It appears that traditional-sounding Heavy Metal is making more of a mark on today's Metal scene, thanks to the help of bands like San Diego's CAGE. Bands like CAGE are far and few between these days, as most institutions continue to lean towards the more modern approach. JUDAS PRIEST have done it well throughout their career, as did a handful of others. Presently, the real problem with the "true" Heavy Metal sound is that it is far too overdone, over-produced and carbon copied from band to band. Most of them sound the same, which makes it extremely boring to listen to. We want excitement when we listen to Metal. Thankfully, CAGE do just that, without succumbing to complete boredom.

These guys don't mess around when it comes to their music. They've been following relatively the same formula with all their previous albums ("Unveiled", "Astrology", "Darker Than Black", and "Hell Destroyer"), and they stick to their guns here as well. With their new output, "Science Of Annihilation", CAGE take yet another trip into the abyss of their creative minds and deliver one hellish barrage of fast, aggressive, fist-pounding, vocally-intense Heavy Metal that makes you glad that you listen to it in the first place. In between the intro ("The Power That Feeds" and outro (The Power That Feeds") is one single relentless attack with little room to breathe. Tracks like the opener "Planet Crusher", "Scarlet Witch", "Speed Kills", "Die Glocke" and the skull-crushing title track are examples of just how devastating CAGE can be when they are at their best. "Spirit Of Vengeance" has a great flowing melody to it, combined with alternating Thrash beats, "Power Of A God" is a typical-sounding Power Metal song, and "Operation Overlord" features a great display of Sean Peck's incredible vocal range and guitarists David Garcia's and Anthony Wayne McGinnis' blistering axe work.

With "Science Of Annihilation", CAGE don't leave much for error, other than the fact that the production sounds a tad cloudy. The sound quality is not bad, just that it would have sounded more alive if there was more emphasis placed on getting away from that cloudiness. At the same time, this in no way has any effect on the potency of this album. It's great. CAGE continue to show that they are a prominent force in Heavy Metal and "Science Of Annihilation" will hopefully see the band take a bigger step in their career. On that note, would somebody PLEASE sign these guys. Metal Blade? Century Media? Nuclear Blast? Are you listening?