Band:	Masters Of Disguise
Album:	Alpha / Omega
Style:	Heavy metal, Power metal
Release date:	October 2017
Guest review by:	Blackcrowe

01. The Rise (And Fall) Of Kingdoms
02. Sacrifice
03. Demons From The Past
04. Shadows Of Death
05. Killer's Redemption
06. Sign Of The Cross
07. Alpha / Omega
08. Witchhammer
09. Knutson III: Nemesis (I Am The Law)
10. The Leech
11. Blackwitch [Exciter cover] [bonus]

A Tribute to Grace...

Savage Grace was a highly talented band that unfortunately never gained the recognition they deserved, despite their solid debut album Master Of Disguise in 1985. Active from 1981 to 1993, the band reformed in 2009 and released a final EP titled The Lost Grace in 2010. Masters Of Disguise, a US-style power metal band from Germany, emerged from the remnants of Savage Grace's last touring lineup, aiming to revive their legacy.

Their latest album, Alpha / Omega, is their third release and showcases a mix of speed and power metal, drawing inspiration from classic bands like Riot, Agent Steel, Abattoir and Helloween. Alpha / Omega maintains a thrashy guitar style, with fluid transitions to traditional power metal. Despite being not as good as their previous releases, Alpha / Omega still offers a satisfying experience for listeners and remains a valuable addition to the band's discography.

US power metal enthusiasts should give it a spin, as the album continues to capture the genre's essence. The record is very fun and enjoyable, and with lots of intensity. The album opens with a strong instrumental track, and includes memorable songs like "Sacrifice" that embrace 80s metal. With tracks like "Alpha / Omega", "Sacrifice" and "Sign Of The Cross", you can bang your head without noticing. My favorite tracks are "Demons Of The Past" and "The Leech". The weakest song on the album is "Knutson III: Nemesis (I Am the Law)", which detracts from the album's quality.

The energetic and impressive vocal work from Alexx Stahl makes Alpha / Omega a thrilling ride from start to finish. The guitar work of Wolle and Kalli Kaldschmidt is amazingly good, as they craft fast riffs and great solos. Together, they maintain a high level of energy, capturing the spirit of 80s speed metal.
The recording is well-produced, with an approachable 46-minute length.

The formula has been installed by Masters Of Disguise, and their unique style has been infused into it. If speed metal was part of your youth, this record is bound to bring back your fond memories, like the lightning-fast guitar solos and a singer who belts out lyrics with intense passion. The band pays a good tribute to their childhood heroes. Also, thank God they change their artwork on this record...