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Well, this is a surprise. Apocalypse 666 is the fifth full-length from German metallers The Mystery, and even after the first note, I was kicking myself for not having heard of them sooner. Fronted by Iris Boanta, possibly the harshest, most masculine female metal singer on the block, The Mystery pummel the listener with Brainstorm riffs, Herman Frank ferocity, Crystal Viper coolness, and just a dollop of Grave Digger grit. This is German to the friggin core, and despite Boanta's ball grabbing vocals (a few testicles south of Elisa C Martin), the album is a very melodic one, with songs like "Blackened Ivory", "Outlaw", and "In Heaven Or Hell", a loving tribute to Dio, all sounding quite commercial in nature.

Mostly, this is a balls-to-the-wall release of solid European Power Metal, overflowing with back-to-back harmony guitars, ear-raping double kicks, huge, fist-in-the-air refrains, and anti-establishment lyrics that make you want to start a riot. With a modern production and songs that just won't quit, fans of melodic Power or Heavy Metal will find much to enjoy here.