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Greece's Sacral Rage is yet another in a long line of modern bands reaching back to the golden age of the 80s for not only inspiration but style as well. However, where most bands today seem to be looking mainly to Bay Area Thrash or the NWOBHM, Sacral Rage go in another direction, towards old-fashioned Speed Metal and the band Agent Steel in particular. The Steel weren't Thrash but played very fast and with a lot of melody to go with John Cyriis' high-pitched screams and eclectic vocal lines and Sacral Rage have it all down pat on their debut Illusions in Infinite Void. Anyone even slightly familiar with the classic Skeptics Apocalypse or Unstoppable Force albums will surely get a charge from Illusions in Infinite Void and while Sacral Rage are clearly emulating their heroes' formula quite closely the songwriting is strong enough that it doesn't feel like simple imitation or plagiarism. Songs like "Waltz in Madness" and "A Tyrannous Revolt" have that frantic delivery, wicked guitar work and infectious melody that makes you wish Agent Steel had continued in the same vein of their first two efforts. Usually when I say "there's nothing new here" it has a slightly negative connotation but with Illusions in Infinite Void it is actually a good thing. Check it out early 80s fans, it is most definitely worth your time.