[6.5/10] Although having been around for more than 20 years, German thrash/speed metal act Holy Moses haven’t really made it into the league of the bigger and more well-known names on the scene. But despite their lack of profile outside of Europe, Holy Moses has continued to consistently do what they do best year in/year out.

After spending the last couple of years supporting their 2005 release Strength Power Will Passion, the revamped five piece act (who now comprise of vocalist Sabina Classen, guitarists Michael Hankel and Oliver Jaath, bassist Thomas Neitsch and drummer Guido ‘Atomic Steif’ Richter) are back once again with their 10th full-length release Agony Of Death.

After a slow building keyboard introduction, which is provided by Axel Rudi Pell keyboardist Ferdy Doernberg, Holy Moses get straight down to business with the fast-paced “Imagination.” All the familiar Holy Moses traits are in check, with the song filled with raw, edgy and speeding guitars, the relentless pounding of drums and Classen’s raspy vocals. But as good as the track is with its latter day Exodus/Kreator vibe and sound, it doesn’t quite hook you in with its chorus as much as it should do.

And it’s that one issue with the first track that plagues the bulk of Agony Of Death. While the guest appearances from the likes of Darkside/Demolition guitarist Janos Murri (who provides solos on “Alienation”), Deicide/Obituary guitarist Ralph Santolla (contributing solos to “World In Darkness” and “Dissociative Disorder”), Obituary guitarist Trevor Peres (“Angels In War”) and Destruction/Headhunter vocalist Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer (“The Cave (Paramnesia)”) appear impressive on paper, they don’t lift the songs on Agony Of Death above the average.

The other problem that seems to hinder the bulk of Agony Of Death is the running length of the tracks. With only four of the album’s twelve tracks running under the five minute mark, the album seems to drag a little more than it should, which means that it feels like Holy Moses have tried too hard to put too much into the album, without realising that sometimes less really does mean more.

Agony Of Death is a solid thrash metal album, and another worthy release from Holy Moses. But had the band put more effort into emphasising the song’s chorus structures, and trimmed a little of the excess away, this really could have been an album that finally gives Holy Moses some well deserved worldwide attention.

www.holymoses.de