that just ran me over? That's what it felt like the first time I heard German Heavy Metal band Sceptor. Featuring former Attacker vocalist Bob Mitchell, backed by a group of unknown support musicians (presumably, they don't exactly scream who they are with names like "Mad" and "Dirk"), Sceptor have released a two song single of absolutely ferocious 80s US Heavy Metal.

"Shadows in the Maze" is a killer track. The opening chords blast you in the face with the force of a sledgehammer. The sound is quite similar to the debut album from Metal Church. Mitchell's evil growls and mad shrieks bring to mind a cross between Udo Dirkschneider and David Wayne. I found myself wondering "is that..." more than once the first time I heard the song. The guitars and vocals take turns bludgeoning you with lethal force. The second song, "Powerhouse" is a little more restrained and, truth be told, a little dull compared with "Shadows in the Maze," but still stands on its own quite well. Both songs are both heavy and catchy at the same time. The band does not ignore melody in their songwriting.

Sceptor have definitely piqued my interest with this single and I hope there's a full-length in the near future AND that it lives up to the potential flashed here on "Shadows in the Maze" b/w "Powerhouse."