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Satan is one of the classic NWOBHM bands from the early 80s, famous as much for their controversial name as their music. The fact that their 1983 debut, Court in the Act, wasn't actually all that satanic did nothing to douse the band's cache. 30 years later and like so many before them, Satan are looking to the resurgence of Heavy Metal for a second shot at the brass ring. Life Sentence brings back all five original members and 10 new songs with a modern production and a classic sound. Songs like "Time to Die," Siege Mentality" and "Testimony" crackle with old school energy as the band puts their instruments through their paces. It hardly seems possible that 30 years have passed since Satan first lit up their speakers. Life Sentence also possesses some generic material ("Twenty Five Twenty Five" "Tears of Blood") and a lot of the songs, both the good and not so good, sound very similar to one another so, as a whole, the album is not as exciting as it could have been. When they are on, however, the riffs of Russ Tippins and Steve Ramsey are full of the grit and melody that made the NWOBHM such a popular movement and singer Brian Ross still sounds good though he sticks with the same key for the most part.

Unlike so many others, Satan in no way embarrasses themselves with their comeback but they didn't strike gold either. Life Sentence has some quality songs interspersed with some real filler so it isn't essential but fans of the NWOBHM will certainly want to judge for themselves.