Satan's Hallow-Satan's Hallow

Underground Power Records
2017

It goes without saying that Chicago has a treasured history of heavy metal. You can start with the bands Trouble, Zoetrope, and Thrust. These three groups (which I personally love) were all different from one another and yet they started a longstanding scene that is still pumping out cool bands. Two of the more current ones that I dig are Hëssler and Shokker . While these two groups offer different takes on heavy metal they are both enjoyable in their own way. The same thing can be said about Satan's Hallow. Formed in 2013 and featuring the exceptional voice of Mandy Martillo, Satan's Hallow is a traditional heavy metal band that draws it's influences from N.W.O.B.H.M. and the 80's metal scene. This full-length album, which serves as the long-anticipated follow-up to 2015's "The Horror b​/​w Satan's Hallow" and will also be released on vinyl and CD, is the self-titled debut from Satan's Hallow. It is also an instant classic. When I first introduced Satan's Hallow to our readers back in mid-March of  2015 I predicted big things would happen for this band. Mind you it wasn't as if I was psychic. The band's first single was just too good to suggest anything but future success. Those two songs ("The Horror" & "Satan's Hallow") not only show up on the band's new album, but they are surrounded by even better material! Frankly I have no idea how that is even possible!! Starting off with the killer number "Reaching For The Night", "Satan's Hallow" will be will one of 2017's "Top 10 Debut Albums"!! First off there are no duds on this album. Each song has been worked over in order that they are at the peak of perfection. Credit goes to not only Mandy Martillo*, but the album's line-up of:  Von Jugel (lead and rhythm guitar), Steve "Lethal" Beaudette (lead and rhythm guitar), Jose Salazar (bass), and Patrick "Rüsty" Glöckle (drums). You would be hard-pressed to find a unit this precise. Collectively-speaking, Satan's Hallow crafted a heavy metal album that is one for the ages! The shear talent of these five musicians is nothing short of amazing and it results in a near-perfect debut!! The album's new tracks are "Reaching For The Night", "Choir Of The Cursed", "Hot Passion", "Black Angle", "Moving On", "Still Alive", and  "Beyond The Bells". When you combine them with the two tracks from aforementioned single ("Satan's Hallow" and "The Horror") you get this wicked journey that you must hear from being to end. With nods of appreciation and/or sincere love also shown for Mercyful Fate, Acid, and Warlock, Satan's Hollow has magically transformed it's core influences (N.W.O.B.H.M. and 80's metal) into something distinctly original on their first album. If you call yourself any kind of heavy metal fan, "Satan's Hallow" is an obligatory pick-up. Welcome back you Chicago metalheads. Next time let's try not to be gone for so long!   



*Mandy has been dubbed "An American version of Doro" by others before me and I won't argue that point. It's more of a compliment than anything else. Especially seeing as she excels as the lead singer of this buzz-worthy band!  

Satan's Hallow-"The Horror b​/​w Satan's Hallow" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2015

My dear friends and loved ones I would like to take the opportunity to present to you Illinois' one and only Satan's Hallow. Comprised of lead singer Mandy Martillo, guitarists Mendoza & Von Jugel, bassist Poncho and drummer Rüsty (and with this {Why in the name of everything both holy and unholy haven't you already downloaded it already?} name-your-own-price single soon to be released on cassette* and 7" vinyl**) this Chicago-based N.W.O.B.H.M./traditional heavy metal-inspired band is absolutely wicked! Sinfully wicked in fact!! And I'm already head over heels for them! Of course any band that is seemly as obsessed with older horror films as I am is going to win me over. But when you have a band that also takes it's cue from the likes of Acid, Mercyful Fate, Judas Priest, Warlock and (old) Running Wild (all of which I have in my personal collection and rock out to!) then we are also talking about the whole love at first sight/is it alright if I just go ahead and start stalking you already? kind of relationship!While both tracks here are righteous in there own way it's actually the (not-quite-three-minutes, but it will haunt you eternally!) "The Horror" that left me completely speechless! That's not to take anything away from "Satan's Hallow" as this four minute tribute to eighties metal is a real "horns high in the air!" banger that leaves you longing to hear so much more from this retro-infused five-piece! Just-released this past Tuesday (March 10th to be exact) "The Horror b​/​w Satan's Hallow" could have easily been passed off as a recently-unearned single from heavy metal's glory days and no one would be the wiser! And that includes yours truly! It's simply that classic sounding and for the members of Satan's Hallow this golden ticket of a digital download has the feeling of something epic and even groundbreaking! I get the feeling that we're looking at just the start of something that will ultimately prove to be magical .....

https://www.facebook.com/satanshallow 

*Swords and Chains (release date 5/1/15) 

**No official label or release date listed yet, but mark my words it's going to happen as this N.W.O.B.H.M./traditional heavy metal single is far too good for labels to pass it up! Frankly I'm surprised that someone hasn't already signed this band to a multi-album deal! I know I would if I had my own label. Especially as this has low-risk/high-potential written all over it!!!!